I've had two enjoyable and interesting days around Auckland. Yesterday I went to Kelly Tarleton's Anarctic Encounter and Underwater World - a very quirky attraction which includes a replica of Scott's hut from the doomed Antarctic expedition, a chance to see penguins up close (including some fluffy baby ones) and one of those glass tunnels through a giant shark tank - like you get at Sea Life centres in the UK. It was the creation of one man - Kelly Tarleton - who sadly died young, just weeks after it first opened.
I then caught the ferry over to the little seaside town of Devonport for a short guided tour to some good viewpoints, a pleasant afternoon pottering round the cafes and shops, and a delicious early dinner, before getting the ferry back.
Today I caught another ferry over to a relatively young volcanic island - Rangitoto. It erupted out of the sea about 600 years ago. I walked through exotic forests and lava fields to the crater rim, and then back to the shoreline via some lava caves, fern groves and historic seaside holiday cottages known as baches.
The picture was taken half way up the volcano with the city of Auckland in the background.
The weather continues mainly cloudy but very warm.
Tomorrow I catch the train for the twelve hour journey to Wellington.
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