the route

Sunday, March 30

Hahei to Coromandel to Auckland. We made it to our destination -- at least the final day on two wheels. Partly happy, partly sad. We are definitely looking forward to relaxing, but, at the same time, I (John) have not yet exhausted my desire to keep on pedaling. At any rate, our last ride was quick and (thankfully) easy going. We rode from Hahei to Kalmarama via Whitianga and then proceeded over the Coromandel Range to Coromandel.
There, our riding ended. Our final destination was ultimately achieved by sea as we rode on the ferry to Auckland. We and our bikes (latched to the bow of the tiny ferry) docked into Auckland after nightfall. This turned out to be a pleasant way to enter the big city. We landed right in the heart of Auckland. No hassles with traffic. No endless suburbs to navigate. And, we were able to watch the lights of Auckland slowly unfold from our watery vantage.
Of course, the first thing we thought of on arrival was food. So, we headed straight to Rosinis (Renee's favorite haunt from her time in Auckland). Rosinis is located right in the very hip heart of Auckland. The restaurant is one big room (wood floor, Eames-style chairs) with french doors all along the street that roll back completely -- bringing in the night air and the city. After a very fine dinner (heightened by the blandness and monotony of our usual fare) we headed up to Parnell Road, stopping in at a cafe for a few espressos and great chocolate cake. As I mentioned before, Auckland appears to be a very hip city -- lots of cool shops, restaurants, and cafes -- with the feel of San Francisco at its heart and perhaps a bit of DC in some of its cultural areas. We would like to tip our collective hats to Renee who's really responsible for the site -- both in design and in keeping us running every day -- We're out here just bumming around and getting all the glory, but she's making this little electronic world of ours spin. (...and we had better see this posted on the site)!

Monday, March 31

Auckland. This morning we had bagels and juice (john had coffee) at a bagel shop on High street. Strolled around town a bit seeing the sights and doing a little shopping. Spent part of the afternoon at the Auckland Domain Botanical Gardens. Rode up Mt. Eden (a volcanic cone in the middle of town) to explore and watch the sunset. Once you make the climb up Mt. Eden, (accessable by car, bike, or foot) you can see everything! Look in one direction to see the skyline. Turn around to see One Tree Hill, You name it, you can see it. The islands, the Coromandel, the huge museum and gardens, lots of sailboats in the harbor...We got up there before sunset so we had some time to explore. There is still the big crater that you can walk down into, it, if you want. The other funny part about this place is that they keep cattle up there, so be sure to watch where you step. Auckland has over thirty dormant volcanos which are now just grassy hills for viewing bird's eye views of the city and its environs.
One of the main points of downtown is the Maritime Museum at Hobson Wharf. Sitting outside, perched up on a huge stand, is the NZ1. That is the sailboat that raced in the 1988 America's Cup. However, if you decided to visit the museum right now you will be entered into a raffle. The winner will get to go sailing on "Black Magic". The New Zealand boat that won the America's Cup in 1995.
Speaking of the America's Cup -- I am not sure if this made the news in the States, but it was a big story here. Just as we arrived in New Zealand, we heard that some guy charged into where the America's Cup is being displayed and started smashing it with a bat or something.
The trophy now has a huge dent in the side and is being sent over to England for repair. This was the talk of the town around here I bet. By the number of sailboats in the harbor I would have to say the people of Auckland take sailing very seriously. It is the "City of Sails".

See the map for these days
Tuesday, April 1

	Sunday, March 30
	Hahei to Coromandel to Auckland. We made it to our destination -- at least the final day on two wheels. Partly happy, partly sad. We are definitely looking forward to relaxing, but, at the same time, I (John) have not yet exhausted my desire to keep on pedaling. At any rate, our last ride was quick and (thankfully) easy going. We rode from Hahei to Kalmarama via Whitianga and then proceeded over the Coromandel Range to Coromandel. There, our riding ended. Our final destination was ultimately achieved by sea as we rode on the ferry to Auckland. We and our bikes (latched to the bow of the tiny ferry) docked into Auckland after nightfall. This turned out to be a pleasant way to enter the big city. We landed right in the heart of Auckland. No hassles with traffic. No endless suburbs to navigate. And, we were able to watch the lights of Auckland slowly unfold from our watery vantage. Of course, the first thing we thought of on arrival was food. So, we headed straight to Rosinis (Renee's favorite haunt from her time in Auckland). Rosinis is located right in the very hip heart of Auckland. The restaurant is one big room (wood floor, Eames-style chairs) with french doors all along the street that roll back completely -- bringing in the night air and the city. After a very fine dinner (heightened by the blandness and monotony of our usual fare) we headed up to Parnell Road, stopping in at a cafe for a few espressos and great chocolate cake. As I mentioned before, Auckland appears to be a very hip city -- lots of cool shops, restaurants, and cafes -- with the feel of San Francisco at its heart and perhaps a bit of DC in some of its cultural areas. We would like to tip our collective hats to Renee who's really responsible for the site -- both in design and in keeping us running every day -- We're out here just bumming around and getting all the glory, but she's making this little electronic world of ours spin. (...and we had better see this posted on the site)!

	Monday, March 31
	Auckland. This morning we had bagels and juice (john had coffee) at a bagel shop on High street. Strolled around town a bit seeing the sights and doing a little shopping. Spent part of the afternoon at the Auckland Domain Botanical Gardens. Rode up Mt. Eden (a volcanic cone in the middle of town) to explore and watch the sunset. Once you make the climb up Mt. Eden, (accessable by car, bike, or foot) you can see everything! Look in one direction to see the skyline. Turn around to see One Tree Hill, You name it, you can see it. The islands, the Coromandel, the huge museum and gardens, lots of sailboats in the harbor...We got up there before sunset so we had some time to explore. There is still the big crater that you can walk down into, it, if you want. The other funny part about this place is that they keep cattle up there, so be sure to watch where you step. Auckland has over thirty dormant volcanos which are now just grassy hills for viewing bird's eye views of the city and its environs. One of the main points of downtown is the Maritime Museum at Hobson Wharf. Sitting outside, perched up on a huge stand, is the NZ1. That is the sailboat that raced in the 1988 America's Cup. However, if you decided to visit the museum right now you will be entered into a raffle. The winner will get to go sailing on "Black Magic". The New Zealand boat that won the America's Cup in 1995. Speaking of the America's Cup -- I am not sure if this made the news in the States, but it was a big story here. Just as we arrived in New Zealand, we heard that some guy charged into where the America's Cup is being displayed and started smashing it with a bat or something. The trophy now has a huge dent in the side and is being sent over to England for repair. This was the talk of the town around here I bet. By the number of sailboats in the harbor I would have to say the people of Auckland take sailing very seriously. It is the "City of Sails".