The flight back home

We first flew from Auckland to Sydney.  The weather was terrible - crazy electrical storms almost kept us from landing.  Our plane circled for over an hour, and finally we landed in the cargo area because there wasn't any space anywhere else, as most of the airport was shut down.  Many flights were diverted to other airports.  After we landed, the whole airport was shut down for over an hour.  My baggage was left in the rain, so when I finally got it back in Chicago over a day later, my clothes were still wet.  The silver lining (no pun intended) is that our flight to Los Angeles was also delayed so we didn't miss it.

Los Angeles!

Due to the delays we missed the flight from LA to Chicago and had to wait about 5 hours for the next one.  After a 4 hour flight to Sydney and a 12 hour flight to LA. 

Chicago!

After we landed in Chicago (at midnight or so) we rented a car and drove to Kendallville, finally arriving at 4am.  What a trip!

Last hours in paradise

Our view from our hotel.

Last views of the space needle.  I will miss you!

Rangitoto Island

Our last major activity in New Zealand was a day trip to Rangitoto Island - a volcanic island that formed about 600 years ago.

Cruise ride through the harbor.

Find the sky needle!

Lighthouse, currently fully automated.

Another island in the harbor. 

Volcanic field on the island.

Inside of the crater.

Lava flow caves.

View from the summit.

Very rare kidney ferns.

Stoat/rat traps all over the island (and all over NZ) to catch non-native species.  I have very mixed feelings about this - I understand trying to save the lovely native birds, but the stoats didn't ask to come here!  They were brought by colonists so that they could feel more at home hunting stoats and making fur coats.  Maybe we should remove the invasive humans first?  Just a thought.

Back in the city - more sky tower!

Panorama from the summit.

One Tree Hill

We also went to another dormant volcano, One Tree Hill.  

Beautiful fountain in the Domain Park.

My magic spell trapped Caryl in this old tree!

The monument at the top - Maori activists chopped down the one tree in protest (as it was a non-native species) to bring awareness for land rights and discrimination.

Sky needle in the distance.

How cute is this dog!?  Had to share this. 

Mt. Eden

One of the days we walked to Mount Eden, one of about 50 volcanoes near Auckland.  It has an awesome view of downtown.

Other volcanoes can be seen in every direction.

The summit is not quite as impressive as Mt. Doom...

The crater.

Panorama!

Auckland, day 1

After getting over the loss of our trusted traveling companion (the van) we had 7 more days to explore Auckland and the area.

Downtown Auckland.

Such a magestic shag!

A moment later - gross!!!

Our first look at the space needle, which can be seen from just about anywhere in the city.

Up close - only a few blocks from our hostel!

At the Auckland Museum - an approximation of what a moa (giant flightless bird) would have looked like.  They made this one out of emu feathers.

Picture of Mount Ngauruhoe erupting in 1974.

And again in 1926.

A copy of one of the victims of the Vesuvius eruption in Pompeii - whose shape was preserved in the volcanic ash as he/she died covering their face to prevent smoke inhalation.

A real moa skeleton!

More views of the space needle from around town.