The View

You will find that if you click on a picture you will be able to see it with better detail.

Great Barrier Island

The first couple of nights on The Great Barrier were a bit wet but since then has been quite spectacular. I spent my first two nights with all my gear on the trail but now Woof at a local backpacker and have been going on coastal and mountain day hikes/runs. The island is 3 times the size of Waiheke yet only has 740 perminent residents. Mostly solar power here and all water is heated by fire, no paved roads and no stop lights. Food quite expesive here so I have found great enjoyment in supplimenting my diet with muscles and pippys found at low tide, I also eat fresh fruit picked from the orchard. I can see the sunrise from my bed and have lately be doing a bit of firewood cutting/splitting/stacking. Doing the work I love in a new and delightful place has been quite rewarding. (TOP picture is the beach five minutes walk from where i stay and the other was taken while on coastal trek on other end of the island)

3 nights in Auckland

The Great Barrier Island Ferry does not leave until Friday at 7am. At the library now clearing up details of my hike. I just fixed the setting on blog for comments to be posted by anyone so sorry if you posted before and got no reply. It works now though.

Farewell Cabin Shot

Goodbye Waiheke. On to Great barrier island for a week on the trails.

Market, Sweat Lodge, Poll climb

Since my last report I have to been to:

-The local market where Jala (the 5 year old daughter) sold seven dollars and fifty cents of her old clothes in which see immediately bought 8 dollars worth of candy

-The sweat lodge in which 10 of the local islanders including Darrell (who i woof for) and myself all crammed into the complete darkness of a hut which was no larger than a 3 person camping tent. Over the course of the next 3 hours, hot rocks were brought in an put in a pit in the middle of the hut. Water was continuously poured on these rocks so that steam filled the space. Needless to say I was a bit dehydrated the next day.

_Took the motorbike out again for a little ride which again was a great time.

_pictured Above, I found a bit of time to do my own thing...

Atop Waiheke ISland

Top of the island and trail walk to Pearl Bay.

Motorcycle ride to Pearl Bay

I have never been surrounded by such astounding beauty. I wanted to take pictures constantly but felt i best just enjoy the moment. Pearl bay (pictured) was quite nice and the countryside seen by motorcycle could not been any more enjoyable.