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Tiritiri Matangi

One of those days when you don’t need an alarm because you know that day will be great. The boat to Tiritiri Matangi was leaving early from the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland.

Tuhi Rapa waiting for us to board

There are strict rules to keep pests from the islands in the hauraki gulf. We had to scrub and disinfect our boots before we could get on board. After a short 50-minute cruise to Gulf Harbour and another 20 minute we were dropped of at the wharf on the Island for 4 hours to explore the island.

The clear water near Tiritiri

The island was a pasture island until the 80s and then was reforested with native trees and plants. Today it is the home to many native and endangered birds including Little Penguins, Hihi and Korimako.

Korimako

The northern part of the island feels almost untouched. Even though we were like 50 people you would barely meet any when out on the trails. They also did a great job of explaining the preservation efforts and educating on different flora and fauna.

Cabbage Trees and New Zealand Flax

I hiked once around the whole island and saw a lot of wildlife. Especially the rugged east coast had some stunning views.

East Coast

Auckland Domain

Albert Park

Bag End

Waitangi

Close to Antarctica

I arrived in Auckland in the early morning. I only bought the flight tickets last week and together with being a solo traveler coming from Chile I must have been a walking red flag for the customs officers. After I got questioned for about 10-15 minutes I was released and found myself outside the airport waiting for an Uber.

The very friendly Uber driver took me to my hotel which was it turned out is still closed until 8:00 in the morning. I found out it is a national holiday in New Zealand today called Waitangi Day. My driver was so nice to bring me to the next coffee shop (LaLa Cafe) where I could wait. The coffee was especially helpful in waking up after the more than 12 hours of nodding off over the pacific. Check-in would only be at around 15, but the cheerful Filipino staff in the hotel told me that my room would be ready for me around 12. I then stashed my gear in the hotel and explored Auckland on foot.