An Ever-Changing World
- Dec 17, 2016
- 4 min read
Location:
Rangitoto Island, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Like every other place we have visited, we always seem to have this desire to simply get out and explore. No matter where we are, there is always a list in my head of places that I want to visit before I leave. Thankfully Jason is very easy going, because I don’t think we could execute two lists! It would be a shame coming to a different country without taking the time to at least see the highlights! We may be settled in Auckland, working a way for a couple of months, but this is still our ‘Big Adventure…’
With Auckland sitting on a large volcanic field, the area has so much to offer any wannabe adventurist. In total, the area comprises of 47 volcanic cones. Don’t worry, most of them are not active. But wouldn’t it be cool to see an active one, bellowing smoke? To have the chance to go up in a helicopter and look down at the bubbling hot lava inside! That would be ‘Amazeballs darling, amazeballs!’ But fear not, Auckland is a relatively safe place to live. Like every list, there can only be a ‘Number 1!’ This time, a very special iconic place that finds itself sitting at the very top…
With jobs that give you every weekend off, it’s the perfect opportunity to tick some things off our list. No better time to catch a short ferry to one of Auckland’s most iconic volcanic cones, the famous, ‘Rangitoto Island.’ What a fascinating place! While the area was created from a series of eruptions dating back 6,000 years ago, it wasn’t until 600 years ago that the most recent eruption created the island that we know and love today. What a truly remarkable place!
There are a couple of nice treks you can do. We decided to do the most popular one, and the one that would give us breath-taking views of the whole area, which involved a climb to the summit. What an experience it was. On either side of the pathway the ground is covered in black, broken lava rock. The island is quite famous during the month of December for its many beautiful red flowered Christmas trees, ‘Pōhutukawa.’ They certainly add a nice pop of colour to a landscape that is otherwise very dark! A feast for the eyes. As the island is relatively young, the island does not contain any soil, as 600 years is not enough time for this process to occur. While the island contains over 200 species of trees, it is thought the areas forests are too young for a thriving bird population to call the island their home! Maybe in a few years.
Once I get something in my head, that is it! After only reaching the summit, I noticed there were a group of people on top of a small, one story building. Immediately, my brain began to scramble a plan together of how I could reach the top. Could I, do it? Would I fall trying to get up, well, I nearly did! Would it stop me? After a few minutes composing myself, I tried again, and this time I was successful. Being on top of a roof with 360 degree views looking out across the water is what the ‘Big Adventure’ is all about! The privilege to see and appreciate such beauty, something that only the naked eye can truly comprehend!
On our way, down from the summit, we decided to explore the island even further by traversing another track. Even though there are lots of people around, it’s easy to lose them and think that you are the only one here. Simply peace and quiet, not a whisper not even a footstep! Simply peace and quiet! It’s you, your loved one and Mother Nature. Not a bad combo! She certainly kept us amused. Everywhere we looked, every corner we went around… Mother Nature had been busy!
One of the highlights on the island are the caves. If you ever find yourself visiting one of these, please remember that they are very dark places, so be careful where you put your feet. Any wrong step, well that just wouldn’t be nice! And do remember that a torch on a phone just won’t cut it, or so I thought! Not thinking much of it apart from a slight pain, which I quickly brushed off, on the way back after a very long day on my poor feet, I began to feel the damage that was done earlier! ‘Pain,’ a sign that one is ‘Alive!’
I had a really, good day and I think Jason did to! This iconic, Auckland treasure is a place that not only touches your heart, but gets your mind going! How can it be only 600 years old? In terms of our evolution, this is nothing! A mere ‘Second’ on the evolution clock! It’s easy to forget that we live in ‘An Ever-Changing World!’
By Andrew
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