<div dir="ltr"><br><div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Jan 7, 2015 at 10:52 AM, Mark Smith <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Mark.Smith@emulex.com" target="_blank">Mark.Smith@emulex.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
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<p class="MsoNormal">Just throwing this out there.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">I’m a big fan of seeing a new town from the air. When visiting, I will generally include a chopper ride or some sort of flight around town. Perhaps I just like aviation a bit too much, but there are many vendors out there who would be
willing to take the money from a tourist wanting to do the same. I can’t recommend any organization over another, but I’m sure Google can help you.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On the flip side, there are numerous options for sightseeing from a boat in the Auckland harbour area.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Rangitoto Island is only a quick boat ride and is the area’s newest volcano. Bring sturdy shoes. It’s connected via the tiniest spits of land to Motutapu </p></div></div></blockquote><div><br><br></div><div>Bring plenty of water - there's none on the island, hardy any trees for shade on the trail up to the crater, and it gets really hot (by NZ standards) on Rangitoto around this time of year. Check the ferry schedule (Fullers) for the last departure - if you miss the last one, hail a water taxi. <br><br> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-NZ"><div><p class="MsoNormal">Island. A little bit further out is Waiheke Island. Lots of vineyards and opportunities
for some fantastic eating. There’s even some bouldering on the east side if you’re into that.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Lots of other volcanos in the area too. If you’re keen, get up one and look in. Some have important cultural significance like One Tree Hill.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Kelly Tarlton’s Sea Life Aquarium is really cool especially if you like penguins, hint, hint, hint.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">There’s a bungy jump under the Auckland bridge that is kinda fun. Likewise, you can jump off the Skytower using an assisted descent device. Or if leaving the tower is no good, you can take a guided tour around the outside near the top
of the it.<u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re car capable, take a trip out to Piha beach. Awesome area. Go walk around and experience it. You’ll need to walk way to the left to see the best stuff. Waves crashing on the rocks, caves, tunnels, hills, there’s nothing there
that isn’t fantastic. On the way there, you’ll need to go through Waitakere Range. If you like hiking, take a walk there too.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div>Muriwai beach is also well worth a visit for the huge gannet colony. The chicks should have hatched by now - this is prime bird watching season at Muriwai. <br></div><div><br>Stop at the ranger station in the Waitakeres to pick up a recent map if you plan to go for a hike - plenty of tracks have been closed prevent spreading of kauri dieback disease. There's trails taking anywhere between 2 hours and 12 hours round trip. Ask me for a trail guide if you're interested. <br> <br></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-NZ"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sadly, not too much climbing in the area though there are gyms and there is always the Mt Eden Quarry which I have yet to visit.</p></div></div></blockquote><div><br></div><div><br>Plenty of rec centres have indoor climbing facilities - there's a large facility close to Mount Wellington that I've been to in the past. Forgot what they're called but can look that up at home.<br><br></div><div>Cheers,<br><br></div><div> Michael<br><br></div><div><br></div><div> </div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div link="blue" vlink="purple" lang="EN-NZ"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u><u></u></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#404040">Mark Smith</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";color:#404040"><br>
Senior Performance Analyst<br>
85 Alexandra Street<br>
Hamilton<br>
<b><a href="tel:%2B64%207%20959%202634" value="+6479592634" target="_blank">+64 7 959 2634</a></b> Office<br>
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