18 March 2018 Sunday.
It was Sunny Morning. After checked out, we headed towards Auckland Tower.
Inside Auckland CBD…
At the Auckland Tower ticketing counter, we pondered if we want to EXPERIENCE SKY TOWER.
After some checking, We thought it’s more worthwhile to get up there for lunch. Unfortunately, the restaurant was fully booked. (probably many people think alike).
Snaps of Auckland tower from the base. Notice the lines that runs from the top of the tower…. those are for the dare devil jumps.
Having breakfast at Subway beside Auckland Tower.
It was another 10 minutes drive to Auckland Fish Market…
Surprisingly, it was a relative small market, selling varieties of fishes and ocean catch.
A check and we had opinion that it is a little expensive.
Just outside the Fish Market – is the Wynyard waterfront. It is Cool and Vibrant !
People enjoying themselves at eateries facing the waterfront….
Looking out into the bay, water sparkling under the intense sunlight.
At one corner is the NZ Navy ship with a seaplane to its rear.
Our pictures at the water front and with Volvo Exhibits.
Looking across Viaduct Basin…. Volvo Ocean Race was on.
Corner for swimming on this crowded Harbor !
There are lots of yacht in the harbour…. drifting lightly with the breeze. Luxury and Relaxing !
Zoom in on the Ocean Racers….
At Wynyard Crossing. A very busy bridge.
Suddenly, the crowd stopped before the bridge.
This woman was controlling the show…
Starting of Lift.
When fully lifted.
when all shipped had passed…
Video clip of the bridge lifting process.
Bridge lift from another angle…
Good bye to this lovely waterfront. On our way to Paihia, we made a stop at Catalina Bay Farmers Market.
Entrance to Farmers Market…
There are three rows of stalls within the building.
This sausage is good…
We bought Macadamia nuts and …. Seed cracker is the best. I had 4 packs. Regret for not buying more.
It was a long long drive. With sections of slow moving traffic just outside Auckland, it took us three and half hours to reached Kawakawa.
Guess what Kawakawa was famous of ?
Thanks to Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser who transformed Kawakawa public toilets into art pieces.
Pictures of artistic toilet wall.
Our pictures at Hundertwasser Toilets.
The local community were probably inspired by Hundertwasser. There are plenty of murals and random art pieces on the street.
Pictures with art pieces…
Probably telephone booth will one day become an antique art piece.
Strolling along the main street…. an antique building
Build in 1876, Hunter Star gave me an impression of Tavern for horse back hunters in cowboy countries.
A peep behind the Hunter Star… A lots of birds landing and taking off….
Managed to capture a series of pictures on bird flew in, made a twist and then landing…
I thought it was quite fortunately or lucky to shoot such a series as sharp pictures of flying birds were very to shoot !
Another 30 minutes drive and we were at Piahia Anchor House.
Very cosy units…
We especially love the little green patches outside the room.
After settling down, we were out on Paihia main street.
A stopover at Countdown and Paihia War Memorial Hall.
In less 30 minutes, we were at Rainbow Fall. 5 minutes walk uphill, we could see the rainbow fall.
Brilliant sunlight beaming directly into the valley. I thought the air the valley must be pretty saturated and when the sunlight is at correct angle, we should see brilliant rainbow.
Close up on Rainbow Fall at look out point. Flow is very aggressive !
A short video clip on the aggressive flow
Our pictures at lookout point.
A short walk uphill, we were at the top of waterfall. The quiet water above the waterfall.
Capturing picture of the turbulent flow…
And zoom in. It is like a line dividing serenity and boisterous.
Zoomed in on the complicated flow, very nice view, water splashing from all angles.
A short video clip on the all directional flow
The downstream.
Our pictures at the top cascade.
Enough of splashing water music, we headed down hill…
Walking along the cliff wall towards the base of water fall…
Looking up the cliff wall. I wonder if the angular rock natural !
At the base of Rainbow Fall….feeding the camera first !
Notice the misty water vapour in front of the waterfall… these will disperse sunlight into seven colors !
Our pictures with Rainbow Fall.
It was nearly 1900 hrs when we left Rainbow Fall. Almost dark when we arrived at Alfresco Paihia.
Seated, relax and waiting for food…
Our appetizer…
Juicy, superb…
Not enough ….Another dozen !
The main courses were delicious too…
End of Day 9 :
We started our day at the vibrant Auckland waterfront…. cool, relax and enjoyable. Had our best purchase for the entire trip – seed cracker from Catlina Bay Farmers Market. Stepping back into History and Art at Kawakawa. Wonderful time as we enjoy the song of splashing water at Rainbow Fall. Last but not least… superb Oyster at Alfresco.
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