Sightseeing Around Auckland on The Aki Tour

                                                                 –My Time in New Zealand Day 6

On Day 6 in New Zealand, I got to get some sightseeing in around Auckland curtesy of my new family Time Unlimited Tours. As I didn’t have to be in rehearsal until 2:00, I was able to hang for half of their Aki Tour!

I was so giddy to have more than a couple of hours of play time in this beautiful place. Enough time to take photos and video without looking at my watch every five minutes! Free (at least partly) of a schedule? OH YES PLEASE!

1st stop was to Takapuna Beach, the site of an ancient fossilized forest. We didn’t get to hang here for long, but I did see a beautiful (that word again) black swan with their baby.

Black Swan & Baby at Takapuna Beach in Auckland, NZ

Atop Te Mauna Takarunga (Mt. Victoria)

After being dazzled by Takapuna Beach, it was off to the summit of Te Mauna Takarunga also known as Mt. Victoria. Ceilhe (K-Lee), the co-owner of Time Unlimited Tours told us the history and significance the mountain had to her family. Her ancestor is buried at the base of the mountain. He was the leader of her people when the colonizers came to New Zealand and he was able to broker a treaty with them.

From the mountain top, you have a 360 degree view of Auckland as seen below:

The Wintergarden and The Fernery

Time was moving and it was time for lunch at the Wintergarden Café. I had the Vegan Bowl with hummus, pickled carrots, wild rice, avocado, tomato, marinated tofu, and seasonal greens. Oh man was it YUMMY!

But before we sat down to eat, we took a quick run through the gardens:

After our lunch it was time to be dropped off for rehearsal! A lot was packed into my morning and I am so Grateful to have been invited on the Aki Tour.

The Next Installment Drops Monday, September 23rd @9:30AM EST