mrsjono

Last year, our friends brought us to Cape Palliser. This year, we took our friends from Singapore to Cape Palliser. I joke that we have to make it a ritual to bring Singaporeans here every year. After our short meet up in Auckland, I was looking forward to meeting MB and her sister again, this time they came down to Masterton to visit us. It felt awesome to be able to text and meet up a good friend who was staying just 5 mins away!


Brunch at our favourite Clareville Bakery


My all time favourite steak and cheese pie (right)


I am so lucky to still have both of you by my side and still on the same sides as 5 years ago ha!


When we were young lol


Ready to find the seals?




Find the seals success!



From the lighthouse


We were quite surprised with the stunning coastal views while driving back on the long gravel road. By this time they had fallen asleep at the back.


Fanny didn't want to get out of the way when they arrived


Till today MB still remember the braised pork and kailan that we cooked lol


It was so nice to be able to chat with friends from home at night

The symmetrical outline of Rangitoto Island rising gently in the horizon is visible from several of Auckland's vantage points. This volcano was formed 600 years ago and is only a short ferry ride away from the city. It was fine in the morning but became cloudy when we reached the summit. We became increasingly annoyed with the presence of too many Chinese visitors and the sight of children causing damage to the trig station by climbing all over it.


Rangitoto from Mt Eden





Lava caves were quite cool


Auckland from Rangitoto on an overcast day

Mb's siblings are very energetic and entertaining; I was busy laughing and eating at the same time. Haven't had such a happy meal for a very long time. They went to Onehunga for shopping in the afternoon while we went back to check into our accommodation and took a bus to Mt Eden. I couldn't make it to the summit for last new year's countdown so we're back to try again. I've not seen an extinct volcano before and was surprised to find such a deep depression.


Rangitoto Island


One Tree Hill


Splendid views on a clear day






We had dinner together at Albert St food court. Food was abit off the mark. While walking back to the expensive Wilson carpark, we took some photos near a church. I suggested going up Mt Eden and was happy the night views did not disappoint. I haven't been taken away by city night views for awhile. We didn't stay long as it was bloody cold and difficult to take photos at night. We discovered night photos turn out better if somebody in the picture is wearing grey!



St Patrick's Cathedral & Sky Tower

We've always wondered what's on that island in the middle of the Wellington harbour. East by West Ferries to Somes Island was on half price on GrabOne ($12 pp return) so we paid a visit to this historic reserve that was once used as a quarantine centre and military defence position. The island is also home to native plants and animals and requires all visitors to undergo a biosecurity check upon arrival to prevent unwanted pests from entering this protected reserve.



This lighthouse is still in use today to guide maritime traffic across the harbour.


Shag Rock lookout, named after the spotted shag (bird) colony that lives here.




Quarantine station used to house humans and animals with diseases


Views of Wellington from Southern lookout


Oei not supposed to climb on trigs lah


Remains of WWII gun emplacements that were built in 1942 to defend the capital against enemy aircraft but never had to be used in war.


One of the five remaining concrete structures on the summit