Ascending Among Green and Blue

Rangitoto Wharf

Sarah's dad came to Auckland this week because he had to pick up a plane that was undergoing maintenance here in New Zealand. (He is a pilot for Hawaiian Airlines.) We all had a free day to spend together, so we decided to hike to the top of Rangitoto Island. Pictured is the wharf where the ferry dropped us off along with the top of the volcano seen in the distance.

Spirit of New Zealand

I took this picture of Rangitoto Island from a ferry. The Spirit of New Zealand barquentine ship can be seen as well. The Spirit of New Zealand is a training vessel for teenagers.

Columns Revisited

Old U.S. Capitol Building columns now located in the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C. (I took this picture about a year ago, but I recently got new photo editing software and liked the way this one came out...)

Taupo Waves

Lake Taupo

This image was taken in Taupo looking toward snow-covered Mt. Ruapehu during a field trip for our Resource Management class. We had a great time. The scenery was beautiful, the talks were very informative, we travelled by bus along New Zealand's largest river (the Waikato), and learned all about New Zealand dairy farms and how they impact the environment. I only wish we could have spent more time around Taupo. While looking toward Mt. Ruapehu, we caught only a glimpse of an amazing World Heritage site. We'll definitely have to make every effort to get back down there!

Almost Achromatic

Piha Sunset

Fighting the Ocean

Ocean Mist

Beach Play

Piha Beach

Piha Beach is great for surfing. The long waves, dark green Waitakere mountains, and black sand make it pretty nice, too. It is only about an hour's drive to the west from Auckland.

Off-Shore Stack

This "off-shore stack" is at Cathedral Cove. This was the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. The beach looked out toward many off-shore islands, had a huge arch (see last picture), had a waterfall, was covered in beautiful sand with colorful shells, and had crystal-clear water. No pictures will ever do this beach any justice.

Cathedral Cove

A cloudy day for lovers at Cathedral Cove on the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand.

Hahei Beach

Apparently happy to be near a location where Narnia: Prince Caspian was partially filmed.

Coromandel Ranges

Sarah's parents came to visit us this week. We rented a van and toured a bit of the island near Auckland. These mountains are about a 2 hour drive to the east of Auckland and make up the center of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Tamaki Evening

Yesterday, Sarah and I walked five miles with our German friends to a great little Bavarian Restaurant just past Mission Bay in Auckland. We were celebrating the end of our first semester at the University of Auckland. The food was 'so good!' And to top off our German themed adventure, Germany won the European Championship quarterfinal against Portugal this morning.

This picture was taken along Tamaki Drive on our evening walk to Mission Bay.

Sarah Presents!

Wet Rose

The Sun Hides