Farewell, Auckland

Surprisingly (Byron), tomorrow marks our last day in Auckland.  Time has sure flown, especially with all the excitement and fun that has been packed into the last few days.  First, while wading in the beautiful Pacific Ocean, we had a little visit from some friends--KILLER WHALES!!  How exciting it that?! When we first spotted them, they were a little way out (maybe 100 yards), but we must have looked friendly enough, cause they came right in close and hung out for a while.  While Corie likes to tell people that we swam with them, worry not, we enjoyed their visit from the safety of the sandy beach.  It was surely a once in a lifetime experience--one we will not soon forget.
After a couple days of projects around the house (including, but not limited to, painting a storage space white), we set off down the windy road, camping supplies in tow, to explore a little beach called Piha! It's a popular, local surf beach known for its fine, black sand.  We pitched our tent at the lovely campground and trod off to bask in the sun.  The ocean breeze and coastal clouds kept the heat from scorching us.  After laying around for a bit, we climbed up Lion Rock--a lush and looming rock jutting out of the ocean--then we enjoyed a picnic dinner (Mexican style) in the sand.  After dark set in, we busted out our headlamps for the first time--we were the coolest campers around. 

When the sun lit up our tent the next morning, we jumped out of our sleeping bags and took off to see the famed Kitekite Falls.  We were encouraged when we discovered that we were on the Hillary Trail.  If we can follow in his footsteps here, why not try Everest next?  We wandered up the trail under the jungle canopy until we spotted the falls! Breathtaking to say the least.  If breathtaking is the least, you know it must have been exquisite.  Much to our surprise and amazement, the track didn't end there.  A couple minutes later, we found ourselves sitting on the rocks at the very base of the falls.  We can't say enough to do it justice, so we'll let a few pictures try to convince you. 

Excited about chasing the whales down the beach...Corie, Taz, Taylor

Our little home in Piha!

Our lovely host, Lucy, dropping us off for a weekend at the beach.

Hiking down (or sideways, it seems) Lion Rock.

Piha Beach

Kitekite Falls--Taylor excited to be in front of it.

And Corie enjoying the view, too.

We are off on a 4-day bus/ferry tour of the country tomorrow, stopping off in Rotorua, Wellington and Christchurch, before arriving at Queenstown for our last week in NZ.  That's all for now!