We pulled up to the port in Auckland just after a beautiful sunrise. It was our first time in the area and we were excited to get off the ship and explore.
We boarded a bus at the terminal and headed not into the city, but into the surrounding countryside. Our first stop was to the Arataki Visitor’s Center.
Indigenous art welcomed us into the center. The art also showed us where to see beautiful overlooks of Auckland.
After spending some time enjoying the visitor’s center we moved on to our next stop, a beautiful black sand beach. The tour guide warned us of rogue waves that sweep people away forever. But fortunately we didn’t encounter any.
Finally, we made a stop at a local trail where Mr. B Bird, his friends and local plant life greeted us to their beautiful home in the Waitakere Mountain area.
sethsnap 
It’s great to see you putting up posts again, Seth. I’ve missed seeing your photography here.
Thank you. I have missed blogging as well.
Wow a trifecta: photos of tui, kereru and pukeko. Glad you enjoyed your visit to my hometown
You live in an amazing place.
😀
Very nice