Rangitoto Island

For one of my afternoons off, I took a 25 minute ferry to Rangitoto Island, a volcanic island that was formed really recently - I think starting in the 1400's, and the last eruption was in the 1600's! So people were on or near the island when it happened!

I took this trip by myself, and it was the most wonderful alone time in the world.  I really think this is one of my favorite place's on earth. 

It was about an hour steep hike to the summit of the volcano.

The pathway was so green, but also every once and a while covered with giant black gorges of lava rocks! I kept forgetting I was on a volcano - so besides the gravelly path, these rocks were quite the reminder!

The summit was stunning.  All around, I could circle, and see the ocean, the horizon, islands, the amazing clouds, the city of Auckland.  I danced and sang and twirled and sat and looked and wondered - especially because no one was up there I think it was so peaceful and special and seemed like my own spot.

It was the best place - and guess what? I wasn't even totally alone - guess who took this picture?

 A family - FROM ARGENTINA! So I got to speak spanish to them whenever I saw them!

It was the most perfect outing - and this sight was on the ferry ride home - something out of a fairytale! The one little island with its own little cloud. 

 Seemed like the whole day was out of a fairytale...