New Zealand #2 -- Feb 9, 2014

Today Margaret went off to work and Danny took us for a drive north of Auckland. We saw some lovely little natural harbours, one of which had a sting ray swimming just below us. On the way home we went by Orewa and it's incredible beach which I remember from 39 years ago. We had spent our second last day in NZ on this beach with me trying to body surf -- unsuccessfully. Warren and Samara were 6 and 4 then so dug holes in the sand which the incoming tide filled in for nice bathtubs. During the day, Danny filled us in on the South African politics. They lived there for many years moving here 15 years ago. They recently returned for a holiday and things are definitely no better. It's unsafe in many areas, politics are bad, etc. etc. Fascinating.

Later in the day I walked down to Brown's Bay village and beach which is 10 minutes from Margaret and Danny's house. What a wonderful spot they have for a house. It has some beach view and to walk down to the town you go through a park. The area is well sought after for home buyers and the prices are outlandish as in Vancouver. Many houses are sold by auction and the prices are bid up by the Chinese leaving the locals out of the market. Sad for the young people.

It was a lovely warm day but little sun.