It was windy and rainy again in Auckland this morning when we left to pick up our camper van. We decided that since the weather wasn't that flash we would do a big drive north. After several hours of really heavy rain and winds, the clouds lifted and there was blue sky...just as we arrived at Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Unbelievable change...but we were very happy as it is such a pretty part of the world, especially when the sun is out.  

Another photo of the foreshore at Paihia...the tide is out.

This was the view from our camper van at the holiday park in Paihia.

Not too far away there was a walking track...with some beautiful views...

Our van...parked right next to the water...

Dusk ...our view as we ate our dinner....

Well, despite it being an absolutely awful day, rainy and windy, Pete and I thought we should go out and at least see a little of Auckland. The dominating feature of Auckland's landscape is the Sky Tower. 

From the Sky Tower we walked to Ponsonby Road, trendy street full of delightful shops, bars and cafes. I just loved all the houses in this inner city suburban area.

This isn't the first church we have seen that has been made of wood...they reminded us of those we'd seen in New Hampshire.

The Auckland War Memorial Museum ...

Auckland Domain...the oldest park in Auckland,  the park contains all the explosion crater and most of the surrounding tuff ring of the Pukekawa volcano. 

A couple more pretty wooden buildings...on Parnell Road...