View from Mt Victoria

Devonport is not actually an island, but is a penninsula that extends north of Auckland.  The town is known for its boutique shopping, and on a less beautiful day, we might have stopped to shop instead, but today we decided to walk to the top of Mt Victoria, one of the many extinct volcano tops in the area.  I use the words "walk" and "top" instead of "hike" and "peak" because it was not particularly rigorous. 

This is the view of Mt Victoria from the Harbor

The view of the harbor from Mt Victoria

We climbed along a mowed grass path that wrapped around the hill and as we circled around, the view just got better and better.

More volcano peaks across the water.

Views of downtown Auckland

There was very little evidence that this was a volcanic area. This grassy bowl is the caldera remains. The scattered 'mushrooms' are air vents from some past military installation that was here guarding the harbor during WWII or earlier.

Here is a little bit of exposed pumice stone, but mostly it was green grass and good soil.

We sat on a bench overlooking the city and enjoyed our picnic lunch, then made our way back down, stopping half way to find a geocache.  Drop off a travel bug, and pick up a new one.  The one we left behind was a race car that was racing with a friend to get back to Australia first.  Since we picked it up in Germany, I figure this was a pretty good move on his part!  We picked up Donetella the Ninja turtle who just wants to travel, so we can accommodate that : )

When we passed through town for the climb, we passed a brass ensemble playing Christmas carols.  They were doing a nice job!  When we were on top, the wind was blowing such that we could STILL hear them!  We walked backed down and managed to get a picture from across the street.  Next to them was a boy scout who was fund raising to attend Jamboree next year. 

Finally got an up-close photo of the blossoms on the beautiful red trees that are in bloom.  I don't have any idea what they are. 

Also not sure what this tree is. It looks a lot like a magnolia tree, but not sure.  The 'root' structure is amazing!