New Zealand 6 - North, Auckland South

Sa Feb. 3rd, 2007: Drive to south of Auckland
First to OTARA weekly flea market, especially for Polynesian people. Pitturesc and interesting from social side, to see the new New Zealanders both from Samoa/South Sea, Asia, only few 'old' New Zealanders there. Then we drove along a scenic route to Clevedone for lunch to a cafe and special wool shop (Elisabeth found something there). After lunch we drove by a small Anglican church and churchyard seeing the family tomb of DUDER, for this we then stopped at the new Regional Park 'Duder' (since 1995) for a walk along a very nice pennisola, partially agriculturally used (sheep, cows), but we saw also many Pukekos and went along the pennisola almost to the top enjoying a marvellous coastal view from Rangitoto to Coromandel and many islands. At the top of the island there were traces of a Maori Pa (fortress), and to complete the afternoon, a real Maori Canoe passed by being rowed by Maoris who went on to their celebration in the next bay. Our walk finished after 3 hours (!), after that we saw the Maori boat again being taken out at Marae at Umupuia, not very far, for a special celebration. We continued then to go swimming at Maraetai beach, and to home via motorway.