Expedition # 1.

JUST got back from Tauranga. bit tired from travel but it was worth it. got off the island for a few days and got to see another city other than auckland cbd (central business district). We didn't really do a whole lot while there. it seems to be mostly a summer city and of course we go in the fall. all the activities had to do with the nice beach near the Mount. surfing, dolphins, sailing, beach volleyball, etc. we did go and walk around the base of Mount Maunganui, the sacred mountain to the maori of the area. it was impressive because it was surrounded by this natural harbor where the area around for miles was completely flat then the mountain rose out of nowhere at the mouth of the bay. oh and we drove through "hobbiton" on the way there. i only took a quick pic from the car cause i thought we'd be going back at some other time so excuse the blurriness. you can still see it says "hobbiton". supposedly a sculpture of Gollum some where in the area too. didn't see it though but here's what we did see.....