Auckland - Acclimation and the Cyclone

It was good we weren't thrust into driving immediately. Our brain fogged minds (post crossing the world flights) were quite jolted at all the counter-intuitive turns upon driving on the Left side of the road! 

Along the drive we took in new "exotic" foliage, the crisp brightness of the morning sun, cars that looked straight out of another era, and foreign-to-us brands and signage.  Definitely a sense that we were certainly far from home.  As we pulled in to the drive, Uncle Steve was awaiting in the yard barefoot and with a big grin.  Archie the cat stooped tentatively in the bushes.  Hugs all around, and upon entering we felt our bodies immediately relax at the summer breeze drifting through open airy windows, mounds of produce on the counter, and a home full of remnants of Thailand hill tribe textures and momentous from a lifetime of Steve & Therese's travels around the globe.  

An array of veggies, spreads, hearty breads, and avocados in plenty were spread on the back deck, and we enjoyed conversation & tea while the kids explored the garden. Thus began a day of recuperation and acclimation.  Of a casual walk through the neighborhood, during which Danforth lost his front tooth! Taking in the European architecture of the homes & their bursting sub-tropical gardens, of which Melody took particular delight in gathering little treasures from.

The calm day continued on near-perfect & just about all one could hope for; spread on blankets in the garden, painting, napping, and conversing under the sparse shade of a towering palm. There was however some news on the horizon... 

An emerging cyclone was due to hit the North Island & Auckland area in the coming days. (Note: cyclone is the same as a hurricane, it's just what it's called in the S. Pacific.)

It was hard to imagine, while tucked in the refuge of a lush garden and underneath a perfect summer sky.  We enjoyed a wholesome dinner and an outing to Mt Eden.  As we strolled up the hill, Danforth was the first to the top and Corey said precisely "Here's one of the first of many "eyes wide" moments for him!"

Sure enough, we stepped onto a platform looking over the vast mind-blowing enormity of a dormant volcano.  Now lush with green grass, massive sloping sides jutting up dramatically toward the sky.  We heard stories of how in the past, families would come with cardboard boxes to go "sledding" here and we could just picture the fun of running and rolling around in this incredible playground. However, that remains only for the imagination now, as it is now gated off to respect the land of this sacred Maori heritage site.  

We circled the perimeter, and took in 360 degree views of the city of Auckland.  More dormant volcanoes jutting up in the midst of the city.  Bodies of water everywhere you looked.  And another volcano on the horizon.  The sky to the north with ominous dark storm clouds, the wind whipping intensely, we turned towards home for more tea and conversation.

The days passed on one long restful succession.  Joys like seeing Melody's skirt full of gathered avocados from the abundant tree in the garden, & of children collecting green beans for dinner. Like a sheltering tree beside the river or a massive climbing tree in the park, introductions to Pukeko birds and black swans, running through rolling fields at dusk, clambering up a gigantic slide/playscape, kids delightful squeals on a gigantic swing.  Melody holding my hand on the walk back from the park, making songs together about trees, flowers, and even about brick & stone fences. Children bring such wonder and delight into every moment. 

The rainy days brought long-form conversation around tea. Walks to discover new parks in the drizzle. Reading, painting, playing games, and of course, some darn good eating.

Aunt Therese was a superb host, always cooking up a storm with top-notch ingredients.  We felt we went from one meal to the next; abundant avocados, smoked salmon, hearty breads, red pepper cashew spread, pesto, dense chocolate loaf with cream frosting, zucchini noodles, stir fry, roasted veggies & chicken, leafy salads, homemade seed crackers, feta, nut & grain porridge with muesli, banana oat pancakes, grated beet & carrot salad, and new discoveries like Turmeric Latte.  Needless to say, it felt amazing to be eating so incredibly well and we were blown away at Steve & Therese's generosity and incredible hospitality.  

Preparations for the coming storm were in place.  Floppy things in the garden/porch disassembled and tucked away.  Stocking up on water, food, charging electronics.  Ever keeping an eye on our flights out to Queenstown due to depart right around the timing of the cyclone hitting.  Steve & Therese's flight was unfortunately canceled and rebooked for later in the week, though ours was still on. We gathered around the evening news, and saw the devastation already taking place in the North of the Island and coastal areas like the Coromandel.  The rain was mostly come and go, without very notable winds in our area at least.

Auckland declared a state of emergency and red-zone over Auckland, and ironically enough we were packing for our flight out the next morning (Tuesday).  It was counter-intuitive on every account.  I had the hardest time packing our things up, partly due to my skepticism of the flight actually going out, and also partly due to strict weight requirements on Jetstar airlines (I've never had to weigh carry on's before!) My mood was not in the best of spirits, so I took some time to step away and sing a Psalm meditation in the garden cabin while the rain steadied on outside. 

It was a fitful night of sleep for me, as cyclone hit Auckland in full force. Heavy winds and rain came through the night, I kept waking to check the status of our flight "on-time" it kept saying.  Unbelievable.

Sure enough, we gathered our stuff in the early morning, shoveled breakfast down and headed to the airport. 

And somehow, by our complete dismay, while thousands dealt with power outages, flooding, land "slips", closed roads, and relentless rains and winds, and even though just hours prior the eye of the cyclone had been over the city.....our flight was on.

So, riding along the tailwinds of a hurricane we departed.

-M