EPT
So in New Zealand at the moment, we are going through Summer. The days are long and warm, the Sun is harsh and burns us, but overall we cherish the beautiful weather. As an active member of the TeamLiquid staff, a Starcraft player, a Uni student and having a girlfriend - you can probably tell my free time is very very limited. As a result I don't get enough exercise. On top of that, I was thinking of things to do over the summer with my gf to keep her/me entertained and so I came up with the incredibly stupid idea of going for walks around Auckland (my home town).
The first of such walks would be to Fairy Falls in Waitakere. (why - tack - er - ee)
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_01.jpg)
The Waitakere ranges are a good 40minutes drive from my house, mostly due to traffic, and are one of the more notable scenic places in Auckland. So yesterday me and my gf decided to head off to Fairy Falls for the day and eat lunch at the waterfall. So at 9:40am we went and bought some supplies (i.e. junk food and lunch), went back home, backed our bags and headed off to the Waitakere Ranges to go for what is essentially a hike.
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/fairyfallsmap.jpg)
We arrived at the parking lot off Mountain Road, which was basically empty, and prepared ourselves for the walk around the circuit. What we were going to do is walk clockwise around the track, but instead of doing the big loop, we'd cut across using the Goodfellow track so save us some time. With a clear plan in our minds, we strolled off down the path. Thankfully, the path started off as a gentle downwards slope which is so much better than an uphill climb. However, the downwards slope was putting pressure on my little toe and I knew by the end of the day it was going to be one hell of a blister!
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_02.jpg)
My gf, Neala, climbing over some fallen trees
It wasn't long down the track before we faced our first obstacles, fallen trees. There were about 3-4 of these blocking the track all around the same time. However, some nice person had cut a nice little step in the tree which made getting to the other side quite easy (and prevented a number of gf dramas!). The next set of obstacles wasn't far off - lots and lots of mud. The track degenerated from a reasonable firm dirt road into a slippery as hell mud track. Somehow Neala managed to ninja her way around the muddy holes and didn't get her shoes muddy at all, I, on the other hand, just walked right through and got my boots covered in mud.
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Neala emerging from one of her ninja paths
We continued on down the track, but were being harassed by 1-3 flies. Damn things. Somehow the smell of the chicken rolls we had packed was leaking out of the clingfilm wrap, powerade cooling bag, and my backpack and attracting all the flies. Annoying, but one must persevere against such obstacles! Nevertheless, the further we got down the track the louder the sound of rushing water became. It wasn't long before we reached the first of many stream crossings.
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The scenery near the first stream crossing
We crossed over the same stream again and got another chance for some photos by some water.
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Me next to a pool of water
We continued on our path, admiring the scenery and crossed a few more streams. Neala had become quite adept at navigating her way around the streams without getting her shoes damp. However, then she met this;
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_06.jpg)
And she finally had to get her shoes wet. We continued to press on into the bush, and took a couple nice shots of the scenery.
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_07.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_08.jpg)
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Neala found a Silver Fern; New Zealand's national symbol!
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Me standing on the other side of a stream
As we walked on further, the sound of running water became ever louder. And then, at long last, after turning one last left turn stood Fairy Falls.
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_11.jpg)
First shot of the falls
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_12.jpg)
Neala showing off the waterfall
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Me in front of the falls
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I climbed up a bit :3
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_15.jpg)
A shot of the falls from my new elevated position
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Me and Neala from when we were dipping our feet in the pool of water
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A shot of the falls from the top
While the waterfall above is the major waterfall of Fairy Falls, there are a number of small waterfalls above that one which "feed" the main one with water. Let me just say, after walking up 12312312 stairs to get to the top of the falls you get really hot and sweaty - and those pools of water just look so inviting -.-;
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_18.jpg)
The first mini-waterfall
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A shot up from the first mini-waterfall up to the waterfalls above
Between each mini-waterfall there were approximately 20 almost vertical steps. Oh, and down at the main waterfall I had completely soaked by boots in the water and they were now weighing about x2 more because of all the water inside them. Thus these steps/vertical bits were incredibly difficult to go up for a unfit person like myself. Nevertheless, both of us managed to drag ourselves up more flights of stairs and grab some more photos.
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_20.jpg)
The next waterfall up, damn that pool looked inviting :[
As we slowly navigated our way skywards, and away from the waterfalls, the canopy started to open up in places and you could get some really nice shots overlooking Auckland.
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_21.jpg)
Then finally, after dragging ourselves up more steep track and Neala getting incredibly paranoid about having gone the wrong way (because we hadn't seen any signs giving us the path direction). We finally stumbled upon this;
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_22.jpg)
You have no idea the relief seeing this sign gave
The Goodfellow track was not nearly as exciting as the main track, probably due to the absence of a major waterflow. The start of the track was a nice downhill run, which was very welcome after the climb we had just endured. Upon reaching the bottom we crossed a narrow valley with a mini-stream, and then ascended another mountain. The Goodfellow track climb was far harder than the stairs encountered previously. There were about twice the number of stairs, half the scenery, and extremely long. It literally seemed like we were climbing upwards forever. However, once again signs showed that we were getting near the top and we were able to get another good shot of Auckland.
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![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_24.jpg)
Auckland in all it's glory
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_23.jpg)
A fern unveiling in the form of a Koru (co - ru), another beloved NZ symbol
And then, the hills stopped and we let out a huge sigh of relief as we glanced upon
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_25.jpg)
The end of the Goodfellow track
As we continued on our way back to Mountain Road we passed the Rangers house - which was a nice change from the Native Forest. And then it was back onto Old Coach Track to head back to Mountain Road. With about 20~mins left to walk, the damn blister on my toe popped and I was flooded with pain. Oh my god, I cannot tell you how much a popped blister mixed with sweat and stream water hurts. Somehow I managed to persevere and hobbled along the path as best I could.
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_26.jpg)
A wooden track a few minutes from the end of the track
And then, it was all over and we had arrived back where we started. I ripped off my shoe and to my surprise it was not bleeding - but it was sore. But all in all it was a great walk, and I got some nice shots of stuff. It was also nice bonding time with my gf as it was literally just us two the entire time (never ran into anyone else on the track) so it was a really great day
Hopefully I'll do some more walks around Auckland soonish and they'll get blogged too haha 
anyway!
Plexa
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Plexa/Fairy_Falls/FF_05.jpg)
