A Day in Titirangi                           by a participant named Choi

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Late last summer, my wife and I drove west from Auckland for about an hour and arrived in Titirangi.
As we wound our way up the densely wooded hills, it felt like we were entering an entirely different world—like a hidden village nestled deep within New Zealand’s ancient forests.

That morning, we visited a small gallery near Lopdell House showcasing the works of local artists.
My wife stood silently in front of a warm-toned oil painting for quite a while. I quietly took a photo of her, and to this day, that image—her smile blending with the hues on the canvas—captures the peaceful feeling of that moment perfectly.

For lunch, we stopped at the Titirangi Village Café. Sitting by the window with our coffees, we gazed out over the lush forests stretching past the Waitākere Ranges. My wife said softly, “If we lived somewhere like this, every morning would feel like happiness.”
I smiled and replied, “Then let’s move here when we retire.”

That afternoon, we walked the Kauri Glen trail. We didn’t need to talk much—just holding hands and listening to the birds and the breeze was more than enough. We paused under a giant tree to take a selfie, and I still remember how genuine our expressions were in that photo.

On the way home, my wife looked out the window and gently pinched my cheek.
“That was a really good day,” she said.

That single sentence felt like a gift—one that still glows warmly in my heart.