Auckland - without the photos

Auckland - first few days

Wed 24th we arrived in Acukland airport at 04.45 !!!! Yes really - winds were with us or something. Note Air NZ premium economy is exactly the same as 1st class apart from the fullt flat beds - and with Gary to look after us it was a very pleasurable flight ! Nice touch in the airport - free tea & coffee offered from a kiosk - you kinda expect to have to tip for it (especially after coming from the U.S.) but no apparantly NZ city council of Auckland pay for it. (now there's something useful for whatever their equivalent of the council tax is !!)

Evenetually got to hotel about 7am where we were given early check in - in our club room ! What a difference - quick sleep and out to explore the city. Wandered down to Victoria Wharf - loads of bars and restaurants and you could peacefully watch the world go by. (No sign of Becks himself - obviously too busy doing PR in the US). Took Loop bus to reaquaint us with the city - then another quick nap !Rediscovered the Shakespeare microbrewery (Alex wouldn't let us stay there - figured 30 quid a night would be rough - see it's not just me !! - either I've trained him too well or he's become used to the easy life !)) but of course once we saw it we remembered it from last time and they brew their own beer and it's a lovely little place. Went to Soul for late night supper and to the first glass of white wine I actually found to like in NZ - a Pinot Gris !!

Thursday we took the ferry to Waiheke Island and a personalised small tour around the island - tiny island - no running water or sewage - when you buy a property first thing you have to do is provide your own sewage and water. NZ richest man lives there (a mere $30M for his property or thereabouts). I think there were 9 vinyards there and typically rich Aucklanders buy a second holiday home there ! In the evening we went to a Cirque Du Soleil production (Varakai) and it was brilliant - but hten we are fans ! Finished the evening off in O'Carrolls - an Irish pub with live music in Vulcan Lane - trendy little street.

On Friday we though a little culture may be in order and headed for the Auckland Museum. Wow !! It was brilliant - ground floor was dedicated to exploration (the discovery of South Pacific Islands/meaning of Maouri culture etc - I can bore you with all kinds of facts here !), 1st floor to land/geography (volcanoes etc.) and 2nd floor to war. I could not believe how fascinating it all was and there was a lot of 'simplifying' it for the common brain. In the war section for example, they had incredibly detailed information on each war NZ was involved in - with the kind of details you would expect to go to the National Archives (I think !??) in the UK for.

Went to Parnell Village for a late lunch - lovely place - obviously didn't have enough time 'cos our Museum visit overran completely from schedule. (By the way - museum is actually free - they ask for a suggested $5 donation !) The went to Ponsonby for dinner - didn't choose well here although in general restaurants are all very up market and hip !

Have to tell you about the sign I say on the way from the airport - on a big black billboard in white writing it says ' You said you wanted a sign' and it was signed 'God' !!

Today is Saturday and we messed around this morning trying to get computers/Blog pictures updated and next hotel confirmations printed. Then we went off to Victoria wharf again for lunch (Alex tells me it's not so bad being married to somebody whose humour can be vastly improved almost instantly with a mere glass of wine !!)

We are going to the StarDome tonight - Auckland Observatory - to look at the comet and see whichever show is on.

Well that's it for now - off by train tomorrow mrning at 06.30 am to Wellington - it's a 12 hout journey so if I've forgotten anything I'll bore you with it in the next update.


Hope everybody well and behaving themselves !!

Love Ursula & Alex

P.s. Please forgive all typos and spelling mistakes - they are completely all my fault !