A Reality Check Whilst Cleaning The Toilet

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Leaving Australia was very sad for both of us. The flights from Sydney to Auckland, and on to Honolulu and Los Angeles were with United Airlines who had been plagued by accidents at the time. The Australians had taken great pleasure in telling me that I was making a big mistake and how they will only ever fly Quantas who had an impeccable record. However bad United's record was, it wasn't a patch on Aeroflot or Buraq and we had survived them no worries (Heaven help me, I'm starting to sound like an Australian, I mean an Aussie).

The flight, however, was fantastic and they had obviously been working hard to counter their reputation.

The hostel was one of the YHA efforts that expect you to do 'duties', and well early in the morning as well. This met with considerable resistance from those of us who were not used to it, but it was a case of fit in or ship out. We only had two weeks in New Zealand and one of our priorities was to see some of the Commonwealth Games. The depressing truth was that it was not enough time to get to the South Island, sacrilege in my mind, but we had to accept it. We decided to hire a car for a week and tour round just the North Island.

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Photos

Auckland Harbour Bridge
The Auckland Harbour Bridge is not quite in the league of Sydney

One Tree Hill
The monument on the top of One Tree Hill

Auckland Harbour
The round the world race leaving from Auckland Harbour

Central Auckland
The centre of Auckland all decked-out for the Commonwealth Games