Blogs from Auckland, North Island, New Zealand, Oceania - page 345

We drove up to Auckland in a rain storm (although not as bad as the one we've just heard about at home!) and only stopped briefly at a bird sanctuary to identify some of the species we'd seen during our travels - Pied and Variable Oyster Catchers, Stilts, Herons and the like. Auckland turned out to be a pretty cool city. On our first day, we went up the Sky Tower for views of the city but decided not to take the opportunity to jump off it (although this was tempting). We ate mussels at Prince's wharf and the sun shone all day. The next day, we visited the Cathedral (and amazing Kauri church that was moved from accross the road to be near the Cathedral). We walked through the Domain ("the lungs of the city" ... read more

Standard of hostels in New Zealand surpassed that of the USA (booked into Auckland Central Backpackers - 600 beds!!!). After a refreshing afternoon nap (travelling really is hard work), went out for a late lunch in downtown Auckland. This was followed by the best freebie of the trip so far! I can fully recommend Toni and Guy for a free haircut (ok just the fringe) without an appointment (as well as a few free hair products). Maybe I looked like I needed it! Sara on the other hand paid for hers (dont worry Jane - it was just a trim!!). By chance the first of the British and Irish Lions games was played that night and we just about stayed awake to watch it in the local hostel bar. The following day we met up with ... read more

Hello All, After a long flight(12 hours) we arrived in Auckland early this morning about 5am. Made it through customs fine and were waiting outside of the terminal for the shuttle bus to take us into the city when a guy came up to us and offered us a free ride. He ran a rental car business and needed some of his cars shuttled back into town, so we got drive a car into town for free. Pretty good deal, but an odd experience. Driving on the left hand side of the road with the driver side on the right, and really strange traffic laws. We made it fine and he dropped us off at our hostel called ACB(Auckland Central Backpackers). Instead of going to sleep we kept on trucking. We set up our bank accounts ... read more

After getting quite dissolutioned by the South Island I had one entire day to see the city of Auckland and note the differences between the North and South Islands. I hired a car for a day and drove around. The weather is probably the main difference, I had stripped off my jacket and two jumpers and was only down to two shirts and I was happy with that. There was definitely more Maori people around this city but unfortunately it seemed as though most of them were living in the poor parts of town. It is an interesting city and was good to see that it has both beaches and bays. But as night fell, I started to reflect on my New Zealand experience and on how the kiwis sell off everything for tourism. I ... read more

Picked up by Robbo Back in Auckland this evening All day on the road. I got up pretty early this morning and had a leisurely breakfast. It was kinda funny. Finally after weeks of not remembering any of my dreams I finally remembered one. I guess it was because I was almost ready to wake up. In my dream I was getting ready for bed (you know my bunk bed from when I was a kid!) and had just settled in and fallen asleep. Then all of a sudden I hear an alarm go off...what? I just went to bed. It took me a few seconds to register that it was my watch beeping away and for real it was time to get up! Well, the Stray bus was very on time this morning to pick ... read more