00:45 alarm this morning; the last revellers were still enjoying themselves in the hotel bar. Quick shower, finished packing and we were soon on our way to the airport. We were near the front of the queue but behind about half of the Samoa U17 football squad who’d been playing in a tournament in Tahiti. It seems that footballers haircuts are global too. The departure lounge felt like a very different airport to the check-in area, lots of designer brands in the duty free store. It might have been 1:30 in the morning but it was still very warm and humid. We boarded about 4:20, finally on our way.
Breakfast was served soon after take off, strange timing. We managed about three hours sleep before the lights were put on for the descent to Auckland. There are electronic passport gates for UK citizens, it took me no time to get in. Florence unfortunately had to join the rest of the world queue which took about 30 minutes.
Our boots weren’t clean enough for the bio-security checks so we had to walk through some disinfectant then we were in. First stop was a coffee shop, we’ve both missed flat whites since we left London; this was the perfect opportunity to get one.
The next few hours were spent re-acquainting ourselves with the box that we’d sent from home before we left and exchanging our warm weather clothes for things more appropriate to the New Zealand climate. The box was repacked and is ready to return to England. (Thanks for all your help JG 🙂 )
We checked into our hotel, made a few more last minute itinerary changes and were finally in the city centre by 4pm – 3 hours to see Auckland before it got dark. Nice sunny day but much cooler than we’re used to.
Lonely Planet has a walk around the central area so we did most of that. The Civic theatre is an incredible old building, no surface is left undecorated – there are elephants and hindu gods everywhere. New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant women the vote – in 1893 – this is commemorated in a mural. We didn’t have time for the gallery today but the Auckland Art Museum is top of our list for our full day in the city at the end of the trip. There are a number of interesting old Victorian era buildings near the City Centre, one was briefly the governors residence before the capital moved to Wellington.
Randomly, we came across a pole-vault competition in a shopping centre.
The early start was catching up with us so went for an early dinner at a Lebanese restaurant – Beirut – recommended by Lonely Planet. The food was really good, the best meal we’ve had since we left Mexico.
The wonders of the commonwealth. Not much fun for Florence though. By the way Andy you are no longer fat enough to be a town crier. Lebanese food in NZ! I read recently that they might have discovered a new continent connected to NZ. What with new continents, hundreds of beached whales, repeated earthquakes, the rugby and cricket, the 100,000 working in the U.K. at any time, and the wine – the Kiwis do punch above their weight.
I was meant to be channelling Lenin rather than a town cryer but I’ll take the compliment anyway.
But why are balloons banned?
Not sure but I think it’s because of overhead wires at the station.
Intetesting that membership of the EU does not achieve equal treatment. I once had a day trip to Paris from Luxembourg with a couple of people from Malta whose visa only covered Luxembourg. Blagging to the Gendarmes after jumping a red light in Paris at midnight with a couple of illegal immigrants in the back seat was an interesting experience. They weren’t members of the EU back then though.
Have fun on your adventure. (take more animal pictures pleaseeeee)
love from lucyyyyyyy
Hi Lucy, great to hear from you, there aren’t many animals here but there will be a seal in today’s pictures, love Andyyyyyyyyy