Auckland
Thomas’ Journal: New Zealand January 2003 1/3 and 1/5 (1/4 doesn’t exist on this trip – we lost it during the flight over). The flight from LAX to NZ was thankfully uneventful but a mercilessly long (12 hours). We arrived in Auckland, NZ at 5 A.M. We picked up our rent-a-car and hotel vouchers and drove off to find our hotel. We diligently drove although somewhat lost we eventually found our way to the “Imperial Hotel” on Hobson Street. I must add that driving on the opposite side of the road was a bit nerve racking. It feels very awkward to say the least. The hotel had our room ready and was gracious enough to let us in around 9 A.M. even though check-in time was 2 P.M. There is something about the NZ accent that makes the residents seem even friendlier. Our first impression with the hospitality is good. Our room is downtown close to the “Sky Tower” (1000’ high). The room is small but comfortable. We grabbed some zzzzz’s and then headed downtown to check out the city. There is no need to drive. We can walk, as everything is close and convenient. The U.S. dollar is nearly 2 to 1 vs. the NZ dollar. We are curious to check out the prices of things. Neither of us are avid shoppers but we do enjoy window-shopping and people watching. We wind our way down to the wharf where the America’s Cup Village is located and are amazed by the beautiful sailboats, America’s Cup competitive yachts and other grandiose displays of nautical toys owned by the international corporations and the worlds most wealthy. The lunch location was “Degree”. We have lunch right in the harbor overlooking two America’s Cup racing sailboats. We watch Cricket on the television and enjoy a couple cold beers. Lisa has a meal that is served on an extremely hot piece of stone. It’s called “Stone Grill” and they serve the meat, foul, or fish raw and then you cook it to your licking by cutting off a sliver and laying it on the stone. It is unique and fun. Also, the bar had this surface that was a huge piece of ice and you could set your drink on it to keep it cold. It would leave an impression in the ice. We were told that other patrons who had become “happy” with the “spirit” had been known to make impressions in the ice with more than just their drink glasses. We walked through endless shops, seeing many and then head back to the hotel for another nap. I was a little “jet laggy’. We grab a recommendation from the front desk and across the street 3 doors down is where we have dinner. It was the “BEST” Chinese food I’ve had in some time. It has a wonderful fresh, flavorful and is very well prepared. The service was friendly but the language barrier (Chinese waiter) did lead to a little confusion while ordering. It all worked out and we had more food than we could eat. Wine, food $97 NZ. We stopped next door to the Chinese Restaurant to watch a little karaoke. A little was all we needed. We took some pictures out our hotel room window of the “Sky Tower” which was surrounded by clouds. It looked very much like a space ship… very cool. It’s summer here but it has found a way to rain and it rained somewhat overnight. Monday morning is overcast but very comfortable. 1/6 We wake early and take our time to get ready and head out for breakfast. An easy stroll down the street finds us in the hustle and bustle of a NZ downtown Monday morning. We are looking for a Starbuck’s but a small café catches our eye and we decide to check it out. To our delight we like it and order breakfast with latte’s. We are in a café that is adjacent to the Civic Theatre. We sit in leather chairs right in the lobby of the theatre and sip our coffee drinks. Lisa has a bowl of toasted muesli served with fresh fruit and yogurt drizzled with honey – gorgeous. I have delicious French toast with banana and bacon (which I think tastes like ham). The food was delicious, the latte’s yummy and the service astute. ($23 NZ) We’re heading out to explore and it’s our first time back in the car since we arrived at the hotel. We’re still trying to get our bearings and directional sense. Lisa is the navigator and is doing an excellent job heading us in the right direction and reminding me to stay on the ‘left’ side of the road. We visit Bethell’s Beach. The sand is black and has a hint of cobalt blue. It sparkles. Really, it does and you feel like your having a hallucinatory experience. It’s very cool and we’re amazed on our long walk to the waters edge. Surf’s up! There’s about half a dozen or more surfers in the water and it is an ocean alive with waves and chop. We take a long walk and check out the coast. We’re starting at the Tazman Sea on the west coast of the north island of NZ. The skies are clearing and we head into Kumeu for lunch. We stop in a small vegetable market and ask for a recommendation. We’re directed to Soljan’s Winery and Café. The winery has been around since 1937. We just make it in before they cut off lunch service and sit down to enjoy a nice bottle of the wineries Reserve Chardonnay along with our entrée’s of blackened lamb and salmon grilled over fettuccini. We follow it up with a couple lattes (I’m fast becoming a fan of these). We find ourselves in a gourmet setting, outside on a patio with green grass, trees and vineyards all around ($64 NZ). We're heading back to the hotel where we will recharge our batteries before heading downtown to visit the “Sky Tower”. We sign up for the full package ($18 NZ ea) and after a brief intro film we head for the elevator. A fast climb and we are at the observation deck. It’s a beautiful 360-degree view of Auckland. It’s close to 8 PM and still plenty of light but it will be getting dark soon. We take lots of pics and catch the sunset. Darkness settles in and we see the city lights from the tower. We head down around 9:15 PM and have dinner at the “Sky Café”. Ahhh, beers, caesar salad and tandori chicken pizza very good ($46 NZ). We settle in early to the hotel and I’m asleep before 11 PM.