I spent three days in Auckland in a hotel that had the worst internet connection outside of the two poles. I could not log on with my computer no matter how much I tried and the ladies at the desk were no help. Even connecting with the phone was a problem. Don’t stay at the Waldorf (no connection to US company) apartment hotels in New Zealand. You’ve been warned.
Auckland is a lovely city. So clean and organized. It is clear that it is a great place to live; however, there is not much for a tourist to do. The first day was spent walking around and trying to stay awake until a reasonable bedtime.
The second day, I had lunch with the daughter of my roommate from the Galapagos. She also took me around to some wonderful parts of the city. Thank you, Megan for a great day.
There is a wonderful little working farm right in Auckland where we saw the lambs! They don’t let you get too close to them but they were still cute.
And then, we saw this guy. I think it’s a rooster of some sort, but he was just too fabulous to leave out.
One wonderful little day trip is to Waiheke Island. It a quick 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland and has some beautiful coastline and nice wineries.
There is also a nice little village on Waiheke. Walking around, I came across this shop. I just loved the sign…make sure you can read the slogan. (Sorry to my vegetarian friends.)
I survived my first day with the rental car. Took my time getting to the “motorway” and kept telling myself “keep left, keep left”. Driving got easy pretty fast but I still turn on the windshield wipers every time I try to use the turn signal! At the first stop on the drive North, St Joseph and The Penguin came out of hiding.
Penguin even tried meeting some of the locals…
We all arrived in the Northland in one piece. I am here for about four days before heading back south to Hawkes Bay and then on to the South Island.
Love the penguin making new friends. New Zealand is beautiful – enjoy – and STAY TO THE LEFT!
I am doing my best at staying left. Luckily the New Zealand road authority puts up reminders!
It all looks so beautiful and unspoiled. I think that was a guinea hen.
Guinea fowl it is! Thanks. My cousin Lisa is positive, and she knows her animals.
Yes, it is beautiful and unspoiled. It’s amazing. You and Jim would love it here.
Love reading about your adventures! Would have been fun advising from the passenger side- keep left, keep left! Fyi – still hot and sticky here…😓.
It’s 57 degrees F here!
That’s a guinea fowl! Super-noisy, but they eat a lot of bugs.
THANKS!
Looks beautiful! The ‘rooster’ is pretty fabulous. We met a lovely young lady from Auckland when we were in CO in May.
Hopefully, you will experience Haka while in NZ; that would be pretty cool. Not sure if that’s the other, more natural island or not. One of my favorite movies (Whale Rider) is set in NZ and centers around native culture.
Hope you, penguin, and St. Joseph enjoy!
I am currently in the North whaere Maiori culture is prominent. Haka is a warrior dance/song. I saw it yesterday an the place where the treaty between the English and the Maori was signed.
I am staing in the North Island until the 28th and then head to the South Island. Both islands are very natural. The South is more rugged and colder. It’s where the glaciers are.
Turns out the “rooster” is actually guinea fowl. Two people chimed in.
Hope all went well with the move.