As I said I am hoping to keep a record of my trips from now beginning with New Zealand. I left home in Glasgow, Scotland at 10:00 on Monday 14th December 2009 and arrived in Auckland on Wednesday 16th December at 14:00, so 51 hours! The Emirates flights involved a short overnight in Dubai and a stopover of an hour or so in Melbourne. Total time change was +13 hours. Although I've been to the west coast of USA, Japan etc, this was still the longest trip I've experienced. And with a busy flight out of Dubai in Economy, it was pretty arduous. Might be an age factor! And I hardly slept.
Reaching Auckland to a sunny afternoon was indeed a pleasure, and I slept very well last night. Quick impressions - big city (1.4m people) with a small city atmosphere as the central area of the city is quite small; calm and unhurried (waiting patiently for the green man); very multicultural-lots of Polynesians and young Asians; reminded me in parts of Maine with wooden houses in some parts and the ocean; helpful people (I lost a filling just as I was leaving home and my first requirement was a dentist, which proved to be no problem for the receptionist in the hotel); and of course culturally very close to the UK and Scotland.
My schedule is obviously over-tight as had become obvious not long after I booked my flights, so I'm having to curtail my activities. Still I spent much of today touring the city, courtesy of the Explorer bus. Had my lunch at Mission Bay Beach, and much enjoyed the Auckland Museum and especially the Maori Galleries, and the waterfront at Viaduct Harbour and around the Ferry Buildings.
Tomorrow I move on to Rororua and Taupo. First time driving in New Zealand.
Hi Dad,
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this having just got in from my Christmas party, so a little worse for wear but trying to curb the impending hangover with tea and late night reading. I have the morning off to collect furniture which should help...
It's crazy cold here. A freezing north-easterly wind, the first time I have heard the wind whistling in my room. Cold but cosy; the bedroom is warm.
I like your blog. Very meticulous and I think a good thing to do. I remember Rotorua and Taupo. I had a hellish cold and cough when I was there, so was in low spirits. But, I recommend the NZ experience in Rotorua. I think you can see the hake performed in full.. And of course the Tongariro crossing. Enjoy the moonscape.
love
julie xxx