New Zealand

Auckalnd City Skyline

Skytower

The Viaduct

Rangitoto Island

So New Zealand was great. The weather was wonderful for most of the time I was there. Sunny and about 20 C. Not bad for winter. We in Canada should be so lucky.

The people were nice, once they realized I was Canadian and not American. I advise any Canadian tourists to sew Canadian patches on there clothes, or wear clothing with the Canadian logo.

*Note: Beware American tourists planning to pose as Canadian: The Kiwi's DO seem to know a lot about Canada, including Canadian news and politics. Make sure you KNOW something about Canada, or they will smell you out.

There is a myriad of cultures living in Auckland. There are a LOT of immigrants. Most of which seem to be Asian or European. Many of the pubs have an English or Irish influence.

Coffee is different there, which really threw me for a loop. Brewed coffee seems to be a novelty there, only available at Starbucks. Otherwise they have 2 types of coffee... Long Black and Flat White.

The long black LOOKS like brewed coffee but definitely seems to taste a lot more like espresso. The flat white is not bad. It tastes like a mild cappuccino and comes with frothed milk on the top. Be aware... It IS expensive. It goes for $3 for an 8oz cup. Which is about $2.30 Canadian.

Also, tipping is a definite no. Most menu prices seem to reflect included gratuities, and most places do not have table service. You have to go up to the bar or counter to order, including booze and food.

If you should go to New Zealand, and I highly recommend it, there are a number of attractions I recommend seeing.

In Auckland:

The Skytower. This tower has its observation deck more than 1000 feet in the air. Those of you who live in Toronto will probably seem less than impressed because you have the CN tower, which IS quite a bit larger. However, the Sky Tower is unique because you can SEE things from the observation deck. Smog does not seem to be an issue in Auckland. Also, there is extensive shopping, dining and gambling below the tower.

The Viaduct. This trendy area that surrounds the waterfront and some of the wharfs off Quay St. The Viaduct is one of the hot spots in Auckland for nightlife. The area is filled with pubs and bars, and there are always dozens of people walking about. I suspect the area is even more lively in the summer. Be prepared to spend a lot of money in this area though if you are spending a whole day here.

K-Road. K-Road seems to be the ultimate part strip. Not quite as clean or trendy as the Viaduct, but it streaches on for several blocks, and there are always tons of people in the streets at night. The strip is kind of run down in areas. The gay and straight bars are mixed together here. But, despite how they look on the outside, there are some really nice pubs and bars on this strip.

Rangitoto Island. This island is an active volcano, which has been silent for quite some time. You can only get there by boat, but the views are spectacular, and the landscape is quite unique, made up mostly of vegetation and hardened lava. A WARNING: If you are a senior, or have limited mobility... You do not want to WALK up to the summit. Take the motorized truck up to the top. Proper footwear is imperative.

Stay tuned for a guided pictorial guide to some of Auckland's pubs!

Peace.

Rainn