In search of the Kiwi

Day 1

Departure from Sydney with Argentinas Airlines with a 2-hour delay, we were supposed to leave at noon but we leave at 2 pm... however they offer us lunch... not bad!:) The flight went all in all well... even though the plane was a bit old... broken seat.... the ring of the reading light stayed in my hand... the window rattled... oh well... the important thing is that we arrived on Neozelandese soil safe and sound ahahah (cost Once the entry formalities are done we head toward the exit where our Shuttle is waiting that takes us directly to the Hotel... the trip to the CBD lasts more or less 40 min. (cost Our hotel is Best Western President Auckland... right in the city center, from our window we have a view of the Auckland Tower which is perfect! We'll stay here 3 nights, the room is big, it's practically a studio apartment complete with kitchen (with dishes...

plates etc), microwave, ironing board and iron.. in short everything you need! Of course also the tv...:) Internet is paid and costs more or less 7 NZ Dollars per hour, you can also have the movies.. paying of course... starting from 7.5 $NZ. The hotel staff isn't bad.. even though they should update themselves on the various means of transport and things to see... But let's start our tour!! In the end we arrive late so there's only time to go for a walk around the center... we go right away to see the tower... also because coming out it's the first thing we see... beautiful and imposing...the tallest in the southern hemisphere!!! Lit in white and it almost looks like a spaceship... maybe it is one too ahahah Strolling we arrive at the port... a ton of places, which one to choose??? We enter a place at random.. and I must say it was the best choice... Irish pub...

very nice all in wood and cozy atmosphere!!! The pub is called Danny Doolans and I recommend you go on Tuesday when there are these two guys who sing and they are truly "awesome"!!!! You mustn't let them get away!!! The place in the end was packed... luckily we arrived early!!! They played for 3 hours.. too good, they play every Tuesday.

Day 2

We wake up early because we want to go see the island of Rangitoto.. which is a volcano.. some say it's extinct others say it's just sleeping.. but luckily it didn't wake up the day we went. From the port you take the ferry at pier no. 3 You can get the tickets at the ticket office across the street. You get there in about half an hour. Remember to bring water and something to eat because on the island there are no shops or bars. (If you forget, on the ferry you can buy something). There are several trails you can do on the island.. we chose to go to the summit following the classic route. In about an hour more or less you're at the top... and the view is 360° a marvel. Once you arrive, you can also choose to walk along the crater!! The ticket for two people costs 52$ round trip, the company is called Fullers and the website is there are also other options but we, due to lack of time..

only saw the volcano!

Back from the island... we go do a bit of shopping... souvenirs and various postcards! We see the port again and take a stroll around the city. In the evening we decide to have dinner at a Japanese restaurant.

Day 3

Today we're going to the aquarium... from Quay street there's a free shuttle that will take you to the entrance, you can't miss it because it's shaped like a shark. But make sure to go early because it only has 21 available seats. If you can't get on no problem there are regular buses that will take you. The cost of the aquarium ticket is 34$ per person... we found it quite expensive compared to how the aquarium is... but it's nice and it's a good opportunity to see the Antarctica penguins... and when does another opportunity like that come along??? (on the guides you find at the airport there are 10% off coupons each). On the way back we were lucky because we caught the free shuttle!!!:) Once in the city we head to take the bus that will take us to the zoo to finally see the kiwis!!! but unfortunately we miss it and since it was already 3:30 pm we gave up.

We would have had to wait for the next bus for more than 30 min. (it was Sunday so there are fewer buses) so we went for another stroll around the city. In the evening we had dinner at a super cute Mexican restaurant. Mexican Cafè Auckland, 67 Victoria street West, this is the address... go there because the food is excellent and it's not at all expensive. There's one also in Christchurch.

Day 4

Today we absolutely must go to the zoo to see the Kiwis... wake up early.. check out and race to the bus... it finally arrives, you have to take the 045 from stop no. 3 on Queen street. The ticket costs 3.60$ per person. If you ask the driver to warn you when you have to get off, they will, they're very kind! Once you get off you have to walk for about 300 meters before entering the zoo, the ticket cost is 20$ per person. The map costs 2$, we got it.. you never know... ahahah As soon as you enter go right away to the left where the Kiwi house is...and finally we saw it... I thought it would be smaller but instead it's quite big... like our hen, to be clear... Unfortunately you can't take photos because inside it's all dark, since it's a nocturnal animal.. However there are soft red lights that will allow you to see it. We go around the zoo for a couple of hours...

and I must say it's really well made and well kept, the animals have a lot of space and there are few cages!! Unfortunately the 4 days flew by but Auckland will always stay in our thoughts...and maybe who knows... another little trip to New Zealand we could still do!!!! On the way back we traveled with Emirates... the A380... so zero complaints perfect flight... comfort 100%.

Until the next trip!!!