So here we are in Auckland. We've been here since Monday but only set this site up just now so I better fill you all in! After the flight from LA in first class we arrived in Auckland about 8am. Sensibly we should have slept on the flight but then we would have missed out on the free drink and gourmet food offered to us! So we grabbed a shuttle bus to our hostel. It's incredibly central, brilliant location. The picture to go with this entry shows you the view from our room! It's basic but very friendly despite being massive, over 500 rooms apparently! The only strange thing is the intercom that announces into everyones room what's going on in the hostel, when the bars open etc!! Scared the hell out of me and Laura the first time it went off when we'd both just got our heads down for a sleep that afternoon! We got up to get some tea and managed to keep our eyes open long enough to find the bar in the hostel for a couple of drinks before giving up and going to bed about 9! Tuesday 18th - Both woke up early, don't think the body clocks were quite right then! Decided to go into all out cultural mode and headed off on the bus to Auckland Museum. Was really interesting, you can see in the picture album some of the Maori carvings etc on show. Had lots on the natural history of New Zealand as well as the local cultural history. Finished just after lunch so made our way back into the centre and decided to go up the Skytower. It's the tallest building in the southern hemisphere and the views from the observation deck near the top are mind blowing. You could clearly see just what a beautiful city Auckland is, we're both really starting to love it here. We stayed up there and had a few drinks until it went dark when the views are even more amazing(see pictures!) We also watched some people jump off it! You can pay to throw yourself off it and fall 192m!! I'm thinking of doing it! watch this space......! Went back to the hostel bar for a few drinks, we knew it was time to go to bed when a dwarf started dancing and singing on the bar!! No really there was one, no honestly we'd only had one beer!! He was doing dirty dancing, time of my life!! Ok I'll leave it there! Today (wednesday 19th) - Again woke up fairly early. Still feeling tired but I guess it'll get better the longer we're here for. We set off to go and see Kelly Tarltons aquarium on the bus. He was a diver who set up this big aquarium about 20years ago in old sewer storage tanks undergroud. It was really cool, they have loads of penguins there. I had to do my best not to let Laura steal one of the small cute ones! Also a bit glass tunnel you walk through with massive sharks and Stingrays etc. Had a wander round the shops this afternoon in the centre and now I have to go as we're going to Stardome, Aucklands observatory, which is supposed to be really interesting! Stay in touch and enjoy the photo's! One of us will update this as soon as we can!