Arrived in Auckland from Sydney and first impressions were..."I wish I was back in Sydney!!!" It is a nice enough city, but does not thrill me...maybe the place will grow on me.

Spent the day looking around the city, whent up the sky tower to have a meal in the revolving restaurant, then spent the afternoon in Parnell which reminded me of mid West America...lots of small wooden houses and churches...was really nice. Headed back to the hostel and met some people who are heading the same way as me tomorrow, three days up through the North Island...should be a good trip.