So, arrived at my Auckland hotel, as recommended by the receptionist at Paihia, to find that once again, it's not really a hotel, it's actually serviced apartments/studios, with some hotel features added on. Never mind - it is central, a 5 minute walk to the Harbour and most other stuff within easy reach. Arrived mid afternoon, so though I might steal a march and try and see some of the stuff recommended in my guide book before the sun went down. Again, slightly disappointed, in that so much stuff closes at 5pm and the Ferry building and the Old Customs house are nice, but both are now working buildings, so not historical monuments. However, undeterred, I walked along the harbour and along the viaduct, where there were some absolutely splendid yachts moored and through to the Viaduct Basin, where they housed the 1999/2000 America's cup race. It has all been "recycled", as it were, since then, and is now full of bars, restaurants and apartments, making a nice place to walk at the end of the day, especially as there was a break in the weather - having driven down through sunshine and showers. Found a tourist info site, where I got the brochure for the hop on hop off bus for the next day and confirmed, with that with another early start and some concentrated driving, I would be able to go to Waitomo Gloworm Caves and then on to Rotorua when I leave Auckland. Also booked my Rotorua accommodation, making sure I have chosen I proper hotel this time!! As I had some time, took a good look at the hotel brochure on my hotel accommodation pass and have planned out my accommodation for the rest of my trip in NZ, but I think I need to start booking two stops ahead, instead of just the next one as the blurb states that I can, as I seem to be having some trouble getting the rooms that I want.

Decided to hit the hotel bar to watch the rugby in the evening, though it's not much of a bar, but they were showing the rugby!! Nursed a beer through the game and then bed.

Up for my only full day in Auckland via the hop on hop off bus, which was on it's first day of winter timetable today. I thought this just meant it only operated from 10am til 4pm, when actually it means they only run a bus every hour, instead of every half hour, which put a slight dent in my plans. However, it wasn't disastrous and actually turned out ok. Picked up the bus at 10am and got off at Kelly Tarlton's world, which is an aquarium and Antarctic exhibit, built in the old sewerage system. It's actually pretty cool (no pun intended) and has possibly the largest stingray I've ever seen in my life, a fairly great penguin enclosure, a very cheesy snowcat ride around the penguin enclosure and the first underwater viewing tube in the world - all the others that you see now in aquariums and the like, copies of this one!

Next stop was the Auckland Museum and Winter Gardens, both housed in the Domain, which is a big public park to you and me. Having the hop on hop off ticket got me in half price, so I decided to go for the Maori cultural show as well, which was also half price. Well worth it, half an hour of display and singing and Maori dancing, all nicely explained. The museum is also well worth it, I enjoyed the Maori court, the Pacific Island display and the section on Volcanoes, all rounded off by a very good free concert by some choral singers in the Foyer. The Winter Gardens are also nice, but very small and unusual, as they were growing lots of peppers and chillies and aubergines, which makes a change from regular flowers. You could very easily spend a whole day here, and I had a bit of a wander around the Domain, as the weather had finally broken and it was a lovely afternoon. Caught the last bus back and decided to spend a couple of hours catching up on the blog, as I haven't been anywhere near an internet connection for a while, before I get some tea and maybe a beer and a rugby match in the bar this evening. Will be up for an early start again tomorrow, as I have a fair bit of driving to do, but I think it will definitely be worth it!!