Auckland, City of Sails!

Auckland is perhaps one of the busiest cities we have encountered so far. Set in a unique position in the neck of the North Island of New Zealand, it is actually possible to see the Tasman Sea on the west side of the land and the Pacific Ocean on the east side. It is a big, big shipping port - exporting New Zealand goods to ports all over the world. Like Wellington, Auckland is also an active cruise line port. When the ships come in, the shops are a bee-hive. But Auckland does not depend on tourist traffic. In addition to having a very healthy shipping economy, it also appears to be a big corporate and manufacturing hub as well. It seems to be the economic center of New Zealand. Everywhere you look, people are marching from one important place to another or meeting in coffee houses to lunch and do business. Lots of hub-bub.

I did not do an update last night - did you miss it?? Yesterday was a day almost entirely devoted to travel, getting bearings and settling into the apartment. Amy, our host here in Auckland, picked us up at the airport (amazingly!!!) and took the time to show us around local neighborhoods and the city business district so that we could get a flavor of the place. After her tour and by the time we arrived at the apartment, I was very, very confused, but Stan the man had it down pat! We found our way walking to the local grocer and wine shop and then this morning we made it all the way by foot to the central business district. Oh, and get this, Auckland is hilly, not hilly like Wellington where the hills are short but steep, but long, strenuous and necessary if you want to get anywhere. After breakfast, we walked up the hill and down the hill, through Myers Park and holey-moley, there we were on Queen's Street, the premier street for going/doing anything! My Stan, he is the man and quite the reliable navigator!

Today's highlight was Sky City - the 820' tall needle-spire in the heart of town that provides a 360 degree view of Auckland. We were supremely lucky today in that the sky and air was crystal clear; we could see for miles and miles.

Afterwards, we bought sandwiches and found some lovely reclining benches on the pier. We got some sun, had some lunch and enjoyed some nice Pinot Gris. Sometimes I feel as though we are the luckiest people in the world.

Today, after so many hills, we got a handle on the bus system and routes to get us where we need to go. We are done with walking/climbing hills. Tomorrow we are using Auckland's bargain one-price transport day-pass to ferry to the island, Davenport, then return and head south via bus to Mission Bay beaches. We will celebrate our glorious 38th wedding anniversary tomorrow in this way.