So here we are on our final 3 nights in N.Z. before we move onwards and upwards to Fiji.
 

We arrive into Auckland on Wednesday afternoon and find our apartment right on the water overlooking the bridge into the city in one direction, the Skytower in the other, the harbour is an amazing place to be and a 2 bedroomed 5th floor corner home with wrap around balconies viewing every corner you could, is pretty damn good.

 
We walk, we wander, we drive (we also get a very handy parking space with the apartment on the 3rd floor) Auckland is N.Z. largest city, also 25% of all New Zealanders 1.4 million live in the city. Thats an astounding statistic having travelled the 2 islands like we have. The south island especially is very sparse of housing in places and the one fact we notice so much where ever we went was how few boats were on the lakes, of which there are hundreds. But mostly empty.

 
As we were staying right by the ferry terminal it was the right decision to go off to visit an island for the day. Waikihi is about 40 minutes ferry ride from the city. But a world away. Very quaint, beautiful houses overlooking the Pacific Ocean and lovely villages and beaches as well as a load of famous Wineries. We had a coach ride around the island with a very funny driver with a sawdust sense of humour. So lunch at Stoneyridge Vineyard sampling their Chardonney, with a platter of pates, oysters, and meats with views over the Olive trees and vines seemed the way to spend time after the beach! I know, but someone has to do it!                                                                                                     The Skytower is about 60 odd floors high (nothing on the Burj Kalifer!) But very impressive right in the middle of town, with a very good revolving restaurant. Luckily Peter booked friday night not saturday, we had impressive views of the city from daylight to dark whilst enjoying 3 courses and a glass or 3 of fine N.Z. wines - well, it has to be done - the good fortune of going friday was that after months of roasting dry weather, saturday teatime the clouds opened, desended low, and poured for 12 hours. So we didnt miss the sights by going on friday and Saturday after a wonderful morning in Devonport ;-) and an afternoon at lookout points like Mount Eden - if you visit you must see it - we bought food and wine and headed back to chill, relax and prepare for our next stop. 

 Fiji here we come!!!!!