Auckland 9-10 March

Weds 9 March
We made good time to Auckland, taking a couple of hours to reach Tamaki Drive where we had planned to stop for a bit of lunch and a stroll next to the beach, which is just what we did. Today's temperature was around 26 degrees with an almost cloudless blue sky, so our luck with the weather continued. We then found our motel in the Parnell district and, after the grubby accommodation of the previous two nights, opened our door with baited breath to huge relief to find it very clean and comfortable, what a difference a day makes, we're much happier here.

As the weather was so good we decided today would be a great day to go up the Sky Tower. We made the half hour walk along the quay to the well known Ferry Terminal building where, on Andrew's recommendation, we booked a table at the Botswana Butchery restaurant for the following evening, the menu looks great so we're really looking forward to that. We made our way to the Sky Tower via a nice walk around a marina area, bought our tickets and were whisked to the 50th floor in just 40 seconds! Stepping out of the lift and over to the edge Nicky asked me if I was OK as I had apparently gone white (I don't like heights!) I think I was fine! We then spent a good hour or so on the main observation deck on 51 and the Sky Deck on 60, taking in all our surroundings that were so clearly visible on such a fine day. Once again feeling blessed to be enjoying such perfect weather.

We walked back (uphill mostly) to our accommodation, stopping at a lovely Spanish tapas restaurant/bar in Parnell for a very nice meal, that's about our fifth or sixth different cuisine of the trip so far.

Thurs 19 March
A day wandering the city was on the cards, so we walked in again but this time through a large park called Auckland Domain, which is the site of one of many volcanic domes. Nicky's sat nav on her phone got quite confused with all the different paths, as did we, but three days later, or maybe 30 minutes later, I forget which, we emerged on the city centre side and walked in through the university campus. We did a bit of exploring, Albert Park was very nice, a great place for students to hang out, and after a coffee we went down Queen Street and did some shopping. As you might imagine, having been away almost four weeks we were getting fed up with each other's company so we decided to part company. Well that was my excuse for jumping on the ferry to Devonport to seek out a New Zealand cycling jersey I'd seen online and luckily for me the shop in the ferry building had just the one. After I made the return journey (only 10 minutes) and was reunited with Nicky we wound our way back to the motel.

And so to the meal. Again we (Nicky) decided we should walk in and we found a nicer route along The Strand and then Beach Road, arriving at The Botswana on time where we were shown to our table. There was a nice atmosphere there, something we find makes quite a difference to a meal out. With lots to tempt us on the menu, Nicky chose salmon while I went for lamb. So how good was the food? My lamb was the most tender, melt in the mouth lamb I have ever had and the accompanying vegetables and sauces suited it to perfection. Nicky's salmon was equally good, so it was a great place to have had our 'treat' meal of the holiday, thanks Andrew for the recommendation. After the meal we walked to where we could see the Sky Tower illuminated and then made our first NZ bus journey back to Parnell to end a great two days in Auckland.