Rydges Hotel Auckland

So after a magical time in Tasmania and a feeling that I got to know the place and its wines well I had to hit the train for New Zealand. First hick-up of the trip with issues on my baggage weight both for the hand luggage and hold luggage. After some repacking, I managed to get things sorted but had to pay $100 excess – hey ho, I think I may need to post some books and things back from New Zealand.

Sydney International Terminal – what a joke. This has to be the worst thoug...

Cool view across to the bridge from my 11th floor room – clearly in a big city now. There is a team building a building just below me but not too noisy – glad that they are still a couple of floors below my room!

Walked down to the harbour area where there is the local tourist info place (known as i-sites in NZ). Tried to take a guided walk but apparently these only go if there are enough folks who have booked ahead and I hadn't. Walked around to the Harbour info kiosk whe...

This morning we packed up again and headed out onto the road for our trip into Auckland. We had a stop along the way at Hamilition for breakfast at the golden arches restaurant. Then headed into Auckland. We arrived at Nikki's friends Gail place just after lunch and had a quick cuppa. This is where we separated. Nikki was staying with Gail and her family for the night and Haydn, Celise and Myself were heading into Auckland city to stay at Rydges for the night. We arrived at Rydges and checked...

Photos - HERE or cut and paste: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesaharr ison/ Last entry for New Zealand :( Hello again everyone, I hope you're all good!?! I'm very sad to write that this is my last entry for New Zealand. I have absolutely loved every minute of my time here and I definitely hope to return one day. There have been so many highlights, so many great experiences and so many amazing memories. I think I ended my last blog with news of my upcoming skydive so this is where I'll start...

Packed up and left the bach mid-morning for the long drive back to Auckland - went a different way this time so we could see another part of the area, and ended up in Withianga for a walk round the marina, a wee play in the playpark for Evelyn and some lunch. Evelyn and I played truth or dare (which is harder than you might think in the back of a car with an eight-year old!) and drew pictures to pass the time, but it was still quite a tiring journey (so hats off to John for driving us what fe...

I did a little last minute souvenir shopping in Palm Cove and then we were off to the airport.  The flight was forgettable, which is a good thing.   However, we were pretty hungry by the time we landed.  We asked the driver if there were any places to eat that were still open.  His response was "only the American fast food restaurants."  He then proceeded to show us the Burger King, McDonalds, Denny's etc.  Meanwhile, we were passing sushi places, Chinese food, and other local restaurants, bu...

Arrived in Auckland late and took the bus to the hotel. The bus wasn't bad. Lots of backpackers and other travellers en route to the next part of the journeys as well. Stayed at the Rydges, a block away from Sky Tower. Nice place, close to everything.