The Langham Auckland

Today was our only full day in Auckland so we drove into the city to see the sights. We parked up, but by the time we had walked 100m we were completely soaked through as the weather was so bad. We sought refuge in a nearby shopping center where we ate ...

... Hotel.  The traffic on the Motorway was surprisingly light. I had anticipated there would be lots of vehicles returning to Auckland from the weekend.  Dinner that night we were accompanied by Kevin and Anita Fuller, and Bill and Lynette Smith ...

... we went there for a couple of hours. It was still busy even though a number of shops were closed since it was a holiday-Auckland Anniversary Day. There was a really good band playing so we went to check it out-it turned out it was the Lakeway Festival ...

... , the people tramp (hike) on treks (trails). This one was 10 kilometers one way (a little over 6 miles) and went to Auckland's most popular and interesting places. So, I found some new friends (ducks) in Auckland Domain, a huge park in central ...

... for another day of adventuring tomorrow.   we are very much looking forward to exploring the rest of New Zealand. Auckland is exciting but doesn't seem to have too much about it. It almost seems like another British city......climate is similar, ...

... on the town's surroundings. Dinner at one of the numerous pubs and restaurants at the harbour. Other highlights in Auckland were a demonstration of public employees for higher salary and the Christmas parade, with funny decorations and costumes. And of ...

... rainy weather and "tons" of luggage, we did make it safely to our hotel. We pretty much rested that day. Dec 21 Still in Auckland and feeling much better.  We rode the hotel shuttle into town, had lunch and took a 1-hour quick tour of the ...

... which dates back to 1840 when William Hobson then Governor of New Zealand arrived on the 'HMS Herald’ and established Auckland as New Zealand's capital [short-lived].  Today it is an important administrative centre for the Royal New Zealand ...

Had tea in the room. Taxi to the Kelly Tarlton Aquarium. Saw penguins and sting rays and other fish. Walked the wharf. Had fish and chips at Fox's. (They had Bambi medallions on the menu – venison.) Went to Victoria Park Market…bought ...

... brûlée dessert, which i found very exciting because it came with a row of petit fours. We took the ferry back to Auckland and narrowly missed the Langham shuttle back to the hotel, but the day had cleared up so we decided to walk back. That night we did ...

... just o.k.,  and the room a bit loud but I'd still go back if put in the same situation. Our stopover in Auckland was brief, really only enough to see the highlights and we had this fantastic room so aside from just wandering around the ...

... people (or trophy wives as they are sometimes referred to). Helen had a facial, with the other ones. Then we went to the Outrageous Fortune exhibition at Auckland Museum. Much fun. 10 hours later and we were getting off the plane in Santiago de ...

Greetings from Down Under! After over 12 hours on a 747, Alex and I have finally arrived in Auckland, New Zealand..."the City of Sails." The flight over was much easier than I expected... probably because I slept 9 of the 12 hours. We arrived in Auckland ...

Packed up the love bus for the last time to leave Paihia for Auckland - our final stop on the trip.  Said a sombre goodbye to the paradise that is the Bay of Islands and drove Southwards towards Auckland. Auckland is as similar to the cities over ...

... room's free drinks and apps, and me getting a much-needed pedi at the Langham's Chuan Spa (the best spa I have ever been to, by far). Tomorrow, we're off to Rotorua! Here are the pics from Auckland day 1: ...

... goodbyes to Boyd, who went off to work at 8, then Della just after 9, as we hit Highway 10 for the south, destination Auckland. Bit wet until around midday, when the sun took its hat off. Stopped at the Honey Cafe, just south of Warkworth on Highway ...

... us how they shear Angora rabbits. Then to the Spellbound Waitomo Glowworm Experience. Truly awesome! Saw one worm catch a fly and reel it in. Good tour but we had to walk in the dark. Long ride home. $$$$$ for buffet dinner. Langham's is a nice ...

... setting overlooking a bay. The beaches, climate, landscape and great views felt more like a Indonesian Island than 45mins from Auckland! A surprise and really chilled. Due to the 'red-head' incident on Monday I took precautions with sun cream and a hat. ...