Chronic's Auckland Page |
Since leaving Fiji I was hoping that the cloud would clear as we approached New Zealand. Close to arriving, the clouds thinned, but left a long narrow strip hovering just over the land. 3 hours after leaving Fiji I was relating the islands and bays to the map.
Reading the immigration forms sent me mad. They wanted us to declare all natural products. They decided I could keep a "lovers" statue, its a wooden carving from Fiji, but they wanted to fumigate my picture frame. It was made of sticks, but I bought it in the duty-free shop. How silly of me to assume that the duty-free wouldn't sell NZ banned items !! They decided that it was made of seeds and refused to fumigate it...er...what ??
Tip : On entering NZ, don't bring anything natural. You must be a complete modern teflon person.
Piccie 1: From the plane !! Above the Coromandel Penninsula. Can see main Auckland with a distant Harbour Bridge in the centre.
Piccie 2: Sarah and Adam in the Waitekere ranges. To the west of Auckland. Note the hot weather. tee hee
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To the west of Auckland is a nature reserve. Strictly no mountain biking in this hilly, wooded region that was grown to temp mountain bikes. Sarah, Adam and I spent a pleasant Sunday afternoon walking. How mature !!
Piccie 1: Sarah, Adam and me near a loud humming of a bees nest amongst the shading undergrowth.
Piccie 2: A pleasant, rippling stream, which cooled our feet.
Piccie 3: A fern tree with lots of new shoots.
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In Waitamata Harbour, the East harbour of Auckland, there is a large island with 4 wineries. Sarah, Adam and I took a boat over for a Sunday afternoon wine tasting sesh.
Piccie 1: Sarah and Adam drinking too much....yet again.
Piccie 2: Pacific Beach, Waiheke. We swam in the nearer harbour.
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On the return from Waiheke Island, the sun was reflecting on the harbour above the city.
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In the Auckland Domain, the main park in central Auckland, there is a large museum.
Piccie 1: Me at the wine tasting. Goldwater winery on Waiheke Island.
Piccie 2: The Leftfield warrior.
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In the museum, local Maoris put on a show of their traditions including fight moves and blocks.
Piccie 1: Dancing
Piccie 2: Fighting
Piccie 3: Throwing sticks...as you do
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A week before Christmas, a large event took place in the grouds of the Domain. Saturday night the whole of Auckland made their way to the grassy slopes in front of a Christmas decorated stage. A huge Christmas tree glittered as the sun went down, capped by a rotating, mirrored star.
Glow sticks were waving all over and people continually moved around. The local famous people (from TV) were cheered and most sang along to the more known Christmassy songs.
Piccie 1: Sarah and me all tarted up for the occasion !!
Piccie 2: The crowds, tree and stage.
Piccie 3: The night was finished with a long fireworks display.
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The waterfront from Tamaki Drive, in the east of Auckland. I don't think the bus will make it.
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