Landed in Auckland at 5:20am, 11 hours flight time. The fold down seats that make into a full length bed with mattress were wonderful. The food was exquisite.

Auckland

February 17, 2016
70°F
Scattered showers

Air New Zealand
Boeing 777-300

We are one day ahead and 3 hours behind US Pacific Standard Time.

The Sky City Hotel is right in the middle of downtown Auckland. Very modern. My WiFi speed test pegged out the meter at over 50Mbps up and down. I want to stay here for the duration.

During a break in the showers we walked down to the harbor area. Also very modern and clean. No where have we seen bums or homeless.

This was the perfect time to try a Kiwi passion...Whitebait Fritter. These are made with smelt like fish caught as juveniles as they head upstream to spawn. Mixed with flour and egg, then cooked like an omelette. Ours had a dollop of butter on top with caviar. Taste was only slightly fishy. The price ($35NZ) was definitely fishy and Barbara called them on it. After the dust settled the final bill was $18NZ.

Discovered Gloria Jean's Cafe, the perfect place for coffee. I decided to try a Flat White.

Decided to drop in at Fodor's recommend restaurant called Mecca. The location was great.

February 18, 2016
80°F
85% Humidity
Heavy rain in the afternoon

What's a Flat White you ask? It's like a Cappuccino only with the micro foam distributed throughout the drink, not just on top. Therefore, it's much thicker. Here's the official explanation:
Flat white: Free pour for a velvet microfoam mix of froth and liquid.
Cappuccino: Spoon the stiff froth into the cup and then top up with a pour from the jug.
Latte: Pour the liquid milk from the jug with a spoon to hold back the froth and then top off with a dollop of froth.

The Flat White is so good, I'm taking classes when I get home.

February 19, 2016
77°F
75% Humidity
Mostly Sunny

The best way to get an overview of a new city is the Hop On Hop Off bus. This one had 16 stops but not enough time to stop at each one.

Nevertheless, the commentary on city history and city sites was well worth the cost ($30US).

My favorite stop was the Auckland Museum. We took the the guided tour.

A full size Moari meeting House

This is a Kiwi

A full size Moari storage building for valuable possessions. Note the small door...designed to keep adult marauders from entering.

Barbara enjoyed the beautiful Winter Garden

Walked to the Auckland Art Gallery. Went on a guided tour. Saw some amazing art. I liked this one the best.

Barbara enjoyed the beautiful Winter Garden

Then we took an 8 mile walk all over Auckland. Stopped for a beer and watched the people.

Missed out on the "Home of the Worlds Best Burgers"

The tall spiked building is the Sky City Tower. Our hotel is part of this tower complex. People have an amazing view of the city from the top. Some people get a better view by putting on a harness and walking the rim of the observation deck. And when you are bored with the view, hook your harness into the wire and zipline straight down to the ground. Yikes !!!

Let me do the math for you:

1 gallon of regular = $4.13US