We have been in New Zealand for almost 2 weeks and still not sure what to think. Our flight to Auckland was not as long as I anticipated. Air New Zealand is a great airline with fabulous service. The planes are new and equipped with all the toys that make the flight go by quickly. We picked up our rental car and drove to the Ibis Hotel. Thought we would try to grab a bit of shut eye but that was not in the cards. We caught transit downtown and did some touring. Local transfit fares downtown were $9 each, so better not bitch about the fares at home. In NZ, they charge by the distance you travel on the bus, not a flat fee for anywhere you desire. Not much to see other than the harbour. The next day we hiked at Cornwall Park, drove to Mission Beach and on to Auckland Botanical Gardens. Again very uneventful. Finding Auckland very expensive, gas $2.12/litre, groceries 2 to 3 times the price of Kelowna Superstore pricing, and restaurant dining is outrageous!! Wifi is difficult and expensive as well. January 14 we headed north toward 90 Mile Beach, with stops along the way at some beautiful spots. Nothing much at 90 Mile so we decided to head to the west coast and see what it was like. Big disappointment as there was absolutely nothing to see. No route along the ocean so we ended up driving some pretty dismal rural routes with stops in some of the worst crapper towns I have ever witnessed. The motels were the biggest dives I have ever seen with prices ranging in the $140 range starting. I would not let my dog sleep there, if I had a dog!
Heading north along the west coast on route back to Auckland was pretty spectacular.
Heading north along the west coast on route back to Auckland was pretty spectacular.
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