New Zealand - Auckland *updated*

NEW ZEALAND

Auckland
17th Oct -

Got up at 0430 and got the airport train from Central. A somewhat significant event occurred in the airport: i tried an egg in the form of a bacon egg McMuffin, so I now like egg and can't believe I have spent the past 24 years thinking I didn't!

Left Sydney airport at 0845. Emirates have just bought some more A380s so we surprisingly had one on our journey, it had been in service for under a week the pilot informed us. We arrived in Auckland 3 hours later, 30 mins early with the wind behind us.

Co traveller Dave's has family in NZ so we are staying with his Uncle Derek, Aunt Heather, cousin Ellen and Fudge the dog. They have given us a place in their house with glorious harbour views, taken us out in their car to beaches and for walks, treated us to delicious restaurants and cooked great dinners/breakfasts(with egg!) for us.

below: view from Arakati Visitor Centre


below: Piha beach

below: wonder on Piha beach to blow away any 'jetlag'

below: a horse appears on Piha beach

below: a spot of rockclimbing

below: Auckland

below: pub in Devonport, Auckland

below: our host's lounge with a spectacular view of the bay

below: we visit Armegeddon - a huge comic book type convention in Auckland. This is me at the xbox/halo 4 stand...

below: another view of Auckland and a sealed over small volcano