Kia Ora Auckland

Kia Ora - Meaning Hi / G'day in Maori the native language of New Zealand (Aotearoa) is the first word you you would come across as you disembark from the flight. New Zealand - one of those countries that has been on my "To Visit" lists got ticked off last week. It was a short 2 day business trip to Auckland. Not much of a chance to look around but still had a good opportunity to soak in the sights of this island nation "across the ditch" as  they call it.

Took a Virgin Australia flight to Auckland from Sydney and was exposed to a different area of Sydney International airport. I understand most of the flights to New Zealand take off via those gates. It looked like a domestic Low Cost Carrier terminal and had to board a bus to get to the aircraft. Thanks to this trip - now I know to check my itinerary if a meal is included in the ticket or not. I just assumed that breakfast would be served being an international (non low-cost) flight. Apparently not. It was served to a select few who had it in their booking. Thankfully it was only a 3 hour journey and I slept through 90% of the time.

Auckland given its proximity to Australia has its similarities to Sydney or should I say Melbourne given the colder weather. However it does have some unique features. For some reason it felt more greener than Sydney. The first striking difference was the existence of pine trees which either does not exist or I haven't seen any in Sydney / Melbourne. New Zealand seemed to have embraced US culture a bit more than their Aussie cousins. I could see a lot of US food chains like Carl's Jr, Dennys, Burger King (not as Hungry Jacks). Tempted to visit Dennys - maybe next time. Stayed in a Park Regis hotel right in the middle of CBD (Central Business District / Downtown). Even though being one of the largest cities in New Zealand the crowd seemed quite minimal even during peak hours. The hotel was very so - so. Wonder how hotels these days can survive without providing WiFi in the room. It was such a pain to place myself in the lobby whenever I had to check anything on my phone.

The planned meetings went on well even though we had to move it ahead by 2 hours and one of my colleagues couldn't make it as a result. Post the meeting we (my boss and I) settled ourselves in one of the "virtual offices" nearby. This is one of the luxuries we enjoy to park ourselves in a business lounge globally rather than limiting ourselves to coffee shops. We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on work and closed business at around 6 PM.

Ferry Terminal

We decided to go on a ferry ride to be able have a view of the Auckland skyline.

Harbour Bridge with Skyline

We were suggested to get on to a commuter ferry to a nearby island which will take about 20 minutes round trip. We waited at the pier and got on to a ferry without realizing where it was heading towards. Later on we came to know we got into a wrong ferry. It took about an hour for us to get back to our origin.

Harbour Bridge

We somehow negotiated our way to get out and come back in without having to purchase tickets again. Had our dinner at Nandos and went back to wait at the right ferry terminal this time. Got on to the ferry ride with a total of 4 passengers including ourselves. This ferry went through what they call as their Harbour Bridge and back within 20 minutes. Eventually managed to click a few photos along the way of the skyline.


Thus ended my 1st Kiwi adventure. Hope to have many more opportunities to visit in the near future.

Until then.. E noho ra (Good Bye)

C