April 18, 2019 / Auckland
My first visit to this island nation in the southern hemisphere. Auckland is connected by direct flights from west coast and if you have the option, do choose Air New Zealand – the airline and its service is far superior to United. My flight had good in flight entertainment system and complimentary WiFi to boot!
I stayed at Attic Backpackers, a hostel in the central business district (CBD). The best way to reach CBD is to take the Sky Bus from the airport (NZ$ 19). If you are staying few days in Auckland, the best option for local transportation is to get the AT hop card and use it in the city’s extensive network of subways, buses and ferries to take you to places. The hop card is both convenient and cost effective.
The top attraction in CBD is Sky Tower, Auckland’s tallest building. Built in 1997, the Sky Tower stands 328 m tall with the sky deck located at level 60 (220 m / 722 ft.) and the main observation level at level 51 (186 m / 610 ft.) Both levels offers panoramic 360 degree views of Auckland and the many islands that surround it on either coast. Mt. Eden, the harbor bridge, Rangitoto island & more were clearly visible on this fine autumn day.
Mt. Eden, a dormant volcanic crater that is also revered as a sacred place by the Maori was my second stop for the day. I took a bus from CBD to Esplanade road and walked the short distance to Mt. Eden road, the starting point for an uphill trek to reach the summit. Vehicles are allowed only up to a point and everyone has to walk the home stretch to go to the top. Incredible views of the city await you from the top. It is impossible to miss the Sky Tower and CBD from here. I could make out Rangitoto islands, Eden Park (cricket grounds), harbor and more from the summit. The best part, of course, is the walk around the crater that sported a green grass cover. Mt. Eden (Maungawhau) is a place of reflection and quiet while enjoying the scenic views from the top.
My final stop for the day was Mt. Victoria. Located in Devonport, a quiet little suburb of Auckland is best accessed by a ferry. The ferry building in Auckland is at the end of Queen St, a bustling street with several shopping outlets and restaurants. In sharp contrast, the streets of Devonport sported a laid back look amidst a quaint setting where the motorists typically wait for pedestrians to cross the streets.
On my way to Mt. Victoria, I paid a quick visit to the town’s local library & a book shop with an amusing Oscar Wilde quote: “Few parents pay any regard to what their children say to them. The old-fashioned respect for the young is fast dying.“
Yet again, from atop Mt. Victoria, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of all the points I’ve mentioned thus far: Sky Tower, CBD, Rangitoto island, harbor bridge etc., but from a different vantage point. It is easy to simply spend several minutes admiring each view before pulling yourself ahead. There was a writer’s retreat on the way to the top – the only writer I saw was on her cell phone 🙂 Fort Victoria on top of the mountain also has the “disappearing gun.” Placed there during late 1800s as a defense against possible Russian occupation, the gun was fired just once in its lifetime.
On the way back to the ferry terminal, I enjoyed my first taste of hokey pokey, a classic Kiwi ice-cream flavor with french vanilla, honeycomb and salted caramel.
