Travel With Me #16: Auckland, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand is located in the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand. New Zealand is composed of two islands simply known as the North Island and the South Island. The maori word for New Zealand is Aotearoa which means Land of the Long White Cloud. It is believed to have gotten this nickname when an explorer name Kupe' was approaching one of the islands and a long white cloud was seen over the island.

The most recognized part of the city skyline is the 1,076 foot Sky Tower. The Sky Tower has 3 observation levels where you can view the surrounding volcanoes, the Harbour Bridge, Waiheke Island, and Mount Eden. Level 50 offers the Sky Café with cocktails, sandwiches & desserts, plus panoramic views of the surrounding area. Level 52 has a revolving restaurant named Orbit 360. Another restaurant with a 1930's theme, The Sugar Club, is found on Level 53 of the Sky Tower. Most people don't know that at the base of the Sky Tower is an entertainment complex that has two world-class hotels, a dining precinct with over 20 bars and restaurants, a 700 seat theatre and a world-class Casino.

Auckland is known as the "City of Sails" because of the popularity of boating among its residents. Did you know there are more than 135,000 boats and yachts registered in Auckland. Also 60,000 of the country’s 150,000 registered yachtsmen are from Auckland? It’s true. About one in three Auckland households own a boat.

Waiheke Island is a must see attraction. It is known as the 'island of wine’ because its many wineries and vineyards makes a wine tasting tour a definite must for any wine enthusiast. This island is a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. The ferry ride alone across the beautiful turquoise waters is worth the trip. For adventure seekers Waiheke Island offers horseback riding on the island or zip-lining above the forest canopy.

Two things to remember when planning your visit to Auckland. The first thing is that Auckland, New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere which means their summer months are December 21st through March 20th and winter months are June 21st through September 20th. Pack your clothes accordingly. The second things to remember is they drive on the left side of the road. With many travelers visiting from countries where they drive on the right, learning and remembering to drive on the left while visiting this beautiful country can sometimes be confusing.

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One of the most fascinating animals you will encounter is the Kiwi bird. The kiwi is a unique and curious bird. It cannot fly, has sturdy strong legs, loose hair-like feathers and no tail. More wildlife is available at the Auckland Zoo. This sprawling animal sanctuary boasts the largest number of exotic and native animals in New Zealand. A tickets to the zoo includes on-site parking, four eateries, a picnic area, a gift shop, the KidZone farm area and two playgrounds. Free animal encounters with cheetahs, orangutans, penguins, elephants and other creatures are also included.

I hope you enjoyed this visit with me to Auckland. There is so much to do in this beautiful part of the world. Words and pictures only give you a small sample of what this amazing place can offer you.

To discover more about what New Zealand can offer you I recommend reading