Arrival in Auckland - December 30,2013

We are settling into our suite/apartment in  downtown Auckland. It will be just great for us for the next four nights. A small kitchen with dishwasher, oven the size of a bread box, washer and dryer, fridge. Everything and more than we need.  This means that we can get on the cruise ship with all clean undies!

Our flight from Vancouver BC was 14 hours. I had the window and Tom had the middle man seat. There was a middle aged man sitting next to him who behaved himself but really, the guy has a bladder of steal!  He was drinking beer(s) for dinner, soda, and other assorted fluids and NEVER had to get up and pee... we had to wake him twice so we could get out and walk around and use the tinkler.  Dinner was penne pasta with shrimp (nope) or beef and rice (nope) so we ate the apple pie and cheese wedge.  We shut off our  reading lights off around 10:00.  We did sleep some of the time but you know it is a really wierd sleep. I had a BAD headache and stomach ache and we both passed on the italian omlet for breakfast. We did have good service and were actually more impressed with New Zealand Air than Em and Kevin were last year!  (I sure can see why you would not want to have the seat in front of you reclining Kevin)  WE had to ask the guy in front of us to put his seat up just for us to get out of our seats!  Close quarters there.

We got a shuttle from the airport to our digs downtown but the office for the apartments was not open until 8 am so we sat/laid on a bench in a courtyard until it opened. We have an amazing view of the city and harbor from the 30th floor. We have two rooms and a bath. Nice location.  The art museum is just across the street.  Comfy bed.

It is a bit overcast but we have the sliding door open and the breeze is wonderful and we can hear the gulls on the wharf.

Plenty to do here until we get on the cruise ship on Friday.

We have free wi-fi with a strong signal so try to SKYPE us if it works for you.

We had a fabulous Christmas and thanks to Gwen and Ramon for hosting another perfect holiday.

An overview of Auckland

 Our first meal in Auckland at the Mai Tai. We sat in the open second story window and watched Auckland CBD go by. A bungee chair for two was across the street for our dining amusement.

This is Auckland's nod to Christmas... the city is not decked out for the holidays like it is in the U.S., however, this store did it BIG and TALL.