New Zealand is a land of great landscapes. The trip to New Zealand was full of excitement as both of Mr ikan and I have never been there. There have been so much we have heard about this Maori Island and now we have the chance to see it with our own eyes.
We reached New Zealand via New Zealand airlines. It’s only 2 hours flight from Sydney to Auckland, but due to time zone differences the arrival time is late in evening. As soon as we stepped on the airport, our adventure began.
We took a bus from airport (SkyBus – airport shuttle service) to our hotel The Econo Lodge. Mr. Ikan had already bought tickets online for the airport-to -city bus transfer. The bus has wifi to help us to fin d our hotel which Mr Ikan had booked online earlier. The funny thing was it was said the bus will stop at our hotel route but the driver denied he will pass the stop called Wellesley Street. After a chat (by a fellow passenger), the driver kind heartedly took us there.
We started from Sydney at 2PM and our flight landed at 7pm evening so it was not easy to see where we were, especially it was our first time in the city of Auckland. We were really thankful with the wifi facility provided in the bus and met a bus driver who are willing to help to get to our hotel. May God bless him.
The weather was cold as the wind blew. I thought it was spring in the month of October but then it felt more like I am in Winter. It was so cold.
When arrived at the hotel – Econo Lodge City Central, we were greeted nicely. The hotel had everything we need, a bed for two and a bathroom. We were so hungry at time. When we went out from the hotel, it seems like we don’t need to worry about anything. There are variety of restaurants very close to the hotel. Yeah…just next door to the hotel. Without further ado we had our dinner at Indian restaurant just next door Chawlas Indian restaurant . We tried the colourful biryani rice with some drinks.
We were so excited to look around. It was an OMG moment when we saw the highest tower of Auckland was just behind our hotel. O..Omg again! We were so near to the Skycity Casino/Convention Centre, Entertainment Centre waterfront centre, art gallery and all public transports. We were so excited to get to the highest tower that evening itself but Mr ikan said we saved it for the next day.
The next day the first thing that we did was to be at the highest tower – The Sky Tower. We were mesmerised by the view. I have never imagined I am on top of the Auckland tower that day. It felt just like a dream….yeah dream do came true. I felt so happy that I am on top of the tower with Mr ikan my dearest one
. At that time I was so grateful to God I am with him watching the beautiful view of Auckland, New Zealand.
After we walk around the tower and watched some buggy lovers threw themselves we went to our next destination. Yeah… the trip won’t be complete without The Bridge Climb. We went to the bridge by van as it was bit far away (10-15 mins drive) and there were a few more waiting at the spot who shared the dream, the Auckland Bridge conquest 😆.
The Climb shuttle van was free and they had a stall just below the Auckland Sky Tower itself. We departed from the SkyTower to the great climb.
We were given a short briefing by our guide and after we put on our safety gear we started walking to the bridge. Mr ikan has paid $130 for us to achieve our dream, for the record we had climbed The Sydney Bridge in 2016 (read about our Sydney bridge climb adventure here) and in 2018 we added to the record The Auckland Bridge climb. It was a long walk and no private camera allowed .The sight was unforgettable!!!
The tour was fully guided and educational. The bridge has a custom engineered walkway, it is pretty safe and a good exercise for all. It took 2 hours 30 minutes to finish the walk. We also had a chance to see some buggy lovers falling and bouncing up and down in the air. Me and ikan was not interested to join in such dead challenge activity. So we just enjoy the lovely view.
At the evening, we spent our time back at the Auckland Sky Tower (we had two entries in the ticket) having our hot chocolate and the endless significant view.
Before we go back to our hotel, Mr ikan celebrated my birthday. He bought me a treasure special from the Auckland Sky Tower.
New Zealand will always be special and unforgettable.