irnbru14

Been up in the city of snails (oops, sails, typo!) for a few days, first time I have been back since I was there on 2006 for a week or so. Wasn't really sure what to expect, first impressions left me a bit, well, unimpressed really.

This time round was a bit better, discovered the deal with Auckland, unlike Welly, is that the city center is generally crap, and that all the nice stuff is scattered around the suburbs, so having had a fab night out in Ponsonby and brunch down in Mission Bay (and a nice long stroll along the waterfront) I can see a bit more attraction about the place, though there seems to be a bigger fashion/pretentious culture about some places/people which I noted.

Its still bloody huge mind and feels more like an Aussie city to me, certainly compared to anywhere else in NZ.

But, mind you, I'm glad to be back in Wellington again, I do love this place I call home

Maz

So glad you're happy to be home!

luvwelly

I liked Auckland and stayed in the centre for a few nights but it seemed to me like Welly waterfront has more happening and that there are more restaurants, cafes in Welly. Liked the Skytower though. It is indeed a good sign that you are glad to be 'home'

crap coffee

I am sure you love your 'real home' too

cappuccino

Welcome home. Glad we haven't lost you to JAFAland

Maz

I was going to say "Dorkland" but thought better of it. Thanks for starting me off there, M!

crap coffee

it's okay loosing him to JAFAland. why not?

julesnye

So why dont you live there then?

Am Loolah

Hi, we too are just back from a couple of days in Auckland - and whilst always happy to be home, equally love it up there for the hustle and bustle! I am very easily pleased (Hubby would disagree am sure!)

This time we had the 4 kids (remember one has broken leg ... ) and MIL! We had to hire a minibus contraption to get us all up there as she with cast needs to put leg up/out/generally make a bloody meal of it.

We stayed at the Rydges hotel in the CBD (apparently this stands for "cupboard" my Hubby reliably informs me ...) and it was ok - not great, not crap, but ok!

I felt it would be rude not to stroke the handbags and shoes in Louis Vuitton and the specially opened in my honour Gucci - plus I knew it would wind my 15 year old daughter up - it did! Then out later for fabulous Chinese.

We were up and out by mid-morning Sunday to the Museum. The day was drizzly and foggy so this was a great choice and had enough to please all age groups, a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours out. Made me laugh, coming out of an exhibition a little boy passes my little girl and pipes up with "Hello Dilan ..." "Hello Hunter ..." says she and they carry on passed as if they see each other every day in Auckland?! Sunday night we went to Orbit, the revolving restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower. We were last there 2 years ago, and unfortunately it all seemed a little jaded this time around?

Dropped kids and MIL back at hotel and Hubby and I returned to the Sky Tower to the casino. Now, I have always wanted to go to Vegas, (actually wanted to call my son Elvis and push him out of a plane to see if he could fly - joke) and have never been to a casino before - well not that I can remember any how. What a disappointment. I was expecting James Bondesque glamour and got China Town casual. It was all a bit desperate and, in truth, really boring, but then I am renowned for my 5 year old having a greater attention span than I. I was bored within an hour ... but I did win $70 in some weird jackpot machine thing, I have absolutely no idea how, again I got bored and seemed to have a huge amount of credits, so just kept betting higher stakes (?) and then it became all singing, all dancing and spewing out coins -

Gosh - this is very long ... sorry!

This morning, I bumped in to someone I knew so felt very cosmopolitan and 15 year old daughter threw herself off the SkyTower - amazing - will post a photo tomorrow.

Then made double sure MIL caught her plane!!

owen

[QUOTE=irnbru14;6263545]

This time round was a bit better, discovered the deal with Auckland, unlike Welly, is that the city center is generally crap, and that all the nice stuff is scattered around the suburbs, QUOTE]

Thats the secret to JAFAland, you only get to know the places that are nice and hidden down side streets when you are a part of Junta del JAFA!

Am Loolah

Small dot that appears to be on the outer rim is daughter number 1 descending the Sky Tower!

julesnye

Cheers for that Am Loolah.
She's go tmore B##ls than me.