Weekend in the City of Sails New Zealand is close enough to Australia for a weekend away. It is just three hours from Sydney and three and a half hours from Brisbane. Lorel and her son, Adam were waiting at international arrivals when I arrived at 5pm on Friday. I was though Customs and Immigration in about 10 minutes. Picking up my Europcar too longer. Much longer. That is despite my Privilege Executive status and having booked on line. Europcar appears to be the only rental car company with a queue. 40 minutes later, I finally have the keys in my hand. It took all of about 2 minutes. The renters ahead of us havent even moved away from the counter and we are off. But I have to return. There are marks on the back seat which need reporting. TomTom GPS quickly gets us to our motel, the Park Lane motor in at Takapuna on Aucklands North Shore. Fortunately I have an email confirmation as staff cant find our booking in their system. Instead of a room for three people, we end up with two rooms at the same price. They are on different floors, but thats okay. Both rooms have minor issues. The television remote in our room doesnt work. The shower tap in the other room is leaky. Continental breakfast is included. We have the choice of tea, coffee or juice. There are four choices of cereal, white and grain toast, yoghurt and fruit. We have also made arrangements ahead of time for wifi access. Saturday morning includes a drive to Devonport and a visit to the World War Two military facility at the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park. Apart from great 360 degree views, there are also remnants of the big guns which protected Auckland and some audio visual presentations. Next stop was the Auckland Harbour Bridge. We are joining A.J. Hacketts Bridge Climb. It is one of just three bridge climbs in the world and the last we have to complete after the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Brisbanes Story Bridge. A fourth bridge climb is currently in the planning stages for the Fourth Rail Bridge in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are just five climbers for the 11.30am climb with Jamie. Unlike Sydney, there is no breath test and no metal scan. We leave about 10 minutes early to begin the climb up 450 steps to the top of the bridge. But first we walk along under the approaches and then go down into one of the concrete bases, which were built around the true steel base to make it look safer for those driving across the bridge after its construction in the 1950s. The climb is easier than it appears. In fact the hardest part is not the climb, but walking on the bolts and rivets on the top of the bridge span. We spend time at the top looking around before we begin coming down. On the way back, we pause to watch some of those who have forked out good money to bungy jump under the structure. There was another pause to see a New Zealand Navy ship pass underneath. A stop at a bakery for pies followed. Then it was off to the Henderson area in Aucklands west in search of wine tasting. The first two wineries we visited had cellar doors but no tastings. The third didnt appear to be open. So no wine tasting and it was back to the motel for a rest. Deciding to eat out, we drive down to Devonport to find somewhere for dinner. Devonport is a beautiful harbourfront spot from where ferries leave regularly for the city. A waiter encourages us into the Seven Stars Restaurant and Bar. The prices are quite reasonable and I enjoy my 12 seared scallops with bacon salad. The scallops were still juicy and the bacon salad was topped with a generous amount of bacon. Its an early night in after a quick walk around Devonport. Sunday morning after breakfast its off to the airport as I prepare to return to Sydney while Lorel and Adam have a domestic flight to Christchurch to continue their holiday.
Posted on: Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:00:03 +0000
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