Mini Sydney - but friendlier (Auckland)

Member Name: yummymummy100

Product:	Auckland
Date:	29/08/09 (14 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean, friendly, cheap, really really good food

Disadvantages: Bad drivers, quite spread out makes sightseeing difficult

After living in NZ for six and a half years I feel qualified to give an accurate review of this city.

I arrived in Auckland in 2002 where I stayed for 10 months before moving further south and fell completely in love with it. The weather is unreliable but beats the UK hands down. It is humid, but when the sun is out the sky is bluer than I have seen anywhere else in the world (maybe due to the hole in the ozone) lol. .... incidentally burn times can be as little as five minutes in the middle of summer, even when cloud is around!

The city is surrounded by sea, which gives it a clean, peaceful feel, yet if you want fun and noise just head into any number of the busy city streets.

The shops vary, I remember when first arriving finding the clothes shops limited, but you soon get used to it. When I travelled back north to Auckland in 2005 to settle I found the shops amazing compared to else where in NZ. For clothes visit; High street in the city, or Nuffield street in Newmarket.

The food and cafe culture is second to none, they take this very seriously and I really miss my coffee and brunch of a weekend while gazing out over the crystal blue sea, the UK just doesn't get it and would never be-able to recreate it. Try Mecca in the viaduct or mission Bay, The Takapuna beach cafe in Takapuna or the Rose Hip in Parnell.

The beaches are clean; black sand on the west coast of Auckland (where the Piano was set) - great for surfing and white on the east coast - better for families.

When arriving in Auckland I was amazed how friendly the kiwi's were, but when I travelled further south noted they are get friendly the further south you go (almost eerily friendly).

Auckland drivers can't drive and have some funny road rules, however are in the process of changing them, but watch out!

Heaps of tourist atractions inc;
Sky-tower
Boat cruisers to other islands and to spot dolphins
Vineyards
Fine dining
Great museum in the Domain
Shopping
Cultural shows
Kelly Taltons - sea life centre
Auckland Zoo
Kayaking

You really need a couple of days to do it justice, my advice don't judge it on the first day you arrive as you are jet lagged and grumpy/spaced and likewise don't wait until you are exhausted from traveling and in traveling home mode! Give it a try I promise you wont regret it!

Summary: Amazing city with so much to see and do and real must!