Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Guest post: New Zealand - Heaven on earth?

It could very well be. New Zealand had been on my bucket list for many years, ever since I first watched Lord of The Rings. After my first glimpse of Middle-earth in the theatre over 15 years ago, I knew that I had to find a way to visit those beautiful places some day

And then it happened. Earlier this year, I was chatting with my cousin who lives in Australia, and he shared details of his incredible vacation in New Zealand. That was my cue. I knew I had to do a solo trip to New Zealand, but was contemplating the expenses that I would have to incur. After spending the next few days on Skyscanner, I found some great deals on flights. Over the weekend, I booked my flights and applied for my tourist visa. 
Auckland skyline

I planned to visit a few significant places in both the North and South Islands, and I knew it was going to be hectic. All my stay was booked via Airbnb or Hostel World. One month from then, I would land in Auckland!
Mission Bay Beach
I landed in Auckland after a 13-hour journey via Malaysia. I took a taxi to my cozy apartment by the beach, which I booked on Airbnb. After dropping off my luggage, I decided to take a walk to the CBD. Fresh air and clean streets - a great start to my vacation. I walked along the Viaduct Harbour, which had many of the best restaurants in Auckland. 

The foodie in me was craving dinner, and I was spoilt for choice. I decided to start with The Viaduct Grill, tempted by the seafood and pork options on their menu. The seafood pasta was loaded with succulent mussels and shrimp, and I gobbled down the entire dish. After an amazing meal, I strolled back to my apartment, and was looking forward to the adventures in store for me.

I woke up before sunrise on the second day and I used the early hours to plan out the finer details of my trip. I rented a car from Hertz, and headed straight to the Harbour Bridge. With hardly any vehicles on the road, the drive was very pleasant. I took the time to walk around the bridge, but could not get a slot for the Bungy. For the more adventurous at heart, the Bungy at the Auckland Harbour Bridge is a must do! 
Art Museum
Art Museum
After spending a couple of hours at the Art Museum, I had lunch at Elliott Stables. This is a unique food court with many different cuisines. I tried a few Brazilian and Filipino dishes, and every dish was delicious. 

I spent the rest of day visiting the War Memorial Museum, Sky city (casino) and Sky tower. I got to learn so much about the Kiwi culture and people. I then drove to the Mission Bay Beach, and enjoyed the beautiful sunset while sipping on a steaming cup of chili hot chocolate. It was a beautiful evening, and a perfect end to the day.

Other places to visit in and around Auckland are the Rangitoto Island and Waitakere Ranges.


***************************************************************

Keith D'Souza is an IT professional based in Bengaluru. When he is not doing solo trips, he is undertaking Himalayan treks. He has visited 14 countries till date and intends to hit the 100 mark some day. His introduction is not complete without mentioning his undying love for food, especially local cuisines.   

1 comment:

Cookscape Interior Designs said...

More about our product such as kitchen design need more collection modular kitchen showrooms in chennai