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Sorry all, yet again we are somewhat behind with the blog, this time we have a real excuse we have both been stricken down by altitude sickness and have been in bed for three days in La Paz.
So back to Auckland - day started off well arriving at airport ready to get back to some civilisation and people! However our tickets to Auckland from Christchurch had been booked via parents / Thomas Cook and they had forgot to book tickets for Steve and I!!
After much tooing and frooing in the airpot Dad kindly forked out 800 dollars for tickets and we got the last two seats on the plane (Woldnt want to Thomas Cook in Waky when M&D get back as this isnt the only thing they cocked up!)
Flight was Ok and Mercedes transfer (nice) turned up as planned and we took the scenic route through the burbs into the town centre.
Have to say i was a little dissapointed with Auckland i was expecting after seeing the S island to to be a litle picturesqure. It was however just like any other big city, dirty and busy. We checked into the crown plaza (again courtesy ofM&D) and Steve and I headed out in search of a replacement pair of betulas as i ad lost mine somewhere on S island and couldnt face leaving for S America san flip flops (they are just soooooo comfy)
Afte searching the intenet and popping into a stockist in town we located the Birkenstock shop which was in a burb about 20 mins out of town, so we jumped in a cab and left M&D to wonder around town.
The surburb was called Newmarket (think Islington to London) and was actually alot nicer than the CBD, so after locating said shoes we just had a wonder round, lookig at all the nice shops and stocking up on essentials for S America ( face wash; sun cream ; pants and socks etc... we keep loosng stuff!!! (to date the lost list runs at; travel plug; steves linen shirt; three of my tops; my flip flops; make up remover; 5 pairs of socks; 3 pairs nickers; Steves Berghouse jacket and Steves sunglasses; 2 bottles of wine.. we arent doing very well really)
We headed back to the hotel about 5 to pack and get changed for dinner. As it was Mom's honary birthday (not till 20th but we were leaving) Dad treated us all to a posh meal at a place caled Bistro Number 5. The meal was nice enough (not as good as some on the S Island) and i think we stressed the wine waitress out somewhat as we didnt like the white or the red she suggested.
We decied to walk back to the hotel as it was all down hill, which possibly wasnt a good idea as the route took us throuh some of the less solbrious areas, after we wondered past the first smack head and his lady friend i told mom that we best let Steve and Dad who were a few minutes behind catch up! We got back on one piece thankfully.
The next day M&D were picking up there rental for their trip around the N Island, so we parted (a few tears shed from Mom). Steve and I continued our mooch around town , give its called the city of he sails we didnt see a single one, just loads of tankers and ferry boats, very disappointing!!
We got an airport ransfer bus from the hotel (which they booked for us fr 30 dollars) and got on our 11 hr flight to Santiogo. I think we managed a few hrs sleep and actually the LAN staff were excellant and the food wasnt bad either.
Al in all not impressed with Auckland
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