To be honest, we only stopped off in New Zealand to break up the trip between Australia and Fiji. So we're as surprised as anyone that we just love it here in Auckland. Started the day with a harbour cruise then some lunch by the Quay. Andie swears it was the finest cajun snapper sandwich she's ever had. Spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the main shopping area of Queen St (Dougie, we smelled your Asian food court - amazing - but were too full to sample any tasty delights). Best department store ever - Smith & Caughey - with an actual selection of coat stands. Iain was disappointed though that they wouldn't deliver (FYI no-one seems to make them in the UK).
We hadn't realised that we'd had quite so much sun - see photo of Iain's red face to match his raspberry beer (they, rather amusingly we thought, call it "lady beer" here). We are though nothing if not resilient. The Kiwis do love their Happy Hours and when in Rome... well, 2 Coronas and 2 glasses of (French) champagne for 15 bucks (slightly over a fiver) by the waterfront is too good to be missed. Topped this off with a cocktail from our new favourite vodka bar chain, Lenin, and still managed a nice meal at Al Dente (Auckland's Finest Italian - we can't challenge it really). Feeling a bit funny now though so off to bed...
