We arrived in Auckland on Thursday 15th April. The B&B was... unusual. Our hosts, both male, appeared to have a baby. Framed photographs around the house seemed to suggest that one of them liked dressing up as a woman. There was also a "lodger" and a baby sitter. None were interested in running a B&B. The visitors book had comments in it from previous guests such as "Thank you both so much for catering to my EVERY need". The "gourmet breakfasts" (to quote from their website) comprised muesli and coffee served on the table shared with work papers, toys and other stuff. Never mind, we were only sleeping there (with our door firmly locked) and the views were good.

The next day, we went up the Skytower, from where we got a splendid view of all Auckland.

Then we walked and walked and walked through the bustling city, taking in the buzz. After the quiet of the rest of New Zealand, it was quite a change. We visited the art gallery with its cafe and very, very tame sparrows...

...and the Town Hall, which is uncannily like Lambeth Town Hall!

That night, we ate at 'White', the restaurant attached to the Hilton, where Geoff, a friend of a friend, is the head chef. He excelled himself and our gourmet meal was the best we had all holiday - by a mile! Here is what we ate and the wines that accompanied it....

 

Sweet garlic cream soup with baby paua & needle mushrooms
Millton 'Tietjen' Vineyard Viognier 03, Gisborne

Tuna carpaccio with peach, celery, pickled ginger & Blumenfeld olive oil
Burnt Spur Pinot Gris 03, Martinborough

Chargrilled quail with pink grapefruit, pomegranate & rose geranium honey salad
Matua Valley 'Innovator' Syrah Rose 03, Hawkes Bay

Seared and poached fillet of beef, Horopito salt, kumara rosti & mushroom essence
Passage Rocke "Forte" Cabernet 02, Waiheke Island

Verjuice pannacotta & caramel-cumin ice cream
Royal Tokaji Aszu 5, Puttonyos 96, Hungary

Coffee / Tea
Petit Fours

The next day, we took a boat trip to Waiheke island. A splendid day to see the island which originally attracted artists and drop-outs, but now is the most expensive part of Auckland. It is very beautiful.

The next day we left Auckland and New Zealand. We loved our month in these fabulous islands. The beauty of the place overwhelmed us. The people were very friendly (with one or two exceptions like the Auckland B&B). The food was fresh and delicious - especially the coffee and the seafood. The roads were empty. The B&B's were excellent and cheap (with one or two exceptions like the Auckland B&B!) The only thing we didn't like was the sandflies. Two months on, and the scars are still healing!