Day Nine - City of Sails

I was told to skip Auckland or at least don't waste much time here.  But being a big city girl, I think it's fun to see the "big city" in the country you're visiting.  So I'm thankful I had half a day to explore New Zealand's largest city.

There are more yachts per capita here than in any other city in the world.  About one in four households in Auckland have a sea craft of some kind, accounting for the 70,000 boats dotting the docks of Waitemata Harbour.  Sailing seems to be part of the Kiwi DNA and when you're in Auckland, your time is best spent by getting out on the water.

Waiheke Island, one of the more popular Hauraki Gulf Islands, is a 40 minute ferry ride from Central Auckland and a hotspot for pricey vacation homes of city dwellers and wealthy foreigners.  It was already late afternoon by the time I got into the city, but I was told visiting the island is a must, so I caught the 4pm ferry and enjoyed being out on the water for the ride over.

I can see how people enjoy retreating to Waiheke.  It's quiet and reminds me of a few of the Caribbean islands I've been to.  It's also fast becoming known for it's vineyards and wineries, but unfortunately it was too late in the day for me to do any tastings.  I took the bus out to one of the more popular beach spots, but it was just a little too chilly to enjoy any time in the sun.  I also learned relying on the sporadic public transportation is not the best way to see this island and realized it would have been easier with a car.

After a couple hours, I headed back to the mainland on the ferry and went up in the Sky Tower to enjoy 360 degree aerial views of Auckland at twilight.  It was already 9pm and I was starving after having only eaten a Clif Bar all day.  (This is what happens when you pack your schedule so tight... you run out of time to eat!)  I went down to the Viaduct, which is lined with recommended restaurants and bars along the harbour, and enjoyed a nice seafood dinner as I watched the Saturday night action commence.  It might be a city to skip as a tourist, but these Aucklander's are doing something right.  Sailboats, yachts and more boats... and they sure look like they know how to have a good time!