Tour of Auckland

My plan today was to visit the free museum at the Auckland Domain. But before I could tear myself away from the Internet at the program center they announced there was a free sight seeing trip leaving in 10 minutes for anyone who waned to go. I thought, "what the hell? It's free" and jumped on the big orange Stray bus. So much fun!

Maori Carving depicting the
Creation Myth in the Sky Tower lobby

Sky Tower

First stop was Sky Tower, just a few blocks from my hostel but I hadn't seen it yet. It's kind of like the stratosphere in Vegas (casino, restaurant, and a tower to walk around or jump from) just on a much smaller scale. There we played a game and the winner did a free sky jump from the tower.

Then on to an overlook. I would tell you the name but its classified information...
I forgot the name already. Good thing I'm keeping this blog for a journal!

Next, was a short stroll through the gardens at the Auckland Domain.

Strolling through the garden

Tropical flowers

Afterwards, a stop at the Speights ale house for brews and lunch. Finally, some beer! Strolling can be thirsty work.

yes please

Just gorgeous

Our last stop was at the Auckland bridge for bungee jumping. I had to decline. I'm saving my bungee virginity for a very special bungee.
A very high, very scenic bungee. Preferably in the summer so I can do the full dunk in the water.



You can kinda see the bridge
behind me
What a goofy face!

The whole group harnessed up and walked up the bridge to watch the brave few who wantd to strap their ankles to some elastic and jump 50 meters off a bridge. The view was spectacular and it was freezing with gusting wind. If it wasn't for the harness I probably would have been blown off the catwalk.



We were way up there!

The tour guides were very nice and fun. They even brought my purse to me at the hostel. Because like a COMPLETE IDIOT I left it on the bus. Hopeless.
In my defense I was in a huge hurry to get to the bank and ran off the bus without doing a recon. The irony was not lost on me. Obviously, my financial plans fell through since its so difficult to use the ATM WITHOUT ANY  DEBIT CARDS!
Haha. Luckily it all worked out OK. Thanks to the tour driver, Sandfly. Yup. That's his name.

Sandfly taking the plunge

 

Now I'm off to try the pub crawl downtown. Next stop the Fat Camel bar. I think I'll leave my purse locked up at the hostel for this one.

On the bridge with Auckland in the background

Auckland from the bridge