Last Stop - Auckland

     Our 15-day New Zealand tour finally comes to an end in Auckland, by far the biggest city in New Zealand at just over 1.5 million people. As the city is situated on a narrow isthmus of land, it has two harbors -- one that flows into the Pacific Ocean (on the west), and a second harbor that flows into the Tasman Sea (on the east).
     Upon arriving here yesterday afternoon, our tour guide David took us on a city sighting tour during which we saw breathtaking views and also smelled the roses.

 

     Then it was time to say goodbye to our luxurious coach that had been our steady companion for these past two weeks.

 

     Next we went to the top of Auckland's iconic Sky Tower, which opened in 1997. Standing 1,076 feet tall, it makes the 605-foot Seattle Space Needle seem rather puny by contrast. From the upper observation deck we could watch people wearing orange jumpsuits, strapped to harnesses walking around a windy outside deck. That's called the "skywalk." There is also the "skyjump," a bit like bungy jumping, which entails stepping off a 636-foot high platform and hurtling down to the street level. You won't be surprised to learn that neither option tempted us. Here is what it looked like to stand on a see-through plexiglass panel on the 722-foot high observation deck. That was enough for us!

Eeks!
 

     Last night was our farewell dinner at our hotel at which we said a fond goodbye to David and our traveling companions. This morning was a much awaited sleep-in, followed by doing laundry, and some leisurely strolling around the downtown area and waterfront.

Good-bye for now New Zealand!

     Early tomorrow morning we fly to Sydney to be with Adam, Andrea, Owen, and Olivia for a leisurely two-month visit in Australia. Kia Ora New Zealand!