Day 29 - Last Day in Kiwiland

Wasn't going to blog but the last day was interesting.

Woke uo to pouring rain. It was blowing a gale all night. We had planned to stay in Auckland for 2 nights but as Deb had an early flight to Melbourne and the weather was Kiwi shitty, we changed plans. We booked a night at the Pullman at the airport so that Deb can just walk to the terminal. I fly out at 1450 hrs so I can lounge around until check out and walk across to the terminal as well.

We had to check out the Hilton by 1100 hrs. That is a much more reasonable time compared to hotels in other countries where you are kicked out by 1000 hrs. Out by 1000 hrs and you can't check into your next place untilk 1500 hrs which means there is a bit of waiting around. Very inconvenient!

We took a wander around the waterfront (in the fucking mizzle). From all the boats in the marina, there is money in Auckland. The cars are pretty new which is another indicator of the economy of the city. Found a cafe run by Koreans - great coffee. Then we had lunch at the White and Wong. Bloody racist name - making fun of the Chinese! Xi Jing Ping should boycott their exports just for that. Half a peking duck, Kung po chicken. Bloody delicious but not cheap. Always a bit suss and dodgy when all the staff in a Chinese restaurant are white of Indian. It DOES detract from the ambience.

Plenty of money right there on the water

The odd one out - wedged between the money

The NZ Navy - no nuclear subs there. Wait - they are the world's first nuclear free nation, probably the first one to have to learn mandarin too

After lunch we grabbed an uber to the Pullman at the airport. Very nice hotel right next to the terminal. The Novotel is actually closer by 100 m but there are free trolleys available. I hate the way they charge for trolleys at some airports - just looks cheap. Deb spent the afternoon watching the tennis while I had a snooze. to get the super fast WiFi, all you have to do is to sign up as a member of the Accor group and its free. Why wouldn't you! Glad to have decent internet speed after 16 days of the shitty slownet of the ship.

Then it was time for dinner. We thought we would go to the Pullman's restaurant on the top floor (floor 9). Sta down and looked at the menu and left. It was the shittiest menu I have ever seen. Very expensive. $42 for a beetroot salad - to be fair they will char the beetroot. The rest of the menu is undecipherable. There is a steak for $50. I have had steak for 14 days on board the ship so that was not an option.

The Pullman at Auckland Airport - posh.

You will not believe this but in the end we walked to the terminal for dinner. The eateries upostairs were awesome. There is a bistro, a ramen place and an Asian fusion place. To top it off, they also have Maccas and KFC! Just what the doctor ordered. 3 Piece feed and was happy as a pig in it. There is no way Debbie would have KFC - she had a quiche and salad. Real men don't eat quiche!

These things are supposed to be outside on the tarmac

Always brings a shudder to a Wallaby fan - truly a devils den

That's me for sure. Make way, coming through

NZ version of a high speed train

View from our room - so much for security

Deb and her quiche

Check out the product placement - I should be paid by the Colonel

Back in the room for more tennis and psyching ourselves for the journey home.

This is the end of the blog, for sure!