I was only in Auckland for four days but I rushed around like the Energiser Bunny. It was very, very (very) warm - 26c to 29c - and I got so hot and bothered. How come every Aucklander and tourist looked as if they weren't minding the heat one bit?
I wandered down to the Viaduct and ogled all the yachts berthed there for the stopover of the Volvo Round the World Ocean Race. Goodness, the boats are sooooooo big.
I have decided I truly like Takapuna Beach in Auckland, with it's spectacular views and warm water. I like getting there too - ferry and then bus that meets the ferry.
I just walked into the sea at Takapuna without even registering how warm or cold the water was. Yet, so many Aucklanders were toe-dipping and shivering. I guess it's to do with my coming from Wellington where the water is colder.
I saw a drone being flown from the beach. Everybody were taking pictures and clustering around the university guys controlling the drone. (Sorry, I didn't take my camera with me to the beach) The guys sent the drone heading off toward Rangitoto Island, then brought it swooping back right into a pack of seagulls. There was a lot of squawking and I'm sure I saw feathers. I was almost in tears that they'd injured a bird, but the controller assured me he had only given the seagulls a bit of a fright. Cruel?
In one direction, from my hotel balcony, I had a great view of the Auckland Skytower. Because it was Chinese New Year when I was there, the tower was lit up red.
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