Auckland

Auckland is a very modern city...I did the ubiquitous bus tour which was poor quality when compared with those I have done in other major cities.  there is not a lot to see here except to walk around and absorb the atmosphere. I reckon it would be good to go offshore to the surrounding islands but the queues for the trips have been enormous or full charters caused by cruise vessel passengers. There has been a cruise vessel in each day since I have been here.   The food though is fantastic if you like Japanese/ Chinese/ Thai (which I do)
I find everything here expensive by comparison to Scotland even although the rate of exchange at 2NZD to the pound is quite good
The weather on Thursday was bright and sunny with the temperature in the mid twenties but today (Friday) it has been overcast with rain showers. I had planned to go up the sky tower but when the visibility is not good it would be a waste of money. There is a jump off for £110 which is a controlled descent from about the same height as the Eiffel tower but don't think the back would take it.  Will leave all this adrenalin stuff for later on.  In the apartment at the moment creating this post with the TV on...the programmes are virtually the same afternoon rubbish that is on our channels at home.
I don,t reckon I will be watching afternoon tv when I commence my semi retirement .
This city reminds me of Toronto so much they even have the same type of "plastic" banknotes in NZ as they do in Canada.
I can see what people see in living here, the climate and the outdoor lifestyle.
I cannot wait to get my camper van and have been to the hire company to sus out the vans as they all have different paint jobs.
Not much else to report or comment upon at the moment will post again tomorrow before my current wifi subscription runs out.