11:30am flight to Auckland. Good flight on Air New Zealand -- 2h40m flight + 2 hour time zone change -- so landed around 4:30pm. The best part of the flight was the safety video -- all the actors were dressed up as Hobbit / Lord of the Ring characters -- very amusing. Staying at the SkyCity Grand Hotel in Auckland for 4 nights. Beautiful afternoon -- so took a walk down to the harbor --- rather industrial -- but there were some nice spots to sit and watch the sail boats.
Auckland is about 1.5 million people -- largest city in New Zealand (32% of the country's population lives in Auckland). And interesting fact --- Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. Another interesting fact -- because it's so remote -- it was one of the last major landmasses settled by humans --- settled by Eastern Polynesians between 1250 / 1300.
And the word "spud" for potato originated in NZ.
Review of the Sydney Harbor Marriott: Fantastic location but kind of overpriced (which didn't really affect me too much since I used points for 4 of the nights). Nice rooms -- very comfy beds. 75% of the TV stations were sports programs -- good thing the Olympics were on. Concierge Lounge on the 30th floor was excellent -- nice breakfast and afternoon snacks (along with endless coffee & water). Very slow to service rooms. Horribly slow elevators and lame room key cards (I had to get mine redone 3x in 6 days.
Weather: Sydney: clearing clouds, 70; Auckland: sunny, 80
Miles Walked: 5.2
Transportation: 2 taxis, 1 plane
Auckland is about 1.5 million people -- largest city in New Zealand (32% of the country's population lives in Auckland). And interesting fact --- Auckland has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world. Another interesting fact -- because it's so remote -- it was one of the last major landmasses settled by humans --- settled by Eastern Polynesians between 1250 / 1300.
And the word "spud" for potato originated in NZ.
Review of the Sydney Harbor Marriott: Fantastic location but kind of overpriced (which didn't really affect me too much since I used points for 4 of the nights). Nice rooms -- very comfy beds. 75% of the TV stations were sports programs -- good thing the Olympics were on. Concierge Lounge on the 30th floor was excellent -- nice breakfast and afternoon snacks (along with endless coffee & water). Very slow to service rooms. Horribly slow elevators and lame room key cards (I had to get mine redone 3x in 6 days.
Weather: Sydney: clearing clouds, 70; Auckland: sunny, 80
Miles Walked: 5.2
Transportation: 2 taxis, 1 plane
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