Thursday 26 December 2013

Day 11 North Island: Final Day :( Museum & Botanical Gardens




 Auckland Museums



 

 
 

Mt Eden - Maungawhau 

At 196 metres high, Mt Eden is the highest of the Auckland volcanoes. You can drive up to the summit for a stunning expansive outlook over the city and the Waitemata Harbour beyond.

Auckland City view from Mt Eden 





Volcano crater
 

Auckland Art Gallery

 

We Cheongs are experts in blending with the walls!


 

 
 

 

Auckland Botanical Gardens

 


 



 



 



Baby dinosaur 'Aliciaceprustor'
 



 
                                          




 

 

Her wish come true..lol

Siblings rivalry
 From the Botanical Gardens, we completed our last leg of the journey to the airport to have dinner at Burger King and last minute shopping at a hypermarket. Then we dropped off the car at the rental depot where transport was provided to the airport a mere 5 minutes drive away.
 
Our flight was on 13 November 2013 at 01.35 hrs. It was a redeye flight of about 10 hrs 40 mins to KLIA.
 
It had been an amazing and wonderful holiday in New Zealand. South Island was simply postcard picturesque beauty. The snow capped mountains, the ruggedness and remoteness of the country side  were breathtaking and simply awesome. The cold fresh air and crystal clear rivers were invigorating. The beauty was a sight to behold.
 
Dad's rating: 8.5 out 10
 
MAS flight tickets for 4: RM11,668 or RM2,917 per pax with return.
 

Day 10 North Island: Waitomo Caves & Auckland

In the morning, we drove to the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves which is just a short drive from Otorohanga.

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves attraction is a cave known for its population of glowworms, Arachnocampa luminosa. This species is found exclusively in New Zealand.

 
At the Waitomo Glowworm Entrance




You enter the cave in batches with a tour guide

Entrance to the cave
Waitomo Glowworm Caves New Zealand boat
We sat in a boat pulled along with ropes by the boat operator to view the glowworms in pitch darkness.
 
At the cave exit. No photography allowed in the cave.


 
 
From Waitomo, we drove directly to Auckland, a distance of about 194 km or 2hrs 18 mins. Stopping along the way for lunch.
From: Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 39 Waitomo Caves Rd, Waitomo Caves, Otorohanga 3943, New Zealand To: Auckland, New Zealand

 

 
We reached early in the afternoon checking into the Auckland Harbour Oaks at $225 per night for a two bedroom apartment with harbour view.
 
 

Auckland

Apartment living room

View from the balcony

CBD downtown

 
 
Ferry Terminal
 
 
Enjoyng the view of Auckland city

The Viaduct


 

You must ask the missus why she is laughing hysterically

The Fish Market but unfortunately already closed