Auckland

Auckland waterfront

February 24, 2015
Auckland is the heart of New Zealand. Over a third of the population reside in this sprawling metropolis whose setting can only be compared to San Francisco. When seeking a hotel room, the tourist guide circled most of Auckland as being "bad", a few spots where the upper 1% live, and a couple of areas suitable for "our type". (It so happens that our area, New Market, had every luxury car dealership imaginable from Rolls Royce, Maserati, Ferrari, Holden, to lowly Mercedes and Audi. I wondered where the upper 1% live?)

At Rosie's wedding in Samoa, we met a classmate of hers who happened to mention to give her a call when we are in Auckland for a steak dinner on the "Barbie". I did just that and we went to her house to finally sit down with some everyday New Zealanders. What a delight to meet her husband, a Kiwi, and her four children for the aforementioned meal. She is Samoan who has lived her entire life in New Zealand. Her children all speak fluent Samoan. Her husband tried and failed to learn this now "secret language".

A beautiful "Afakasi" family

 One of Auckland's many volcanoes is Mt. Eden where fanastic views of the city can be had. On our last day we climbed to the top by car to take our final photos before waiting hours at the airport for our return flight.