Auckland

We arrived in Auckland on November 10. It turns out we are lucky to know Rob & Cherie in the area, because we would be up the creek without them. We managed to get a bank account, cell phone, car, and bid for a camping package on a trading website (which we ended up winning - tent, mats, cots, and chairs!) all in a matter of 2 days. Woohoooo!! Rob & Cherie live in a central area of Auckland called the Viaduct. This is one of the largest sea port areas of NZ, so there are plenty of ferries and beautiful yachts nearby. We had a great few days of touring Auckland.


The viaduct boating area, just a couple hundred feet from where we stayed.


At the car auction. What an experience! Almost 150 cars to choose from, but we only had 1.5 hours to look over the lot and take a quick spin on the 200 meter test course. Most of the cars had keys in them so we could just hop inside, start 'em up, and head out. We didn't even need to ask permission. When the bidding began, we barely had a list of our top 3 choices, but Keris warned that we didn't need to get caught up in the moment and feel like we had to win one today. It took a while to figure out what was going on because the auctioneer was speaking so fast. The ninth car up for bid was our top choice. Our hearts were all pumping, but when the auctioneer started out the bidding war at $2000 NZD and no one raised their hands, we all breathed a sigh of relief. The price was dropped again and again in order to get action, and finally at $1000 we were the first to bid! Within minutes of back and forth bids, and much to our surprise, we won! We had the winning bid on our first choice car :) We were all still shaking when we signed the papers, but we'd done it. Looking back on it, seems like the easiest car buying experience we've ever been through, but in the heat of the moment, we thought we were in way over our heads.


Here's our new beauty, the "Red Ryder". It's a Ford Mondeo, and it's perfect for storing that surfboard we plan to buy!


On the ferry ride over to Devonport.


Auckland city view from Devonport.


Time for a lunch break! Sitting on the edge of this hill felt like we were at the edge of the world...




Beach area on our walk around Devonport.

Next, we will see you in Kerikeri, where we begin our wwoof experience (wwoof.co.nz) at a small family winery.