December 14, 1999
New Zealand Arrival

First impressions: Auckland is a big city, full of young people, restaurants, interesting architecture and US high tech companies.  We wandered around for a day, checked out the view from the Sky Tower, one of Auckland's distinctive buildings.  There's water and city in every direction.  From above, Auckland may even be prettier than San Francisco. (Remember, you can click on the picture to expand.)

We then leased a 1994 Toyota Corolla (automatic with air) for three months at $11.50 US a day including insurance.  This is just one example of how inexpensive New Zealand is.  Today we’re staying in a little 3-room cabin near the beach. With full breakfast, this airy and bright little place runs $42.50 US a night (including tax) for 2. New Zealand is definitely a bargain.  In part this is because the NZ dollar is so weak.  Yesterday it hit a 15 month low; one US dollar converts to 2 NZ$. With prices about the same on most items and cheaper on some, the dollar goes a long way. (Makes up for French Polynesia.)

We’ve stayed at 4 B&B’s so far -- one "home stay", one conventional and two "self-contained" units. The prices ran from $35 US to $60 US a night. The town information center helps with the rentals.  The home stay is set up so that some of the facilities (mostly the living room) are shared with the host family/couple. All the hosts have been gracious, helpful and interesting people. Today’s hosts are 40-something former hippies. Some of the others were retirees in their 60’s.  In general, the Kiwis are an exceptionally friendly lot, willing to take time out to help with inquiries or just to chat.  This is the B&B in Wellington, called The Thorndon.  We stayed at a little one-bedroom building out back with bath ensuite (that is, adjacent and private).