On our last leg of NZ tour we arrived in Auckland, the city of sails, late at night,
after an hour's flight from Christchurch. We had left a day early from our schedule
and had not booked any hotel. A short taxi ride from the airport dropped us right
in the middle of the city which felt half awake, about to doze off. After knocking
at doors of few expensive hotels, we were finally granted entry into another
expensive one, however, this one stood right in front of the most iconic landmark
in the town, the NZ sky tower.
After having a small late dinner at a nearby Japanese fast food restaurant, we
took a short stroll around the city center. It felt weirdly empty, and almost half
dead. I knew what to expect, but it still felt strangely devoid of any 'bustle'
that comes to mind thinking of a big western town. Turns out, it isn't really
'big'. Apart from patches of modernity, Auckland matches what I heard in
Sydney, people want to flee from here. No wonder, we had a quick taste
when we were 'playfully' threatened to be run over by few hoons in
a noisy doof doof car while we were waiting at the traffic light.
That was my first 'experience' here.
Next day, the first thing we went to, obviously, was the lunch at sky tower.
It was a well worth 50 dollar lunch, the view was good from the top.
The walk to the harbor goes through the main business district which
feels like what appears like what Sydney would have looked 100 years
ago. The streets are hardly busy even during the business hours, and I
can see now you can actually drive to city for work, you can bet on
easily finding a parking spot.
We took an expensive touristy boat ride on the harbor which took us
under the bridge that connects the two parts of the CBD. Harbor
has some nice pubs which are the only signs of any catching up
with big boys like Sydney. Transport system is buses only, which has
one of the most cumbersome terminal number systems I have ever
seen. It is utterly confusing and useless, we had to ask passersby or
hotel staffs for the directions and terminals.
We had a misfortune of staying in what could be one of the worst
hotels on the North island, for a night. We basically spent the night up
sleeping on a mattresses with its springs poking right at us, and there
were no replacements. As it was a Friday night, and it happened to be
located in an area with night clubs, we were entertained all night with
blaring loud music.
We were happy to leave at dawn, and were on way to get a cab
when confronted with some still drunk teenagers, mocking at my
Macpac jacket.
Well what to say about Auckland, its a sad and desolate place to be
honest. It beggers belief this place is racked at top ten most livable
places on the planet, I suspect the guy had ever set foot here.
It lives up to its reputation as a place going downhill - economically
and socially as proven by unproportionate number of drunken youth.
I had a chance to chat with some youth in shops, they all seemed eager
and waiting, to go over to their 'big apple', Sydney.
It does have patches of 'oasis' of modernity and vibrancy, but overall,
it seems to be a forgotten ship, stuck on the harbor,
waiting for the sails..to sail somewhere.
