Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Auckland: Travel Photo Thursday.


Auckland, is New Zealand's City Of Sails. Vibrant, cosmopolitan, beautiful weather, excellent night life, great shopping and a harbour frontage to die for. Oh, and a giant, sharp pencil you can jump off!

We lived in South Auckland for several years in the early 70's and couldn't wait to move out! Hated it then. But a recent visit around old haunts, taking in how the once scungy waterfront has been developed and made pedestrian and visitor friendly, has changed our views on our beautiful, largest city. It bubbles with life; going places.

I think what has also helped is being a travel blogger! Yes, it changes how one looks at a place. I found myself slowing down, observing minute detail, imagining how a place should be photographed, checking the light and shadows and how they highlighted each scene, and even taking mental notes in my mind of how each activity or place should be written about.

Thanks MatadorU!

Hey, we even stopped and allowed ourselves to get wrapped up with all the street performers in action! Trick cyclists, escape artists, jugglers and buskers: the main down town Queen Street was a cabaret of performers! Being there on a weekend during the height of the Rugby World Cup meant the streets were full of supporters proudly dressed in their country's colours, draped in national flags and bursting with welcoming camaraderie!
Amazing what a few beers can do!

We just loved the buzz of Auckland down town in September full of vibrant life and exuding ( yeah I love that word!) goodwill. Not a mugger in sight as is often the case in a main city late at night. We strolled up and down Queen street at various hours of the night and felt welcomed, and at home, such was the goodwill encouraged by the crowds of supporters both local and visitors for the RWC.

We booked a waterfront hotel room to enjoy the view and be able to wander anywhere in the Viaduct Basin area. Sort of reminded us a wee bit of Cape Town's Waterfront!




Travel Photo Thursday is on again where travel bloggers post up their great pics from around the world. Join us! Head over to Nancie's Budget Traveler's Sandbox and post up your travel photo and link into the fun!


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11 comments:

Muza-chan said...

Beautiful photos...

Easy Hiker said...

Something different from New Zealand. I've only ever seen pictures of NZ's awesome nautre landscape. This is one country I can honestly say I would love to visit.

RyukyuMike said...

City of sails is one I've never heard. Now, if you've said city of sales, the missus would be trying to drag me on down there !

Absurd Traveler said...

Cool! I knew 0 about Aukland so thanks. Lovely pics too.

Sophie said...

I'm reminded of one freezing January day almost 9 years ago - when we left Oslo to live in Takapuna for half a year. Love the City of Sails!

Michael Figueiredo said...

I've always wanted to visit Auckland. Great photos!

InsideJourneys said...

Beautiful shots!

Mary @ The World Is A Book said...

Wonderful pictures of the City of Sails! We spent part of our honeymoon in Auckland 11 years ago and loved it. Hope to make it back there soon. Thanks for sharing!

Cathy Sweeney said...

Great pics, Jim. Auckland looks and sounds like a place I'd like to visit. Funny how our impressions of places can change over time, the place itself changes -- or both.

Christina (Jandal Road) said...

Auckland is a bit underrated I think. I quite liked it there, and with the bungy jumping, sky-walking, Davenport, etc. it was definitely worth visiting.

Catherine Tramell said...
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