This was our first day in NZ in Auckland. We stayed at the Hyatt, very close to downtown. Our first room offering had a great view, but only one bed. Rose and I are close, but not that close, so we moved to a room with no view, but two beds. Our last night there (after seeing some of the island) combined both the great view AND two beds.

This was the view from the 9th floor. The building behind the trees is the Government House, built in the 1800’s when Auckland became the capital of NZ.

That night, our first, we went to the Orbit restaurant atop the Sky Tower. It is the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere. For a woman who is challenged by heights, I did well – as long as I looked out, but not directly down. The latter was hard NOT to do, as there was a glass floor in the elevator (oh, mercy!) and in parts of the observation deck. Not only was the view outstanding, the food was incredible!

And this is the sky tower from below.

(to be continued as time allows)