Day 4 & 5: Singapore/Auckland

My time in Singapore, living the dream has sadly come to an end and it’s now time for me to head to the other side of the world!

Having tried unsuccessfully to check in using my newly acquired Singapore Airlines App, (bloody Apps! I knew this was a bad idea Tracey!) I arrived a little early at the airport to find out that the flight had been delayed by an hour…and that the reason I couldn’t use said “Bloody App” is that the Flight is with Air New Zealand, not Singapore Airlines, Sorry Tracey! Note to self always read your paperwork in full! 🤦‍♀️

I was the first person to check in but was told that I had a centre seat, my worst nightmare on a long flight! I begged the guy to find me an aisle seat, but as the flight was pretty much full he said it was unlikely, gutted! I mooched around the airport, trying not to buy stuff or miss my boarding time (memories from Singapore airport last year!) when I arrived at check in I was told that they had found me an aisle seat Hallelujah!!!!! Happy days, not only was it an aisle seat the seat in the middle was empty, and it had a fab foot rest! Ok, it was surrounded on all side my small, tired, toddlers….but it was in the aisle! Noise cancelling headphones: godsend! A pretty enjoyable 9.5hr flight later I arrived in Auckland, Happy  but sleep deprived. As we came in to land there was a wonderful rainbow across the sky!! 🌈💕 ( I thought of you Hayley!)  what a marvellous welcome.

I decided to get the bus to the city, this was simple, fast and cheap, it also dropped me very close to my Airbnb. I picked up the keys and followed the very detailed instructions (having made sure I read ALL of them!) and arrived in my apartment. The apartment is lovely, small but tidy, clean and well stocked with a comfy bed and fantastic views! It is also very central.

I decided to head straight out to explore and to try and stay awake for as long as possible. I walked down through the town to the Marina, there seems to be lots of building work going on around the Marina, but it lovely, pretty quiet, but it is Monday and winter. Although it’s a winter it feels more like a spring or autumn day in the UK, the sun is shining which is a bonus.

I managed to stay awake until 7.15pm then had to go to bed!

I slept pretty well, the City isn’t that noisy, no car horns or shouting. I woke at 9ish and dozed for another hour.

I have decided to try and take it easy for the next couple of days as I try and get over the jet lag and sleep deprivation. I wandered up to the bus station and booked my bus tickets for the next 2 weeks, then took a ride to the top of Aucklands Sky Tower, which is 328 meters tall and reassuringly will stay standing in the event of a magnitude 8 earthquake!! The views are amazing a 360 panorama.

You can do a bungy jump from the tower and also a Sky Walk around the edge, I did consider doing the sky walk, until I nearly had a panic attack simply standing on the glass floor panels!! I had to endure the humiliation of some 10 year old child telling me it’s safe, whilst jumping up and down on it like a nutter! Well, they said the Titanic was safe pal, and that didn’t end so well!! After a sit down and some deep breathing!  I took a bus tour round the western part of the city, past an area called Ponsonby, which looks great, older and quirky! If I have time I will head back there to explore some more. I also saw another couple of stunning rainbows! 🌈 😍

My first impressions of Auckland are great, the people seem friendly and helpful, there are lots of places to eat and visit, it reminds me of cities in Australia. I think the real New Zealand will present itself when I leave here and travel further through the North Island.

Thats all for now guys.

Author: hereandthereclaire

Hi, my name is Claire and I am 60 years young, welcome to my blog. I am new to the whole travel and blog writing world, so no judging! I recently made some big life changes, leaving my job in education and moving myself and my younger children to Newquay in Cornwall, I then started a business with some fantastic friends #coffeeonthecornernewquay. And now I am about to embark on my first big travel adventure...I would love to share this with you. Since starting this blog in 2018 I have made more changes, and now in 2024 I will be traveling full time for the next year! Please join me in sharing my Big Adventure! ❤️ View all posts by hereandthereclaire