I've been to Auckland before. Everyone was so friendly - it didn't feel like a big city at all. That was just one day - a stopover to Sydney.
This, my second visit, (another stopover) has been quite different. There is a different feeling in the air - or perhaps its me. Immediately I had trouble with the Airbus driver. He was grumpy with me for asking a few questions. I said to him "I don't know why you are so grumpy." He sweetened up a little. Became a bit more helpful. But he still overcharged me (backpackers get cheaper rate on the bus) and he didn't drop me off at the most convenient place for the link bus either. He did direct me though. He was one stressed puppy when he saw me sitting at the stop after just missing the link bus (another one in 10 minutes sure - no worries - I had just got there after it had left). Shouting at me "It says LINK on it in big letters." Yea yea mister, I'm not stupid. Please go away. Perhaps you are trying to be helpful (you mean well) but it just doesn't sound sincere. Must be the traffic. It's another story to tell sure. Pity they don't have a metro here but we don't have one in Ireland anywhere either so I shouldn't complain.
Decided to stay in Ponsonby as I'd heard it was a nice district. Before I stayed on the K Road for ease of getting to the airport the next day. I should have done that this time too. Ponsonby is just too out of the way. And the K road is only around the corner from Ponsonby I discover this time. There are some nice coffee shops and places for breakfast though. I went to One-to-one and got a tofu burger. Had a discussion recently about having more veggie food that is not bland and this meal did not disappoint. I wobbled on up the road after.
So wanted to do Waiheke island but the hostel receptionist told me it was more a full day trip and recommended Davenport. Just 12 mintues away on the ferry. Was nice and peaceful there. The i-site is well equiped for tourists. I do like the i-sites. Very helpful.
I did the one hour walk which felt like a lot more - especially with the wind blowing up all in my face. I climbed Mount Victoria - an extint volcano - in my bare feet. My sandals having no grip, I could do myself an injury with them on. It was great. The views of Auckland from up there are immense. And I see why its called the city of sails now - sailing boats bobbing up and down all over the place.
Getting home took some time. Again a bus driver just whizzed on pass me, almost knocked down some pedestrians who dared to cross the road on a red light. He obviously didn't see me in his side mirror.. and I had to wait for another one. There are plenty of buses though. I do miss the easiness of the rural community at times like these though. Not to say not everyone is helpful. There are very helpful people here - but they too seem to lament an Auckland from times gone by.
There were a few ruffians about on Queen street, the main thoroughfare, tonight. And I didn't feel entirely safe to be honest. But another day , another feeling perhaps. I will be back in Auckland again for the third installment in a few days.
