On Saturday, we had the free breakfast at the Hilton
– this was a full breakfast, everything provided, in a very nice restaurant at
the front of the hotel looking out to harbor views.
Then we took the Hop On/Off bus in Auckland - the
stop was about a block from the hotel, and you buy your tickets there ($45 NZ). The Bus was busy, but not jam packed.Our first stop was the Parnell Rose Garden – this was a little park outside with over 5000 new and old rose varieties – beautiful. We spent about half an hour here at this free stop.
Then on to the Holy Trinity Cathedral, an Anglican church noted for the unique Stained Glass windows, and also the church of St. Mary is in the back. Sir Edmund Hillary's funeral was held here in 2008. Very interesting - free stop and nice bathrooms.
Back on the bus to the Parnell Village, an older suburb named after Samuel Duncan Parnell, who introduced the 8-hour work day in New Zealand. We toured an older church here – St. John the Baptist - and did a little window shopping. Then we went to Osteria for lunch – we sat at an open table facing the sidewalk and split a cheese pizza and a coke ($12 NZ) - very good.
Then we took the bus to the Eden Garden - this was an old quarry made into a garden, with a large collection of camellias. The cost was $6, and there was a cafe there where we had a coffee - restful and beautiful gardens.
Back on the bus to go to a free stop at Mt. Eden - you have to climb uphill for about 20 minutes, including steep stairs - but you will get amazing views of Auckland and the volcanic crater.
Then back to the hotel for a rest - with the Hop On/Off bus, you will see some major sites in Auckland.
For dinner, we went to White and Wong’s Chinese food, just a block from the hotel. I had Hot and Sour soup with shrimp and Peking Duck with pancakes - and a Tiger beer ($45 NZ) - very good. Then we joined the many tourists walking around, and then back to the hotel.
