Auckland rocks
What’s to do in Auckland?
Lots, actually, says Jonathan Ray
They call Auckland the City of Sails: City of Gales more like. Having boarded the plane in Christchurch in brilliant sunshine, we were told by the pilot (rather too gleefully, I thought) that it was ‘flipping hosing it down’ in Auckland and that the landing there was likely to be bumpy. ‘You’d be far better off staying here, folks,’ he added. ‘I mean, what’s to do in Auckland?’
It was undeniably choppy as we made our descent and the weather on the ground was grim: rain alternating with hail. And as for the wind — it would have done justice to Auckland’s great rival, the capital itself, ‘Windy Wellington’.
Auckland gets its nautical nickname thanks to the number of yachts (most per capita in the world) that bob about in its harbours, bays and along its beaches. Locals have a passion for the sea, and the ocean seems to sweep the city into a watery embrace.
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Jo
January 15th, 2008 8:46pmCity of Sails was concocted by a consultant! Ex EnY, I think. Smart though. Live in AKL and dream up slogans for US cities. Good work when you can get it. And you didn't eat dim sum. This is AKL! Asia for beginners. You can barely buy an apple without speaking Mandarin though the shop is probably owned by a Korean. Head to the harbour at lunchtime and join the throngs. You will never look back.