When looking at flights to Cairns from Los Angeles, we realized whatever route we took would be a long flight, so we decided to plan an eight hour layover in Auckland. Our Air New Zealand flight turned out to be a good choice. The seats were comfortable, with just enough recline and leg room to make sleep possible. A comlimentary glass of pinot noir with a late night dinner was enough to enable me nod off every time I started watching a movie, while Julie skipped dinner and slept through the night.
We checked our two suitcases for $8 each at a shipping kiosk (once again, it pays to travel light), and took a $23 roundtrip express shuttle bus to the harborside. Our first encounter with New Zealanders showed them to be helpful and friendly, which proved to be true throughout.
Auckland is sort of a cross between Seattle and San Diego, with fewer people and cars than either of those cities.
Auckland is sort of a cross between Seattle and San Diego, with fewer people and cars than either of those cities.We enjoyed walking around town and through Albert Park. Add in a snack at McDonald's, a tropical fruit smoothie at Esquire's Coffee and a glass of wine on the harbor at Y-Not, and it was far superior to waiting in the airport for three or four hours to change planes.
