Round the World 2012: Changing Hemispheres

We left Hong Kong more or less on time after being picked up at the hotel a little early. Sue was still smiling after being accosted by four lots of Chinese schoolchildren on the waterfront. They were doing a school project which involved them finding Europeans to interview and to practice their English on. All of them approached us with “Excuse me, are you busy?” and then asked a series of questions (with various levels of proficiency and giggles). After they were done each group gave their interviewees a little thank you card and small gift, from a bottle of water to a biro. Some particularly lurid strawberry sweets were accepted and jettisoned as quickly as possible. One particularly awestruck little boy with round glasses shared his squishy marshmallows and said to me “Excuse me but you are very tall”. Delightful.

Sue meets local children on the Walk of Stars

We started the day with a trip to the flower market. People seemed to be getting ready for the Chinese New Year, there were masses of small citrus shrubs in pots, bearing loads of little fruits as well as red and yellow (which are propitious colours according to the children) chrysanthemums. One strange plant was a form of solanum, it consisted of a branch with gourd-like yellow fruit. The Chinese name was “5 generations together”. My favourites however were the incredible range of orchids covered in masses of flowers. They had been potted up as decorations with bows and trinkets in amongst them. There were so many different colours and sizes, and they were just OUTSIDE in the open air!

Explanation of local Solanum tradition

Solanum Displays - Flower Market Hong Kong

The flight from Hong Kong to Auckland was about 12 hours and seemed to drag. Thankfully we had the extra legroom from being in premium economy but even so we've had more comfortable nights. In comparison to HK airport Auckland was a dream – it took less than half an hour from landing until we were in our shuttle bus. A thirty minute ride into Auckland and we were at our hotel, too early to check in. Sue was absolutely exhausted and felt a little faint, so we went for a bite to eat at a local bakery until the room was ready.

The Heritage Auckland is a 4*+ hotel, and we had been expecting a good double room. We didn't know, however, that Thomas, Sian and James had arranged an upgrade to a suite as a surprise. The suite consists a large sitting room, kitchen area and a large bedroom with a bed that I have to shout to the other side to be heard. After a long journey this was a great surprise and one we were really touched to have. We have made use of the various facilities in the suite today as the weather has been incredibly changeable. Yesterday when we went out for a stroll it was windier than at Hunstanton. I've done some catch-up washing in the machine and got it dried too! As an extra special treat, I've also done some ironing. Having the upgrade has been a real bonus. We have been out and done some shopping and intend to eat in tonight for a change!

Auckland is the largest city in NZ but feels entirely empty after Hong Kong. We are close to the harbour area and went there for a meal last evening, this is the hippest, coolest and swingingest (I know the lingo) place in Auckland – it was lively but by no means crowded. Today we have had a quiet pottering day and are just about to go to the Sky Tower, the tallest building in the southern hemisphere – it's a little like the Stratosphere tower in Las Vegas, except people jump off it! Neither Sue nor I fancy this, or walking round the edge of the building without a handrail 220m up!