We arrived in Auckland on New Year's Eve, 2010 around 2:30 in the afternoon, after being en-route nearly 24 hours. Our travel agent had tried to sell us an shuttle ride from the airport to our hotel for $140. They also offered another $70 shuttle arrangement from our hotel to the cruise wharf three days later when we were to board the cruise ship.
We declined both because the price seemed way too steep. Sure enough, after a little investigation before we left, we caught the "Air Bus" at the airport which took us to with in a block of our hotel near the waterfront at a cost of only $16 each. Our hotel was only three blocks from the cruise ship dock. So when the time came, we enjoyed the walk.
Most of the shops were closed for the holiday, but we had no trouble finding a bite to eat after checking in. And, even though the idea of celebrating New Year's Eve in a foreign country seemed like a good idea, we were exhausted. Eight-thirty that evening found us both down, out cold, for the count.
I remember waking with a start from a sound sleep to loud sounds that sounded like artillery fire. I opened my eyes, saw orange lights flashing around the room an wondered if we were under siege. It turns out that folks in New Zealand and Australia set off fireworks at midnight on New Year's Eve.
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