Wellington to Auckland
Saturday 14 August 2011
13.08.2011 - 14.08.2011
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August 2011
on Bronwyn White's travel map.
Overlander - 12 hours trainride through spectacular scenery, most of which we couldn't see. 'Genuine' kiwi food from Wishbone! Disgusting coffee (train manager announced it was a South Island carriage and didn't have proper coffee making facilities) - coffee bag available, rather than range of specialty coffees as advertised.
We had a 40 minute stop in Ohakune, though, and the cafe at the station was EXCELLENT; fabulous food and lovely honey, ginger & kawa tea which soothed my increasingly croaky throat.
Had to leave train in Papakura and change to bus into Britomart - marvellous! Comfortable, air conditioned, good seats, plenty of leg room - altogether an improvement. Would take new coach over old train every time.
Finally got to Britomart, stayed the night at the Grand Chancellor Hotel, Lower Hobson Street - not very grand but more than adequate. Next day my looming throat ache bloomed into a full cold, so got heaps of things to spray, sniff and swallow from chemist - anti-viral and anti-bactgerial and anti-snoring... not the best way to start a holiday.
Wandered along Queen Street and, almost at the top, found a Borders shop with a Gloria Jeans and something resembling coffee. Back to Britomart and onto airport bus - our flight to Hong Kong left around 11.30 p.m..
Posted by Bronwyn White 22.08.2011 10:04 Archived in New Zealand Tagged auckland
