Sunset and then dinner at White and Wongs

We had an unimpeded view of the bridge with the setting sun behind it.  A layer of clouds rolled in and so I was concerned about how the sunset would proceed. No need to worry as it was spectacular. White and Wongs an Asian fusion restaurant was just as good.  It is also on the harbor and right next to the maritime Museum. We had half a duck Peking style, some yellow tail sashimi, some crisp broccoli and the pork with mushroom moneybags dumplings. It all came out as it was ready so we did not have to wait long.  This was the perfect amount and we were back in the room lickety split.  It was a long day so we retired so we could be well rested for the next days activities.  The this is the last post for a June so be sure to click on July to see more posts coming up!

Sailboats returning to the harbor

Sun starting to go down

Folks lined up to see the sunset

The photographer in shilotte 

The ferry's never stop

Glimmery

The 40 x zoom pays off 

So very beautiful 

Sun is down

The maritime museum from our dinner table

The right choice 

Monkeys on the wall but not on the menu

Tasty duck

Good night Auckland 

Our room in the harbor

We're staying at the Hilton Harbour in Auckland. I say in the harbour because we are basically 5 feet from the actual water. We did not expect to get an upgrade here because we've already got the best room possible.  It's at the very end of the building and as I said it overlooks the water. It has a deck area that is at least 500 square feet. We could have 50 people at a cocktail party on this deck and still have room for more. So if you want to get on a plane you know where to go.

The lobby has a nautical theme

Boats as light fixtures

Ropes as partitions 

Fancy champagne for my fancy lady

A little happy hour until our room is ready

The signage for their restaurant 

Orchid display

They are large, perhaps 4 inches across 

We preordered a wine, beer and cheese platter.  We got champagne instead 

This deck is all ours!  The entire set of glass windows is our room

The bed and the wall of windows

So much to see!

We watched the dozens of sailboats come in and go out of the harbor

The iconic harbor bridge

Enjoying the sun and a fine New Zealand Pinot Nior 

When they brought us wine to swap out for the champagne they brought another platter of cheese!

Next leg New Zealand

Auckland New Zealand is the southernmost destination on this trip.  As you can see with the green line on the map above we are almost halfway around the world. We got to the airport in Tahiti and had to go through security. The contrast between the Bora Bora security and the Papeete security is infinite.  When we took out our liquids and took off our shoes we were brought back to the real world.  At the gate we had to weigh our big bags and they were too heavy so we had to check them in for the first time.  It's just as well as we had to climb up some gigantic stairs for this plane. That would have been a real workout carrying everything up those stairs.  Our seats were lovely and the six hour flight seemed very quick for us.  The terrain of New Zealand was invitingly green. We saw some ships lined up on what seemed like a river as we were landing.  It was a long walk to the immigration and customs with lots to see.  The immigration was easy for me but Leslie had a different experience. The electronic kiosk asked three questions.  The last question was have you been incarcerated for more that 6 months.  I answered no, but Leslie answered yes by mistake. That meant she had to go to the line and answer the three questions again but in person. She then got a passport stamp and I did not.  Since it was Sunday we had a smooth and easy taxi ride to the Hilton Harbor.

Leslie popped up to the lounge just before we got on a flight and found the elusive doughnut she has been seeking throughout the world

Some of the outermost islands of New Zealand

This is the shadow of our plane inside a circular rainbow. The first time we've ever seen this phenomena

The very inviting coastline and landscape of New Zealand

I wonder what the greenery is down there?

This plane was gigantic. Notice that there are two full rows of windows so there must be two full floors on this plane

Inside the airport this welcoming gate was just beautiful and very elaborate

Now that we see the skytower we know that we have arrived

Tahiti upgrade

We landed in Tahiti and checked into the Intercontinental Hotel.  During this process we were told that they were going to upgrade our room to #515 an overwater bungalow!  The word for French Polynesian is upgrade. It was a very nice compact bungalow.  The bathroom was particularly striking. We liked it so much that we ordered our dinner through room service. We had a nice romantic dinner for two. Leslie has a ceaser salad and chicken soup  while I had a burger and tasty French onion soup. Of course it was just listed as onion soup on the menu. We were nestled in the harbor with sail boats all around.  We saw another set of ocean going canoes racing past. Lots of birds were flying by and the waves were gentle.

Check in I'm not sure which was better the lovely smile of Vaipheo or the upgrade

This is the view from the deck

Racing by 

The sinks were very tall porcelain bowls and the whole bathroom was in white

Here we are

The bed was quite firm 

The deck looking out over the sailboats 

The seating area 

A tall thatched roof

Tahiti we love you

Our cosy overwater bungalow