Published on Feb, 2023
Our visit to Auckland was enhanced by these 2 days of tours. Guess Mitchell is a multi lingual dedicated tour guide and driver. We enjoyed a roomy VW minivan to get to the various sights . Day 1 was the west side and the Otakamiro trail where the great white birds which spend 1/2. Year in Australia but return to mate and give birth on the shore in Auckland. Scores of them put on a dramatic show and we had a front and center seat! Old volcanoes are interesting to explore and we enjoyed these views from the bottom as well as up top, where we also had great views of the ocean. And surrounding islands. Gesa surprised us with a delicious picnic lunch in a park area. Walking along the ocean became a fitting way to conclude a busy day.
Day 2 we headed North to the Pacific Ocean. The sculpturium is a must visit, and we spent 2 hours walking among the amazing sculptures, meticulous landscaping, and surprise inspirational sayings, yet we really wanted more time! Manuka honey can only be found here and we got quite an education on why this is both delicious and medicinal! Gesa knew the way to my heart was through my stomach, so she shared the location of the BEST gelato in Auckland, and we all indulged in organic deliciousness!!!
Gesa was friendly, timely, and well prepared. She had been in contact with my wife several times before we arrived so we could design the best use of time and greatest opportunity to see the sights.