Wild World of Travel

29/11/2023

Auckland –

Part Two - Auckland - of “The Epic Trip Down Under”
Coming from Phoenix, Arizona I found it hard to think that Auckland is not the capital of New Zealand (Wellington is) and even though it was inhabited by a number of indigenous tribes, over hundreds of years, like the Phoenix Metro area, both were settled in the last 150 years. A rather modern city with a great skyline which is dominated by the Sky Tower, which is a few feet taller than the Space Needle but on a hill in the middle of Auckland.
Little doubt Auckland is the heartbeat of New Zealand and the center of industry. A beautiful, very clean city. New Zealand as a whole is kept very clean.
From the Sky Tower in the center of downtown Auckland, you have a 360-degree view of Auckland, Harbour Bridge, beautiful green hillsides, and incredible ocean bays and beaches. You see buildings like the 1899 Shakespeare Hotel and Pub next to some of the most modern Resorts in the world. If you are there to take in the shops, restaurants, and history, I am sure you could spend a week easily browsing around but there is so much more to see, even if you just decided to spend time on the North Island.---More from Shy Tower coming.

16/11/2023

A Bucket List 19 Day Visit! ---- North and South New Zealand!

Part 1. Leaving Arizona for a epic trip Down Under!
How would I suggest traveling to one of the Greenest, most likeable places on earth.
A suggestion is to investigate a rather unknown airline to most of us “Air New Zealand” You will kick yourself if skip to your favorite domestic airline when the prices and the 5 to 6 different seat configurations on Air New Zealand has space and something for everyone, especially families. That does not include the incredible international lounges they own. Large, Clean, not crowded and I just could not get enough of those chocolate cookies that kept multiplying.
We saved for the businesspremier™. Yes, yes ! --- I did peek around the aircraft to see how other guests were being cared for and it seemed that no matter where you were, the stewards were everywhere. You know how nice it is to have upbeat and friendly stewards one step ahead of you! They know what you are going to request (they have done this a few times) and instead of waiting for you to push that scarry red or blue button overhead which gets everyone’s attention, they have already sprinted into action helping you settle in for what you thought, would be a rough multi-hour flight.
Next is your nightmare (dreams during your inflight sleep) of going through those custom lines of 200 to 400 of your new closest buddies. They were just nightmares! Please keep in mind one item while traveling to and thru New Zealand – you are traveling through a country that like the US and our citizens. Going through customs in Air New Zealand International terminals, it is no where as bad as your nightmares. Please, when getting ready to enter those dreaded customs lines, if a line that looks crowded (which is still rather quick) ask a friendly, yes, friendly security person which line is for guests with US passports. You may find, like ourselves, that there are several lines that can open like magic. Wait times were from 15 to 30 min. What!!
Part 2 coming up over the next week, Auckland!

14/02/2022

Arizona - 80 degrees and Blue Skies but will we have Spring Training for 2022. I am thinking - Yes! But how do you stay up to date on the game schedules? See the location map attached and use the QR code in order to stay up to date. For people not used to QR Codes - try using your Phone's camera and point the camera at the QR code. Your camera should be able to come up with a link to click on! Good Hunting! -- Let's Play Ball!

25/03/2021

You do not have to partake but ARIZONA is OPEN! ---- Do not miss some great Travel Promotions. The word is that 2021 and most of 2022 is sold out and rates will start to go up on April 1 and that is no fools day joke!
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.azfamily.com/news/continuing_coverage/coronavirus_coverage/gov-ducey-relaxes-covid-19-guidelines-in-arizona-bars-open-masks-not-required/article_71738672-8d89-11eb-8f3a-a3512d6c19fe.amp.html

Gov. Doug Ducey's new COVID-19 guidelines released Thursday morning downgrade requirements for businesses to recommendations and allow bars to resume their regular operations.