What to do?

[Ocean1]

Taxi to the Crow Bar at 26 Wyndham Street downtown. Drink your way through the cocktail list and brew up a killer sore head for the flight. They've spent a decade making the best cocktails in Auckland and they are always empty before midnight. Private basement ambience, great place to talk shit with the bartenders. Call them on 09 366 0398 to check opening times, though; I have a feeling they might not open until 7pm.

Ta, would be around "normal" dinner time.

[Edit: They used to have a Christmas card from John Gotti behind the bar. Apparently he was in Auckland a few times and it was his favourite place to drink. He put them on his card list when he was in jail.]

If you prefer a pub with really good beer around central Auckland, go to Galbraiths at the intersection of Mt Eden and Symonds Streets.

Are you heading to HKIA? On that route I like to furtively turn my cellphone on over Darwin, pick up roaming coverage from 30000 feet, and send txts for shits and giggles. "I can see your house from here" etc. Don't let the nice ladies with the drinks trolley catch you, though.

Surprised it worked at cruising speed...

I figure if he gets in at 5 it'll be 45 mins to town... and I would provide transport so no taxi fare involved...hey I never turn down an oppotunity to dine at swashies... LOL

Except...I have a feeling it clashes with my Buell rally/Sth Is tiki-tour eh Ocean?

It is. The usual pottery dudes, big wall thing etc. Bit of a cruise on the Yangtzee... mostly well trodden fare but some time to explore.

Give us a bit more info and we can probably get a selection of suggestions together....any particular types of food, pub or good restaurant and do you really want a walk or would rather eat & drink with a view.
On a sunday it's about 30 mins and $50 (bit of a guess) in a taxi one way to the city but everything decent is in that area so unless you want 8 hours in the duty free you're going to have to pay it.

What time of day (almost forgot that!)?

Iain

Oh I like anything done well, variety being something important apparently. I do need to work off some energy though, I get seriously twitchy cooped up for that long...

[mitchilin]

If you ever wanted to murder someone to see if you could get away with it ,this would have been a great chance.Stranger in a strange city ,no connections,every thing was in your favor and you threw it away.Damn.

[Ocean1]

If you ever wanted to murder someone to see if you could get away with it ,this would have been a great chance.Stranger in a strange city ,no connections,every thing was in your favor and you threw it away.Damn.

Well, little strange perhaps, and yes Aucks is downright weird. Still, not too late dude, any suggestions?

[Crisis management]

Okay, after extensive research and a bit of a lie down.

Book a late meal at the skytower, taxi to downtown Auckland, ferry across the harbour to Devonport (avoiding the strange pom with daughter in a wheelchair at all costs) take walk around Devonport (coffee / meander) or, if your feeling fit, wander to the east up North head (old naval fortifications) for extensive views over the city and harbour. Allow an hour or two for this walk.
Ferry back over to the city and walk up the hill to the skytower for dinner.

Good luck with whatever you do and enjoy China.

[jrandom]

Surprised it worked at cruising speed...

I even managed a very short and scratchy phone call once!

[Ocean1]

Okay, after extensive research and a bit of a lie down.

Book a late meal at the skytower, taxi to downtown Auckland, ferry across the harbour to Devonport (avoiding the strange pom with daughter in a wheelchair at all costs) take walk around Devonport (coffee / meander) or, if your feeling fit, wander to the east up North head (old naval fortifications) for extensive views over the city and harbour. Allow an hour or two for this walk.
Ferry back over to the city and walk up the hill to the skytower for dinner.

Good luck with whatever you do and enjoy China.

Sounds ambitious, I like it.

If I’m here Monday it’s ‘cause I didn’t make it back in time. And I’m persona non gratis. And likely to be available for long rides. And in need of accommodation. And immediate surgical intervention.

If not then I’ll be dodging tour guides and trying to get lost. And persona non gratis…

I even managed a very short and scratchy phone call once!

JAL 123 was it?

[Ocean1]

Oh, and once I'm safely outa here someone can fess up on my behalf for this:

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...7&postcount=70

Apparently unnoticed so far. Orta give him 3 weeks to settle down afore I get back...

[cynna]

[QUOTE=Bass;1275489]Cab fares into town and back again will cost a small ransom.
QUOTE]

ring discount taxis from the airport and ask for the airport deal - it is $30 to or from town. its quicker then the bus or shuttle and not that much more expensive if there are 2 or more of u