March 15. Auckland. Day 2.

After eight fantastic hours of sleep we were recharged and recovered from our exhaustion. We got up, got ready, and headed to another hotel restaurant, Eight, for the free breakfast that came with our American Express Booking.

This breakfast buffet was UNBELIEVABLE. They had not one but TWO chocolate fountains, (dark and white chocolate,) orange juice that your could run the machine yourself for fresh juice, about eight different juices including frijoa, (a local fruit,) and so, so much food... Asian food station, made to order pancakes and waffles on a stick, omelette and egg station, (I've never seen omelettes made so quick,) and a bunch of other delicious stuff. It was soooooo gooood.

Basically, at this point I think we are robbing this hotel with all the stuff that is included. 

It was a rainy day, but seemed to be lightening up a little after breakfast, so we decided to head to Sky City to check out the Sky Tower. Kory and I always have to do these tall tower things that are in so many cities.

Sky City is unique... it is a casino (huge, but no fun games, just generic crap over and over,) restaurants, touristy activities like a rugby experience and movie special effects workshop, and the Sky Tower observation deck. They also let people "bungy" from the top of the tower. You couldn't pay me any amout of money to do that!!!

We took the elevators to the top, and for whatever reason, I was getting dizzy and uncomfortable so high up. I calmed down after a bit and we spent about an hour looking over the city and water. Weather was okay and we could see a lot, but I can't imagine how far you could see on a clear day.

It is really striking how hilly Auckland is, there is the varied topography from volcanos from long ago. There are streets with crazy inclines and it is a workout going up and down and up and down. 

Mid-afternoon we headed back to the hotel because the rain was picking up. I really wanted some hot tub time before we left. While I did that, Kory went to the workout facilities... they were the most extensive I've ever seen for a hotel. Four separate rooms with everything imaginable.

We got ready for our evening activities and headed out at about 5pm. We started at our hotel bar, "Chandelier Lounge". It was a fun little place. First fancy cocktails of the night. "Ginger and Lychee Fizz" and "The Cardrona'. Lychee drinks are everywhere here... I think that was hot in the Madison cocktail scene about two years ago. Still delicious though. 

From there, we headed back to Sky City for our dinner reservation. Back up the tower we went to "Orbit 360", the restaurant that rotates. We made it through three rotations watching it get dark in Auckland outside our window.

Food and drinks were fabulous. Fancy cocktails #2 for the night... "La Nina" and "Rau Kakini". The Rau Kakini was the drink of the week... Gin, sparkling wine, passion fruit, lime and soda... Right up my alley. 

After dinner, we headed to a show. In one of the guidebooks I read it said AKLFest happens for 18 days each March and there are more than 200 shows that perform all over the city. I picked a cirque themed one of course.

It was sexy, risky, burlesque themed. I'd seen similar acts before, but the hostess was great with crowd interaction and had an amazing singing voice. Definitely a fun Friday night show.

We had a great time in Auckland and are looking forward to getting on the cruise tomorrow!