At breakfast we dined with the museum director and his wife again and a couple that splits their time between Vermont and Sydney. We walked in as Mr. Museum was once again advising a visit to the Hundertwasser Public Toilets. They just must be seen according to Mrs. Museum. Unfortunately, we've already passed the location and will miss out on this life changing experience. Mrs. Museum also informed us that Aucklanders hold themselves above other Kiwis and referred to them as JAFAs (just another f---ing Auklander). They drink French wine instead of New Zealand wine so no wonder they are disliked. This was our first fun fact for the day.
Before leaving, Andy, the proprietor of the Lupton Lodge, asked us where we were headed. When we indicated Hamilton, he gave us a peculiar face. We hit the road and stuck to the paved ones today. We took a break at Ransom winery and restaurant where we learned our second fun fact of the day. The drinking age is 18; however, if you're with your parents you can drink at ANY age. Their wines are nice, but we really can't purchase anything while travelling. When our server asked where we were headed, she made a sour face when we once again indicated Hamilton. At this point we started to worry a little. Is Hamilton the equivalent to Galt? A place you would not recommend to visitors in your country?
Mr. Museum suggested a visit to the Auckland Arboretum, so we stopped for a walk around. The arboretum is quite large and well laid out. There is a special sculpture exhibit, so we walked the sculpture trail.
On the road between Auckland and Hamilton, we learned our third fun fact for the day. Toll roads do not have toll booths. You can pre-pay, pay online, or pay at select gas stations after the fact. There is also an alternate free route. We took the free route and it was more scenic along the coast, but the GPS once again directed us back the the toll road in her superior I know better than you way. Saturday was Treaty Day, but according to Mr. Museum the holiday is "Mondayfied" and everyone has today off. Traffic was thick going back into Auckland, but we were headed in the opposite direction. Fun fact #4, almost half of New Zealand's population of 4 million live in Auckland.
As we were driving, I mentioned to Shawn that we really haven't seen any rundown areas...then we approached Hamilton. We were driving parallel to the train tracks and there was a very industrial look with grungier looking houses. Worry began to set in. We arrived at the Astra Motor Lodge. I would not have picked this establishment if I had been driving by. The owner greeted us in reception and was very friendly giving us advice on what to do, where to eat and where to buy groceries. Our apartment is very nice, as long as you don't look at the neighbors out the back door.
We went down to Victoria Street for dinner where there are a number of restaurants with outdoor seating. It has a vintage look with buildings dating back to the early 1900s. Our outlook on Hamilton is much improved. Shawn tried the Monteith's beer on Mr. Museum's suggestion, but I stuck with the Sauvignon Blanc that New Zealand is known for. We dined at The Furnace (Hamilton is inland, so no Waterfront restaurants). After dinner we strolled along the Waikato River to the chatter of the cicadas.
The last stop before returning to our room was the grocery store. Our last fun fact for the day: grocery carts are called trundlers.
Daily ratings:
Miko Arboretum Cafe - 2.5 Kiwis
The Furnace - 2.5 Kiwis
Auckland Arboretum - 4.5 Kiwis
Steps taken = 6,163, mostly in the beautiful arboretum
Lupton Lodge
Ransom Winery
Mr. Museum suggested a visit to the Auckland Arboretum, so we stopped for a walk around. The arboretum is quite large and well laid out. There is a special sculpture exhibit, so we walked the sculpture trail.
On the road between Auckland and Hamilton, we learned our third fun fact for the day. Toll roads do not have toll booths. You can pre-pay, pay online, or pay at select gas stations after the fact. There is also an alternate free route. We took the free route and it was more scenic along the coast, but the GPS once again directed us back the the toll road in her superior I know better than you way. Saturday was Treaty Day, but according to Mr. Museum the holiday is "Mondayfied" and everyone has today off. Traffic was thick going back into Auckland, but we were headed in the opposite direction. Fun fact #4, almost half of New Zealand's population of 4 million live in Auckland.
As we were driving, I mentioned to Shawn that we really haven't seen any rundown areas...then we approached Hamilton. We were driving parallel to the train tracks and there was a very industrial look with grungier looking houses. Worry began to set in. We arrived at the Astra Motor Lodge. I would not have picked this establishment if I had been driving by. The owner greeted us in reception and was very friendly giving us advice on what to do, where to eat and where to buy groceries. Our apartment is very nice, as long as you don't look at the neighbors out the back door.
Astra Motor Lodge
We went down to Victoria Street for dinner where there are a number of restaurants with outdoor seating. It has a vintage look with buildings dating back to the early 1900s. Our outlook on Hamilton is much improved. Shawn tried the Monteith's beer on Mr. Museum's suggestion, but I stuck with the Sauvignon Blanc that New Zealand is known for. We dined at The Furnace (Hamilton is inland, so no Waterfront restaurants). After dinner we strolled along the Waikato River to the chatter of the cicadas.
Chicken, Cranberry & Brie Pizza
Seafood Linguine
Waikato River
The last stop before returning to our room was the grocery store. Our last fun fact for the day: grocery carts are called trundlers.
Daily ratings:
Miko Arboretum Cafe - 2.5 Kiwis
The Furnace - 2.5 Kiwis
Auckland Arboretum - 4.5 Kiwis
Steps taken = 6,163, mostly in the beautiful arboretum
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