Auckland, Travel Day

                                    –My Time in New Zealand Day 4 and 5

I was too pooped to write on day 4 because we spent 3 hours traveling from Rotorua to Auckland. The town we stopped in on the way was near Hobbitown (of The Lord of The Rings fame)  and they had a souvenir shop made like one of the Hobbit houses (see cover photo).

Me & Gollum

Once near our destination in Auckland, we had to wait in the buses and unload one bus at a time since there was no space in front of the Mövenpick hotel. While waiting our turn, I saw this:

WHATEVER

I was like WHAT!? WOW! I later found out this sign was the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Talk about being over it, I can dig it!

Once we checked into the hotel after a LONG time sitting on the bus waiting, ( we were a large group of close to 100 kids ages 12-19 + about 20 adults) we had rehearsals in preparation for the start of the competition the next morning. In the evening of day 4 after rehearsals and dinner, we went to the Aotea Centre for the Opening Ceremonies of The World Choir Games.

Day 5

Started REEEEE-LY early, we had a 7AM call for breakfast followed by a quick warm-up and stretch then off to the Town Hall for a quick rehearsal. Afterwards we went to the actual venue for the 1st category, Pop. The Young People’s Chorus of NYC was first entry (UGH) at 11:30AM.

Now you KNOW being the first one to go on the first day is a trip!

There were some issues like the mic at the podium not turned off (DUH-OH!) after the speech which of COURSE messed with the sound. Add to that a grand piano way out on the floor that smashed the kids in. But those kids are just special and did their thang!

There was no time to dwell on the hiccups as there was another category coming next, Youth. A tough category ’cause there was some stiff competition but our kids KEE-ILL-DIT! The audience went kuh-razy! So, we’ll see what happens…I’ll letcha know of course so keep your eye out each Monday for new installments in September and possibly October.

Some Down-Time

After competition it was time to head back. I opted to eat outside the hotel and went to the nearby Hilton Hotel on the harbor with Michael the pianist and Nisha, the Dr. The food was DELISH! I had crab cakes and Broccolini which was prepared in a very tasty sauce.

I never think to take pictures of my food–I am too busy digging in!

Oh yes, and Auckland is BEAUTIFUL!

WHATEVER sign at night in Auckland, New Zealand. It was in response to the ongoing, never-seeming-like-it-would-ever-end pandemic.

The Sky Tower in Auckland, NZ. I didn’t go up there, my preference was being on top of the mountains which I definitely got to do which I talk about in upcoming posts…

The Sky Tower view from the road in Auckland, NZ

Early morning from my hotel window at the Mövenpick Hotel in downtown Auckland, NZ

Another angle Early morning from my hotel window at the Mövenpick Hotel in downtown Auckland, NZ

The ice cream cone selections at Giapo in Auckland, NZ OMG THEIR ICE CREAM IS SO GOOD!

Harry, Me, Kristi & Ceilhe of Time Unlimited Tours in front of Mövenpick Hotel in downtown Auckland, NZ

Cool shades gifted to me by Kristi & Ceilhe

Next Up: Sightseeing Around Auckland on the Aki Tour