Thank you for your recommendation of Rotorua. We'll be sure and visit it on our next visit to the North Island of New Zealand. And Candice thanks for the heads up on the Chevron Chalet B& B. We'll give it a wide berth.

Obviously we all have different interests while traveling. Nevertheless, it always intrigues me when fellow Travelziners speak less than glowingly of a particular destination. Apparently Auckland (and its immediate environs) has more appeal to our tastes. I'm curious which of the activities I've listed below you may have seen or joined in.

My research seems to indicate a number of days of interest within the Auckland area. Some of the sights which appeal to us include the Auckland Museum; the Auckland Regional Council Botanic Gardens which will be hosting the annual Ellerslie Flower Show while we are there; the various islands within Hauraki Gulf which seem to afford endless amounts of hiking, biking, kayaking, sunbathing, birdwatching, shopping, etc.; heritage walks of the Parnell, Ponsonby, Grafton, and Devonport neighborhoods, as well as various other Bush and Beach walks taking advantage of the city's green belts; the vineyards of west Auckland; further west on into the lush Waitakere Ranges Regional Park; the isolated west coast beaches of Whaitipu and Karekare; and the more popular beaches of Piha and Muriwai for some surfing; and finally shopping among the wide array of artists' workshops and studios which seem to be found throughout Auckland and its surrounding communities.

Some of these activities could include overnighting outside the metropolitan area. In particular, a visit to Whaitipu or Whaiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

Considering the variety and number of things we have an interest in I still am inclined to stay closeby to Auckland. Additionally, this will give us extra time to recharge from the long Trans-Pacific flight.

Any Aucklanders or Kiwis out there who might want to join in?

John in San Diego