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1996
Around the world (NEW ZEALAND )
Bec2004-09-20 11:38:03
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AUCKLAND
Auckland, the economic center of gravity of the North Island (seen from Devonport across the bay), looked very much like any canadian city of the same size. There was none of the obvious culture shock I had experienced in the exotic Pacific islands but there were more subtle differences worth exploring. Here I had the luck of being invited for dinner by the parents of a backpacker I had met in Kenya in 1995. That gave me a good start in discovering Kiwis.
Backpacking is widespread and very well organised in New Zealand, there are youth hostels everywhere filled not only by tourists but also by Kiwis who love to explore their island. Almost two dozen backpackers hostels can be found in Auckland and its suburbs. For 11US$ per night, I stayed in the huge Auckland Central Backpackers which had six floors and space for 300 hostellers. The place had everything a traveller could possibly wish, kitchens, a video room, a rooftop cafe and bar, and a backpacker oriented travel agency. I found it very convenient but somewhat impersonal. This remarkable place was right in the center of the city close to Auckland harbour shown here.
Auckland has a lot to offer. The Auckland Museum features an extensive display on Maori history, culture and artifacts, it even presents a very interesting Maori dance show. The city also has a great art gallery, fine parks, busy markets and some beaches. Here we see an imaginative street show; two dancers weaving about in silver air ducts in a mini mall in the city center.
CHRISTCHURCH
The very English Christchurch is the largest city of the less populated South Island. For a small city of 300 000, it has more than its share of museums, galleries and other public attractions including a ancient but well restored tramway line that runs by this big arts and handicrafts center housed in the beautiful old buildings of the former Canterbury University.
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See photographs from:
New Zealand Gallery
