Exploring Auckland Days 1-3

Kia Ora!

I am absolutely loving Auckland so far! It is definitely a change from living in rural Michigan and even from the relatively small town where I go to college! There is always noise in the city, and though it may be loud when I'm trying to go to sleep, I love knowing how close everything is. I've taken the first few days of this last week before classes to acquaint myself with the city!

Ready to explore Auckland with me? (Also heels! Yes! In general Aucklanders are pretty tall! There is a very strong international community here, people of all ethnicities, and so many are all! Even the girls as tall as me out in heels!)
City! It was quite a change from Field Camp...the quiet on Rarotonga, traveling with only 15 other students, camping at Lake Tarawera and along the ocean with only 5 other students!
This view is along Queen Street, one of the main roads in downtown Auckland! It is a major shopping district (Auckland is quite the fashion destination, little did I know!) but has many other unique features. They include several theaters and a small banking district. Along this road there are many little roads jutting out with their own shops along them!

Flower along Wellesley Street, so pretty!
Downtown Auckland! This is from a pedestrian bridge on Wellesley Street. Trying to walk the city here can be crazy and you hardly ever see bikes! There are virtually no pedestrian laws, cars absolutely will not stop or slow down for you!
Beautiful flowers in Albert Park, which is very near downtown Auckland.
Albert Park also features some of the craziest trees!
This is a picture of downtown Auckland! Here you can see the SkyTower and the tops of some other buildings. One thing I think is really cool about Auckland is the diversity, of the people, the food and even the buildings! Even here you can see the varying architecture--from oriental themes to more old-fashioned buildings in contrast to the new towers and skyscrapers. The SkyTower is kind of a neat attraction; it contains a restaurant and you are also able to walk around the rim of the upper disk.
This is just one of the many beautiful churches you can see in downtown Auckland!

That's all for now! In the next few days I plan on continuing to explore before classes start, checking out the Domain, a nearby park, a War Memorial museum, one of Auckland's best cafes (famous for it's milkshakes!), and Devonport! Until then! :)