How to avoid Auckland's traffic jams - borrow some luck!
Auckland - this is the shortest road trip in distance anywhere in New Zealand. But I was worried it wouldn't be the shortest in time. Auckland's traffic jams are notorious.
...Spaghetti Junction gridlock, long motorway queues, minor crashes and delays, never ending road works, peak hour crush. I'm nervous.
I waited a couple of minutes outside Auckland airport terminal before I picked up by driver Taylor - another bright, friendly and happy Jucy customer. Tim and Dan Alpe must be doing something right!
I ask Taylor about how she enjoys her job and she seems pretty. She wants to take a Jucy campervan and go up north for a break soon.
Then I get given the keys to my little Jucy Daihatsu Sirion - I drove it all around Auckland for three days and it cost me in total $9.10 in petrol at the Caltex Station by Cornwall Park.
The other bonus of a three day roadie around Auckland - I never struck one queue, not one snag, not one delay. First stop was the luxury apartment Viaduct Landing on Princes Wharf.
This is one of a portfolio of sublime luxury destinations around New Zealand owned by Essencenz, a company owned by the bubbly, delightful and loquacious Jennifer McBrearty. The apartment has a stunning sixth floor view looking out to the Harbour Bridge one side and back to Auckland's high rise the other. There's a three sided deck outside. The light waft of a sea breeze and bustling sounds of the city are quite exhausting! I head for a bath to get ready for dinner.
Stephanie from the mobile catering company The Difference is coming in to cook a divine meal for me. It was amazing. She's cooked for the best and is a great person as well as a superb chef.
I rush to iron a shirt before Steph and Jennifer arrive but proceeds to blow up my computer cable by shorting it on the hot iron. It blows out all the lighting and power in the apartment - and possibly on the entire Princes Wharf. It was a deliberate power saving move!
Power restored half an hour later. Meal superb, company equal to the occasion. Great night.
I'm stressed and drained by all this luxury and relaxation and go to Spa Auckland for a back massage on Princes wharf. Michelle Banks owns Spa Auckland and it's one of the best in New Zealand. They roll me out of their Spa and pour me into the car like soft butter. They worked wonders alright. It's a tough life.
The next day I almost circumnavigate my way around to Parnell - probably the long way - yet still no traffic issue. I pop in to see John and Shiela Graham. John was headmaster at Auckland Grammar for 20 years, knows a bit about rugby and his yarns Ministry of Education rules and changes, staff and students are as funny as Shiela's carrot and pumpkin soup is delicious. John says he is not funny but he has had some amazing experiences. And despite his batting choices on a placid wicket in Cardiff, he is bloody top bloke - for a forward.
We drive over to the Renaissance electronics store in Onehunga and back to get a new computer cable. John was a director there till recently. Renaissance may not have the sole rights to sell Apple and i-pods and i-phones these days but they are doing very nicely with their latest result.
I drop John home in Parnell and head back to the Viaduct Landing. I failed to purchase the whole cable so still no life out of my laptop. Then head to the Remuera Tennis Club to play a game of squash with rising businessman Bernie McCahill. He gives me an absolute thrashing on the squash court. I snap my racket in half throw it in the bin and storm out in Olympic-like sporting acceptance of defeat. Bernie's squash is getting better - a bit like his residential business portfolio. I make a mental note not to challenge him again.
I crawl back to the Viaduct Landing, have a coffee and put my feet up on New Zealand's best coffee table which represents the finest of Auckland and Canterbury wood: the centre made out of oak from a fallen tree in Hagley Park and the surrounds made out of Auckland pohutakawa. Superb craftsmanship.
The next morning I pop by say hello to Auckland's No.1 recruitment executive Megan Algie. I was seeking salvation through suffering and wanted to be bored by all her latest 2009 arrangements for the wedding of the year. Damn, she's not in. I finally wind my way out to Onehunga, drop off the wrong connector cable and head to the airport. Missions accomplished - no traffic, great day at the Grahams, the best accommodation in Auckland at the Viaduct Landing and the yummiest meal by The Difference. Hard luck about the squash.
- Kip Brook, Word of mouth Media NZ
