Wednesday 25th January, rest day

WEDNESDAY 25^TH JANUARY

Got up early despite the journey, still having issues with the time zones.  Skyped home to check in with Sharon and the kids, what a blessing that is.

My Auckland digs, Copthorne Hotel, just outside city centre.

Well today was earmarked as an admin and necessary jobs (washing my clothes) morning with a bit of sightseeing in the evening. 

Started off with a bit of a shock, internet, that was advertised as free Wi Fi, was only free in the lobby for 20MB.  That was a bit naughty, I needed the privacy to work so it cost me $12 NZ for 2 hrs. (Over £6).  Anyway did a couple of work emails and then decided to do my laundry.

I read in the hotel brochure that they provided a laundry service but this was bound to be expensive so I decided I would find a public Launderette and save a few bucks.  A quick search on the internet revealed that there was one on Short Road, in the City centre, about 15 mins walk.  Off I strolled with a hefty bag of clothes “requiring attention”.  Using the hotel basic map I arrived where I thought it was but nothing doing!!!  After asking in a nearby Convenience store, I was told by an Indian Lady that it had closed down; however there was one further west on Beach Drive.

Another 15 mins later and it wasn’t looking promising, nothing like a launderette.  I asked a local who thought for a minute and then exclaimed, delighted with himself, that there was one in the local Countdown (supermarket) just down the road.  Another 15 mins and I arrived at the Countdown, made my way to the first floor, as instructed and my heart sank, there, in front of me was a dry cleaners!!!!  After asking a couple of store members it was clear that nobody was quite sure, they knew there was one but, where it was………!!

A young lad stacking shelves was certain that there was one on Symonds Road, near the University area, it sounded promising.  Another 30 mins and I was in the centre of the city but there was no sign of anything vaguely resembling a washeteria.  I stopped a sophisticated mature looking lady and asked the question again, she assured me she knew the area well but she could not think of a facility such as the one I wanted.

I made an executive decision and decided to call off the mission and return to base.  It was a hot day and so I returned to the hotel sweating heavily, exhausted and bad tempered.  I decided to do what I should have done first thing and ask at the front desk, surely the hotel would have this information.

“yes sir” said the receptionist, “I can tel you where the nearest launderette is……it’s downstairs in the basement”

So, $3 NZ dollars later I had completed my first job, albeit 2 hrs behind schedule.

In the late afternoon I strolled into Auckland City Centre for a walk round and purchased a couple of souvenirs.  It’s quite a small city centre so getting around was easy.  I found the general prices quite expensive compared to the UK.

Back at the hotel it was another $12 to so some more on line stuff, booking flights and hotel rooms, and then I needed and early night.

Looking forward to tomorrow and a visit to the Mahuragi technical Institute.