Vertigo..

  Auckland, New Zealand
Friday, September 17, 2004

So - think about it I did. I decided that I had to at least go and have a look at the scale of this insanity.

My visit to the top of the Skytower coincided well with young 'Jo the Geordie' who had landed in Auckland the day after me and was staying across town in a smaller, more personal backpackers called the 'Aloe Tree'. She had been venturing into downtown Auckland with someone she had met there at the Aloe.

We took a short bus ride out of the city and across to 'Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World'. Please have a look - it's a fantastic place! Apparently, the underwater tunnel that you walk through looking up at the local sea-life actually runs from the harbourside underneath the road and along a small section of the bus route from the city. The penguins were sensational!

Afterwards we ventured back over to downtown Auckland and right up again to the foot of the Skytower - this time no 'Stray bus' and no Nate. It was $15 to go up the forty-second lift to a towering height offering panoramic views over the city - 10 bucks with a backpacker card. Well I've gotta say it really was money well spent - the 360 degree view of Auckland was stunning. I've uploaded a few pics at the top of the page so you can get a better idea of how beautiful it was - though as always, pics never do real vision much justice.



Anyway, thought I may as well share this little detail with you. I've added a little yellow arrow to the picture above just to make things a little clearer as it's impractical to upload too many high MP pics. The pic itself was took in the 'viewing area' mid-way up the Skytower. The arrow that I've drawn in is pointing to a raised metal platform outside at the foot of the tower. Access to the platform itself is via a spiral staircase from ground level up. Now, though you can't tell, that whole 'square platform' area is quite sizeable (just compare it to the white car that's turning out of the side-road just above!) Right bang in the centre of this platform is a large red cross and round the edge is a small seating area for family, friends, local preacher, etc. The 'X' is supposed to be the bit you've got to land on after running up to, screaming and flinging yourself over the edge of the Skytower. The jumping platform itself is actually located on the roof of the viewing lounge where I took the pic.

So, at least I now knew the scale of Nate's kind offer made to me the other night over a cold 'Tui'. For further reference, you should find quite a pleasant shot of the Harbour Bridge up there somewhere. The long climb and bungy off that little beaut was my part of the bargain if I remember correctly.

There was a fantastic live-band on tonight in the Base bar, three-piece, excellent vocals - a real pleasure to watch, over a 'Tui' or two.

Still pondering the 'leap of doom'..