Yesterday, I made a big dent in my "NZ Bucket List." I climbed the Auckland Bridge, jumped off the Sky Tower, and went to a Rugby playoff game. All were such exciting adventures!
The Auckland Bridge climb is a two hour guided walk under and over the biggest bridge in NZ (it is much smaller than the Bay Bridge to put it into context). We wore hemlets and were attached to the bridge during the whole climb so I felt safe. Many of the people go up the bridge and bungy jump from it which we watched up close. I'd be lying if I said that didn't make me wish I jumped too!
The bridge was built in the 50s and is the primary way to reach the North Shore of New Zealand. Upon its opening, it was clear they should have made it wider so within a few years they expanded the four lane bridge to eight. The outlying two lanes on each side are called "clip ons" (sound safe??) because they are only supported by attaching to the side of the pillars of the original bridge. Due to earthquake threats, they had to make sure the bridge had some give so it literally moves up and down with the weight of the cars. We were under the bridge learning about this and feeling the sway of the cement wheb our guide told us that the bridge can move up to one meter in 30 seconds!! Once we got above the bridge we had the best sights of Auckland and the huge marina which clearly shows why this city is dubbed the "city of sails." It was beautiful! (these pictures will be up later)
Next I walked up to the Sky Tower for my jump. This is called base jumping because you land on the ground rather then get pulled back up like with bungy jumping. I went up with a girl who was over from Sydney on business. She'd been bungy jumping and sky diving but was still very scared! I felt fine until I leaned over the edge right before the jump- my heart was pounding. It is a 192m jump that lasts about 11 seconds- very exhilarating!
I failed to mention that throughout the day I was in a hunt for rugby tickets. Apparently, there was a huge playoff game for the Super 15 league but I was having no luck finding tickets. On the bridge climb, I met a super friendly couple who was going to the game and eventually they were able to get me a ticket. It was so nice of them to go out of their way so I could see this awesome event.
The staduim was huge! Not as big as our football staduim but a very large venue with tons of crazy fans. It definitely reminded me of a big Ravens game because people were cheering the entire time. The game was between the Waikato Chiefs and Christchurch Crusaders- both of which had a handful of All Blacks (even Richie McCaw!). The game was intense and in the end the home team (Chiefs) won 20-19. At the stadium they serve drinks, American hot dogs and fries outside of the stands but not to worry if you want to stay in your seat- they have someone walk around to sell donuts in the stands... but that is all. Very interesting if you ask me!
I had a great talk with the NZ couple that got me the tickets about differences in American and Kiwi culture. My favorite topic was our tipping system which they posed some good points about!
I got home pretty late and was exhausted. Today is my last day in Auckland and I'll be attending another local rugby game and taking a ferry to Devonport which is an island across from the harbour.
Cheers!
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