Highlights of the Day
A rainy morning delayed our visit to Mount Eden, so we explored Auckland’s Chinatown instead. The bustling market was lively with Lunar New Year decorations, and we enjoyed a comforting Shanghainese meal at Baixing Food Court. Later, we attempted to visit Mission Bay but were repeatedly interrupted by rain. Finally, we made it to Mount Eden, where a stunning city view awaited before another downpour sent us back. In the evening, we strolled Auckland Queen Street and dined at JW Marriott, savoring unique local dishes. With this meal, our 15-day New Zealand adventure came to a satisfying end.
Logistics
Accommodation: JW MARRIOTT AUCKLAND (highly recommended)
Transportation: Rental Car
The weather wasn’t great today. It started raining early in the morning, so we left the hotel late. Our first plan was to visit Mount Eden, a dormant volcanic crater. On clear days, the summit offers a panoramic view of Auckland.
When we arrived at the base, it was still raining. Climbing up in the rain didn’t seem worthwhile—wet stairs, poor visibility—so we gave up.
Instead, we decided to visit Chinatown. It turned out to be a large warehouse divided into small rental spaces for different vendors. With the Lunar New Year approaching, the place was beautifully decorated. The packed parking lot showed how busy the market was.
Inside, we found almost everything for daily life—clothing, household items, and more.
Next, we explored the food court, which offered a variety of dishes, including Chongqing noodles, roast meats, and Vietnamese pho. When we spotted Shanghai cuisine at Baixing Food Court, my husband couldn’t resist.
We originally wanted pan-fried soup dumplings or potstickers, but the owner said their chef had returned to China, so they weren’t available. Instead, we ordered fried pork chops, sweet and sour ribs, and pork tripe. The food was simple but satisfying.
After lunch, we drove to Mission Bay, Auckland’s famous beachfront. We had just walked a few steps on the sand, taken a few pictures, and planned to stroll along the coast when it started raining again. We had no choice but to leave.
A few minutes after driving away, the sun came out. Unwilling to give up, we found another parking spot and returned to the coastline with umbrellas. But as soon as we started walking, the rain returned, and strong winds made the umbrellas useless. This time, we gave up for real.
Determined to try our luck again, we headed back to Mount Eden. This time, the rain had stopped, and we even found a parking spot near the top, which saved us some uphill walking. From the summit, Auckland’s skyline was breathtaking—red rooftops, turquoise waters, and the city’s famous Sky Tower. The view stretched in all directions. The crater itself had long been covered in grass, barely recognizable as a volcanic site.
As we sat enjoying the view, the rain started again. That was our cue to return to the hotel.
Back at the hotel, the sun reappeared, so we took a walk to Queen Street, Auckland’s well-known shopping district. After browsing around, nothing caught our interest. Instead, we grabbed a Gong Cha bubble tea and headed back.
For dinner, we chose the hotel restaurant. The dishes were all new to us, making the meal an interesting experience.
One dish was local fish sushi—not as tender as salmon but still tasty. Another was raw marinated beef, and the last was a New Zealand abalone dish, which turned out to be quite average.
The highlight was grilled lamb tripe, incredibly tender and fatty. Seeing so many plump sheep along the roads in New Zealand, we joked that this was basically the lamb version of pork belly—absolutely delicious.
Sitting in the restaurant, watching the wind and rain outside, we felt glad to have stayed in.
With this meal, our 15-day New Zealand trip came to an end. Exploring both the stunning South Island and the unique North Island made the journey incredibly fulfilling. If not for the need to return home for the New Year, we would have gladly stayed another week or two for a deeper experience.
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