The following day, we took a four-hour bus ride back to Auckland, with multiple stops along the way. Our first stop was the renowned Huka Falls, the most visited park site in 
New Zealand. The raging Waikato River constricts at a point in the park, followed by an elevation change that creates the waterfalls. The amount of water flowing through the chute of the falls could fill an Olympic-size swimming pool in 11 seconds! I could not imagine a kayaker traversing the falls, but some crazy experts reportedly have.
We then had lunch at a farmhouse where, to earn our meal, we made butter and ate the freshest vegetables New Zealand has to offer. Finally, the bus ride brought us to the Grand Hotel by Sky City in downtown Auckland. If you see the tall tower in Auckland, our hotel was right across the street from it.
The next two days in Auckland were simply wonderful. Our tour took us the next morning to the port to board a ferry to Waiheke Island, where we enjoyed shopping, lunch, wine tasting, and olive oil tasting. We loved the entire island and everything it offered. 
Returning to Auckland, we continued exploring the port and shopping district, had dinner at White + Wong’s, and enjoyed walking through the district. We even checked out the casino at Sky City and promptly lost our $20 fun money on the slots.
Finally, on the last day of our trip, we rose early in Auckland, packed, and checked out of the hotel. Since our flight was in the late afternoon, we stored our bags and had until 3:30 p.m. to do any last-minute activities in Auckland. We walked
back to the port area and visited the New Zealand Maritime Museum. The museum is very informative and has the massive America’s Cup yacht NZ 1 mounted above your head,
which in 1988 lost badly to America’s first catamaranthat strategically beat the regulations. Inside the museum are exhibitions, displays of historical vessels, and an exhibition dedicated to Sir Peter Blake, who won the America’s Cup in 1995 on Black Magic, also on display in the museum. At the top level above the yacht, there is a replica of the cup encased in glass. It was the perfect exhibition to round out our Viking Cruise.
After lunch, we headed back to the hotel. Since we had a little extra time, we visited The New Zealand All Blacks Experience next to the hotel. It has an interactive exhibition, simulations, and a museum dedicated to New Zealand’s national rugby team. Although we didn’t have enough time for the entire experience, the attraction was well worth the visit for avid fans and newcomers like us. 
The best part is the Haka dance, symbolic of the Maori tribal war, which the team performs before each match, staring down their opponents as if they are about to go to war.
We retrieved our bags and headed to the airport. Our flight to Houston, Texas, was right on time, and 14 hours later, we landed in Houston where it was 3:30 p.m. the same day! We had the longest January 20th you could imagine, flying over the date line and landing earlier in the day than we took off! Air New Zealand’s business class was unique with angled seats. As chance had it, Sedona, our son’s girlfriend, was flying back from a work assignment in Houston, Texas, on the same flight as our connection, and we were able to spend quality time together. We landed back where we took off in Ft. Lauderdale at 10 p.m.
This journey from Auckland to Tongariro National Park was an incredible experience, filled with unique adventures and beautiful landscapes that showcased the best of New Zealand.
