And here’s my best-of-Auckland:

Best part/scene/place: Ponsonby. Probably the best mix between residential, restaurants and nightlife. Although much more quiet than Melbourne’s Fitzroy, it has it’s charm.

Best drink (alcoholic): I didn’t experiment much. Just some local Kiwi brews. Auckland wasn’t cheap to go out, and I needed to save some money.

Best restaurant: Xio Dan in Auckland. Serves the most amazing dumplings.

Best bar: Probably the Eagle. Though I have to say I did not go out much in those three weeks.

Most visited place: Marcello’s. Every morning like clock work, for coffee and a sweet treat, to start the day blogging in their free wifi. The team is great, and I felt like home after a week.

Best movie: The Matrix. Finally got to see it!

Song of the month: Lorde’s Team. Playing everywhere.

Best speciality: Dumplings. In various places. Auckland has some great Chinese restaurants.

Best sight: Waiheke and Rangitoto Islands. Both worth the trip. Next time I’ll stay overnight in Waiheke.

Most underrated/overrated: Maybe both for the Auckland Sky Tower. Overrated because in the end, you’re just up one gigantic needle, to look down. However, do it at sunset, and watch the whole city start to glow underneath, it becomes a whole different affair.

The most beautiful place: Waiheke Island. Breath taking boat trip in the sunset over the Tamaki Straight.

The reasons to come back: It’s like everywhere: so many things unfinished, not seen yet. I want to go up North, visit the Northern tip of New Zealand. I did not go to see Piha Beach on the Tasman Sea…