Cliff(y) Goes Travelling

Auckland, New Zealand Known as Tamaki Makaurau in the Maori language, Auckland isn't only New Zealand's largest city, but also its principal commercial and economic centre. Commonly referred to as the City of Sails, it's situated between two main harbours and is punctuated by numerous volcanic cones, giving it a distinctive landscape where urban life meets natural beauty.

[Mount Eden Summit] 250 Mount Eden Road, Auckland, New Zealand Daily: 7.00am - 7.00pm (winter) or 8.30pm (summer) Besides One Tree Hill, Auckland has several other volcanic cones worth exploring. Between Mount Eden and Mount Saint John, the former with a peak elevation of 196 m and an impressive crater is the more famous of the two. Mount Saint John, by comparison, stands at 126 m and offers a quieter experience.

Auckland, New Zealand Hobson Bay is a broad tidal inlet on Waitemata Harbour, while Judges Bay is a smaller and more sheltered bay located further northwest along the same stretch of Auckland's waterfront. Not every walk has to be a perfectly paved stroll, and the route my travel buddy and I took from Shore Road Reserve certainly proved that.

Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand Daily: 7.00am - 7.00pm Located side by side, Cornwall Park and One Tree Hill are under different management, but Auckland Council explicitly describes them as "next to each other, and often seen as one". From exploring the expansive park to hiking up to the summit, that offers sweeping views of the city, it was a pleasant way to spend one of our afternoons in Auckland.

Parnell, Auckland, New Zealand Right in the heart of Auckland lies the city's oldest park, which is one of its largest green spaces. Spanning around 75 hectares, the park was developed around the crater of an extinct volcano. Beyond its expansive lawns and walking paths, it's also home to several notable attractions, such as Auckland War Memorial Museum and Wintergardens.

27-35 Victoria Street West, Auckland, New Zealand In Auckland, New Zealand, my travel buddy and I stayed at President Hotel Auckland (3*). Located right in the heart of the Central Business District, the hotel is only 200 m away from soaring Sky Tower. Previously operated by the Best Western group, the property has since been rebranded to Edit Auckland Central.

MEL-AKL (3h 40m) Boeing 777-300ER ETD: 12.10pm (GMT + 10) ETA: 5.40pm (GMT + 12) I'd heard plenty about Air New Zealand's legacy herringbone seats in the Business Class cabin, mostly not for the right reasons. Lo and behold, I finally had the opportunity to experience them for myself on what was also my first flight ever with the flag carrier of the country. Let's find out whether the criticisms are justified.