Today was the day I’d been dreading but looking forward to at the same time.

Still getting over the jet-lag we were up extra early.

Andy had turned to me at 1am and woke me up excitedly saying: “Babe, babe, we’re in New Zealand.”

“Go back to sleep it’s the middle of the night,” was my groggy response.

We were up at 7am. We found a lovely back street cafe and had a delicious breakfast. The cafe had a European air about it with red umbrellas over the tables placed in a narrow alleyway and quiet Spanish guitar music trickling from the speakers placed outside.

Once breakfast was over the moment of doom loomed ever closer. Before we even reached the Sky Tower my palms were sweating and I tried not to think of what lay ahead for fear of not going through with it.

“I’ve booked two people into the Sky Walk at 10:15,” I explained as I reached the reception desk at Mission Control.

“I have a voucher for a Look and Leap combo and I need to pay for my Sky Walk,” I said.

I handed over my card, signed the receipt and my fate was sealed.

For Christmas I had got Andy a Sky Walk and Sky Jump from the Auckland Sky Tower, I was just doing the walk – having done the jump last time I was in Auckland – but I was petrified!

The Sky Walk is a one metre wide platform around the outside of the Sky Tower. It is 192 metres above the ground and takes you 360 degrees around the tower. Not a problem you may think. But there are no railings or hand rails, or anything to hold on to.

When we were being kitted out and harnessed up I was taking deep breaths in an attempt calm my nerves!! Luckily it was just Andy and I on that walk so there wasn’t anyone to embarrass myself in front of.

We reached the start of the walk. A cage at 192 meters above the ground with an handy see through floor. Just what I needed to make me feel better. Trying to get used to walking and looking down I spied the narrow walk way for the first time. I doubted if I was going out there. Walking along that tiny platform with nothing to hold on to seemed impossible! Luckily the floor wasn’t see through otherwise I don’t know if I’d have made it.

Our guide, David (bizarrely from Torquay), promised me we’d take the walk at my pace. He would walk backwards along the platform and we would walk towards him.

Our harnesses were attached to the safety equipment, the gate was opened at we set off.

As soon as I stepped through the gate I felt dizzy. My legs were shaking so much I doubted they would hold my weight. I was worried about what they would do with me when I passed out as I willed my legs to stop vibrating underneath me.

We moved slowly along the walkway and gradually my confidence improved. Andy was completely unphased by the whole experience.

David pointed out landmarks and explained about Auckland and the sites we could see as we walked along. Initially as he pointed below us I dared not look down. I just stared straight into the horizon, holding my safety rope for dear life. But gradually I was able to look at what lay below me. Even venturing the the edge of the platform on a few occasions.

The views were stunning. It was a clear day and we could see for miles over the harbour and the expanse of Auckland stretching in front of us. The feeling of being in the open air and seeing the city expanse stretching for miles below me was incredible.

“I’ll show you a pose you can do for the photographs,” David said.

He bent down let the harness take his weight then pushed his weight backwards over the edge of the walk way. There was no way I was even going to attempt such a feet.

Tepidly Andy decided to give it a go. He was soon leaning over the edge, although initially he wasn’t so sure about letting go of the rope. But by the end of the walk he was quite relaxed hanging over looking down at the world below. Insanity as far as I’m concerned. It’s not natural not to be a little scared.

Despite my initial unwillingness to partake in the activity it was over all too soon. The cage at the end of the walkway approached and we were soon back in the confines of the tower.

We reached the bottom and removed harnesses and the bright orange climb suits. Before we finished getting our stuff together one of the ladies working at Mission Control reception came over.

“The photos David took of you on the walk didn’t come out,” she said.

“If you want to go back and do it again for free you can. There is a group going up in a bit.”

Andy and I looked at each other. There was no question, a second walk for free. “Yes please.”

David, the guide made an effort to make the second walk slightly different for us. He even came up with a new ‘challenge’ at the end. Leaning over the edge forwards. For some bizarre reason I felt more confident about this and gave it a half-hearted attempt. But my nerves had kicked in again and I kept thinking what if the harness brakes, what if the thing holding me on to the top brakes. Completely irrational I know.

We got down from the second walk and headed to the suburbs of Auckland in search of a man who does traditional hand-tap tattooing. We’d met him at the Halloween Tattoo Bash in Newton Abbot and had emailed him to arrange an appointment for Andy to get tattoo. But when we arrived he’d gone home for the day. Andy decided his tattoo was never meant to be and we found a taxi to take us back to the centre of Auckland.

The afternoon was spent lounging around in the sun in the beautiful surroundings of Auckland’s Albert Park.

That evening we went out in search of food. The award wining Thai across the road was the first option – too expensive. Then Andy decided it might be nice to have dinner in the restaurant at the Sky Tower – that wasn’t going to be cheap. But luckily it was fully booked anyway.

Then as we wondered where to go a sign caught my eye, Korean BBQ. Wicked Kalbi, something I hadn’t had since leaving Korea.

Andy was reluctant. I dragged him across the road and found the restaurant. We decided that if it was reasonably priced we’d eat there.

Once inside I ordered Samgapsal and the woman was surprised I could speak Korean. “Ah, Hangal” she said looking impressed. I ordered the food and a couple of beers in Korean, but had to repeat myself in English to be understood!

The only cutlery provided was a spoon and chopsticks. Andy had never used chopsticks before so this was going to be an experience. My skills with the Asian eating implements are somewhat lacking but I made an attempt to show him how they work. Luckily a couple of Koreans (the only other people in the restaurant) saw my cack-handed attempts at explaining and came to my rescue.

Andy tried each of the side dishes and took a particular liking to the radish and ‘noodle type things’ which I also enjoyed until I realised they were reformed fish! I even had some Kimchi. Something I’ve regretted since.

We watched as the meat was cooked at the table for us. Clearly being foreigners they didn’t trust us to do it ourselves!

Full of food we headed up the Sky Tower and and had a look over the illuminated expanse of Auckland. The roads stretched out of the city like electric snakes slithering through the expanse of lights.

The view that we’d enjoyed earlier in the day from outside looked very different in the dark and from the safe confines of the tower.

* Posted by j150vsc on 01/01/2009.