What’s awesome in Auckland?

MANILA, Philippines - Auckland has been named the third most liveable city in the world by the Mercer Quality of Living. It may as well be rated number one by nature lovers, adventure seekers and jet setters who have seen it all and want a romantic patch of paradise.

Is it romantic enough for diva Zsazsa Padilla who declared: “Conrad (Onglao) and I won’t have a grand wedding. We will just elope and get married at  a nice place somewhere, with only our children as our bridal entourage.”

   Zsazsa joined the group who took the PAL inaugural flight to Auckland, New Zealand where the audience truly loved her and enjoyed her singing. Our group went sailing from the Waitemata Harbour; dined at good restos at Vulcan Lane, Viaduct Harbor, North Wharf and Sky Tower; went shopping at the Matakana Farmers Market; did wine tasting at the StonyRidge Vineyard in Waiheke; savoured all kinds of cheese at Puhoi; and strolled at Piha Beach. What’s the most fun thing to do in Auckland? We asked seasoned travelers in the group — the travel agency execs and Philippine Airlines executives — for their answers.—MMM

Zsazsa padilla, PAL inaugural flight guest performer:

It was such an exhilarating feeling to go sailing at the Waitemata Harbour. And the more fun part is that I got to drive with the skipper Tom.” ( Instagram photo of Zsazsa with Ria Domingo,  Millet Mananquil and AA Patawaran)

Kim Dong Seol, Rakso Travel chief operating officer:

I loved the windswept black sand beach in Piha , watched over by a Lion Rock that reminded me of the Sunrise Peak in Jeju, Korea. Luxury houses facing the beach are what most dream people of.

Jojo Clemente, Rajah Tours president :

The best part of our trip was being at the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata. Being a huge fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it was such a treat for me to actually walk on the movie sets. It was a divine moment for me, almost religious if I may say so. That said, New Zealand is a wonderful place with great people.

Pinky Balagtas, PAL manager for internal communications:

The Stonyridge Vineyard in Waiheke was such a relaxing place. Tasting wines and cheeses in a valley of olive trees and colorful vines was a romantic experience. I felt like I was in a French movie setting.

Ria Carrion Domingo, PAL VP-marketing:

Markets are good places to discover a country’s heart and soul. Here, you see what people thrive on — their food, their art, their culture, their passions. At the Matakana Village Farmers Market, we discovered artisanal creations that reflect who the New Zealanders are and what they were.

Jonathan Gesmundo, PAL editorial consultant for corporate communications:

I prefer the unique sailing experience, with the wind across your face, clean bay waters, and most important, in the company of friends. That’s why I enjoyed sailing at the Waitemata Harbour into the Pacific blues.

Shirley Ho-Vicario, PAL consultant for corporate communications, marketing & customer relations:

Auckland offers a variety of interesting food choices. The Soul Bar & Bistro at the Viaduct Harbor has a lot of soul. It also has the best chocolate pudding I’ve ever tried. The famous beef stew with crushed potatoes at The Occidental Belgian Beer Cafe on Auckland’s historic Vulcan Lane is good. Here, amid charming old buildings, you get a bite
of European flavor.