Well it's been 5 days since i landed in Auckland and it feels like i've been here for much longer. The days have raced by and i only hope the year doesnt go too quick!
I've taken it pretty easy so far, just taking my time, getting my bearings, clearing the jet lag and chilling out. saturady i headed to Downtown 
Auckland to see what was about, get my bearings and generally have a look around. I wandered through the streets, down to the water front, up to the city parks just chilling out and taking my time. The city is really clean, with hardly any litter about anywhere and with the sun shining it actually was really nice to be in the CBD where it was buzzing with people, not something that i thought i would enjoy. I just walked with no purpose really, stopping at things that caught my eye and generally having some time to reflect on the thought of being here for a year. I found myself up on "K Road" in some really neat second hand shops and decided to explore the street a little further. It was quite the contrast from the city centre and at a BBQ i went to on Sunday, i found out K Road at night is the place to pick up hookers and find strip joints! I knew it had a different feel about it!! Saturday night i went with Tony to a sports bar to watch the Provincial Rugby Cup Final between Christchurch and Wellington over a few local beers. Sunday was a great day, with a visit to the local car fair to try and find me a motor to whizz around in for the next year (which was unfortunately unsuccessful) and also to a BBQ at Peter and Kellys, friends of Clare and Tony who i am staying with currently. The weather was scorching at the BBQ and within 15mins i had managed to burn my neck and feet. Apparently there is a really problem over here with a hole in the ozone so UVA and UVB get people really quickly so it's going to have to be suncream all the way from here on in! Monday i was back to Downtown to sort my bank account and see a bit more of the cityscape. I found a tattooist who is world renound and am looking to get my new design done there so am hoping to book in soon. They are booked up now till January but have a guest artist from switzerland in this week who has some space to i'm going to call them tommorrow and see about getting in.
Auckland to see what was about, get my bearings and generally have a look around. I wandered through the streets, down to the water front, up to the city parks just chilling out and taking my time. The city is really clean, with hardly any litter about anywhere and with the sun shining it actually was really nice to be in the CBD where it was buzzing with people, not something that i thought i would enjoy. I just walked with no purpose really, stopping at things that caught my eye and generally having some time to reflect on the thought of being here for a year. I found myself up on "K Road" in some really neat second hand shops and decided to explore the street a little further. It was quite the contrast from the city centre and at a BBQ i went to on Sunday, i found out K Road at night is the place to pick up hookers and find strip joints! I knew it had a different feel about it!! Saturday night i went with Tony to a sports bar to watch the Provincial Rugby Cup Final between Christchurch and Wellington over a few local beers. Sunday was a great day, with a visit to the local car fair to try and find me a motor to whizz around in for the next year (which was unfortunately unsuccessful) and also to a BBQ at Peter and Kellys, friends of Clare and Tony who i am staying with currently. The weather was scorching at the BBQ and within 15mins i had managed to burn my neck and feet. Apparently there is a really problem over here with a hole in the ozone so UVA and UVB get people really quickly so it's going to have to be suncream all the way from here on in! Monday i was back to Downtown to sort my bank account and see a bit more of the cityscape. I found a tattooist who is world renound and am looking to get my new design done there so am hoping to book in soon. They are booked up now till January but have a guest artist from switzerland in this week who has some space to i'm going to call them tommorrow and see about getting in.
I popped over to Rangitoto Island yesterday, the newest island in the Hauraki Gulf, which formed 600years ago when it erupted from the ocean. The island is managed by the Department Of Conservation and is an amazing formation of lava flows in the most perfect shield volcano which is accessed by a short ferry ride. 20mins from the city it is another world over there, there are no shops, no permanent dwellers, and the whole island is covered in vegetation. Well managed trails and signs get you around the island which is so peaceful and silent when you get onto the lesser walked trails away from the majority of the visitors. The 360 view from the summit is quite a sight... After hopping off the ferry back on the mainland i decided to walk back to Clare's to see what sights i could find and made my way through the 
Auckland Domain which is a huge greenspace just East of the CBD. Finding an immaculate plant garden i stopped off for a few pics in there before making my way to Mt Eden, the highest Volcanic cone on the mainland where another 360 view awaits summiteers. I found Mt Eden quarry too just on the slopes to the North where i am hoping to meet up with the NZ Alpine Club tonight on their weekly meet.
Auckland Domain which is a huge greenspace just East of the CBD. Finding an immaculate plant garden i stopped off for a few pics in there before making my way to Mt Eden, the highest Volcanic cone on the mainland where another 360 view awaits summiteers. I found Mt Eden quarry too just on the slopes to the North where i am hoping to meet up with the NZ Alpine Club tonight on their weekly meet.Today i have been out with Clare and 13month old Charlie for a picnic by the beach and a coffee, stopping off at a few of the sights between the house and Mission bay, our picnic destination. The weather started bright and sunny, turned windy and then rained, only to brighten up again later. New Zealanders say if you dont like the weather, just wait 10mins and it'll change, which so far has been true! Not sure on plans for the rest of the week but should be out climbing with the local club tonight, meeting a friend for beers tomorrow, and buying a car this weekend too. I'm planning to check into a backpackers hostel for a few nights to meet up with some guys too who might fancy a trip somewhere in the newly aquired beast, will let you know!
No comments:
Post a Comment