My first night at the hostel was a pretty restful one - considering I’m not used to sleeping in a room with a bunch of strangers (only strange Jay : ). At around 6 a.m. or so though, I lay awake as I listen to the German rustling around in the top bunk over - then, the paranoia starts to creep in again. Is he rooting through his bag for his machete to chop us into bits? Will he kill us and eat us? Or will he eat us and then kill us?!! I decide that my brain is making no sense, tell it to shut the hell up and fall back to sleep. It appears that English girl #1 took off in the wee hours of the morning (or p'raps the German has already gotten ahold of her?). Jay and I eventually get up at around 8 a.m., and, like you would after a full day’s travel, go for a run around the harbour front. Back at the hostel, we stroll downstairs for cereal, toast and juice, hit the showers, then back downtown again. Today is a holiday and it seems everyone is out enjoying the sun. Today is actually the last day of Auckland Anniversary Weekend - which is celebrating the city’s 172nd birthday - and there’s a flurry of activity happening around the waterfront. Jay and I meander around a bit, and when the heat becomes a bit too much, we duck into Valentino’s Gelato for another cool treat, then head back outside as several planes perform swoops and dives above us during an airshow. We take in some more buskers - a flute player adorned in Native American attire complete with feathers and headgear; as well as the Blingling Bro’s, “the world’s first all Maori circus: Cirque du Bro’leil!” As the bros get ready for their next trick, they urge the crowd to count them down in Maori and everyone yells at the top of their lungs, “WHA (4), TORU (3), RUA (2), TAHI (1)!” Together, their voices sound so powerful and proud. I love New Zealand and this culture!
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| From Shared New Zealand Album 1 |
Click the image below to watch the video:
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| From Shared New Zealand Album 1 |
Eventually, Jay and I tear ourselves away and head closer to the water, where the Auckland Anniversary Weekend Regatta (apparently, the biggest regatta in the Southern Hemisphere) is happening. Of course, I think of the regatta back home and how cool it is that here, on the other side of the world, they have a similar tradition. One difference though - here, a drummer sits at the front of the shell and pounds out a steady beat, which, I assume, helps the rowers stay in sync with one another.
Click the image below to watch the video:
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| From Shared New Zealand Album 1 |
We stroll around some more and then take a break on a bench and watch the pigeons, seagulls and guys cleaning the boats. The Auckland Seafood Festival is happening at the other side of the harbour, so there's droves of people everywhere we turn. After a while, our rumbly tummies get the better of us, and we head away from the water and towards Food Alley - one of the most renown (and cheap, which is important when you're on a backpacker's budget) of the delicious food courts - where Jay noshes on curry, and I on an awesome sizzling chicken platter. Unlike the food court at the mall at home, here, you take a number and the food is served to you - and the people clean up after you. Another awesome thing about NZ is that there's no tipping - so your dollar really does go a long way. Also, the tax is included in the price - so what you see is what you pay. Woot! The food court's doors are flung wide open - as they are in all the shops, restaurants and malls around here - and tiny birds swoop in, perch on the tables and nibble on people's leftovers. Ahhhh…dining with nature. Nothing like it!
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| From Shared New Zealand Album 1 |
After Jay and I are filled to the gills, we wander around the city some more, take in the sights, and eventually, share a mango juice box with good ol' Lord Auckland. We're sweaty and happy. I still can't believe that it's the end of freakin' January and here we are, in our sandals and shorts, strolling around the streets - sans snow! I have always been in Newfoundland (or at least Atlantic Canada) during this time of year. Now, I can appreciate a little more why people head to places like Cuba to get a bit of a reprieve from Ol' Man Winter.
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| From Shared New Zealand Album 1 |
Later, we head back to the hostel where we find Chris packing up and getting ready to leave to visit friends. Before she goes, we have a quick chat and wish each other safe journeys. Later in the evening we chat with our new roommate, a girl from China, and as she heads out the door, Jay and I pass out again at around 9 or so. It's been quite the eventful first couple of days here in the city. Goodnight Auckland - and happy birthday. I'm so happy that we're here to celebrate with you!
To see more pictures and video, click here.
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