Kia Ora from Kiwi-land. Everyone here (and everything) says Kia Ora, which means hello, or welcome. It's quite poetic sounding and I am adopting it most readily (that and the occasional 'mate' at the end of my sentences!). The first observation that Syd and I had about New Zealanders (or Kiwis as they are most known) is that they are not only super nice, but cool! Our stewardesses were so laid back and helpful, and everyone we have encountered since has been the same way!
We landed in Auckland at 5 in the morning and after customs etc we got to our hostel at 7am. I can't remember the last time I was ever up and about in a city at that time...how about never!
Once we dropped off our bags in the luggage room and left the hostel to realise the stores weren't even open yet, we had the rare occasion to say, okay, NOW what do we do? So, we did what any new traveller does, grabbed coffees to go, and went out to the pier and had a relaxing read of the paper while overlooking the bridge and ships in the harbour. That's normal right? The weather was a bit cloudy, but mostly sunny, and by 8 am it was already 22 Celsius - that means we have fab weather to look forward to. Sweet! It was also a very nice harbour indeed, with many massive charter yachts and sailing vessels most likely used in competitions like the regatta to be held here at the end of the month.
Since it was still too early before the shops opened we walked up to Albert park and chilled some more under the coolest old gnarly trees - ones that you would never see in Canada (well I haven't anyway!).
After a bit of shopping and some sushi lunch on a park bench, we finally checked into our hostel (Nomad's Fat Camel Hostel on Fort St). They were like a one stop shop, not only could we stay there, eat there (with free evening meals) and drink there (with happy hours), but we could also rent bikes for the day! So we did. By 2:30 we were on the saddle and riding east from the pier out to mission bay beach, which is basically the local beach for Aucklanders. The ride was coastal, and sooo pretty. We found a great picture spot that overlooked the city in the distance...kind of reminds us of similar shots we have of our own similar Canadian city...
It was quite the trek to the beach and a lot further than it looks on the map! Great little city beach though with lots of groups of young people from all countries, and some families too - playing frisbee in the surf and the sand, and the grass too! We actually also saw a group of 4 guys (aka thugs) playing poker on the grassy part of the beach at their own poker table and chairs, next to an old sofa that they also trucked there! I would have gotten a picture of this absurd site but didn't want to get beat up. ;o)
We took a wee dip in the green ocean but it was a bit too cold for us to enjoy thoroughly. I didn't bargain on the seashell bottom, but I'm sure my feet are happy for the exfoliation. I was a little miffed to not have a proper beach towel and had hoped to pick one up from a beach shop near the beach but no such shop existed. I thought that was the weirdest thing ever (or stupidity in Auckland's marketing) to miss this gold mine opportunity, but then Syd said maybe there are regulations against such shops, and I guess that makes sense. The ride home was frickin windy so we definitely got a workout.
Later on we enjoyed our hostel bar happy hour and played a round of billiards before calling it an early night. We somehow managed to lose Thursday entirely due to the international dateline and 14 hr flight, but we were content that we made the most of our chill Friday in Auckland.
Astrid.
No comments:
Post a Comment