Auckland, New Zealand

Hello all my awaiting followers.

So I arrived safely Auckland, 3 days ago. That was Friday May 22 in the morning to me, but only Thursday May 21 in the afternoon to all of you. It was a long day of traveling. I had my relaxing 5 hour flight from DC to LA, only to land and nearly not be able to get my ticket to New Zealand. It turns out New Zealand has a rule that if you are not a Kiwi or and Aussie (for those of you who might not know those are New Zealanders or Australians) then you have to have written proof of leaving the country. Well, little did I realize, but the ticket information I printed out had my booking information in a color that did not print in black and white. Finally an hour later they were able to get my booking information and I had my ticket in hand.

Once I found my terminal, I made myself comfortable because I still had another 4 hours to wait for my plane to board. Well while waiting a nice man by the name of Wayne began talking with me. He was telling me all about the things to see in the South Island because he is from Christchurch. He also gave me his information, so I'm planning on visiting him when I get down there. The coolest part about him, was he was my first (hopefully of many) person I met who was actually an extra in the Lord of the Rings. He was a horse riders in the 3rd movie. I'm sure I would never see him, because he couldn't even figure out where he was in the shots, but it's still cool to know, plus, I'm a dork and Squirt and I got a photo with him.

By the time I was on the plane I was beat, so I curled up (and had plenty of room with and empty seat next to me) and slept. I woke up long enough for dinner, but then I was right back out for about 6 hours. True it was not a good nights sleep because how can you ever get comfortable on a plane, but at least I got some sleep. After, a long 13 hour plane ride, an ok dinner, a decent breakfast, the movies "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "Bolt" I was down in Auckland, NZ.

Luckily before I left I was able to get in contact with someone I met last year on my travels, Dani, who happens to live in Auckland. So I met her at the airport and was heading into town. Dani had to go to class so I went straight into the city. I was able to find out so much information about all of New Zealand I was about to explode. That first day I did quite some walking. I got to see all of the Harbor, which is massive. I saw the SkyTower, which is kind of THE touristy thing to do, but I don't really care to go up it. I've seen some other better sights of the city. Then I took a walk out to the Harbor Bridge. Big mistake. That was about a 3 mile walk and after a whole day of walking and little sleep and then it started to rain, but I was at least able to find a shuttle back.

That night I tried to get back to Dani's however, I forgot where she left. I know I know, I should have written down her address, but I was tired, and it had been early and I was really antsy to get started. So....Oops.... Well after walking around in the dark for about an hour, and really having to go to the bathroom (or as kiwi's who are blunt say, they have to go to the toilette), I went back to the train and planned on just booking a room at a hostel for the night. I got all the way to the hostel, when I finally got a call from Dani. She was so concerned, but was able to send Kris, her boyfriend, out to get me. I felt bad, but was really glad she did that.

May 23

The next day, Dani, Kris and I went out to the west coast. They took me out to all of the lookout points so I could see the whole city. They also took me to see, to them, just an ordinary waterfall. To me this thing was gorgeous. We then went out one of their most famous beaches Pani, which also, is one of their most dangerous, but only if you are surfing. It was way too cold to even think about surfing.

May 24

My third day in Auckland I did the coast to coast walk. It is a 16km walk that goes from one side of the city, to the other, while hitting all of the main points, which is mainly parks. 16km doesn't seem to bad on paper, but when most of it is up hill, well.... But, Kris dropped me off at really what is the end, so I could end up in the city. I went through a few parks, but the first big one I got to was "One Tree Hill". Yes I know, sounds just like that tv show that was out at some point. Well, as I said everything was up hill, so of course this was up hill, and I mean a huge hill. You have to keep in mind the North Island is full of Volcanoes so that should give an idea of the type of hills there are. I loved this hill though, because they had a mini version of the Washington Monument at the top. Of course it wasn't a mini of our monument, but that's what it looked like.

On the other side of the hill was a park where people were actually playing cricket. It was so cute. People actually do that here. I pushed on through the rest of the park to yet another park, where there was actually some kind of Indian event, so I decided not to stop there for lunch. Although, I'm sure I could have fit in and just grabbed a plate and start eating there food. I mean I look Indian right...?? Yeah that's what I thought, so I moved on to the Auckland University to eat. Of course, just as I sat down to eat it began raining. This kind of put a damper on the day.

So, once I was done eating, I was tired, cold, but full. I didn't want to throw in the rag yet, because I still had the volcano, Mt. Eden, to come. Of course in my journey to find the volcano I got lost, then found myself, then lost again and one last time. It really is quite tiring to get lost so many times going up hill after walking straight for 5 hours. Eventually though I found myself at the base of about 100 stairs that led straight up to the summit of the volcano. Let me tell you, even though it was a long hike, and it was cold, and the volcano has been in active for I don't know how long, it was so worth it. It's just crazy to see this huge crater at the top of this mountain, knowing what's under it.

Mt. Eden was just about the end of my trip. I made it just a little further to the Auckland Museum where I decided I needed to call Kris. I had been walking for over 6 hours and probably made it about 13km, and it was getting dark, and even wetter. It was time to get a warm shower. Plus, I had an early morning a head of me.

May 25

This morning, today, I got up early because I had an appointment. I went into town, caught a shuttle, and paid for my adventure. I got all strapped up and walked out on the Harbor Bridge. I got strapped up even more, then I jumped off the bridge. Yep, if you are reading this correctly then you should have understood that I bungee jumped off the Harbor Bridge. Best part was, they had a special, so not only did I get to jump off the normal way, but then I got to get strapped back up and jump right back off only this time, I got to run off and free fall for about 3 secs. Talk about a wake up call. It was so fantastic, I wish I could do it again. I promise, there will be photos and I even have a DVD.

Well, I would say that's a pretty good way to wrap this up. Tomorrow, I will be moving on to Rotorua, where I plan on getting a nice warm mud bath, and watching a Maori (the natives) show, and go zorbing. From there I will get to Hobbiton, then go to Waitomo, where I plan on going black water rafting, and see the glow worms. I miss you all!!!

From Auckland, NZ,

Cheers!!