Thursday, July 30, 2009
NZ Signs
I don't know why I'm obsessed with taking pictures of signs. But I am. They strike me as funny, I guess.
the right of way
In NZ pedestrians do NOT have the right of way. People stop and wait for cars. Cars do not wait for people. It seems like they would definitely run you down. And they drive on the other side of the street. It's a little confusing for me, so I always wait for the green little man to tell me when to go.
Also, they have TV's on the bus and it's usually on MTV and there are no commercials.
And they don't have those big guard rail fences on their overpasses. I guess suicide must not be much of an issue. Don't know.
Also, they have TV's on the bus and it's usually on MTV and there are no commercials.
And they don't have those big guard rail fences on their overpasses. I guess suicide must not be much of an issue. Don't know.
The Auckland Museum
The Auckland Museum was cool. I walked there, and of course I usually have to get lost (ie. walk in the absolute opposite direction) at least twice before I find what I'm looking for. But with no real schedule or place to be, I think it's better that way anyway. You see twice as much and burn more calories, lol.
The Auckland Museum was free or just a donation and it had some Maori stuff and some Natural History stuff and some other stuff too. I learned things. It was rad.
The Auckland Museum was free or just a donation and it had some Maori stuff and some Natural History stuff and some other stuff too. I learned things. It was rad.
being made redundant
So New Zealand has a lot of economic problems right now too. And guess what they called getting laid off here... being "made redundant". Doesn't that just sound horrible? They'll say things like, "My girlfriend was made redundant last April so she got a visa to go work in Ireland". Oh yeah, cause I'm sure there are tons of good jobs in Ireland right now too, right? Yikes.
meeting up with Kelley
So I've checked out of the Langham and re-joined the real world. I must admit the last few days have been quite the posh experience and I’m feeling thoroughly spoiled. I’m glad I got to share it with Kelley last night. She had just flown in from LA yesterday morning and after a little unpacking at her place and dinner in Ponsonby we came back to the Langham and took advantage of the hot tub/pool/sauna. It was fabulous, to say the least.
And this morning Kelley’s housemate Bianca came by to hit up the facilities before I checked out and she was sweet enough to take my luggage back to her place, so I don’t have to take a cab or drag it over there on the bus.
Kelley said she’s sorry I have to leave the Langham to come stay at her place, but that’s just plain crazy! Kelley lives in a super cute little house in Ponsonby with 2 German housemates and she just moved into a new room that is really big and beautiful.
I’m not in the least bit worried about staying with her, except for the fact that there is also a dog and a cat in the house and I’m allergic. But whatever, I’ve got plenty of pills for that. On this trip, I’ve got a little pill for everything, in fact. teehee. I am a firm believer in self medicating. “I got it from my mama.”
And besides staying with Kel for a couple days will be a very good transition from the Langham into hostel life, which will be my reality once I leave Auckland. Well, until I meet up with Brandon in Wellington, that is. Yay! Excited for that. Love my friends!
Kelley said that starting today I will get to experience “real life” in New Zealand. She said the Langham isn’t it. Fair enough. I’m ready.
All it really means to me so far is no central heat, which seems to be the case with most houses in New Zealand. I think that sometimes it feels colder inside the house than it does outside, which is just crazy to me. Someone told me, Brandon probably, that they didn’t start putting centralized heating in homes in New Zealand until 1992. Not only is there no heat, but there is zero insulation. None. How insane is that?!
The weather here has been pretty nice so far. It kind of reminds me of San Francisco, a little rainy a little sunny and not too cold.
Auckland seems like a really clean city and you can understand how New Zealand got it’s reputation for being such a green/pristine place. And yet, when I asked someone where I should throw my plastic water bottle so that it could be recycled, they looked at me like I was nuts and told me that they don’t recycle. It was my turn to look at them like they were nuts. How can they NOT recycle?!
Bianca explained to me that they do recycle here, just not in public places, which seems strange. But I guess that’s the way it is in parts of California too, like in the Central Valley, which also just so happens to be one of the most polluted places in the US.
It blows my freaking mind that in the year 2009, when we are perfectly aware that we are destroying our environment, people still don’t really give a shit. If it costs money or takes extra effort, people can’t be bothered to do the right thing. Bianca was also telling me that here in NZ there has been a recent shift in government, and apparently one of their first official acts was to cut funding for educations programs in schools that taught about recycling and saving the environment. To me that is just like saying, “fuck the future, it’s not worth the current investment.”
Really?! Well, good luck with that.
Hope they don’t go the way of the Central Valley.
And this morning Kelley’s housemate Bianca came by to hit up the facilities before I checked out and she was sweet enough to take my luggage back to her place, so I don’t have to take a cab or drag it over there on the bus.
Kelley said she’s sorry I have to leave the Langham to come stay at her place, but that’s just plain crazy! Kelley lives in a super cute little house in Ponsonby with 2 German housemates and she just moved into a new room that is really big and beautiful.
I’m not in the least bit worried about staying with her, except for the fact that there is also a dog and a cat in the house and I’m allergic. But whatever, I’ve got plenty of pills for that. On this trip, I’ve got a little pill for everything, in fact. teehee. I am a firm believer in self medicating. “I got it from my mama.”
And besides staying with Kel for a couple days will be a very good transition from the Langham into hostel life, which will be my reality once I leave Auckland. Well, until I meet up with Brandon in Wellington, that is. Yay! Excited for that. Love my friends!
Kelley said that starting today I will get to experience “real life” in New Zealand. She said the Langham isn’t it. Fair enough. I’m ready.
All it really means to me so far is no central heat, which seems to be the case with most houses in New Zealand. I think that sometimes it feels colder inside the house than it does outside, which is just crazy to me. Someone told me, Brandon probably, that they didn’t start putting centralized heating in homes in New Zealand until 1992. Not only is there no heat, but there is zero insulation. None. How insane is that?!
The weather here has been pretty nice so far. It kind of reminds me of San Francisco, a little rainy a little sunny and not too cold.
Auckland seems like a really clean city and you can understand how New Zealand got it’s reputation for being such a green/pristine place. And yet, when I asked someone where I should throw my plastic water bottle so that it could be recycled, they looked at me like I was nuts and told me that they don’t recycle. It was my turn to look at them like they were nuts. How can they NOT recycle?!
Bianca explained to me that they do recycle here, just not in public places, which seems strange. But I guess that’s the way it is in parts of California too, like in the Central Valley, which also just so happens to be one of the most polluted places in the US.
It blows my freaking mind that in the year 2009, when we are perfectly aware that we are destroying our environment, people still don’t really give a shit. If it costs money or takes extra effort, people can’t be bothered to do the right thing. Bianca was also telling me that here in NZ there has been a recent shift in government, and apparently one of their first official acts was to cut funding for educations programs in schools that taught about recycling and saving the environment. To me that is just like saying, “fuck the future, it’s not worth the current investment.”
Really?! Well, good luck with that.
Hope they don’t go the way of the Central Valley.
so basically, I work for the classiest company everrrr
Their marketing campaigns really resonate with our key demographic.
Inside of this Around the World Brochure are a bunch of set around the world itineraries with names like: "Miss Behave" that goes to San Francisco, Dublin and Tokyo, or "Miss Fit" that goes to LA, Miami, London, Amsterdam, Dar Es Salaam and Hong Kong or my favorite, "Miss Guided" that goes to LA, Guatemala, San Jose, Panama City, London, Vienna, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangkok. And Kelley said that people actually call and say "Hi, I want to get that Miss Behavin' thing."
But it is nice to have an instant set of friends where ever you go.
And I've met some of my favorite people on the planet through work.
So you know... I'm not complaining. I'm just sayin'.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What's good in AKL
It's a very walkable city. I like that.
And it's got some flavor.
I've already come across plenty of reminders of home.
The food is good.
And it often comes with free wifi.
STA Travel is everywhere and in true form.
And they have really good cider and fun pub quiz nights.
sweet.
And it's got some flavor.
I've already come across plenty of reminders of home.
The food is good.
And it often comes with free wifi.
STA Travel is everywhere and in true form.
And they have really good cider and fun pub quiz nights.
sweet.
The Langham Hotel in Auckland
First of all... don't hate.
I'm spending the majority of this trip in hostels and on friend's couches and getting here was like a 24 hour ordeal and so I wanted somewhere nice to crash for my first few days in Auckland. I asked Carley, who lived here for like 8 months, where the best hotel in town is and she recommended The Langham. She said it's where all the famous people stay when they are in town, so I naturally I took up residence :)
There was even a French Press in my room.
And the Langham boasts the nicest Spa in town.
In between the snail shower, wet sauna and dry sauna you are supposed to rub this shaved ice all over your body to stimulate your metabolism.
And the hot tub and pool were super fabulous.
I almost feel guilty.
Almost.
I'm spending the majority of this trip in hostels and on friend's couches and getting here was like a 24 hour ordeal and so I wanted somewhere nice to crash for my first few days in Auckland. I asked Carley, who lived here for like 8 months, where the best hotel in town is and she recommended The Langham. She said it's where all the famous people stay when they are in town, so I naturally I took up residence :)
There was even a French Press in my room.
And the Langham boasts the nicest Spa in town.
In between the snail shower, wet sauna and dry sauna you are supposed to rub this shaved ice all over your body to stimulate your metabolism.
And the hot tub and pool were super fabulous.
I almost feel guilty.
Almost.
The Auckland Airport
I landed at Auckland airport after a hellish flight and this was the crazy entrance to baggage claim.
After negotiating the price of my airport shuttle, I got some coffee from this lil retro spot right out in front of the departure terminal.
I asked if I could get a vanilla latte and the guy said sure. Then I asked if I could get it with non-fat milk and he looked at me a little crazy, and said that all he had was super low fat milk, which I said was fine. Then this middle aged lady next to me said, "Honey, you do NOT need to worry about non-fat!"
After negotiating the price of my airport shuttle, I got some coffee from this lil retro spot right out in front of the departure terminal.
I asked if I could get a vanilla latte and the guy said sure. Then I asked if I could get it with non-fat milk and he looked at me a little crazy, and said that all he had was super low fat milk, which I said was fine. Then this middle aged lady next to me said, "Honey, you do NOT need to worry about non-fat!"
Monday, July 27, 2009
Made it to Auckland... Finally!
Both my AA flight from SFO - LAX and my Qantas flight from LAX - AKL were delayed and I think it took over 24 hours total to get here.
The QF flight from LA to AKL was full, but thankfully I had a good seat. The food they served was terrible, but the snack pack and hot chocolate almost made up for it. I slept and didn't watch any movies or anything, but I still felt like a total wreck when I got off the plane.
And because I brought hiking shoes I had to go through some extra lines and customs evaluations. They are really strict here and want to make sure you aren't bringing anything crazy onto their lil island, messing up their "way of life".
As I was exiting the airport in a daze, this shuttle driver tried to get me to take his shuttle into town. But I told him $30 was way to expensive and I was trying to take the bus, so he told me "special price for you my friend" and took me to my hotel for the same price as the bus. It was sweet. And then I got to my hotel and it is freakin' amazing! It's so beautiful. And of course I managed to get a complimentary room upgrade, cause that's how I roll :)
My room is gorgeous. I couldn't be more thrilled. Although the only thing I've done so far is sleep for 8 hours, have dinner and a cocktail and write this blog update. Oh well.
Tomorrow is a new day. I plan to maybe go for a run and wander around town a bit. And then definitely going to hit up the spa/sauna/jacuzzi/pool/gym. And I don't know... maybe sleep some more.
I was so stressed and busy before I left San Francisco, that having these 2 days to myself in Auckland is like the best thing ever. I'm so thankful for everything, and there are moments when I can't believe that this is really my life!
I took some pics, but I don't feel like paying $9.95NZD per hour for wifi to upload them, so you'll get to see those later.
<3!
The QF flight from LA to AKL was full, but thankfully I had a good seat. The food they served was terrible, but the snack pack and hot chocolate almost made up for it. I slept and didn't watch any movies or anything, but I still felt like a total wreck when I got off the plane.
And because I brought hiking shoes I had to go through some extra lines and customs evaluations. They are really strict here and want to make sure you aren't bringing anything crazy onto their lil island, messing up their "way of life".
As I was exiting the airport in a daze, this shuttle driver tried to get me to take his shuttle into town. But I told him $30 was way to expensive and I was trying to take the bus, so he told me "special price for you my friend" and took me to my hotel for the same price as the bus. It was sweet. And then I got to my hotel and it is freakin' amazing! It's so beautiful. And of course I managed to get a complimentary room upgrade, cause that's how I roll :)
My room is gorgeous. I couldn't be more thrilled. Although the only thing I've done so far is sleep for 8 hours, have dinner and a cocktail and write this blog update. Oh well.
Tomorrow is a new day. I plan to maybe go for a run and wander around town a bit. And then definitely going to hit up the spa/sauna/jacuzzi/pool/gym. And I don't know... maybe sleep some more.
I was so stressed and busy before I left San Francisco, that having these 2 days to myself in Auckland is like the best thing ever. I'm so thankful for everything, and there are moments when I can't believe that this is really my life!
I took some pics, but I don't feel like paying $9.95NZD per hour for wifi to upload them, so you'll get to see those later.
<3!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Leaving for New Zealand TOMORROW!
It's been almost a year since I've been out of the country, and I'm so jonesing for a vacation! I've been really busy lately and although I have a New Zealand guide book (that I got from Lonely Planet for Free at Caltopia 2 years ago, because I knew I really wanted to go there) I have yet to actually open the book. I haven't done much research. I've only booked my first two nights and my last 5 in Queenstown. Everything in between will just sort itself out as I go along. (hopefully!) This is the first time I've travelled this way. Usually, I research and plan. But that's ok. I think it's good for me :)
I do have an idea of my itinerary, though.
It's going to go something like this:
LA (hang out with Gus for a couple hours and finally get to see his new place)
Auckland for 5 days (staying with Kelly for part of the time)
Whitanga
Rotorua
Waitomo
Taupo (snowboarding)
River Valley
Wellington (staying with Brandon, partying with some dubstep people, FUN!)
Nelson?
West Port?
Mahinapua
Franz Joseph (glacier hiking)
Wanaka (snowboarding)
Queenstown (snowboarding)
Yay.. super excited!
I'm going to try to post updates and pics if I can, so stay tuned.
<3!
I do have an idea of my itinerary, though.
It's going to go something like this:
LA (hang out with Gus for a couple hours and finally get to see his new place)
Auckland for 5 days (staying with Kelly for part of the time)
Whitanga
Rotorua
Waitomo
Taupo (snowboarding)
River Valley
Wellington (staying with Brandon, partying with some dubstep people, FUN!)
Nelson?
West Port?
Mahinapua
Franz Joseph (glacier hiking)
Wanaka (snowboarding)
Queenstown (snowboarding)
Yay.. super excited!
I'm going to try to post updates and pics if I can, so stay tuned.
<3!
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