Rainy Auckland

I’m backed up  a few days on posting what has happened to me recently. I’ll start with the second plane ride.

I sat next to a nice New Zealand man named Cory. He lived in Auckland New Zealand. We chatted awhile about his business trip to China, and about my travels and plans for the future.  Eventually after the flight was off the ground and hovering at 37,000 feet we both decided to take a break and watch a movie. I watched the hangover two, and ironically so did he, except he was about 2 minutes ahead of me, so I knew something funny was coming because I saw him laugh.

After the movie we ate dinner, and had some tea. I can’t remember what dinner I had but it did have rice in it. While we were eating Cory offered me a ride to my hostel which I gladly accepted. We chatted a little until I fell asleep for a little. It was after all like 3 in the morning my time. I can’t remember much of the rest of the plane ride. I had some breakfast thing  (it was an oriental dish) watched most of Cars 2, wished myself happy birthday and slept.

When we got off the plane we agreed to meet at the baggage claim area because he had to get something at Duty Free. We departed and while I was walking to baggage claim I bought a sim card at a store, so I could have a cell number.  Ironically enough he was there also there at the same register. It was there that he invited me to stay at his house! He said his wife, Nicki, and him would be glad to have me stay over the night and have a good birthday dinner! I was in awe. I gladly accepted.

Fast-foreward a bunch and I’m in his living room skyping my mom telling her I had a good trip. Cory took me to see around Auckland, and watch his son play squash. We watched some rugby, which I can now say I understand. Kinda. For dinner we had some salad, pork and chicken with stuffing and roast potatoes. IT WAS AMAZING. I cannot tell you how great it felt to have a nice bed for a nap, a hot shower to relax, and a delicious meal after a 24 hour plan ride. Their kids, Jake and Connor were just as kind. It was a GREAT way to start my trip. We also had a DELICIOUS dessert. It was ginger bread with some merengue like topping with raspberries and custard. ROCKED.

After going to sleep in a food coma and with a food baby I woke the next day to delicious porridge or oatmeal as Americans call it. I took the train to Auckland and then the bus to my hostel. It checked in then went off on an adventure. I had some Korean food for lunch and walked to the Auckland Museum.

MASSIVE CANOE

Maori house. The Maori are the indigenous people to NZ. 

This cool archway guarding against spirits. 

HUGE tree outside Museum.

I tried to go the the Auckland Art show but got to it just as it closed. Then I decided I’d check out the Sky tower. Got to it to find that it was totally covered in the overcast clouds. Then I decided to go to the Viaduct Basin which apparently has some cool bars. It started to pour when I got to it, so I ended up just taking the bus back to the hostel. The hostel wasn’t very friendly, but I did make friends with a Scottish guy who I played pool with. He told me that it was abnormal to have such a unfriendly hostel. I grabbed at late dinner after the rain stopped then hit the sack! It was a disappointing day, mostly because of the rain. But hopefully when I come back through It’ll be nicer and I’ll be able to explore more!  

Turkish Kabob. Yummm