Plane ride-A window seat, great. This means I have to wait to take a piss until the two sitting next to me wake up, either that or I can try to climb over them. I can't wake them, I know I should, but that's just too awkward. The whole pee situation worries me for the first hour or so into the flight, but I manage to get them to move once for me and they seem rather understanding about it so I'm able to relax. This is going to be a great flight.
O.H. N.O. SHE DIDN'T.
The old lady next to me turns off my TV screen as I try to dose off...that bitch. I need the chatter from the TV show to fall asleep peacefully and it helps me ignore those thoughts about the plane crashing. I pretend to still sleep and peek over at her the first chance I get. She looks like she's sleeping so I turn my tv back on. What the fuck was that? Don't touch my shit. I hope we won't be going through this for the next 9 hours of sitting next to each other. Fortunately she sleeps for most of the 15 hour flight. Actually, overall she was okay. She shut down the guy next to her immediately as he tried to make small talk. That was sort of amusing to see even though I did feel bad for the guy.
As for me, I shutter awake at least once every hour. The sleeping pills I have taken are working but my mind thinks that if I'm awake the plane won't crash. It's a tug of war between an exhausted body and a mind that just won't shut the hell up about dying. I jerk and twitch awake almost every hour on the hour. I'm pretty sure I look like a spastic freak. I continually check to see if my neighbors are awake and if they have seen my body flailing in uncontrollable action. Their eyes are closed so they are either asleep or just pretending to be so that this isn't awkward.
Flying into Sydney is lovely, it's 6:30 in the morning and the sun is just rising. It's pretty amazing view. I foolishly think the New Zealand landing will be the same and opt not to take out my camcorder to record the sun spectacularly rising over the ocean. I'm sure Auckland will have just as stunning views from above.
Rebecca comes back after visiting another friend. She takes us to what I think is called Mariwai beach. It's rather stunning, and I'm able to take some good pictures. I'm glad I can post them just to say F-u biotches look where I am, and you aren't! We all know that that's half the fun of vacation photos anyway. The beach is cold so we leave, the pictures will not show that though. I'm happy.
Auckland is overcast and rainy. I can't see shit from the plane. I record our landing anyway, hating myself for hesitating and not having just filmed Sydney. I decide that on this trip when in doubt I am just going to go for it. Whatever I want to do, I'm going to do. This is my trip, one that marks the beginning and end of many things. I've worked and saved for this, so now I'm going to do what I've always wanted to do and make this trip all about my own needs throwing any fear, embarrassment or hesitation out the window...well probably.
Sat- Auckland. Rebecca successfully picks me up from the airport, thank the lord. I've officially spent 24 hours in either an airport or plane. I really want a shower, I feel I may stink. In fact, it's probably a given that I do stink. Before my shower though, we make a few quick stops and then get a drink and some food at a local pub. My chicken burger has some warm gooey sauce and my beer is crisp. I would make out with my burger if it was a person. I love New Zealand already even if it is cold and rainy.
I unstink at Rebecca's and then we eat some Asian fusion food at Moonsoon Poon, a hip spot down near the viaduct. I think to myself, "Do viaducts really exist?" They do. I'm just glad Asians are embraced here as well. We head off to do some drinking. At this point I'm working off very little sleep, but I tell Rebecca I'll pull through. We drink at a place called Pasha which I later find out is a suggested hot spot by Lonely Planet. It reminds me of douche bag bars in the Marina in SF or Marina Del Rey in LA. What is it about places near water and douche bags? It makes me doubt Lonely Planet, although the cocktails are damn good. Just ask what they recommend and they'll hook you up right. Rebecca gets hit on by a little guy whom I'm pretty sure just turned 18, the legal drinking age in NZ. He's sweet, but jesus the youth just drips off his ever smiling face. It's no matter, she's engaged anyway. We smoke hookah and drink. I feel really guilty for not tipping our waitress who has been nothing but attentive. I'm used to shitty service when the waiters know they will not be tipped, but this girl is nice and on top of getting us new drinks. It throws me off guard so Rebecca and I discuss how I should give her a tip in this situation. You can't just leave the money on the table because someone will take it as they won't know it's a tip. I could hand it to her, but that would require buying another drink and at this point jet lag kicks in and I'm tired. My other option would be to hand it to her without buying a drink, and for some reason I associate this with buying a prostitute or drugs. I just can't do it, and I still am not clear on whether tipping is just a really really stupid thing to do in this country. At this point I'm too tired to care, so I just forget about the whole thing. It's a good thing a good half hour has been wasted on this pointless dilemma.
I become even more tired and I tell Rebecca I can't pull through. Thank god she doesn't give me shit and wants to go home too. It's been a long day for us both. Earlier that day we went to Mt. Eden, it's a motherfing volcano yo! We also went to a place called One Tree Hill where all I could think of is the TV show. It made me angry and sad at the time. Fuck the WB or CW or whatever the hell it's called now. You ruined something cool, and P.S. take the show off the air already. I accidentally caught what I think was 2 minutes of it. Two people get shot only after telling each other they love one another (of course) by a waify looking girl. The gun was thicker than her arm. It felt a bit contrived. You think?
Sunday roles around and I head for another friend's place at a University in Albany, Auckland's North Shore. Rebecca is nice enough to drive me there, which is a good thing because there is no way I would have been able to find this place on my own. It's only about a block away from the main road but the place is dark and it's surrounded by a plethora of trees along with a little river. It feels like it's in the middle of nowhere. Naturally, being a woman from America my first thought is that one could definitely get murdered here.
I'm excited to see Eric and he looks good, but I knew he would. We walk to the local mall to grab some food. I try a lamb burger, at a kebab shop...um it's interesting. The belly is full so we go to PacNSave to do some food shopping. He uses me as a mule and buys a ton of shit. We haul it from the supermarket back to his place right as it begins to rain. I discover very quickly that walking will be my new best friend whether rain or shine.
Rebecca comes back after visiting another friend. She takes us to what I think is called Mariwai beach. It's rather stunning, and I'm able to take some good pictures. I'm glad I can post them just to say F-u biotches look where I am, and you aren't! We all know that that's half the fun of vacation photos anyway. The beach is cold so we leave, the pictures will not show that though. I'm happy.Monday-Eric and I go to the Auckland museum. We walk around amazed that there are not security guards in every room, not that we messed with anything anyway we weren't supposed to. I just liked that level of trust. We take many more photos posing so that they will be post worthy. This is what having a gay best friend will do. The museum is awesome and definitely a must for anyone who goes to Auckland. We tire ourselves out there and then head off to Sky Tower, and oh it is quite nice. It's so high and overlooks all of the city with a 360 degree view. We get a drink in the Sky Observatory, take in the city so small beneath us, and have some laughs. I order a Manhattan and while it's not exactly the best I've ever had, it's so big that I don't really care. I don't tip her for making it and I look to see if she cares. No, she's still smiling. Alright, alright, I could get used to this.
Sky Tower has a casino in it which I'm dying to go to. Gambling is legal in NZ everywhere so long as the establishment has a license. They may change this though, since apparently some people have some addictions they cannot handle. According to New Zealanders these people are Asians, no really. Anyway, I need to make sure I have money for the trip so I decide better not to go blow it all on black jack, even if I'm pretty sure I'll come out ahead. We catch a bus and head back to Albany. We stop for some Indian food (like the country), and it's freaking good. A creamy piping hot lamb curry after a long day of walking in the cold is as good as seeing Zac Efron walking around without a shirt talking about how much he likes to dance. It's good. Who knew New Zealand would have such good curry? WHO?
Tuesday- It's filled with excitement as I go to Rangitoto, one of the many islands of the Auckland region called the Hauraki Gulf Islands. I meet a very nice Indian (like the country) family on the ferry over. They are from Ca. as well. One of the daughters goes to UCI. I'm wearing a UCI sweatshirt, and so we strike up a conversation. It's nice to talk with them, for a moment I feel like an adopted family member. Both the parents seem protective of me already, giving me travel tips and advice about the country. The Mother and I talk about her childhood in Fiji and then in the United States. I feel a bit strange as I am really interested in everything she is saying, this small talk, the kind I usually hate, is comforting. They seem like a genuinely happy family, and I get a twinge of pain as I wish my family was here. We get to the island and I feel awkward. I don't want to seem like a stalker by following them, but there aren't really too many places to go. So I have to follow them for a bit as we make our way towards the top. The Fullers agent in Auckland neglected to tell me there was a way to buy a ticket on a "train" to the top. The family says I should take the train up with them, so I inquire with the train driver and we get to the deal where I will get driven to the top and then hike back down. This is only ten bucks. I don't have anything smaller than a twenty and he doesn't have change so he says just to pretend like I paid. Why are New Zealanders so cool? The "train" is more of a tractor with a hitched on passenger thing on the back, but I'd ride on anything not to have to hike up the damn volcano.
We make it to the top and see some stunning views, but I begin to hike back down alone. The trail is well marked and I feel comfortable by myself. Hiking on volcanoes isn't exactly my thing, but this feels good, I feel adventurous. I see a sign for the Lava caves, and although I only have an hour before the last ferry leaves I know I need to see these damn caves or I will regret it. I practically run to them.
Hmm the caves are pretty dark. I go half way through one and I can't see anything on the ground. I think of Rear Window and try to utilize my camera's flash to help me out, but the light doesn't last long enough for me to actually see where I'm going. I imagine breaking my ankle and decide that there is a difference between adventurous and stupid, so I turn back towards the light. On the way down I picture telling the Indian family that it was nice to meet them on the ferry back. This becomes an important issue as I don't want to seem rude or like our time together wasn't in some way meaningful. I don't sit next to them on the ferry however, as they sit on the top deck and I'm freezing my "balls" off so I sit inside. I don't see them on the dock and so I never get to tell them, although I would have truly meant it.
Wed-Eric and I start the morning off by going to Long Bay Beach. It's deserted, and again beautiful. Kids are learning how to sail. I hate them. It's only because I'm jealous, I wish I had had that chance, lucky little bastards. We walk and walk coming to Granny's trail which leads us to the grassy cliffs above the ocean next to "wild" cows. Well, they are technically in a farm, but this is the closest I have ever been to them outside a petting zoo or some weird school field trip.
We enjoy some apples and decide that since they are biodegradable we can throw them on the path. We laugh about an apple tree growing up near the beach. This of course will not happen, but it'd be funny.
For the 2nd half of the day I meet Rebecca for dinner. We go to Galbraith's, a local pub which I later find out used to be a library and is known to beer connoisseurs. This makes sense as the beer is excellent. I eat some excellent steak and think Rebecca ordered the rabbit, but find out it was actually the rarebit. She laughs and I feel like a dumb American, damn me for helping out that stereotype.
Rebecca and I talk as I am swilling down pints and half pints of beer. Half pints are brilliant by the way. I tell her all about LA and why I love it, and how I'm so sick of hearing pretentious dicks talk about S.F. and how great it is. I tell her I often have this conversation when I visit the Bay Area, "Where are you from?"
"LA"
"I'm sorry."
At this point I usually just walk away. Anyway, I tell her that I would never say that to anyone. NEVER, EVER, because I am not an impolite asshole. I'm not quite sure if she is even following what I'm saying at this point, as I think I rambling, but she allows me to go on. Eventually she
drives me back to Eric's.
THURS- I meet Rebecca in the morning so that she can give me the keys to her family's get away house in Whangarhei. We get McDonald's, affectionately known as Maccers there, and she draws a map to the house on a tiny piece of paper. As much as I trust hand drawn maps, I decide to google the address, as this new computer technology does okay too. She warns me that the house is just "okay".
I pick up the rental car from A2B Rentals, it's quick and they are relatively cheap. I get my Toyota Sprinter and nervously begin to drive. Driving with the steering wheel on the right doesn't bug me so much I am just not sure of the laws and don't really know where I'm going in the city. It puts me a bit on edge, but I think I have to drive with confidence. I pull out and within the first 10 seconds I almost hit a pedestrian as I exit the lot. Ohh I hope no one saw that. Confidence slightly diminished, but there's no turning back. Off I go into the streets! I haven't been this careful driving in years. I make it to Eric's driving slower than I ever have in my life. Now we're off to Whangarhei!
The trip is pleasant, we are on the main highway and it's not too crowded. The countryside is green and beautiful all around. We drive for about an hour and a half and I begin to get to real comfortable in the car. That soon changes as we pass a road I think we should have turned on to. In an attempt to turn around I turn off into a smaller road going the wrong way, and block a car trying to get on the highway. I wave apologetically but try not to make eye contact. I can't take their scorn, I'm driving like a jackass and I know it. We head in the right direction and then getting off the road again, where we are almost slammed into by a car turning the same way from the opposite direction. Eric screams in fear and I slam the brakes. Yeah, I totally know what I'm doing. My heart's beating fast and I am scared, but I laugh it off. I need Eric to have confidence that I won't kill him or tomorrow's drive is going to be LONG. A quick stop at a fish and chips shop allows us to get the best directions to the house, along with some damn good fish and chips. There is nothing better on this earth than fried things in cold weather.
We find Rebecca's house going off the description that it's probably number 58 and yellow. This "okay" house has six rooms, a deck facing the bay, and a living room and kitchen bigger than my apartment. What the hell.
We enjoy our food and the view while the sun sets. It's hard not to feel like this is what living is all about. As the cold weather sets in I attempt to make a fire in the wood burner. I don't know how to make one and it's obvious. I waste all their kindling newspaper, and after half of the Devil Wears Prada, and all of Honey, I've only managed to get one log sort of going. By the way, Honey, I must say, is amazing. No comedy would have ever of been that funny. Since the house is huge I am actually quite scared to sleep alone in a room. I hope Eric is feeling the same, but I don't say anything as I don't want to look like a huge pussy. Thankfully we can't find heaters, except for the one in the living room, so I take the couch while he's on the floor in a sleeping bag. I'm relieved. Not as comfortable as I would be on a bed, yes, but if a robber comes in at least I got a friend near by. Right?
FRI- We leave early morning for the Bay of Islands. This drive has some wonderful scenery and no near crashes occur. Most of what we pass is the same, green and pretty. So far I haven't seen one eye sore. I'm trying to take it all in, somehow trying to save this beauty for another time. I don't even know how this would work, but I have to try. We get to Paihia after about 45 minutes of me worrying that we passed the turn off. I read that only two ferries go to Russell, an island we want to visit, and I don't want to miss the last one so. The thought of it makes me anxious and leaves me quite humorless. We arrive to find that ferries leave every half hour, and I realize my anxiousness caused a less fun car ride. I need to relax.
We get to Russell, and of course, it's awesome. It's a better, prettier, version of Catalina island. We eat breakfast at a place called Sally's right on the main drag that overlooks the harbor. I order eggs benedict and I'm not sure if it's because the only food we have had so far that day has been almonds, but if these eggs benedict were a person I would make sweet tender love to it.
B-fast's done so we explore the island hitting Pompallier, an old French mission. It housed a tannery and printing press. Those French sure knew how to pick locations, beach front property isn't too shabby. Again we are left to explore the mission on our own with no guide or security guards. We're the only two in the place so we take out time to see and stare at what we want. We work the leather in the tannery a bit just to try it out (we're allowed to do this by the way). We explore the entire place then decide it's time to move on.
We begin to walk to Flagstaff Hill, recommended to us by the ferry ticket seller in Paihai. We hike through a forested area that's damp and dark. I just pray it doesn't start raining as there is already some mud, even more would make this trek impossible. The sky holds out and we manage to make it out of the forest, which ends up in a residential neighborhood. Eric and I are confused as this does not seem like Flagstaff Hill. It's either back down to catch a road that will lead us up to it or take our chances and walk further up. We decide to venture forth, and being to ascend once again. I wonder how many times the people in the homes that line this street have seen this.
After walking through the residential area for about ten minutes we see a sign that points towards Flagstaff Hill. It's through more woods and more uphill climbs. My legs are hurting at this point, and I'm out of breath. This view better be worth it. We finally get to a clearing and I can see the top and the sky above. There's no stopping now.
The views from Flagstaff allow us to see 360 degrees around the island and the hike to get there makes it seem all the more worth it. You should have to work for things like this. I take an obscene amount of pictures while Eric acts like a tour guide and records himself on the camcorder. After a well deserved rest we head back towards the beach but take the main road this time. You can literally get to the top of Flagstaff in half the time if you take the main road, but you miss the hike through the forest where, if you're lucky, you may see a Kiwi bird.
The sky finally breaks open and it pisses rain down, looks like we need to leave Russell. We get back to Paihai and head for Waitangi. The Waitangi Treaty Grounds have been recommended to us by everyone. Basically by going there we will learn much about the history of NZ. It should be a good cultural experience.
Well, we get there thirty minutes before closing, so we just get some coffee in their cafe. I guess that's cultural enough. We finish our drinks and must head back to Albany. Most of the trip is nice, but towards the end the rain comes again. We're on a two lane road through the mountains, and some drivers are crazily tailgating us. It beings to rain so hard that at one point I literally cannot see ten feet ahead of us. I want to tell Eric to be on the lookout for the cliff's edge to make sure we aren't headed off it, but I think that may make him nervous. There are about ten minutes where I'm pretty sure we're going to die. We finally get to the main highway with three lanes and we both let out nervous laughter. Holy crap that was intense, but not dead=happy.
Sat- Up with the lark to meet Rebecca in the city so we can drive through the Bay of Plenty on the way to her Grandmother's. I won't be seeing her Grandma, I'll just be along for the ride. I drive into the city and return the car where I'm supposed to meet Rebecca. She's not there so I wait for 15 minutes. Still no Rebecca, I go into A2B again and ask where a pay phone is. They insist I use their phone since it's a local call. I call her and she says to meet her at Britomart where a farmer's market is going on, as she is not quite ready. The staff at A2B inquire as to where I am to meet her, and then offer me a ride there. Hmmm walk in the cold for twenty minutes vaguely knowing where I'm going or get driven in the warm car. Uhh yeah I'll take that ride. What nice people.
Side note- Britomart is also Auckland's transportation hub. The train's come here, the information center is located here, the ferry building is right next door, and they have a farmer's market right outside. If you visit Auckland and are going to take the bus or want a good landmarks to mentally map the city, you should familiarize yourself with this building as well as Sky Tower.
Anyway, I get to Britomart and in deed the farmer's market is happening. It's 8:45am so no one is there. I look around a bit. I want some food. I pick an Indian (like the country) pancake type thing. It's a bit too sweet for my taste so have to force myself to eat as much of it as I can before chucking it. No Rebecca yet. I decide to buy a gift for people back home at this market, I mean how unique is getting something from a local Farmer's market from another country? You ain't gonna find this shit anywhere else. I see a booth with honey for sale, I've seen a lot of honey so far in general. NZ must have good honey. Okay I'm set on getting some honey now, in fact I have to. Little do I know I'm about to meet the only person in NZ I found to be an asshole, and of course, it's an older white guy. I walk up to the booth and I ask about the prices etc. He raddles off a bunch fast, and I'm trying to read his sign, but it doesn't make sense, as in the prices he says are not the ones on the list. Anyway, it's not like he's outwardly an asshole, he's friendly and smiling. Now I know to this is how many assholes masks their assholeness. As I pick up two jars, he says, "Where are you from, the States?"
"Yes"
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Oh you have to be fucking kidding me. How did I get to the Bay Area? Now I'm in an awkward position. I have mentally already picked out what honey I want so do I put them down and walk away, egg him on into some useless confrontational conversation, or just pay him and think he's an asshole silently? I almost ask, "And why's that?" which would force him to back up his lame comment about the place I'm from, that would inevitability lead me to definitely not giving him my money. Money which I earned in the States, which will only help feed his ass.
Side note-Although it sounds as though I'm one of those overly psychotic patriotic Americans right now, I'm not. I don't agree with many of our policies foreign or domestic and I'm usually very willing to listen to others criticism of the U.S. with an open mind, but seriously, if you're going to be a pretentious asshole about it, I would rather not talk to you or give you my money.
In an attempt to change the subject I pick up the sign and ask what the prices are again. Instead of just telling me they guy actually asks if I can read. He's smiling as he says it so it's like he's kidding, but I'm thinking to myself, "What a fucking dick." I'm pretty sure I'm more educated than him, and I'm just not an asshole, so who in the hell does this guy think he is? At this point, it becomes much more of a moral dilemma. I really don't want to give this guy my money, at all, but I really want something unique for either family or friends. FUCK. What to do? Spite the asshole, or suck it up for friends/family? DAMN IT, I know what I'm going to do. I just buy the two damn jars (btw now tasted-it is very nice honey). So I did give asshole my money, but I guess sometimes honey is worth it. I just hope those who use it know what I went through to get it, oh the pain!!! :)
I call Rebecca because she's still not at Britomart and it's about 9:30 now. She informs me she's just hit her car against the garage and broken something. Well, that sucks. 10:30 rolls around and Rebecca arrives with her Father. We head off for Katikati, where her Grandma lives, taking the long way through the Bay of Plenty so that I can see more. I'm a bit confused though, and not sure if she's giving me a ride back from Katikati. This worries me, but in my head I'm pretty sure she wouldn't just leave me in some town in the middle of New Zealand to find my way back...or would she? We stop for fish and chips, and again I can see why this dish is so popular.
Katikati is nice, there is a haiku trail. What I really want to do there however is just find a pub and drink. Not to drink really, but just to relax. The last week has been non-stop and this day has been colder than any other. Also, to make things more awesome as we quickly stopped to walk on a bridge over a river, I discovered that my girly monthly friend arrived. I did not bring anything to stop this mess from happening, but luckily Rebecca had something for me. So, the first thing I do after Rebecca and her Father drop me off in Katikati is find a store to buy some supplies and pain medicine. I find all these things and then stop into the Landing, the local pub situated in the Talisman hotel. I get a beer and sit. The thought of going back into the world right now, back onto the street, carrying my damn backpack around to look at beautiful shit, does not sound fun. I take small deliberate sips of beer. I'm going to milk this beer for all it's worth.
About and hour and one drink later, I'm finally finished. Well, I guess I should go look at something at least. I check out the haiku path. Not bad. There's a small stream that runs through it. I've noticed a lot of small streams everywhere, I think it's a law that every town must have one. This one sort of pisses me off, reminding me what my neighborhood doesn't have. I want a stream damn it. As I walk around the path I see male workers replanting trees.
I don't want to walk past them. I'm near a little stream and no one else is around, I fear murder. Ehh I decide to go that way anyway pretty sure I'm just being paranoid. I get near them when one of them looks my way and politely smiles, he then says hello. Damn this country.
I decide I've had enough of nature and need another drink. I hit up the cafe I'm supposed to meet Rebecca and her Father at. They have a nice wine list so I get white wine suggested by one of my favorite people met on the trip. She's a Filipino woman, whom I think was married to the chef of the place. I ask her if she's Thai as they have Thai food on the menu, and she looks like she could be related to me in some way. This opens the flood gate and we talk about a range of subjects. I'm beginning to see the beauty of small talk, what can be learned from it. Hmm I don't know if I like this.
Eventually I finish my wine, find Rebecca and get back to Eric's. Now Eric's birthday is on Monday, but we're celebrating it tonight. Let's do this. We get a taxi and head for the city accompanied by a few of Eric's friends. Eric wants to show us a bear bar first hand. I'm game, I've never really been to one and it sounds sort of wild. We go to K-road, otherwise known as
Karangahape road. I don't really know how to describe it, but I would say if you want to have more colorful fun, go there. Anyway, first stop is Urge. The bouncer is not going to let me in, cuz I'm a girl. This is a first, but I kind of like it. The bouncer is rather large with a long gray beard that matches his hair. He's decked out in leather. If he wasn't smiling and so open, I'd be terrified of this guy. He reminds me of a bad as Santa Claus. Eric gives him enough shit so he finally agrees to let me in. What a little sweetie.
I've never been the only girl in a joint, it's sort of cool, even if I am completely ruining the vibe. We all get a beer and just stand around watching the porn up on the TV screens. It's a good one at least . Besides the porn, nothing much is going on so we finish our beers and leave.
Next stop-Family. Yeah, we're going to dance the shit out of this place. It's three rooms of a lot of fun, and the bartenders are on top of their stuff. We get some drinks, and let loose just like the good old days. I like the downstairs room where the songs are played without the added pleasure of a techno beat. We dance and sweat like monsters until some absurd time, the clubs are open till 6am, and get a taxi home. Operation birthday dancing has been a success, and I'm glad. I'm also glad I finally get to go to sleep and sleep in.
Sunday-It is the lord's day, and I have got to rest. I do this until Eric needs to go back to PacNSave. Once again I will use my mule abilities and carry as much as I can. On the way back we stop at a very lovely restaurant called the Wine Box for Eric's birthday dinner. I of course order some wine, it being the Wine box, Bloody Bay white wine to be exact. I gotta say I like it. Eric and I both order some seasonal dishes, along with some kangaroo (it tastes sort of like beef by the way). I've never met nicer waitresses and I can't believe they are simply being nice, because they are trying to do a good job. That's it, they're getting a tip. I don't even care.
Yep, I give them one, then Eric and I go home to sleep off a great dinner. That's all, that's all that happened. Sunday was awesome.
Monday- Rotorua. Let's start with the bus ride. There's a couple of ways to get around the country. Plane rides within the country aren't that expensive. Look at Pac Blue flights and others. Once your there you'll see many signs/tv ads about flight specials. I decided to take the bus to see more of the land firsthand. Nakedbus and Intercity lines are two main carries. Compare the 2 prices as most people assume naked bus is cheaper but that's not always the case. I took naked bus down to Rotorua from Auckland. They picked yo up right near Britomart (mentioned above somewhere) at an obscenely early time. Also, there is no bathroom on the bus so be prepared!
The trip down to Rotorua is about 3-4 hours depending on your driver and stops. This trip went particularly well. Eric's friend happened to be randomly traveling that day as well, so I had a bus partner who wasn't a stranger for most of the trip. Upon arrival I decided that the best place to stay was the closest hostel to the bus station. It being winter I knew the hostels would be slow so I decided to play everything by ear early on. I chose to stay at a shabby, but 30 second walk to the bus station, hostel. This proved to be a wise choice in the end. I practically had the place to myself, the only other people in the place were an Indian (like the county) couple who I saw once. I also got my own room which started a trend for the rest of that week. This was the first time in a week I had my own space, and it felt freaken amazing.
So, it's 1pm by the time I check in and there are only 5 hours of daylight left. Knowing this I head off to the museum/old bath house for some culture. The museum turns out to be pretty small, which pleases me greatly. I'm tired and a lot of learning is not exactly what I want to do right now. I do manage to catch a short film about some of the happenings in Rotorua's history. Much of the film focuses on a volcanic eruption in the 19th century that killed many townspeople and tourists. I'm the only one in the small theater decorated in 19th Century decor. I sort of hope another person comes in because it's eerie being in that space alone, but it doesn't happen. The show beings and the entire stage shifts so that the screen becomes enlarged, all I can think is "Oh shit, this theater has technology!" I get the feeling this show is about to get a lot more interactive. I couldn't have been more right as when a recreation of the volcano exploding on screen begins an eruption of seats buckling in the theater, my body being tossed about a lot more than anticipated. I know there has to be a security camera somewhere in the room, and I wonder if they're watching this. A lone girl in this small theater, being awkwardly thrown about in her seat just trying to get through the film. This thought makes me laugh, so now I'm not only being thrown about, but I'm also laughing to myself like a damn crazy person. I really hope I'm making someone's day.
tuesday-bus to welly-rainbows-why?
wed-welly, walk, cable car, walk, beer,
thurday-lotr/museum/lone star
fri-bus-
sat-eggs benedict mushrooms, waiheke, all night party-im a bitch
sun-pack, worst burger, toy story
monday-shuttle guy-shout out
