Hotel Formule 1 Auckland

... for us here, because, lack of job-hunting success aside, I do quite like Auckland, in particular the plentitude of parks and green spaces and suchlike - just today I discovered the tranquil charms of Albert Park, a calm oasis right in the center of the city. In general, development is quite low density here, with a population similar to Dublin spread out over an area bigger than London, but the resultant pleasantly low-key vibe is also the city's Achilles' heel as the spread-out ...

... previously thought so we were pretty sure greg is a relative and by rights owns half the brewey (or a least a few free beers). We spent St Paddys after the tour drinking more Montieths and sitting in the sun chatting until the wee hours. Next day we headed to Hamner springs, which are natural springs with various minerals such as sulpher which are meant to be good for the health to sit in. Excited about the health kick we headed down early evening for a dip. We lasted ...

... of a bar stool! We weren't completely lazy in Taupo though, we did manage to do a 10k walk out to Huka Falls, which are amazingly powerful, and back. We also took a trip out to a volcanic museum and information centre and also to Aratiatia Rapids. These were considered a stunning part of the local area, so when the government decided to put a Dam in front of them, therefore ending the flow of water which made them so stunning, there was uproar. So, as a clever compromise, it was agreed ...

... Then I had a cheeseburger at the internet cafe I had been at this morning. Then I was back on the road headed for Auckland. I wanted to get through the mountains before dark. The sun was just setting as I came through the last of the mountain passes and crossed the one lane bridge leading from the Coromandel Penninsula back towards the highway. I made it back to Aukland at about 9:30 pm and hit the sack. Tomorrow I have a lot of driving to do.

... fahren zum Campervan Buero. Nach einigem Schreibkram und Erklaerungen (man haben die nen Akzent hier), nehmen wir unsere Queenie entgegen :))) Nach einer kurzen Inspektion, laden wir unser Gepaeck ein und fahren los, aber nur bis zu einem 20 Minuten entfernten Campervan Park. Hier richten wir uns haeuslich ein, essen noch was und dann geht es frueh ins Bett, da uns der lange Flug noch in den Knochen sitzt. Dimecres XXVIII - I - MMIX ...

I arrived in Auckland tonight and was met by Matt and Rachel, two of my friends from my exchange in Portugal. We spent hours catching up, which made for a late night. I spent about a week in Auckland, mostly with Matt. We went to an extinct volcano, downtown and the likes. It felt good to just kick back with an old friend ...