The Metropolis Auckland

... is only 4, so we'll see.<br>Had a good time today. Did Race Jet and Free Fall adventures at Agrodome, saw the thermal pools in Rotorua, and did a full 3 hour Maori hangi dinner experience tonight. Tomorrow, I break from the tourism a bit to play a 1 day Scrabble tourney in Hamilton to tune up for the WSC in 3 weeks.<br>

... i was doing lots of thoughts were flyong around in my head such as; what if i don't like it, what if i get lonely and miss people too much, what if i don't get on with the people etc. But then i thought i may feel better once ive had some rest.<br>Finally landed in Auckland after a short stop in Brisbane. Was so nice to be picked up from the airport and not bother with public transport, had enough of that for the week! The woman I will be working for ...

... W okolicach Londka spedzilem noc u znajomych Marcina (narzeczony Moniki) - Roberta i Kingi w Slough. Nie ma to jak tradycyjna polska goscina, dobre jedzenie i spanie w bardzo przyjaznym srodowisku. W srode wzialem samolot z lotniska Heathrow do Singapuru lecac najwiekszym samolotem swiata Airbusem A380. No coz, nie jestem snobem wiec prosze wybaczyc moja mala zajarke tak wielka maszyna i serwisem przez linie Singapurskie oferowanym. Oczywiscie bedac typowym Polakiem ...

... the culprit. Very random &amp; odd... But a good story to listen to. She blames her mother for it all, for not putting her middle name on her birth cerificate!<br><br>Something else that made me smile: reading a NZ newspaper whilst waiting for my laundy:<br><br>"A lady from Ipswich (NZ) got stuck in a public toilet for 36 hours, after getting stuck between the basin &amp; door. Her cries were ...

And so we finally went to see Auckland. After about a two hour drive from Hamilton we could see the outskirts of the city and the famous skytower looming in the distance. Auckland itself covers approximately the same amount of land as London however it has about a seventh of the population which makes this sprawling urban area feel much less busy, although it still feels<br>busy if that makes any sort of sense ...

... dunes around, although they are being eroded at an alarming rate as the west coast is quite rough compared to the east. Walking along the beach in the sunshine (well wrapped up from the wind) was really pleasant. I'm not sure I would venture in to the sea as it was really rough. I was very sad to leave NZ and am sure I'll be back! :-) My flight from Auckland to Brisbane meant getting up before 3am, which was not a pleasant experience and then after a 3.5 hour flight ...

... Friday 24th April - BARCELONA - NICE Saturday 25th April (Anzac Day) - NICE/MONACO Sunday 26th April - NICE - VENICE Monday 27th April - VENICE Tuesday 28th April - VENICE - VERONA - FLORENCE Wednesday 29th April - FLORENCE - PISA - ROME Thursday 30th April - ROME Friday 1st May - ROME ...

... used path and managed to end up in a Vin yard where we made use of the excess grapes, stocked up on our 5 a day and made a quick get away! We arrived back to Auckland throughly hungry, freezing and extremely tired. But altogether content with our first adventure on a new continent! Before leaving the bland metropolis of Auckland I had a little reunion with two girls who I'd met in Cusco, Peru who are both in Drama School in Auckland and as it was ...

... I am really tired and want to lie down for a bit - just a bit.. ;o) but when I get there I end up talking to other travellers until bed time!!.... and I finally head to bed... joy after over 30h without sleep!!! :o)) I put my earplugs on and despite the light being on in the room I fall asleep like a baby. I won't even notice when the rest of the room guys enter the room later in the night... The next day is a very lazy day - washing, internet, chatting to other ...

... the benefit of those in the UK, this BBQ was held outdoors!!! Had a family outing to Waiheke Island on Sunday, with a separate hire car to tour the island. The island is stunning and has numerous small bays and picturesque views. We sat on the beach having a picnic before we headed back to the town and ferry port to catch the last ferry to Half Moon Bay, which we almost missed but for a sprint ...