Finally, a beach!
Trip Start
Aug 01, 2007
1
5
91
Trip End
Jan 11, 2009
Auckland,
North Island,
New Zealand
Sunday, August 5, 2007
This morning, Kayla and I went for the hop-on, hop-off tour. Our first stop that we got off at was Bastion Point, which was a quick walk from Mission Beach, which is a cute little community. I took off my shoes, rolled up my pants and stuck my feet in the water, just to say that I did. It was FREEZING! But now my feet have been in Pacific Ocean water :) We finally got to see some nice scenery, it started raining so it was kind of misty but we got a taste for what scenery to come will be like- a million times better. Next stop, we went to the Auckland Museum, which was definetely not as good as expected. We saw a few cool things, good thing admission was only $5. Then we went to the Victoria Park market, which is kind of half open, half closed air
1 Bastion Point
. I did some souvienier/birthday gift shopping for the family, I am going to ship it tomorrow and shipping is so expensive that that will count as the christmas prezzies lol. Expect them in 3-5 weeks! Then we headed back to the hostel, which is only $19 a night (mixed dorms though! I figured might as well get used to them sooner rather than later), and we get free food for every nights stay. Tonight is "roast of the day" so we'll see how that goes. I also bought a few groceries, milk (which was GROSS), bread & PB to split with Kayla, some fusilli noodles, italian dressing for them, and cereal (expensive!) and instant coffee. Not bad, cost about $24 and should last at least a few days, especially with the free dinners.
Tomorrow we signed up for the free Kiwi Ex city tour, and then I think I am going to sign up for the East Cape one first- one of the IEP staff members is doing it next week so I might try to get in the same one, maybe share a ride depending on his plans. So it'll be 2, maybe 3 more nights here.
XOXO
Shawna
Comments
Milk - does a body good!
Hey Shawna,
I get what you mean about the noisy hostel, as I'm in one right now in S.F. We have a private room, but it's downtown so there's a LOT of street noise. Anyways, if you're not a sound sleeper, get earplugs. Or join in with them, then you wont care!
It's interesting to hear you say the milk tastes gross... Colin has specifically mentioned how much BETTER the milk tastes in that part of the world. I guess it's what you're used to... I'm anxious to try it myself.
Have fun!
Love,
Auntie Melissa
Xmas prezzies??? oh my!!
Wow Shawna,
Now that's thinking early. Only once did I ever do mine early, and you guessed it. When I was pregnant for you.
Nice to hear your're getting out and about on these tours.
By the way, what part of Canada is Kayla from?
Love you lots...
Mom
ps. I'll have to tell dad to hook up onto your TravelPod so he can read you posts. I've been printing them off & showing him :o)
That's thinking!
Hey Shawna, your family will be so excited to receive gifts already. Do they get to open them or do they have to hold off until Christmas? LOL Talked to Mel/Colin, anxious to meet up with you in the months to come. Stay safe,
Maureen
Men...
I think it's funny you used 'decemberchick' as your username. Mine is pretty creative too huh?
I'm sorry to hear about the milk, but very happy that you got to dip your foot into the Pacific Ocean. You make me proud. I won't even try milk in Canada, much less another country!
I would have chosen the co-ed dorms first!! Lol.
Keep us updated!