Yankee Thanky

So Ben, Pat, Joe, Gilbert and I crammed back into their Subaru and headed to the east coast of Northland.

The weather was stormy and it rained most of the day, but as we drove from the Kauri forest back to Orewa we were able to stop at quite a few beaches and enjoy the scenery.

Goat rock reserve

It was a fun day. I can't emphasize enough how nice it is to see old friends!
Once we were back at Orewa Pat and Ben took kayaks out on the ocean while I read on the beach and tried to steal a few rays from the intermittent sunshine.

Kayak haka

The next day we went to the island of Waiheke. It's a 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland but it feels like a completely different country. I'd visited the island very briefly when I first arrived in NZ.
We stayed at this very cool vacation house, complete with kitchen.
Kitchen! Holy moly do I miss having a kitchen!
Since it was my last night hanging with the guys and it was turkey day, I cooked us a NZ thanksgiving dinner. Unfortunately, we couldn't get our hands on a defrosted turkey, but we made do with 2 big chickens.

Yankee Thanky

I was stuffed!

It was yummy and I had so much fun cooking! Even though I sacrificed a few fingers on the oven rack in the process. Im such a klutz!

Joe's friend John, and his wife Galena joined us and I had a great time.

John and Galena were awesome

The next morning Joe drove us over to Palm Beach where we spent the day swimming, and drinking beer. The water was amazing, crystal blue and warm!

Palm Beach

It seemed too soon when it was time for me to leave and catch the ferry back to Devonport.
I had such a fun time with the guys and it was so nice to have a little bit of home here in New Zealand.

 

Day Trip

So for a variety of reasons, I am stuck in Auckland for probably another week. I changed hostel rooms to an all girls room and it's SO better.

I was really hoping to be out exploring NZ by now, not stuck in Auckland which I don't really like. I decided I had to get out of the city and took the 30 minute ferry ride to Waiheke island. It was amazing. It looks as if Hawaii and California went halfsies on a baby.

Waiheke Island looking back towards Auckland

I hopped on a shuttle for $6 and and took a tour around some of the island. It is nothing but hills, vineyards, beaches and hiking trails. Some parts look like Sonoma county. Other areas reminded me that I really am in the South Pacific.
 




Onetangi Beach

Onetangi Beach



It drizzles here a few times a day and is sunny inbetween, the kiwi's call it 4 seasons in 1 day. You can see a little from my pictures what it's like. Some of these are taken 15 or 20 minutes apart. Layers, Ungh!

I had a great time walking the beaches and I already want to return when I have more time. There's just so much to explore there!

Shells on Oneroa Beach

Shells on Oneroa Beach

  

Oneroa Beach was beautiful and had piles of shells everywhere. It was gorgeous.

Oneroa Beach

I had fish and chips and a Speights beer for lunch. $22!!!!!!! And that was the bargain lunch special!

I can't believe how expensive everything is here. Hopefully prices will go down a bit when I get out of Auckland and further away from the city.

Oneroa Beach 15 minutes later in another "season"

After eating it was back on the ferry to Auckland where I checked into my new hostel room and met Juls and Christine two incredibly funny German girls. They nicknamed me grandma or "oma" for being so old.

We attempted to go salsa dancing with another roomie Jana, but found out it was only on weekends. So back to the hostel and to the Globe bar next door.

It's a backpacking bar, where all the 20 somethings from the hostel go. There are always free drink vouchers for girls so I usually drop in, have a free drink and leave really early before the debauchery gets in full swing.

Wet tshirt contests, giant twister and crazy european guys doing exteremely weird dance moves on the stage next to the stripper pole.

This gma's too old for that crazy business!