Auckland's Sky Tower; the view from in front of the house I'm staying in.

As hard as it seems to believe, I’ve been in Auckland for almost a week! It took me a while to get all of the posts and pictures up from my Hong Kong and Kaohsiung adventures, but Im finally ready to write about my new home.

I have a sneaky suspicion that New Zealand is really Heaven on Earth. No, really. Even if you discount the gorgeous scenery and the Kiwis themselves (and their crazy accent, which I love), the place seems to strike a resonante chord with me every time I turn around. If I had been given the opportunity to create my perfect country, New Zealand would come pretty damned close. Politically, socially, architecturally, environmentally… they just seem to do things the way that I would. Labels proudly proclaim ‘made locally in New Zealand from NZ products” are on pretty much every product. Recycling is a given. Im told everyone conserves energy. Food is amazing. Wine too. In fact, so far the only thing I would change is to have everyone drive on the right side of the street. I know that NZ has its fair share of problems, and that it is, in fact, NOT paradise, but I think I would be hard pressed to find another nation that even comes close. Already I know that leaving here in a year is going to kinda suck hardcore.

Karekare Beach, New Zealand

The day I arrived, Elisa took me out to her favourite beach: Karekare, where I saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time (Im told the Caribbean Sea qualifies as being a part of the Atlantic, otherwise I would say I saw the ocean for the first time here). It was majestic. Towering cliffs, bright blue (but oh so cold) waters, tropical plants (ferns and flax everywhere — not the same flax as at home either, the NZ kind has long, flat blades of grass and no flowers that I could see). The beach was pretty isolated, only 3 or 4 other people walking along the black sand. Really amazing. I cant wait to get out of the city again and explore more of NZ’s wilderness.

Since arriving, we’ve been sampling lots of Kiwi kai (that’s Maori for food): meat pies, L&P, hokey-pokey ice cream. (Also, have found a lovely beer to keep me sated: Montieth’s Pilsner. Yum!) I’ve yet to have lamb (although that is for dinner tonight), or the famed pavlova, but Im sure that wont be long in coming. We’ve also had lots, and lots, and LOTS of wine. Saturday was particularly painful, as we’d gone out the night before on a bit of a bender. Definitely was hangoverpalooza here at the Hacienda on Saturday.

The view from Mt Eden (my first volcano!)

Yesterday we went on a bit of a mission, and ended up visiting a two of Auckland’s parts: Mt Eden — which gave us a fantastic view of the city, and the Auckland Domain. Mt Eden is one of Auckland’s many dormant volcanoes (and the highest point in the city) and while it was quite blustery up there yesterday, I was able to get a bit of a better idea to how the city is laid out. Ive been finding that how the map is, is not how the city feels. Toronto, for the most part, is laid out on a grid and Auckland definitely is not. Every street seems to have a hill and often goes off in an angle from where I think it should go. Have yet to really get lost, but it’s really not intuitive for me.

The koru is the Maori name given to the new unfurling fern frond and symbolizes new life, growth, strength and peace.

After going to Mt Eden, we went down to the Auckland Domain, an absolutely stunning inner city park (and the largest in the city). Comparable to High Park, but with waterfalls, and ferns (I saw massive korus!), and tropical greenery. We tried valiantly for about an hour to find a place serving ice cream to have while we walked about, but there werent any dairies (KiwiSpeak for convenience store) nearby that had scooped ice cream nearby that had any. Not a massive issue, as Elisa had had the foresight to pick up a container of hokey-pokey while we were at the supermarket earlier in the day.

A crazy tree in the Auckland Domain

Now that Ive settled in a little, this week I need to start focusing on practical matters: getting a bank account, finishing up my portfolio so I can start looking for work, sorting out my permanent living arrangements. Im going round to a friend of the Kiwi’s tonight to check out their place as they have a room available. Im hoping it works out, as it would be fantastic to live with friends of friends. It’s scary spending money, not knowing where your next cheque is going to come from. I really should have started saving sooner than I did. I’ve already applied for my government tax number, so once that comes in I will be able to start working. In the mean time, I may sign up for one of the many 3-6 day bus excursions that are available. With the Kiwis working during the week, and me not working, I can see myself getting a little antsy, and that would be a way to get out and explore some of the nearby country more. I know Elisa has lots of things planned, so will have to chat with her so that I dont inadvertantly go somewhere she had wanted to show me.

Right. Well I have procrastinated on getting real work done long enough today. I just wanted to write a little and post some photos so my three readers can see what I have been up to!

As always, I’ve been taking lots of photos; they are here.

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