Well, this is the beginning of my mega post on my latest vacation to New Zealand.
Date and Time of Departure : 12th January 2009, 9.30 p.m.
Destination : Auckland
Sink with me into the depths of the sky.
Got a nice window seat on the edge of a wing.
Violet Haze
He actually used that as the title for his assignment.
My first glimpse of Auckland.
Later I came to know that, every 20 km or so, a friggin' beach would appear. It's so coastal, I was floored. 'Cause I was pining away for the seaside just the weekend before. Imagine my jubilation!
Mega-uber-wack-kau-happi la weii. =D
The fabled rolling hills! They're beautiful.
Bare farmland... being farmed.
It looks like streaks on a shirt.
It gave the impression of being orderly... I was already liking Auckland.
*OCD, Beckham's disorder speaking*
Touchdown!
Ooo yeah, I'm readyh for you
Are you ready for me, AUCKLAND si-tehhh?? XD
Actually, I disliked that the flight felt normal to me. Where was the excitement and anticipation?
Even packing didn't seem like a major affair; I just ended up zipping the suitcase on everything I needed without the usual buzz of picking what to bring.
And then there was him.
A real, live STOP-GO man using his real, not-so-live STOP-GO sign to let us across the road.
It was seeing him that gave me a jolt of realisation;
I was here, 10 hours away from home.
I'd endured motion sickness as a consequence of bad turbulence and now that I had my feet firmly planted on Kiwi soil, I was dang well gonna enjoy myself and soak it all in.
God bless him, ahah.
I was quite taken with this quirky signboard.
If you look closely, you'll see the names of major cities of the world, and how far they are from Auckland.
Photo taken from a moving car; sorry it couldn't be clearer.
Grazing cattle and sheep are a common sight in the pastures, as you whiz past.
I spotted a few clans of horses, too, looking very dignified under the shade of kauri trees.
Okay, I've never heard of a 'clan of horses' either, but for once I can't find the right word to use! Hahah.
We pulled up in front of a rather neat, non-descriptive stucco house. This was where I'd stay, with my uncle and aunt and their 3 kids, for the next 18 days.
Rubbish collection is seriously organised there. Citizens are expected to separate their waste for recycling and each house gets a huge recycling bin for that.
A real drive. Like, a straight, gravel-ly road lined with charming houses and blooming gardens. I know it doesn't show here, but the flowers there are reli pretty.
I think I was kinda fascinated by the road.
So unlike ours, uglified by paint and potholes.
Step 1 :
Fulfil a dream.
My 14-year-old cousin, Angeline, took me round the neighbourhood on bike. This is the one I rode, and yes, everyone wears helmets there. So for the first time in her life, Nicole puts on a helmet for cycling.
She took me to the playground.
Auckland is full of playgrounds and reserves. When we think of reserves, we picture vast, faraway green lungs like FRIM. But there, a reserve would be more likely to be sitting right next to your house.
And one thing about their playgrounds, they're all built pretty much the same way.
There is a wooden frame to contain the playground, and this frame is filled with wood chips; no soil whatsoever.
I found it an odd but lovely practice. The wood feels dry and chippy against your feet; doesn't hurt at all.
I admit, when I first saw Angeline (after about 4 years absence), I got a shock. I'd brought old clothes for a size L or M at least. But here she was, slimmer than even me! and every inch the hot chick.
At least, that was the very strong first impression I got. Hehe.
The first place of interest while cycling was the bike park.
The kind where people (like me) who happen to be riding pink bikes skulk round the edges, hoping the pros don't notice. Lol.
As for the dream fulfilled...
It's perfectly safe to slip off your bike and chuck it to one side, before running off on a whim.
Correction : Before running off on a whim, spending an hour or two wandering like a free spirit, and technically leaving your vehicle in no way locked.
And knowing you'll still find it where you left it.
*Big big smile*
Where we were at, was actually the base of a dormant volcano. In fact, the whole of Auckland is built on fertile, dormant-volcano land and is likely to be annihilated in a couple-a hundred years' time. A depressing thought, if you feel for your descendants.
At the base of Pigeon Mountain; the aforesaid dormant volcano.
They say the grass is always greener on the other side; and here is proof. =P
Lonely; and beautiful in its loneliness.
I wouldn't mind tripping over here, really. There's just so much GREEEEN to catch me! XD
Nothing much to see up the mountain...
Except her?
*Wink wink*
Voila! The peak; just a short walk from the base. It's really quite a tiny mountain.
Rugged, peeling bark.
No, I do NOT go around snapping the legs of girls in shorts. She must've taken it herself, while I was off exploring. Tsk tsk.
By the way, the Kiwis call slippers like those, 'jandals'. Odd, and rather cute of them.
And I wonder why some girls walk (or stand) with inverted feet. I heard it's a sign of some foot problem, lol.
How Nature weaves.
View from the top.
Descend.
Showstopper!
You're blocking traffic lah, girlll. XD
We continued walking wherever our feet led us.
Nestled in those emerald blades.
The carefree life.
I really like all the wood around. Makes everything more picturesque.
Little wooden stakes driven into the ground. I couldn't stop thinking about how attractive they looked; 'til my uncle told me they were there to stop cars from getting onto the grass. Owh. How prudent.
The practical minds of adults vs The romantic notions of an adult-to-be.
Oh, how we lose our youth through the years.
"Here we are at the reserve."
"Huh... what reserve?"
Obviously you can tell which one was me.
I pushed aside further questions, though, when I caught sight of this winding path. I'm always up for a long walk. =]
My first glimpse of a pukeko.
Almost the size of a peacock; just not as brilliantly coloured. It is an endangered species in New Zealand.
I forgot what sound they make... something soft and non-intrusive, I think.
The female pukeko(/pukekos). More drab-looking; perhaps they've never heard of gender equality?? XD
A fluke shot. Lol.
That's more like it!
A purple thistle... proudly had its presence known by nearly pricking my finger. Hmph.
Thorny on the outside; won't you come a little closer and find what's on the inside?
Angeline, 14.
A thoughtful scene.
I'm a sucker for these drooping creatures.
I like the way you move it~~
Exiting from the pukeko reserve, we came across a giant slide built on a grassy slope.
It's a long way up.
Not such a long way down, perhaps.
My turn! =D
After work, which is 5 p.m., Uncle Robert took us to Bucklands Beach; one of two shorelines near his house. Such lucky pigs!
My attention was immediately diverted by a large hawk-looking bird.
It circled, swooping nearer, but I never got real closeup of it.
Seagulls. They practically litter the place. =P
I got taken by a new word; it's
Ombre.
We left for the second beach; passing Musick Point on the way. Names like this always make me wonder why Malaysian ones have to be so kayu and unlyrical. Heheh.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... Eastern Beach.
I like that the background seems like the work of a paintbrush.
"Ooo..."
Little did I know that in just a few days, I'd own that piece of crap. It wouldn't stand up next to what I'd build. *Wink*
I go around snapping whatever grabs my fancy, and my uncle&aunt call those,
"artsy-fartsy shots". Lol.
Loving every minute of the sea and sand.
Oh, this was also where I cut my foot, sometimes during hopping onto those boulders. So I spent the next four days with a plaster on my foot, wishing I'd been as careful as I normally am.
Next stop; Half Moon Bay Marina, only a short drive away from home.
(Home = Uncle Robert's stucco house)
(Stucco = something you should look up in the dictionary) XD
There's a reason why Auckland is known as the City of Sails.
This marina is filled with yachts; a sign of affluence and luxury.
Suave?
Lol. Aunty May, Uncle Robert, Mummy.
Walk the line between solid truth and watery lies.
To make our first day extra tiring, they brought us to One Tree Hill.
I know; I was so thrilled just by the sound of it!
But no, it has nothing to do with the show and most of all, it was freaking cold and windy up there that evening.
I think we only managed a quick snap and walk around the monument (of whomever it honours).
The wind was biting, and the view was a lilting serenade.
The iconic Sky Tower of Auckland, in the distance.
Little did I know, I was to see a lot of it in my stay there.
Pumping on One Tree Hill.
#1 : He must be unafraid of heights.
#2 : He must be strong, 'cause those stone walls must've chafed his knuckles.
Standing before a pasture dotted with sheep.
Date and Time of Departure : 12th January 2009, 9.30 p.m.
Destination : Auckland
Sink with me into the depths of the sky.
Got a nice window seat on the edge of a wing.
Violet Haze
He actually used that as the title for his assignment.
My first glimpse of Auckland.
Later I came to know that, every 20 km or so, a friggin' beach would appear. It's so coastal, I was floored. 'Cause I was pining away for the seaside just the weekend before. Imagine my jubilation!
Mega-uber-wack-kau-happi la weii. =D
The fabled rolling hills! They're beautiful.
Bare farmland... being farmed.
It looks like streaks on a shirt.
It gave the impression of being orderly... I was already liking Auckland.
*OCD, Beckham's disorder speaking*
Touchdown!
Ooo yeah, I'm readyh for you
Are you ready for me, AUCKLAND si-tehhh?? XD
Actually, I disliked that the flight felt normal to me. Where was the excitement and anticipation?
Even packing didn't seem like a major affair; I just ended up zipping the suitcase on everything I needed without the usual buzz of picking what to bring.
And then there was him.
A real, live STOP-GO man using his real, not-so-live STOP-GO sign to let us across the road.
It was seeing him that gave me a jolt of realisation;
I was here, 10 hours away from home.
I'd endured motion sickness as a consequence of bad turbulence and now that I had my feet firmly planted on Kiwi soil, I was dang well gonna enjoy myself and soak it all in.
God bless him, ahah.
I was quite taken with this quirky signboard.
If you look closely, you'll see the names of major cities of the world, and how far they are from Auckland.
Photo taken from a moving car; sorry it couldn't be clearer.
Grazing cattle and sheep are a common sight in the pastures, as you whiz past.
I spotted a few clans of horses, too, looking very dignified under the shade of kauri trees.
Okay, I've never heard of a 'clan of horses' either, but for once I can't find the right word to use! Hahah.
We pulled up in front of a rather neat, non-descriptive stucco house. This was where I'd stay, with my uncle and aunt and their 3 kids, for the next 18 days.
Rubbish collection is seriously organised there. Citizens are expected to separate their waste for recycling and each house gets a huge recycling bin for that.
A real drive. Like, a straight, gravel-ly road lined with charming houses and blooming gardens. I know it doesn't show here, but the flowers there are reli pretty.
I think I was kinda fascinated by the road.
So unlike ours, uglified by paint and potholes.
Step 1 :
Fulfil a dream.
My 14-year-old cousin, Angeline, took me round the neighbourhood on bike. This is the one I rode, and yes, everyone wears helmets there. So for the first time in her life, Nicole puts on a helmet for cycling.
She took me to the playground.
Auckland is full of playgrounds and reserves. When we think of reserves, we picture vast, faraway green lungs like FRIM. But there, a reserve would be more likely to be sitting right next to your house.
And one thing about their playgrounds, they're all built pretty much the same way.
There is a wooden frame to contain the playground, and this frame is filled with wood chips; no soil whatsoever.
I found it an odd but lovely practice. The wood feels dry and chippy against your feet; doesn't hurt at all.
I admit, when I first saw Angeline (after about 4 years absence), I got a shock. I'd brought old clothes for a size L or M at least. But here she was, slimmer than even me! and every inch the hot chick.
At least, that was the very strong first impression I got. Hehe.
The first place of interest while cycling was the bike park.
The kind where people (like me) who happen to be riding pink bikes skulk round the edges, hoping the pros don't notice. Lol.
As for the dream fulfilled...
It's perfectly safe to slip off your bike and chuck it to one side, before running off on a whim.
Correction : Before running off on a whim, spending an hour or two wandering like a free spirit, and technically leaving your vehicle in no way locked.
And knowing you'll still find it where you left it.
*Big big smile*
Where we were at, was actually the base of a dormant volcano. In fact, the whole of Auckland is built on fertile, dormant-volcano land and is likely to be annihilated in a couple-a hundred years' time. A depressing thought, if you feel for your descendants.
At the base of Pigeon Mountain; the aforesaid dormant volcano.
They say the grass is always greener on the other side; and here is proof. =P
Lonely; and beautiful in its loneliness.
I wouldn't mind tripping over here, really. There's just so much GREEEEN to catch me! XD
Nothing much to see up the mountain...
Except her?
*Wink wink*
Voila! The peak; just a short walk from the base. It's really quite a tiny mountain.
Rugged, peeling bark.
No, I do NOT go around snapping the legs of girls in shorts. She must've taken it herself, while I was off exploring. Tsk tsk.
By the way, the Kiwis call slippers like those, 'jandals'. Odd, and rather cute of them.
And I wonder why some girls walk (or stand) with inverted feet. I heard it's a sign of some foot problem, lol.
How Nature weaves.
View from the top.
Descend.
Showstopper!
You're blocking traffic lah, girlll. XD
We continued walking wherever our feet led us.
Nestled in those emerald blades.
The carefree life.
I really like all the wood around. Makes everything more picturesque.
Little wooden stakes driven into the ground. I couldn't stop thinking about how attractive they looked; 'til my uncle told me they were there to stop cars from getting onto the grass. Owh. How prudent.
The practical minds of adults vs The romantic notions of an adult-to-be.
Oh, how we lose our youth through the years.
"Here we are at the reserve."
"Huh... what reserve?"
Obviously you can tell which one was me.
I pushed aside further questions, though, when I caught sight of this winding path. I'm always up for a long walk. =]
My first glimpse of a pukeko.
Almost the size of a peacock; just not as brilliantly coloured. It is an endangered species in New Zealand.
I forgot what sound they make... something soft and non-intrusive, I think.
The female pukeko(/pukekos). More drab-looking; perhaps they've never heard of gender equality?? XD
A fluke shot. Lol.
That's more like it!
A purple thistle... proudly had its presence known by nearly pricking my finger. Hmph.
Thorny on the outside; won't you come a little closer and find what's on the inside?
Angeline, 14.
A thoughtful scene.
I'm a sucker for these drooping creatures.
I like the way you move it~~
Exiting from the pukeko reserve, we came across a giant slide built on a grassy slope.
It's a long way up.
Not such a long way down, perhaps.
My turn! =D
After work, which is 5 p.m., Uncle Robert took us to Bucklands Beach; one of two shorelines near his house. Such lucky pigs!
My attention was immediately diverted by a large hawk-looking bird.
It circled, swooping nearer, but I never got real closeup of it.
Seagulls. They practically litter the place. =P
I got taken by a new word; it's
Ombre.
We left for the second beach; passing Musick Point on the way. Names like this always make me wonder why Malaysian ones have to be so kayu and unlyrical. Heheh.
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... Eastern Beach.
I like that the background seems like the work of a paintbrush.
"Ooo..."
Little did I know that in just a few days, I'd own that piece of crap. It wouldn't stand up next to what I'd build. *Wink*
I go around snapping whatever grabs my fancy, and my uncle&aunt call those,
"artsy-fartsy shots". Lol.
Loving every minute of the sea and sand.
Oh, this was also where I cut my foot, sometimes during hopping onto those boulders. So I spent the next four days with a plaster on my foot, wishing I'd been as careful as I normally am.
Next stop; Half Moon Bay Marina, only a short drive away from home.
(Home = Uncle Robert's stucco house)
(Stucco = something you should look up in the dictionary) XD
There's a reason why Auckland is known as the City of Sails.
This marina is filled with yachts; a sign of affluence and luxury.
Suave?
Lol. Aunty May, Uncle Robert, Mummy.
Walk the line between solid truth and watery lies.
To make our first day extra tiring, they brought us to One Tree Hill.
I know; I was so thrilled just by the sound of it!
But no, it has nothing to do with the show and most of all, it was freaking cold and windy up there that evening.
I think we only managed a quick snap and walk around the monument (of whomever it honours).
The wind was biting, and the view was a lilting serenade.
The iconic Sky Tower of Auckland, in the distance.
Little did I know, I was to see a lot of it in my stay there.
Pumping on One Tree Hill.
#1 : He must be unafraid of heights.
#2 : He must be strong, 'cause those stone walls must've chafed his knuckles.
Standing before a pasture dotted with sheep.
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