I can't believe I've only been in Auckland for 4 days so far! It feels like I've been gone at least a week, if not more.
It has been great so far, with really busy days. I've been mostly visiting Auckland city and it's surroundings, as well as trying to get the rest of my time in New Zealand organized. After a couple of days of being here and still not having a clue as to what my itinerary was going to be, I was starting to get edgy. Part of my day yesterday and today was spent figuring that out. Since Auckland is either the starting or ending point for most trips, I've met quite a few people in the same boat as I. Some come here for 6 months to a year, others for a month of so. And most do their planning once they get here, so that reassured me.
I finally decided to do a "Magic Bus" trip. This is a type of hop-on hop-off backpacker bus that follows a specific itinerary, but you stop for how ever long you want at every stop. You can stay a day, a week, a month, whatever. I wasn't initially interested in this, it seemed a bit to "packaged" to my taste, but then I got some more information on it and it seems ideal for me. I now have 4 1/2 weeks left in New Zealand, so I got to get a move on... I've chosen to do the "New Zealand Encounter" (see http://www.magicbus.co.nz/main/productDetail/index.cfm?productID=94) that covers both North and South Islands, but first with a side trip to the very tip of the North Island (see http://www.magicbus.co.nz/main/productDetail/index.cfm?productID=74).
The first leg of my trip starts on Wednesday, so I still have a day left in Auckland. It's a beautiful place, with lots of little harbour islands to explore, so an extra day is fine. So far, I've seen: "Downtown" Auckland (what they call the CBD: Central Business District), the neighborhoods of Parnell and Ponsonby, the Auckland Museum, the Sky Tower (highest standing tower in the Southern hemisphere) & Devenport Island. Not bad for my first 4 days!
I've also met and talked to a bunch of people at the hostel. It's a really easy-going environment and everyone has been great so far. I actually went to the Museum with a girl in the same room as I, and tonight am going out to diner with a fellow Quebecois who just got in last night.
P.S Thanks to all who have posted comments on my blog. I'll keep trying to do my best and post regularly. Bye for now!
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10 comments:
:) WOW
Im sooo happy to hear from you. its so exciting. Its good to know that you made some friends. Talk to ya soon (well, write to ya soon)
XxX
Melissa didn't tell you that she slept in your bed on Saturday...Boy It didn't take a long time to move in to your stuff...
Glad top hear all is good, anxious to hear more stories.
Love Jackie XOX
Bonsoir à toi! C'est toujours intéressant de te suivre... c'est moins cher et puis j'ai l'impression de voyager! Tant mieux si tu te fais déjà des amis. Es-tu satisfaite jusqu'à maintenant... une note sur 10 question de me rassurer un peu! Je pense à toi, Isa xxxx
Salut Janie !
Devine qui s'est ! :-)
38 heures de voyagement, je ne sais pas si j'aurais pû supporter autant d'alcool ! :-)
Au moins, tu t'es bien rendu; profite bien de ton voyage.
P.S. J'ai organisé un diner de retour le 13 octobre 2008 :-)
Christian, xxx
Hey Janie!
Reading ur blog reminds me sooooooooooo much of my own trip to NZ ;)
Ça me rend même un peu nostalgique lol:) Cette découverte d'une autre ville d'un autre pays qu'on apprivoise tellement différemment puisque cette fois on sait qu'on va avoir beaucoup de temps devant soi.. ça change énormément le rapport à soi et aux autres! Je suis content de voir que tu as choisi un tour de Magic Bus. C'est un très bel itinéraire. Alors quelques petites choses à faire à Auckland...(mais quand même je vois que tu n'as pas perdu de temps..) Devenport était effectivement un "must" see. Tous les petits café-resto-bar du Harbour Front, trendy mais sympa.... Vulcan Lane pour les petits endroits un peu cachés mais super mignon.. et si tu veux un peu plus expérimenter le côté "local" y'a le NewMarket où je travaillais pour un des cafés de la chaine Mecca (ils existent tjrs?)
Et pour ton petit tour dans le Northland.. je te conseille quand même d'aller à Pahia (je crois que vous allez vous y arrêter de toute façon et de ne pas manquer d'aller faire un tour à Russell juste en face. Ça vaut vraiment la peine de faire la traversée et même d'y rester quelques jours si tu le peux. Tu pourras prendre un petit tour (il y avait un petit autobus conduite par une femme agée mais très sympathique)qui faisait un tour guidé, tu pourras aussi marcher jusqu'aux deux plages (long beach) ou vers la baie au sud .. Il y a un parc national assez loin par contre ..je crois que ça s'écrit Mi Mi Whagata.. (ou qqch comme ça.. lol) c'est tout à fait magnifique. Si tu trouves qqun qui peut t'y conduire.. Et bon finalement tu pourras aller manger (si tu as encore le temps lol) au Gannet's le resto où je travaillais www.gannets.co.nz . Si jamais tu y vas, tu pourras leur dire que c'est un ancien employé de Peter et Sylvia qui t'envoie:) héhé ..
Evidemment, tu ne pourras manquer toute la beauté de Cap Reinga..à la pointe nord de l'ile tu vas voir c'est aussi beau sinon plus que sur les photos:)
Bon oki j'en ai assez écrit là! héhé! Continue sur cette belle lancée!:)
Mathieu
Salut Janie,
Très coooool ton aventure. Je suis très contente que tout se passe bien. Tes histoires sont drôles, man, "bunk bed - no ladder", you must be laughing like crazy. Enjoy, and looking forward to read some more.;0)
Brigitte
Salut Janie, Très coooool ton aventure. Je suis très contente que tout se passe bien. Tes histoires sont trop drôles, bunk-bed – no ladder, man you must be laughing like crazy.
Enjoy !! Lookinf forward to read some more…
Bye for now Bridge
Salut Janie, Très coooool ton aventure. Je suis très contente que tout se passe bien. Tes histoires sont trop drôles, bunk-bed – no ladder, man you must be laughing like crazy.
Enjoy !! Lookinf forward to read some more…
Bye for now Bridge
Hi Janie, I'm happy to know that you're having a wonderful time on your big adventure. Making friends and sharing ideas is always a good way to go. So far you sound good and looking forward to the Magic Bus tour. I know you'll be seeing wonderful places that will fill your mind and heart with wonderful memories. I enjoy your messages and like Isa I feel like I'm travelling also. Take care, be safe and have fun.
Hello our girl,
I'm so glad that you took the magictour. They know what most of you want to see. I like Matthieu's comment. It's nice to get advice from someone who's been there. Today, wed. 24th, dad went to your house and finished putting your garden to bed, including your furniture. I'm sure this has been on your mind as to when would that be done (haha).Did you have a good time with the Quebecer you met? Dad & I will be leaving for Florida on the 8th. Nov. The day before your birthday. Now everyone knows when you turn another year. Hopefuly the best one in your life. How is the weather? Did you have to buy warmer clothes? So far I think this should have been an email but I like trying new things, like a blog. Love you and miss you and we will be talking soon.
love
Mon & Dad
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