Mid Trimester Break: Part 1.

   It’s only the second day of my holiday, but man have I done a lot! I’m exhausted already, and it’s only Tuesday.

   I flew into Auckland Monday night. I was nervous getting to the airport and doing everything by myself, but it wasn’t so bad. I caught the bus, I got to the airport, I checked in, I waited (typical), and I went through security. They stopped me in security and checked my bag. I really didn’t like watching them dig through all my stuff! But apparently my tweezers looked like a blade on the x-ray. Better safe than sorry.

   Anyways, the flight was short and easy. We left Wellington at about 8:10 and landed in Auckland at 8:55. There was hardly any turbulence. I met a really cool French guy on the plane and we chatted the whole time, so it flew by (no pun intended). When we landed, we had to take the stairs off the plane, and walk across the tarmac, cool! I don’t know what I was so nervous about.

   Everything in the airport was closed when I got there, so I wandered around a little bit before getting on a bus to take me to the backpackers I’m staying at. It was after 10 pm by the time I finally got in.. ugh! And I ended up staying awake until 12:30 so I could sign up for classes at Wells. With the time change, it was so inconvenient! But I got to plan out my day Tuesday while I waited.

Just like in the movies!

   I woke up bright and early Tuesday morning to get going into town. I had to stop by the backpacker office, since they were closed by the time I had arrived the night before. The guy that was working showed me how to get to town, and some cool things to do. Before long, I started walking into town. It only took about a half hour, and I saw a lot on my way! I found out there are Dunkin’ Donuts’ here in Auckland, so of course I had to stop by one once I got into the CBD (Central Business District. There’s one in Wellington, too. It’s just the heart of the city). It was similar to the US, but not the same. I still thoroughly enjoyed it!

Oh Dunkin, I've missed you...

My favorite thing about Auckland: When the crosswalk signal comes on,
people swarm the streets and cross every which way!

   Afterwards, I just started to roam around the city. There’s a major street, Queen Street, that runs through the CBD down to the water, so I walked along there and went to some shops. I found the coolest little records store that had a vintage shop in the back. I also walked along Karangahape Road, or K Road. It had a lot of fun, quirky shops. On my way back to the CBD after K Road, I got suckered into donating money to the NZ Paralympics. I didn’t mean to, but the very handsome man totally sweet talked me! A lot! And besides, Paralympics is a good cause. I don’t feel that bad about it..

The view from the verrrryyyy bottom.

   Once back in the CBD, I headed towards the Auckland Sky Tower. It is massive – the tallest building in Auckland. You can see it from all over the city. I bought my ticket and travelled upwards! It has 50-something floors, but it only takes like 40 seconds to get to the top. The elevator had glass panels in the floor and part of the way looking out the elevator door, so you could see the ground zipping away from you. It didn’t freak me out like I thought it would! The first elevator you get on takes you to the main observation deck, which is 186 metres high. There’s another elevator that goes up to the sky deck, which is 220 metres! There are also other floors that have base jumping, tower walking, a restaurant, and a cafe. Once I had had my fill of the view (which was like an hour!) I went back down to ground level and made a reservation for the restaurant. It’s a revolving restaurant, I couldn’t pass it up!

The elevator - on the ground. 

The elevator - 186 metres up!

What I saw when I walked out of the elevator on the main observation deck. Wow!

What a huge city!

The Auckland Harbour Bridge.

They have these glass panels all around the observation deck. Scary! 

Tourists always know how to take the best pictures...

The view from the sky deck, 220 metres.

   I still had heaps of time before it was time to eat dinner, so I went to the Auckland Art Museum for a couple hours. There was so much to see there! It was all amazing artwork. I was so amazed at all of it. There was a lot of variety, which I really liked. There were Victorian paintings, Grecian sculptures, Maori portraits and wood carvings, NZ contemporary art, and the list goes on. It was overwhelming to try to take it all in!

"The Simplest Surrealist Act"

"Lake Wakatipu with Mount Earnslaw, Middle Island, New Zealand"

   The museum closed just as I finished up there, so I walked back over to the Sky Tower for dinner. I still had a little bit of time to wait, so I went back up to the observation deck. Luckily I bought the ticket that allows you to go up as many times as you want per day! When 6:30 finally rolled around, I took the elevator to Orbit, the revolving restaurant. It was so swanky! I felt underdressed. But I was soon distracted by how amazing the food was. I got Tuki Tuki Chardonnay, a huhu ciabatta loaf with an herb butter and sea salt spread, and a capsicum and goat cheese spread, and for my main, grilled hapuka (fish) with smashed peas and ginger risotto. It was so so so good! I definitely deserved a good meal after how much walking I did today!

Yes, I ate dinner alone!

The wharfs and the Auckland Harbour.

The Sky Tower and the moon.

   I inadvertently treated myself to a me-date tonight. I went to the movies after dinner! I didn’t really want to go back to the hostel and be bored, so I bought a ticket to see The Avengers in 3D. It was at 9pm, and I was pretty exhausted by that point, but it was worth it. The movie was so good! However, I lost one contact halfway through the movie, so that was pretty annoying. I had to close one eye the rest of the time! It is so strange to only wear one contact. Plus wear 3D glasses. I would not recommend it. Despite that, I still really liked the movie.

   I was really nervous leaving the movie theatre, because I had to try to get home without being able to see well! I resolved to take a cab, even though I didn’t want to. I found one quickly, and I got home without a problem, so it was a really good idea.

   My first day in Auckland was amazing, and I can't wait to see more of the city!