makes all the difference in the world. How? Coz it's recorded as such. Nah, I'm just a blog addict according to someone. Hmm... so far my holiday here is okay. I wish I had a computer everyday that I am here so that I can blog it all down day by day so that it would be more detailed. Now, I'm just too lazy to be detailed. Oh give me a break, I've been traversing up and down Auckland City for the past 8 hours. Plus later on, I'll probably forget about it when I get back onto the guinea pig's 'wheel'.
Day 1
Arrived in Auckland. Took Super Shuttle to Aspen House where we stayed the night. It's a boutique budget hotel. Yeap, you read it right, go figure... But to me, I don't think you can call it budget with the price we paid - NZ$120 for a triple room.
Day 2
We went to pick up our Toyota Corolla with CD player *grin* from Avis on Nelson Street. We went up, we went down and then we went across and across and across again and found it. It was a relief when I finally sat my butt down in the comfort of a toyota cushioned seat. =P From there, we swung back to Aspen House to pick up our luggage and drove down to Hamilton. We reached Hamilton around 4pm. Drove around, saw the town a bit, and went to look for a motel. Went into a few and inspected them. We finally settled on a motel called Camelot. *grin* We couldn't resist and the owner Warren was very nice and amiable. After getting out keys and dumping our stuff, we went to the local; Pak & Save to get food for dinner. I cooked lamb steaks what else.
Day 3
Left Hamilton early and stopped by Matamata for Hobbiton. I know, I know. I didn't want to go bu my sisters were adamant. So we went and then we found out they were charging $50 per head just to see some torn down and bare structure. Too bad. But we snapped a couple of pictures of the Hobbiton signboard. Suppose to leave for Rotorua. Sister and me got into a colossal fight in the car, in public. (Window was down) Fight and argument lasted for THREE HOURS PLUS in the car. Lots of tears and accusation. Note to self: Never, ever travel with eldest sister ever again. She agrees too - said our characters clashes too much. I agree. Mutually agreed to shelve the issue for now until we can get her back safely to Malaysia, else she goes nuts on us again.
We then made our way to Rotorua and got to the Visitors' Centre just before they closed. We managed to booked ourselves onto the Tamaki Brother's Tour of it's Moari Village, as well as a place for the night - Capri Court.
We rushed to the motel and changed just before the bus came to pick us up for the tour and dinner. The bus driver, I forgot his name - really long, is very good. He said Kia Ora (hello) in 48 languages, Malaysian included, with it's proper accent and all. He then took up step by step through the maori culture and customs.
It was a good night. We saw the haka, the dances, the weapons and all. The song and dance was the best of all - the cadence is strangely soothing yet provoking at the same time. Later at dinner, we had hangi - food cooked the tradisional Maori way - in the ground. And it was COLD. It's amazing how strong these dancers are - they aren't wearing much whereas we tourists were all bundled up nice and warm. Very robust people.
Day 4
We decided to stay another night, but this time at a motel of my choice - I chose Cedar House Lodge and boy was it a very nice place. For a lesser price , we got a lodge all to ourselves. Later we went to Hell's Gate, a place of thermal activities. It was amazing to see all those thermal activity going on - the hot bubbling pools, the sulfuric pool, the Devil's Bath, the mud pools, etc. We spent almost 2 hours walking around the entire park. Later, we stank of sulfur from head to toe. But after a while, I think I got used to the smell that I didn't give it much thought until I got back into town and a saleswoman asked if we were just up at Hell's Gate. *grin* They must see it sooooo often.
Day 5
Drove to Coromandel, and ohmeegawds, why didn't anyone tell me how very dangerous and tedious the drive is??? Coramandel town is just 54km from Thames and it took us 2 hours to get there on account of the very windy and wet roads in darkness and on the edge of the sea and some parts mountains! By the time, we pulled into town, we were cold with sweat. Thank god it was Lee Na driving and not Lee Hoon. Anyway, we checked ourselves into the Central Motel in town - the least dodgiest looking motel we could find at 9pm at night. Small town. We didn't even bother with dinner, we just grabbed bread and butter and fell into bed and slept until dawn.
Day 6
Walked around Coramandel. Lots of quaint shops and nice people. But we decided we had to head back to town as the roads weren't as easy as we thought. We headed up to Auckland at 12pm and we reached Auckland around 3pm and we wentr straight to Onehunga to shop! Yeah, shopping is one of the other reason we are in a foreign country. Dress Smart is one of the best shopping I've ever done. Imagine, I got 2 pairs of Jeans West Jeans for $40! *grin* Am very please. I got a few more stuff but whose counting? Hee hee...
Later, we went to CityLife Hotel. I thought I had a resevation there but they couldn't find my name in the system. So we had to shift to The Heritage while I sort out my reservations problem. That's why I had to go online the other night and pay through my nose for the Internet fee. So we are staying at The Heritage now and it's not so bad.
Day 7
We did nothing but shop today. Bought a few stuff.
Day 8
Took a taxi to Kelly Tarlton's - expensive 5 minute taxi ride. But the aquariums there were good, though not as good as Perth's AQUA. But nonetheless, I still enjoyed myself. There were King and Gentoo penguins, lots of fishes, stingrays, turtles and sharks. And the lobsters were HUGE!!! I've never seen such large living specimens. Seriously. All this just makes me miss diving... sigh...
Tomorrow, I think we should either got to Auckland Museum or the Zoo. Haven't decided yet. I'll be back in Malaysia by Monday night.
...continue...
Day 9
We finally decided to go the Auckland Musuem. At first Lee Na didn't want to go - she wanted to go to Victoria Market and see more local scenery and all. She suggested we split up. I said okay. But then later, she was all undeciding and all and making a fuss and questioning my decision to go to the Musuem. In the end hey decided to follow me. *roll eyes*
The Auckland Museum is situated on top of a hill that overlooks the entire city and the view is fantastic. Plus, the park there was... wow. Very scenic walk up to the museum from Ayr Street in Parnell. And the Parnell district is really pretty and quaint. Did some shopping after the museum thing - we wanted to go to Onehunga but Lee Na took so long to wonder around the exhibitions that we lost her and had to wait for her until she came out too late to catch the next bus to Dress Smart - walked all the way from the musuem and almost back into the city. My feet was hurting so we decided to take the bus the rest of the way back, and it was just a short distanct to Britomart from where we were! Sheesh.
Day 10
Hired the Super Shuttle to ferry us to the airport. Got on plane and now I'm home. *bah*
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