Oh man, it's been a long time since the last post! Life been getting a bit hectic with work, but I'll be better about updates! Richard had offered to loan Sam and I roof racks for the car while we're here, so I met up with him on Thursday at Karangahake Gorge. It's near Waihi Beach, where I'm staying. It used to be used as a gold mine, so there are a lot of walks you can do through the old tunnels! It's really neat. We also definitely hopped the fence and went into some tunnels that we weren't supposed to visit...heehee oh well! Also, if you go there, remember to bring a flashlight. It's dark in there. And in case you didn't already know this, the flashlight on your phone is not very bright. Friday and Saturday were both spent for the majority at the Flat White on the clock. Weekends are incredibly busy because people come down to spend the weekend at the beach, and it's just going to get busier once summer is in full swing! I was running around serving coffees and food, like literally running. On Friday we had an American couple who eloped at the restaurant and they came in Saturday to eat. I served them their coffees and remembered to say congratulations on their marriage, and when they let they came up to me to thank me and have a little chat about the US. It was really nice! Sunday was a crazy day at the Flat White, super pack brunch/lunch hours and then to top it all off, the power went off on one wall of the kitchen for about an hour. Madness! I ended up having to stay two hours longer, which meant I missed my ride up to Auckland with Jess (since I wasn't working until Thursday I had decided to go up and visit Jess and Dan in Auckland). Luckily, Dan came to the rescue. He found me a ride with a couple that he knows through surf life saving! They were so nice and I am now known as their American hitchhiker. Their youngest son was with them and he plays water polo so we had a good chat about that. I still honestly can't believe that happened and that it ended up working out. Jess and I woke up early Monday to go for a run, which I definitely needed. I hadn't worked out in a few days because it's exhausting being on your feet for 8 hours in a cafe, seriously. After we finished, we went up to North Head park, which has remnants of fortifications that were built in World War II. You can walk in them and explore all the different rooms! It's pretty neat. We also discovered a random piano in one of the hallways. It was super out of tune and only about 5 of the keys worked. I couldn't play my classic, one finger rendition of "Doh, A Deer" as per Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music. Obviously Jess was disappointed about this. Except not really. We spent the rest of the day Christmas shopping before coming back to the flat and cooking a mean stir-fry fir dinner. Jess and I ventured into the city that night for some ice cream from Giapo. Each flavor comes with their own special topping and they were so pretty! I've included a photo of their beauty in the slide show below. Mine had baked apple pieces on top with a crumble-like topping underneath. They tasted as good as they looked, I can assure you. After that, Jess had been telling me about this sensory maze, where you put on white gloves and walk into all these different rooms and have to find the doors to get out in each one. It sounded so cool, so we went! You get handed some gloves, watch a short safety video, and then you're on your way. One of the rooms was so dark, we literally couldn't see a thing and then the floor got really soft and Jess shrieked when this fluffy thing hanging from the ceiling swung into her. And there was a mirror maze where I lost Jess and was super confused because I didn't know which one was the real her and not her reflection. She put up her hand and said "I'm right here!" But of course all her reflections did that as well so as you can imagine that wasn't helpful! We high-fived so I knew which one was her. It was loads of fun! Tuesday I slept in Jess' car while she went for a paddle (I know, I'm lazy, I don't want to hear it). Afterwards we met her brother, gran and friend Elena for brunch at Little Bird Organics, which is this place that serves amazing gluten-free and dairy-free food. I had breakfast tacos that were to die for. Afterwards, Jess, Elena and I went up north of Auckland to Tawharanui Regional Park and explored the beach there. There were a number of sea caves and rock pools to look at, and we saw a bunch of crabs roaming around as well. There are so many places to go here, I feel like every time you go somewhere you come back with 3 more places or things you want to see! That afternoon, Jess went for a paddle at Maurangi Bay, and so I went for a run along the beach. So nice. Then I died a little because I decided to do stairs repeats, followed by hill sprint repeats with Dan. I'm sore now. The best part of Tuesday: MY PARENTS LANDED IN AUCKLAND!!! In case you can't tell, I'm pumped. And even better, I got to see them! Dan was kind enough to take me to the airport to see them in exchange for a burger and a milkshake. They had had quite a time getting to New Zealand (flight cancellation, etc.) and it was so nice to chat and catch up with them a little! I also took some stuff of their hands. They were headed to the South Island the next day and they didn't need to lug everything around for a week before getting to Waihi Beach on Sunday. On the way home, Dan and I discussed the different things that Kiwis say that Americans don't and vice versa. I've also found myself saying a few things that are weird...like "I reckon" actually came out of my mouth recently (people here say "I reckon" instead of "I think"). Might have to watch myself, for real. We also took a pit stop to take in the the Auckland skyline all lit up at night. Basically, it was a good night. Wednesday Jess and I ran some errands, tanned and did our nails (which I've peeled off already. Classic.), I watched her teach her swim lessons, and then we grabbed sushi before we headed back to Waihi Beach! Thursday and Friday were spent at work, but the highlight was going to see the new Star Wars movie in 3D! Richard and I met in Tauranga after I got off work on Thursday and went. Movie review: SO GOOD. Disappointed that Jar-Jar Binks didn't make an appearance (thanks, reddit conspiracy man), but other than that it was awesome. Plus, and I promise this doesn't give anything away, there is a main character who's a girl and isn't a princess and she is the bomb. I want to be her when I grow up and move to a different galaxy far far away. That's all I've got for you this time! I am SO excited to see my family on Sunday, it's incomprehensible. You'll read all about our adventures in the next post! P.S. For some reason my site editor isn't letting me put captions on my photos :(
So I'll caption them here. In order: 1. Karangahake Gorge 2. Fortification at North Head 3. The piano! 4. Giapo ice creams 5. Me at Tawharanui Regional Park 6. Jess and I in the sea caves at Tawharanui Regional Park 7. View of my run at Maurangi Bay 8. Auckland at night!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Meet AnyaHi, Hola, Bonjour, Ciao!
I’m Anya Phillips, a data analyst and travel enthusiast who is always on the lookout for the next adventure! Categories
All
|