Arriving in Auckland

Arriving in Auckland is a scary experience. First of all, u are greeted by this extremely stern and unsmiling Immigration officer. The big sign behind him clearly states Welcome to New Zealand, but clearly this grumpy immigration officer didn't think so.



I had an interesting experience though because I came in with a team of athletes from I don't know where, but the interesting thing was that one of them was playing a little guitar. One which u would typically hear in a polynesian island. It was very cute and very comical.



Next there was this gorgeous archway that welcomed u to nz. Damn the batteries in my camera died, so gambit had to come to the rescue.




Customs in auckland is also a scary experience. My bags were all xrayed, and once again the personnel was not very friendly at all. Stepped out of the airport and jumped into the nearest cab. And now writing this in my hotel room.



Cool hotel room. Have attached a video for all to check out! Would definitely recommend it!







Xxx

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Zorbing

Ok, so this isn't me Zorbing down the hill, but this is the exact route I took! It was AWESOME to say the least and I will definitely be going back there again! I was screaming the whole time and laughing, it was so much fun, you cannot imagine! I was also being bounced from wall to wall, and it is true what they say, it's like being on a waterslide crossed with a rollercoaster! I have also worded Jill up that we are going on the thing again!

The great thing about this Zorb was that even though I didn't get to film me being in there, the team took photos of me, which I will be uploading soon, even though I look horrendous in most of them! But I would DEFINITELY recommend Zorbing to anyone who's anyone though!

As I was travelling solo, I got the option of choosing between Zorbing on the straight route, or Zorbing on the zig zag route. Thinking that the Zig Zag route would take longer and therefore go slower, I opted for that! Oooohhhh..... it's a whole different world while you're in there! I was screaming and laughing the whole time and was thrown from one wall of the Zorb ball to the other! The water in there was warm and lovely, so there were no complaints there!

I could go on and on about Zorbing, but I won't bore you to death! Definitely worth every penny - even though it was quite expensive, (most expensive 3 mins of my life!) But definitely worth a go! I should totally be working for their advertising company, btw!

xxx

Rotorua Day 1

So I take the bus to Rotorua. Met my travelling buddy, Tom Morgan who seems quite nice, but not quite as crazy as I would imagine my travel companion to be, but it's only for two days, so if we don't get along, I suppose it doesn't matter!

Walked about 15 mins to the bus terminal (my sense of direction is not bad, actually) and then boarded the bus to Rotorua. The journey took about 4 hours, which was really painful! We finally got to Rotorua and got something to eat. And because I was craving it, of course I had the big breakfast.

My thoughts on Rotorua: small sleepy town. But don't let that fool you! This town is full of adrenaline packed activities and needless to say that I was game to do most of it! Unfortunately, my travelling buddy Tom was on a bit of a budget, so we're just going to have to make do.

Checked into BASE backpackers, which was pretty good,it had a thermal pool out back! I thought that it was awesome. The place itself was really nice and really clean, which has been really impressive to me! And the room I checked into had its own little ensuite, so I was suitably pleased!

So Tom and I head into town to check out the Jade factory. There is really nothing to Rotorua and the whole hype about the Jade Factory, nothing much, because it was hard to see the carvers at work! And it was a slow process, really not that interesting!

We then wandered back to the hostel and continued on to this park which was located behind the hostel. It had thermal pool and the weather was cold and of course Tom and I decided to have a dip in the pool! It was really nice and I could not help wondering how much fun it would be if I was here with my girls or a boy! Don't get me wrong, Tom was really nice, but I seriously wondered whether we could actually get along?

After that, it was drinks at this pub, which had all of one other customer and where we had some chips and onto the Lava pub, which was packed with the other backpackers who were staying at the same place. They had all been for the night Maori tour, which would've been nice to go, but finances didn't allow Tom to go, so we decided that we were going to go for the day Maori tour anyway. I was a little disappointed because I was looking forward to having a hangi feast, but oh well!!! Next time!!!

xoxo

Brisbane

So I had to journey to Brisbane, have a two hour layover before heading onward bound to Auckland. Tomorrow promises heaps of adventure, but until then, I don't know!



Exciting bit was that I saw Anthony off so u think u can dance at Melbourne airport. He was the loveliest guy! I was pretty starstruck and wanted to ask for a picture, but decided against it. Come on, how dorky is that.



2 hours later, I'm in brissie airport, I'm sitting in the airtrain just willing it to move. Do they not understand that I have a connecting flight AND still have to go through customs? Thank GOD all my bags are checked in and all I need to do is show up.



The Airtrain is cool, lucky for me, it is not a completely foreign idea to me as I take a similar one all the time in KL. It is pretty empty at the moment, I guess there's just not that many people travelling.



I suppose all I can do for now is to sit back, relax and will the train to move. Will check in again while I'm in Auckland, I'm sure!



Xxx

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Horatio's first project

Horatio

So I've got a new friend. Horatio. Horatio the handycam. And he will be my constant companion while I'm in the Land of the Long White Cloud. Yes he will, yes he will.

Have booked a night in the City Lodge Accommodation, which is on Vincent Street in Auckland. I have been told by my lovely Kiwi friend, Aaron (thank punk) that it's pretty central and close to everything. No doubt I will be writing a review after I've come home!

But the important thing is that I can check in past midnight, and it's close to the bus terminal I have to be at to go to Rotorua. Yes, I am a planner and I plan these things. I've even looked it up on Google maps and have found out that I need to walk/taxi about two blocks to get to the bus terminal, which isn't far at all. I could walk.

Other things I have not done though:

a) booked in accommodation in Rotorua (me and Tom have decided to wing it)

b) booked the Harbour Bridge climb and

c) booked accommodation for Auckland for the rest of the days I'm going to be there.

New Zealand, here I come! I can leave all my troubles and worries behind in the land Down Under.

xxx

Two for 1?

So check it. Tom has found a pub in Rotorua called Henessys or something and it's two for one! God, I love the Kiwis!

xxx

PS. Thanks Tom - you bloody champion!

Mobile blogging!

I love little Gambit, I really do! I just set up mobile blogging so that I can blog while on the go in New Zealand! Absolutely stoked! Of course I already have mobile blogging with my other blog, but it's still exciting!



What else can I do for the day?



Xxx

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The Mango Tree's a-rocking!

So it's true what they say. Necessity is the mother of invention. As I will be travelling by my lonesome for pretty much the first time in my life, I set off on a mission to find myself a travel buddy. I usually like my own company, but I refuse to sit in a thermal spring by myself! I would so much prefer to sit in there with someone and have some intelligent fun conversation!

So I've managed to link myself up with these two dudes, Jose and Tom, one's from England and one's from Canada! I'm pretty stoked. This other girl, Rachael, is also trying to link up somewhere along the way, but she has JUST made plans to head to sunny Cairns, so that's not going to work for me! But how stoked am I!

That's all for today, I think. Over and out.

xxx

Proposed itinerary...

So check it. I have to head to Auckland for about a week or so, and I am going to ROCK New Zealand! I'm so excited, I'm absolutely beside myself. The tickets are booked and they are sitting on my table.I will need to organise my accommodation as well, but as we speak, I am trying to desperately organise my itinerary which is important!

So far, here's what I've got:

Itinerary:

17/06/2008 - Arrive in Auckland: 0025am

17/06/2008 - Head to Rotorua by bus. I have checked out the bus schedule at http://www.nakedbus.com/, and will be boarding the bus at 8am and will be arriving in Rotorua at 12.05pm. It will cost me $27.00 but I'm happy! (better than taking the plane, believe you me!)

From there I will proceed to go exploring and learn about the Maori culture. After reading all the literature, I have discovered that I MUST:

a) go and sit in one of the geothermal springs;

b) watch a live geyser

c) go to the Agrodome

d) go to a Maori village

Now the Agrodome seems easy enough, there is only one there, but there are so many Maori villages that it is hard to pick one. I suppose I'll just play it by ear when I get there! But I do so like planning....

19/06/2008 - head back to Auckland City and arrive at 12.05pm! Just in time for checking into my accommodation and shopping, I think! Will try to see the Sky Tower and whatever else is nearby.

20/06/2008 - time to spend the day at the Museum and the Art Gallery. I'm also going to make a point to see Eden Park, seeing as it is the formidable All Blacks fortress. I wish I could watch a game there though, but as luck would have it, the All Blacks would've played there the week before I get there!

21/06/2008 - another day of exploring Auckland City and whatever else is there to do and also head to the pub for a few drinks and to watch the All Blacks demolish England in Christchurch!

22/06/2008 - head back to homesoil!

Quite an ambitious itinerary, but I think I can work it! Hope I meet interesting people along the way!

xxx