Spring Break Chronicles: Auckland

This is where it all began...

Arrived in Auckland Friday night (20/8) after a hellish day of rain and deciding to skip one class and go to the other to find out it was a 20 minute movie that the Prof. put in and then walked out the door. Just my luck. Took NakedBus for a whopping 12 NZD to Auckland and watched the movie 'Dodgeball' on the way. HaHa! Arrived downtown with absolutely no idea where to go and jumped on a random city bus hoping it would take us in the direction of our hostel. After about half hour on the bus we finally were in the area. Stayed at Verandah's Backpackers which has a good view of downtown from the backyard.

Went to sleep that night dreaming about apple pancakes that we had brought along for breakfast the next borning (mmmmMmm). A p.s. to myself in my travel journal 'p.s. it's so great to be in a big city right now..reminds me of the amazing Minneapoli and the skyline here looks awesome with the skytower!'. Little did I know.. I'd soon be very, very sick of Auckland.





Day 2: New Car!

View from SkyTower

Queen Victoria Statue

We went to the Backpacker's Car Market in Auckland today and Ruth found a van that she really likes. 1990 Toyota Estima, holler! So now, new plan. We're in Auckland until Monday when we get the car and then back on track up north. Oh, did i mention that it's actually a van PLUS bed? How sweet is that? So hopefully all goes well. We went to the skytower today for 16 NZD and then to Auckland Art Museum which was really cool. They had a lot of feminist pieces in one of their galleries that remind me of my Women's Studies class. Also, saw the statue of Queen Victoria where the NZ women's movement held a protest and did a mock funeral in the 70's. That was cool to see. Later that night we wandered aimlessly around K'Road (Karangahape Rd.) and went to a place that our friend Kirill recommended as a sushi bar. It was called 'The Little Turkish Cafe' and we got apple sisha and a few coronas. Turned out to be a pretty good time. People watching in this city is incredible. I think we've run into a few people on 'their corners' so far and this one lady(??we arent sure) is clearly on some serious drugs. A little creepy. Also decided while at the backpacker's in Auckland that a new goal I have here is to go diving or get diving certified. This woman staying at the BPer's is a diving instructor and was telling me of these places all over New Zealand that are World Famous diving spots. That's pretty awesome! We also ran into these people when we were walking around town today from AKSamba(??) They all gathered on one of the corners and started playing intruments (drums, maracas, etc.) and dancing. Found a short video of it online if you wanna check it out (Samba). Well, thats about all for today. Just filling my brain up with useless knowledge while on the road.. told my dad to watch out cause I'm gonna be the next up and coming Dr.Professor.Reuter. Seriously..its happening.
New Knowledge of the Day: How do you create a waffle fry?
Answer: Mandoline! What the heck. You need a special gadget just to make them. And then you cut the potato-turn 90 degrees- cut it again-90degrees-cut etc. Then when you fry it it makes the holes! Who knew!


Day 3: STILL in Auckland

Learning about the Ocean (Scallop)

Yes, here we sit in the 'heart' of New Zealand..still. But tomorrow is Monday and that means great things are coming our way! We went to the Auckland museum today and learned about all kinds of stuff. For example, there was a whole exhibit on the Pacific people and the native tribes that lived on the islands. Also, a section on dinosaurs ;), the ocean, and volcanoes. My favorite part being about the volcanoes considering that is how New Zealand was formed. It's really awesome to learn about that stuff... or re-learn it I guess.. since I first learned it in...what...5th grade? Ha! I learned today that Mt. Renengha (where I went snowboarding) is one of the most active volcanoes in the world...errupting every 3-4 years!

(stuffed) Kiwi (bird)

Crazy, huh? We also met up with this girl, Charlotte, today who knew Ruth from back in the day. Also, went to go see 'Killers' today (that movie with Ashton Kutcher)  and it was pretty good. I give it 3/5. I'm so antsy to get travelling. Staying in BPers also inspires me to see so much/go new places. Last night they were going on about Taiwan and how incredible the people are there. I also really want to learn more about the Maori..their history is really confusing and a lot to take in right now, but I hope I understand most of it before I leave.




Day 4: On the Road...Almost!

Lalala, bored at the Backpacker's Car Market...what to do... we've been here since 1:15 p.m. and it's now 4:26 p.m. Played 500 card games, bought salsa doritos, ate salsa doritios, creep like crazy on the auto body shop and now we're just Ready.To.Go. Also, the 'girls' are out on the corner again.. third day in a row we've seen them standing there. Pretty sure our intuitions about that corner were correct. Well, Ruth and I have decided to start our own rap crew. R-Dawgg & BreezyB. Watch out. We're gonna be massive. Alright, enough of my rambling...car is done.. FINALLY!!!!

HAMMY!..er wait, hammyyy....

BACK IN HAMILTON. And as the title of this hints.. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Oh, Hamilton. Home to many of my good friends and this flat, flat, boring, bar filled city. Just kidding. Not too bad. But after seeing so much I'm ready to hit the road again! It will be good to catch up with friends though...already on my way out the door-- off to make dinner with Ruth & Nora. And to answer the question many of you may have been thinking but the opposite answer-- Did I get sick of spending two weeks in a mini van with Ruth? The answer? No-- actually I didn't. Not annoyed by her at all! Pretty impressive I think. The same would not have been said had my roommate tagged along. Ok, but off to make dinner and then beer & How I Met Your Mother night with all our friends! Just wanted to pop in and say hi before I took off again. More to come soon.. you will have so much to read you won't know what to do with yourself.

One thing I did want to mention before I leave though -- arrived home to find friend requests on facebook. Most were unimportant people from the past and then the last one-- "Hannah Vukelich" attached with a note wondering how I'm doing (complete with a smiley face) and then saying she didn't want things to have ended on a bad note.

How do I feel about this? The request is still pending and honestly I'm a little distressed at her attempt to be friendly. Considering the year of us trying to fix a broken friendship still makes me want to cry. Most of you went through it with me. So, thoughts? I need some insight. pronto.

That's all I've got.. more SOON. I promise

Peace, Love & A lot to think about..

--BreezyDownUnder

On the Road..

hey guys :)
Sorry that I haven't wrote in awhile (yes kristen that means you, stop getting angry at me through comments.. ;) haha). Just kidding but I'm currently on spring break with Ruth.. we are almost done with the northern peninsula on our trip. Turns out we arent taking the bus anymore because ruth bought a CAR. Yes, you heard me. And actually.. its not a car.. its a van.. complete with a bed in the back so we've just been camping out of that!! Last night we slept in this random town in a cul-de-sac where it looked like no people were living in the houses haha and then ate muffins on the beach this morning. Went to Ngwana Springs (hot pools) last night so we smelled like sulfur.. on top of us not showering since monday.. so yeah.. our main goal today was to find a shower. Good News: I'm squeaky clean! We are currently in Dargaville at an internet cafe after showering at a B&B that we came across in town. It was an older couple that lived there and they were a little caught off guard by our question to just use their shower but they agreed so that was nice of them :D. Not sure what we have planned for today.. may try to scope out a suft beach somewhere along the way.. we are heading back toward Auckland in hopes of the Cormandel Peninsula in our near future.

Well, thats all that I've got for now.. more to come once I get back to Hamilton. I'm keeping a travel journal while we are on the road so expect good stories and pictures once I return ;)

Peace, Love & warm showers--

BreezyDownUnder

Spring Break Plans!

& I have made yet another visual representation for you....don't you just love it?? :)


View Spring Break 2010 in a larger map

Yellow House= Hammy where I reside
From there follow purple tacks up to Auckland and onto peninsula, then follow yellow back to Auckland
Ferry across the bay to Cormandel and Whitianga
Then off to Tauranga for some surf lessons 
Followed by the East Coast if we can figure out how to get there...
And last official stop on our trip will be in Gisborne for more surf.


TIS GONNA BE EPIC! Stayed tuned for incredible coverage and pictures.. if my camera charger arrives in time


Ps. This is me being overly excited so please postpone your excitement until AT LEAST August 20th 
(seeing as that is that day we will be leaving)

SnowPlanet

Took a trip to Auckland on Friday to visit SnowPlanet..."365 days of snow". Yes.. you heard me. It's an indoor snowboarding hill, classy..I know.. :) Well, it was supposed to be a day trip complete with hookah bar downtown afterwards however... things didn't really work out so smoothly. We ended up with this:

I bet you weren't expecting that, aye?
mmm broken bones...aka T-Rex arm

And a sleepover at the North Shore Hospital in Auckland. What happened you ask? Well.. everything was going fine.. me, Ruth, Spencer, and Kirill were all hitting stuff in the terrain park and going off the jumps. 20 minutes before SnowPlanet closed Kirill crashed on the jump...and this was the result. Complete with an ambulance ride for him and spencer and a speed lesson in New Zealand driving for me and Ruth. Yes, thats right. We have to drive Kirill's car from SnowPlanet to the hospital. Well, Ruth drove... I was more of the 'passenger moral support' and I think I did an excellent job :) Anyway, Kirill is now in a cast and has to get x-rays every week for the next 6 weeks to make sure his bones reset correctly. We got to sleep out in Maori meeting room in the staff section of the hospital which was kinda a cool/creepy experience. So, needless to say I have had yet another eventful weekend.

Saturday was Katie's birthday party. We decided on a Mexican theme so there was plenty of tequila to be had. I will post pictures once they surface because my camera is still dead so I rely on other peoples pictures that they put on facebook to be a good enough description of my life. Ohhh, the joys of the internet.

Well, I guess that's all I've got for you at the moment. I just kind of felt like creeping you guys out with that picture... haaa! :) I'm going to head off to bed now... well.. not head off.. seeing as I'm currently laying in my bed...but...I'm going to close my eyes and sleep. Yes? Yes.

p.s. -- It should really stop raining... I swear. As soon as I did my laundry today mother nature was like "oh, helllll nah" and threw some huge dark clouds my way. Am I asking too much when I say my only standard is that I not smell like a caveman? Damn you, weather.

Peace, Love & (hope for) Sunshine--

--BreezyDownUnder

Holy August!

I cannot believe it is August already. What the heck is going on?! I've now been in New Zealand for a month and a day. Where did all the time go? I'm sitting here...stressing out about school already because its testing time! I have my first test this next Monday for my Popular Culture class. It's kind of odd how they do grades here...this one test is 25% of my grade and only out of 25 marks. What do I mean by that? I mean, 15 multiple choice questions (one mark each) and an essay question (10 marks). I'm thinking by this measurement its either going to be easy as hell to get good grades here..or insanely hard. So, watch out...its either straight A+ for me or a massive fail. Haha, just kidding. I doubt that it's that serious of an issue...but I can't know for sure ;)

Okay, so its been over a week since I've updated this sexy as blog so where to begin??-- Last week, on Friday, It was an insanely beautiful day so me, Brittany, Josh, and Scott all headed out to Raglan (the beach I've previously posted pictures of) and got fish n' chips, a bottle of wine, and a surfboard for Josh. We just hung out there for most of the day..josh surfed...we watched. It was so relaxing and nice. Minus the fact that they have these ridiculous bugs that come out at the beach. I personally would call them gnats but apparently they are "sand flies" and they are a pain in the ass. Britt, myself, and Josh all ended up with these huge welt/bug bite things. I guess it's because we aren't immune to their bites like the locals but either way..I feel like a 5 year old with the chicken pox. Hopefully this means that the next time we go I won't have to deal with this. Britt and I found the cure though...it's called "Tiger Balm" and I don't know how effective it actually is.. but it seems to be working so far :). We went to this random dollar store place in town yesterday and we found it. Had never heard of it and had absolutely no clue what it was, but in between the tiny Asian writing there was a sentence of English that contained the words "soothes" and "bug bites". That's really all it took for us to fall for it's marketing techniques.

Oh! I also FINALLY got my bike fixed. For those of you that don't know...my bike crapped out the first day that I got it.. and I haven't been able to cruise on it since. Turns out it was my spokes? And...my kickstand was a little lose which was contributing to the awful noise I heard when I would ride it. Hooray! Bike is fixed, right?? WRONG. My friend fixed it and then I hopped on to give it a go to make sure everything was working all good...FLAT TIRE. No, I'm not joking. I wish I was. Just my luck right? I actually think it's pretty hilarious. I keep joking that I should just get everything in working order and then sell it back ASAP before something else goes wrong.

Yesterday, Britt and I went for a shopping rendezvous into town which was a lot of fun. The weather has been total crap here lately... thank you, winter! So it was nice to do something that would produce some endorphins. I got a new scarf which I still need to figure out how to wear because I feel like a doof when I put it on, ha! Then we ended up running into Josh on his skateboard in town. It was a funny sight to see. He had his headphones in cruisin' along as we are trying to get his attention, calling his name, and running after him across intersections, almost getting run over. We did finally catch him, thankfully. Then had some lunch and hit up the dollar store I told you about. We purchased some very fashionable (kiddie) umbrellas which is going to come in handy for this annoying winter rain. It was great fun. It's been nice to hang out with some people that I don't know as well lately. I met a few people on Saturday as well and am going out for coffee with one of them this afternoon :). Apparently this has been making my flatmate angry? The fact that I've been going off and doing things with other people without including here all the time, I mean. I guess that I can understand that, but at the same time I have other friends besides that close group of girls that we always hang out with. I want to have my own friends and be my own person. I didn't come to New Zealand with the expectation that I needed to watch after my 23 year old roommate. I enjoy hanging out with her and all of that but I'm also an independent person. She basically made it sound like she expects me to tell her when I get home, when I'm leaving, where I'm going, and who I'm going with. I'm sorry.. that's just not going to happen. I love the amount of freedom I have here with new friends and I plan to continue doing that. I do need to start hanging out with her more when I'm home though, I can admit to that.

I KNEW that I was forgetting to tell you guys something. OK, flip the switch...we're getting away from that drama and moving to a much more interesting and happy topic. The other day, Tom and I went meandering into town for some Fish n' Chips (yes, I eat it a lot.. and NO I don't get sick of it). While we were on our merry way chattin' about life and New Zealand we noticed a fence... this fence was surrounded by shrubs.. we had passed it many a times on our own but had never noticed the THREE SHEEP that reside there. What the heck? Yes, this is in the middle of our residential neighborhood which is also in the middle of a suburban town which has rural area on its outskirts but SHEEP?? It was so exciting that we stopped in our tracks.. stared at these sheep for multiple minutes and then preceded to talk to them and give them names. Well, seeing as how Tom is a genius we named them Larry, Curly, & Moe. And I have created a visual representation of these sheep for your viewing pleasure:

Well.. I have the feeling that this is an EXCELLENT place for me to stop today. 

Peace, Love, & Fish n' Chips--
--BreezyDownUnder

Mt. Ruapehu ski fields, Turoa

Ohhh.. I'm excited to write this one... wanna know why? There's a new uploader and its gonna make adding my pictures and making cool fonts like this and stuff so so so much easier ;) 


But, that's not what you want to hear at all now is it? Hehe.. well ok. Snowboarding was AWESOME and I doubt that any of you would be expecting a different answer coming from me. Well the trip to Mt. Ruapehu (about 3 hours from Hamilton) was rather unexciting but the scenery was pretty awesome... lots, and lots of sheep. And no, I'm sorry I do not have a picture of any sheep yet. I really want my first picture of them to be something epic... so I'm still waiting for the right moment. However, I did snap a picture at a scenic overlook on our way to the mountain:

Look at that sky. It's so beautiful :) I'm not sure what river we are looking at here...but that's not really important anyway. We ended up having a pretty massive group of people that either planned the trip with us, decided to come along once we got there, or we met at the backpackers which was really really cool. We arrived around 5pm and then invited a fellow backpacker to the bar (conveniently next door) and ended up sitting there waiting for others to show up until around 11:30p.m. This is no joke... or should not be taken lightly... sitting in a bar for that long is a badddd idea. But we did have some good laughs. This bar had a very northern feel to it which I appreciated.. the inside was all wood and they had a fireplace and wooden stools and table tops. They also had a wall covered with country flags... at some point during the time we were there Verena notices one that she doesn't know the country for. So, feeling a little stupid and thinking she's the only one that doesn't know she asks me and then around our table of 10 people if anyone knows. No one does. Confused and staring for probably another 10 minutes...completely stumped... we go up to the bar and ask the staff what it is. They ALSO have no idea. 

Thinking you know what it is? 
Well..
I bet that you don't. 
Even Doctor Professor Reuter might not have the answer to this one
 ;)


Answer: Tonga. 
What the hell man? We had the whole staff of the bar..even the OWNER trying to figure out what it was. They were on the computer googling it and everything. Haha, it was pretty ridiculous. A little while later I notice the owner staring at the flags with a clipboard... What is he up to? WRITING DOWN all the countries of the flags on their wall. Apparently we were the first to ever ask.... and they never want to feel that stupid again.


Saturday-- We woke up bright and early and were on the road to the mountain by 8:30 a.m. -- we decided to try skiing/boarding at Turoa which turned out to be a good choice I think.  

Above the clouds!

View looking out from the mountain.

No snow anywhere but behind us! crazy, huh?

If you look close you can see a rainbow under the clouds :)

Got out on the slopes around 10:30 a.m. and hollllyyyy molllyyyy were there a lot of people, especially on the lower mountain. Luckily, being the brilliant person that I am, I opted for the full mountain pass and the upper mountain had fewer people (kind of) but also more skilled people so it was less of a death trap. 

Me, Katie, and Nora 

Only about half of our group went skiing/snowboarding that day. The others stayed behind and hung around in the snow and in the cafe' for the day...which I think is crazy of them! The snow at the beginning of the day was a little upsetting, super hard and icy which had me worried that we'd chosen a bad time to go. On the contrary (it feels awesome to say that), as the day went on and the weather warmed up the snow turned into perfect goodness at the top...and actually pretty slushy at the bottom. That tells ya how nice out it was! I had to take off some of my layers...it felt like spring skiing, which was incredible. Want me to shut up already and show some more pictures? ...I think I can do that. 

Headed to the upper mountain with Nora

View up on the Upper Mountain lift

(View from the top)

Check out the clouds/abrupt end to the snow

Well, now maybe I have curbed the need to go snowboarding for awhile (HA!). Hey, you never know. One thing that was a little tough was the rental snowboard. I don't think I ever realized that I've NEVER used one before until I has this one in my hands. First snowboard I ever rode was my own. It was a little tough getting used to the rental plus the fact that rental bindings are p.o.s. and the edges are always jagged. But, you can't win em' all... at least I had my own boots, so that kind of helped. Anddd, once I got used to the snow and the board it was smooth sailing. 

Sunday we went to Whakapapa (pronounced fa-ka-pa-pa, no joke) village and looked around. It's just another ski resort much like the one I have pictures of. Then, it was time to say goodbye to Verena :( and head back home. I have some lingering pictures that should be accounted for before I end this though...

Verena and I @ the backpackers! 

Sunset @ the bar

Bar hours-- which we loved ;)

Mountains on the way home from skiing

Ahh, it feels so good to write these. Hopefully, they will help me to remember all the places that I've gone once I get back home-- to make another scrapbook (??!)-- and it's nice to share them with you. Or at least, feel like I'm sharing them with someone....whether I actually am or not. 

Can't force you to read! But I hope you all do!

Love,

-BriDownUnder