Auckland weekend...

I took two days off work when it was Anzac day on the 25th to make a 5 day weekend. With those five days I decided to fly up to Auckland and catch up with some friends. I stayed with my mate from school, Shanna. Had a great time checking out a bit of the city. On Friday we went with her cousin to Rainbow’s End. This is NZ’s one and only amusement park. I have to say I was mildly surprised that it was quite decent! I even conquered the scary rides, in fact even embraced them! Shan and I went on the ‘Fear Fall’ 3 times. This ride goes up 18 storeys and then you hear a click, then it pauses more and you fall to the ground again! One of those weird things that you (well I) hate, but you like it for some reason and have to do it again! The other big attraction is the rollercoaster, with full circle loop and cork screw section. I was freaking before hand, and wouldn’t have been too shamed to get out after once round (it goes round twice with a pause in the middle for people to get out if they aren’t happy). But that too was awesome. I think we clocked up 8 turns on that! So all in all, a fun day out.

On Saturday we went to Otara Market. Otara is in South Auckland, and mostly populated by Pacific Islanders. Was good to see, and we also caught a cool break-dance battle competition. After we went into town to Aotea Market which was much more classier with arts, clothes and jewellery. Later Shan gave me a lift back into town to my mate, Mark’s apartment. Mark is my Japanese buddy from uni, and I discovered at a family friend’s wedding in March that he is going out with a friend of a friend from Timaru, Richard. So the 3 of us caught up, had a few drinks before going to a farewell party of Richard’s friend at a club in town. Then onto a few more clubs. Ended up being a decently late night, and in turn a very lazy Sunday not leaving Mark’s til 3pm after lounging on the couch since getting up.

Monday, Shanna had to go to school (she's a teacher) and do some prep for the start of the school year so she dropped me in town and I went to the Auckland Art Gallery. Was good. There was an exhibition of 60s British Art from the Tate London. The NZ art collection was cool too. After wandering around I got the bus back out to where Shan lives. That night we went out for dinner with my Dad who was up for car racing and work, my uncle Richard who lives in Auckland, Nikki my cousin, and Dad’s bro Phil. Was a funny night. Shanna and my dad get on fabulously and are always giving each other shit. Much wine and beer was consumed and by the time we’d gone back to Richard’s, him and Dad were rather boozed!

Tuesday was very chilled, didn’t get up to much, and then Shan dropped me at the airport. After the flight being delayed an hour and a half I flew home! All good times…

Kaikoura Birthday Bash

Had an absolutely fab weekend. My aunty and uncle are both turning 50 this year, and Richard fancies himself as a bit of a party planner - and a party he did indeed plan!

We went up to Kaikoura (beautiful seaside tourist destination famous for crayfish, whale watching and outdoor adventure) on Friday. About 60 guests were invited including Mum, Dad, my bros, Ann and Casey's gf Tess. We stayed at a great backpackers with a brilliant outdoor entertainment area with pool, spa and sauna. We pretty much overtook the backpackers. There was an abundance of beer and wine, with a Thai buffet for Friday night's get to know each other session, and a BBQ for Saturday night.

After a pleasant evening on Friday, woke up bright and early on Saturday to go 4WD motorbiking. A group of 11 went on a 27km journey over amazing farm land, up and down huge hills, tracks, steep banks, and up the rivers. The farm land went right to the coast over looking the massive sea, and a colony of seals at the bottom of the cliff. It was really so awesome, and definitely made me realise how gorgeous NZ is. The start was a bit tentative on the bike, but after a bit of practice, I got really confident and it was really fun. There was also a professional photographer on the trip as the business are making a new brouchure so wanted photos. When I get copies of them all I will post pics.

Saturday evening was the pool party - madatory Hawaiian shirts and leis! Got well and truly stuck into the wines, and must admit got well pissed! I tripped over a big rock trying to get to my brother to have a photo with him, and the bruise hurts! Since it wasn't a birthday (at my uncle's insistance) he got a cake, and we all sang "It's not a birthday to you...!" The night ended with dancing and singing away to the guitars and singing of two mates of my uncle and aunty.

Sunday, wasn't the happiest of days, very slow, very hungover and the windy roads from Kakoura to Christchurch to endure for the trip home - I so remembered why I used to always be sick every time we drove up to that area!

So yeah, if anyone comes out to visit. We should definitely go to Kaikoura and hang out. It's cool!