We left LAX airport at 11pm on Sunday March 13th. The entire 747 New Zealand Air Plane barely had 40 people, even though it could have easily held my whole high school.
So with the plane being somewhat a ghost town, Matt and I grabbed our own rows and stretched out for the 13 hour flight.
We arrived at 8am on Tuesday March 15 (skipped right over Monday) and caught the shuttle to the hostel. We stayed at the Lantana Lodge in an area called Parnell. As soon as we checked in, and were escorted to the common area, Matt and I made friends with a New Yorker and a few good Brits. We dropped off our bags and joined our new friends on a stroll through Auckland.
We grabbed a burger on the way and I was surprised to get some version of chunky salsa on mine instead of ketchup. Weird but decent eating. The locals were a mix of super thin pale blondes, and SUPER tan, thick, husky people where dred-locks and barefoot is good anytime. Even when they were in the middle of downtown, no shoes required...
First Stop Sky Tower
The Sky Tower resembles the Seattle Space Needle, offering a fantastic panoramic view of the city and nearby islands. Fun Fact: The Sky Tower is the highest point in the Southern Hemisphere rising to the height of 37 buses back to back.
After an eventful day around the city, we turned in to the Hostel with our friends for a deliciously cooked meal by a Canadian.
Volcanoe
We woke up the next morning ready to conquer the world, so Matt suggested climbing a volcano. At the top of the Sky Tower, we were able to see a huge green hill with a giant crater inside, and that was the next adveture calling our name. We took the local bus, and hiked over 7 miles up and down this beast of a hill (looked smaller from the tower).
Waiheke Island
On our third and final day in Auckland, Matt and I planned a fun day just for the two of us. We took a bus to the pier and booked a round trip ferry ticket to Waiheke Island. This island can be compared to Coronado Island, for you San Dieagans out there, where people live out there all year around, and you can barely afford to look at their beaches. Be that as it may, we enjoyed the relaxing 40 minute boat ride with a killer view from the water.
After arriving on the island we took a 30 minute stroll and found a Fish & Chip place over looking the beaches. The owner was excited we were from Cali and told us she visited every summer for good LA shopping (who knows what that means...) so we stayed a while and had a beer. I instantly made a friend names Sydney, who loved to be scratched :)
We were relaxing and enjoying the day, when all of a sudden we were overcome by five happily brewed (drunk) Aussies who wanted us to join tables. An hour, 2 bottles of wine and 2 beers for Matt and I later, we made best friends with these mates from down under.
Sandy, one of the wives, loved to take our pictures, so I let her.
We then all agreed that we wanted to take the 6pm ferry back to Auckland, and the senior partiers had scheduled a cab and invited us to join. Delighted to skip the 30 minute hike back to the ferry, we agreed and walked to the street with them. Just as we were all looking around for the said cab, Nevel (Sandy's hub - 3 sheets to the wind) runs in the street and holds his hand up to stop an empty bus. They bus driver stopped (he had no choice) and told the drunk man, "Fine! Hurry! Get on! Im late for the ferry!" The seven of us get on our own private bus and haul butt down a windy road, throwing our New Zealans money at him as we go. We make it to the ferry just in time, and were immediately escorted by the Aussies to the bar. One guy in front of us was buying 35 Heinekens and Nevel was worried they would run out. So he began shouting (which he thought was joking) and also introducing me (like that will get us a beer) and the man laughs and proceeds to tell us he owns the ferries. Best afternoon so far :)
We are now in Sydney and ready to have the next adventure! Bring it on!
