Monday 30 April 2012

Weekend antics

This past weekend proved to be very interesting. Saturday we picked up our "new" (to us at least) SUP, stand-up paddle board. Since we don't have a car and can't take a 10 ft. board on the bus, we had to figure out a way to get it home. We thought paddling it home was the best, since it was only a bit over 2 miles straight along the beach to our house. This would have been a great idea if not for the 6-9 ft waves. We ended up trading off carrying it and paddling it like a surf board (on our stomachs, with our arms). Luckily we brought our wetsuits, so the many dunkings we got didn't make us too cold.
We now count among our toys 2 bikes, 2 surfboards and a stand-up paddle board. I think that's enough for now, but who knows when a cheap kayak will be up for sale.
We took our stand-up paddle board for a real test run today. It turns out, I'm a natural. Not so much for Kaleb. (picures coming soon)
Kaleb is now back amongst the employed. He's working for an outdoors company that makes and sells great wool clothing, tents, backpacks, etc. No word yet on his discount, though I'm sure we'll end up spending at least half of his salary at the store.
There's a fantastic farmers market here every Sunday. We end up getting most of our food there. They even sell cheese, fresh bread, and meat.

Friday 20 April 2012

Settling In

We're settling in to our new apartment.The apartment is lovely and close to everything.
I just miss the concept of central heating. Not sure why, but Kiwis think they don't need heat or insulation, even though the nights get down to about 40 degrees (F) right now and soon will be close to freezing.  I've put in a full week at work this week. Since Kaleb's contract BA job at the polytechnic fell through, he's looking for work. Kaleb bought a bike (of course not a cheap one) and plans on bringing it back to the states with him. I am hoping to buy a bike off the NZ form of craigslist this weekend.

Sunday 15 April 2012

Weather is "fine"

Island life is simple, I know, however I would like a few more details in the weather forecast on the evening news than the weather on the North Island will be "fine" tomorrow.

Yesterday K and I went to Tongariro National Park. Better known as Mordor from Lord of the Rings. We did some off trail hiking straight up Mt Ruapehu. Who says you can't hike in Sambas? We also did some tramping in the forest to see waterfalls.

On the way back we drove through Rotorua, a volcanic city. Not somewhere I would care to live, as it always smells like sulfur due to the gysers everywhere.
Today we went out to the port city of Whakatane (the "wh" is pronounce like an f). Not much to talk about there, but got to see the ocean from another view.

Friday 13 April 2012

We're not homeless!

We found an apartment we loved today. We'll be living in the Mount. We can surf, hike, stand up paddle, paraglide, swim, scuba dive and sail all by walking a maximum of 5 blocks. For all who said I wouldn't be coming back, maybe this place is why you claimed that. No worries, I'll be back - - - eventually. Oh yeah, our apartment also comes with weekly maid service.
We hiked to the top of the mount today. Fantastic views!
Tomorrow we're off to Mordor. In reality it's called Mt. Ruapehu in the Tongariro National Park.

Photos


Click here for the full photos

Not a hostel...A gnarly cottage.

From Kaleb:
So we opted out of staying in a hostel while we searched for a place to live in Tauranga. We are looking to rent a furnished place or be flatmates with some understanding individuals. Beth will be working early to accommodate the US time. Its like putting in a half day in the office with her as she'll work the afternoon and after people go home.

We got this nice 1 bedroom cottage with a gnarly backyard. When entering the living room there were two nice and ripe avocados on the dinning table. I ate one for breakfast and it was probably the best one I can remember eating and I eat them a lot. If I had an oven and eggs, I would bake the eggs in the seed pit. Even better than getting only two of these bad boys, the owners said if I find them on the ground in the backyard I can eat them. The owners have quite the green thumb going on. I'm sure they could put on a clinic in landscape design. For instance, you get to gaze upon this and while listening to the birds chirp.

In the backyard, there is a chicken coop with a few chickens, a peacock pen with 7 of them, a koi pond with my sushi, a man cave for late night reading, a hot tub for relaxing, a couple of love seats, a few benches, a few raised platforms for getting up, a lot of produce from gardens, the beginnings of an orchard, and a lot of love. They must spend a lot of time out here and if I lived here I know I would as well. Its at the end of a secluded cul de sac and then down a long drive way. Without GPS, I don't think we would have found it.

The first few days

Kaleb arrived in Auckland Saturday (NZ time) and I arrived on Tuesday. Angi dropped me off at MSP and 38 hours later I arrived at the hostel in downtown Auckland to meet up with Kaleb. Bonus points awarded on the trip for fairly empty aircrafts (it was Easter Sunday) and a shower in the Tahiti airport.
Points subtracted for spending 12 hours in LAX, which is under construction, so there is nothing to do.
I picked up the driving on the other side of the road very quickly, having practised this in South Africa in 2010. My one problem is using the windshield wipers rather than the blinker.
We started off my time in Auckland by going out to eat Afghani pizza. We travelled half way around the world to eat the same tasty food that is 5 blocks from our house at Crescent Moon Bakery. For dessert, my favourite treat in the world, Movenpick ice cream. The Swiss's finest ice cream that I have been missing for 11 years. I managed to actually stay awake until 9 pm.
Wednesday we drove to Tauranga and our bach (pronounced batch, not like the musician) which is a studio apartment in a suburb. See the post from Kaleb.

We've spent the rest of the time exploring the city and looking for a flat to rent. We're hoping to find something in Mount Maunganui area as it has a great beach town atmosphere. We have some good prospects but will be looking at a few more places over the next couple of days.
Today I ate Swiss food, while Kaleb ate sushi. I love living in places with international restaurants.

What is the quest for 6?

The quest for 6 is my quest to live on every continent (except Antartica) for at least 3 months. By living somewhere for 3 months or more, you learn the culture. Forced to do everyday tasks like grocery shopping, renting a flat, working, etc. you can really see how others live. I've already done Europe (Switzerland), Asia (Japan), and of course my permanent home of the U.S. Kaleb and I have arrived in New Zealand this week to live in our first country in the Southern hemisphere. We've settled on the small beach city of Tauranga.