KTMusings

The library is closed tomorrow, so unless I find an internet cafe, don't expect an update. We'll check in Monday morning (NZ time) to let you know D&Ry arrived okay (then I think we're heading out to climb the youngest volcano in Auckland - Rangitoto - for some supposedly great views of the area and the islands). Once we leave Auckland I expect internet to be spotty, and we'll be busier, so I'm not sure we'll update much. Day 6: http://kellytmiller.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-6-saturday-319.html

Yesterday I walked over to the Parnell Rose Gardens. The roses themselves were pretty, and there was quite a big park stretching down to the water. Then I grabbed a coffee and sandwich and headed back to the Domain by the museum and sat in the park for lunch. I watched all the school kids come up to the park for recess and play soccer and rugby. It rained in the afternoon, so I went back to the Chalet and took a little nap. When I went out for dinner I forgot it was Friday night and busy, so I just got take out ("take away" as they call it here) and went back to the Chalet and watched American Idol over dinner. A French family checked in last night with a 2 year old. At breakfast today he kept venturing over to talk to me ... but instead of just having the barrier of trying to understand a 2 year old's speech, I was totally at a loss for French! (And I just kept picturing the Friends episode where Phoebe tries to teach Joey to speak French ( "wi poo poo!" ) and ...

I had a very low key day yesterday ... I sat at a great cafe for lunch for over two hours - took out my book, but ended up just people watching and was very entertained. I left for Catherine and Colin's about 3pm - wasn't too excited about driving again, but it's getting easier every time I do it - I think we'll be fine once we're out of the big city here. It was great to see Cappy, Colin, and the kids. They made a yummy dinner on the grill - hamburgers, sausages, potatoes, and Greek salad. It was nice to catch up. I realized when I left that we didn't get a single picture together! :( It's sprinkling here today - I just wandered down to the Parnell Rose Gardens for a while and now will go grab lunch. I think all my exploring is catching up with me - I may need a nap this afternoon! Day 5: http://kellytmiller.blogspot.com/2011/03/day-5.html

Yesterday I ferried over to Waiheke island for the day. I signed up for the Taste of Waiheke tour - our first stop was Stonyridge winery for a couple samples and lunch. Then we went to an olive oil maker, which was really interesting - they still hand-rake the olives off the trees, which looks like a lot of work! Then to Wild on Waiheke - a brewery that also has some wines, though most of their business comes from serving beer to corporate parties and then handing them laser guns and bow & arrows for some archery down the rows of grapes! Our last stop was Mudbrick winery - they had my favorite wines. And the most gorgeous view! We got out of the bus and had a beautiful view back towards Auckland city, then they had us a climb to the top of the vineyard, which I was thinking was an awful lot of work for another sample of wine :) but from the top the view was absolutely jaw-dropping. The bus then took everyone back to the ferry, but I had the driver take me back into town and I sat ...

I spent yesterday as a true tourist ... I walked back to the museum and caught the hop on-hop off bus and took it to the Sky Tower. Rode to the top and got a nice view of the city and surrounding islands. They had two viewing levels and a cafe near the top - had a coffee and "sweet treat" and enjoyed the view! Then I caught the bus to the harbor and walked around a bit. Had lunch overlooking the water. Caught the bus again and went to Bastion Point - a high point in the city used as a lookout over the harbor - more beautiful views. From there I walked down to the beach and walked in the water for a bit, then climbed back up the hill and caught the bus home. I wandered around Parnell Rd a bit more - stopped for gelato again (Bailey's flavored gelato ... need I say more?!) and did a little shopping. Last night I went to dinner at a sushi place my hosts recommended - I ordered a rainbow roll, but to my disappointment they used what looked like salad mix (complete with carro...

I spent yesterday exploring and trying to keep myself up until a decently late time. I spent several hours at the Auckland Museum - they had a lot of local native (Maori) exhibits, a very cool exhibit about volcanoes, and a whole floor dedicated to all of the wars NZ has fought in - with a very nice memorial. I then sat outside in the park for a bit with my book, then wandered down Parnell Rd to see the shops - didn't go in anywhere yet, but got a feel for what's there. I stopped for gelato in a little cafe and ended up chatting with an American who lived in Des Moines for years. Small world. The museum - click on the photo to see the spiffy front steps! Here's our car, Bruce, and the Chalet (with the awnings across the street). Back at the Chalet, I relaxed and talked with the owners for a bit and met a British couple who just checked in for a couple nights. They've spent the last 7 weeks driving around NZ and got me very excited about doing more exploring! They are bo...

I'm having trouble getting connected to Hotmail, so I thought I'd start by posting an update here. A few thoughts from the last 24ish hours: I flew ORD (Chicago) to SFO (San Fran) and thought I should have been in NZ already! The flight to NZ was fine - long, but I slept for a solid 5 hours in the middle and dozed a bit near the end of the flight. I watched Love & Other Drugs on the flight. Jake Gyllenhaal is HOT. There is no a/c in the baggage claim or customs area. DANA & RYAN: dress in layers for the plane and take one off before you go get your bags! And pack your deodorant somewhere handy ... unlike me :) We landed about a half hour early, so I had cleared customs by 6:10 and couldn't get a shuttle to the car rental place until 7, so I wandered around until I found a working ATM (3rd one I found finally worked) and also got a coffee - "flat white" at the recommendation of someone who's been to NZ before. Delicious! I got picked up promptly by the ...