Better than Paella

I have been in Paihia for 4 days now. They (hostels, coffee shops, restaurants) all charge for internet in these parts, so I haven't been online much. But then I found a library, and where there's a library there's usually free internet.... Plus I've been keeping busy here in Paihia, not much time for the computer.

 Dinner on the beach.

Yes, I really am here! In case you don't believe me! Because I still can't believe it!

Sun setting

Wispy pink clouds... and the moon

I love the water and the rocks.

More oysters on the beach.

These are Pacific oysters.. there were too many to eat by myself!! They were FAT.

...and is mooning you.

Yesterday, Leonie (19 year old from the UK) and I went to Russell, which is across the bay from Paihia.We took a ferry over, hiked up to the flagstaf, then across to have hawaiian pizza and chips on Long Beach.

The oldest church in NZ.

For the first time in NZ, I went swimming in the ocean! It was very cold, but I loved it anyway. After Leonie and I got dressed we decided to walk along the beach... that was when I realized my lima bean ring was missing. I remember taking it off to apply sunscreen.. but that had been over an hour ago, and I had since shaken off all my belongings to get all the sand off. We scaled the beach. I was panicking but I know people lose things, and if I had to lose that ring I wouldn't have wanted to lose it anywhere else. Then Leonie said she stopped, had a feeling it was where she was standing, looked down and saw it mostly buried in the sand. If finding it wasn't a miracle, I don't know what is. But it was absolutely a great feeling, and finding it was better than never having lost it at all.

Afterward I went to hear some local live music, had calamari rings and a beer for dinner, then went back to my room. I met Stephanie, who is 23 and a language teacher from Belgium. She turned out to be one of the NICEST people I've ever met. We went to the hostel next door for a  beer, took some pictures with other backpackers, and then went to the Beach House (it reminds me of one of my favorite places on earth, Rebecca's Coffee Shop in San Diego!!!!). It was Jam Night (open-mic) so I got to see more local artists perform. I saw 2 harpists, and they reminded me of Norton Buffalo. It was a long day and a late night... The planned stay in Paihia was to last 4 days. It has since turned into a week... and then 10 days...

Northbound

I went away from Auckland. 241km, or 150 miles away from Auckland. But before I left, I took these pictures of the bay at St. Heliers:

 

Then I went on my way...

AND 4.5 hours later, here I am, at the BAY OF ISLANDS, in Paihia!!

So, although I am sad to be missing Thanksgiving dinner with my family and friends (especially since I've SEEN the leftovers on Skype), you don't have to worry about me. I am taking care of myself the best way I know how...

That is the Bay of Islands. And that is a crumbled oyster. And - best of all, LADIES AND GENTLEMENT, that is MY HAND!  

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Not Quite There Yet

I am making a mistake.

Waking up in my own room, having toast and coffee everyday, reporting when and where I'm going, taking the bus back and forth to the city, shopping, coming back to dinner made for me, showering, spending hours on the computer, trying to volunteer in retirement communities and public safety, then going to bed for 8-10 hours... sounds WAY too familiar.

I didn't come all the way here to live like I did at home.

So I'm going to do what I came here to do... Stay tuned!

A Day of Discoveries

Where I'm staying while in Auckland.

Part of the University of Auckland.

A beautiful open park downtown.

Christmas shopping.

Yay!

Bungy jumping in the middle of the city.

The Sky Tower. It is taller than the Eiffel Tower. And you can bungy-jump off of it. And there's not a lot of dog poo surrounding it.

Something we don't have in the States.

Is it?.. couldn't be! My favorite restaurant!! NZ$2 breakfast!!

More holiday decorations.

So much bluer than yesterday!

A square in the city. The fountain reads "To Thine Own Self Be True."

So there you have it. Auckland has what every fine city boasts: bushy trees, beautiful churches, a sense of community, something really tall,

and tourists to take pictures of it all.