I slept very well---the bed was so comfy (compared to a van). I slept on the top bunk above Jenn.I got up around 8AM and found Misha staring at me at the side of my bed.Startled me a little, but them I laughed---the best way to wake up honestly--laughing that is not Misha standing by my bed hahaha. After that warm wake-up, I jumped off the top bunk, repacked my stuff, and we were off to the airport.
First we had to stop and fill up the vans for the last time. At the gas station we ran into Mark and his mom who had also been touring NZ too. We followed each other to the drop off the vans and all checked in together. Unfortunately all our flights were jumbled up and we flew 2 and 3 on 3 different flights due to online booking and tickets getting sold out before everyone was on.
Everyone was on the first flight together but Abby and Colin, but they had theirs only like 2 hours later. This first flight was only 45 minutes (still got an Anzac cookie, chips, and a drink) and stopped in Christchurch where I had a 2.5 hour lay-over. Rory and I were the only two on this next flight together (others had different connecting flights) so we just walked around the airport. In Christchurch is where the earthquake, however, I didn't see any damage directly. The cashier in one of the stores said they would be closing the next day and opening in their new facility, so I am assuming there had been some damage to the airport. I never left the airport either so that could be the reason I didn't see anything anyway. The three hours went pretty fast because I napped for about an hour and when I woke up, there was only 20 minutes until boarding and then I was back in the air. The flight to Auckland was only an hour and I got more Anzacs (I am really going to miss this biscuits they call them (cookies in America) because they are so good), chips, and a drink again. (That would never happen in the States--sometimes on 3-4 hours rides they don't offer anything). The flight was very smooth and once I landed in Auckland I had to go from the International airport to meet up with the rest of the group.
We repacked some of our bags and then decided to head to Auckland city for the night. We took the Air bus to the city which took about 30 minutes. We booked rooms at another Base hostel and went there to check-in. Then we all ran out to grab some dinner, I had some subway and then went back to the hostel to shower. Again the shower was a 20 second button which I had to constantly hit, but it did its job and I was out. We decided to head out on the town that night. The first stop as Freddy's Ice House, however, I chose not to go in. It cost NZ$25 for 30 minutes to stand in a small Ice bar. I guess it had some ice statues, the bar was completely ice, and about -5.5 degrees Celsius.They provide gloves, and a coat for those entering in.
I just waited outside and walked the harbour as the others went in. I took a stroll by the water, checked out the neat boats, walked by a ton of restaurants, saw some interesting people out that night (lots of costumes out that night, a 40-50 year old in a red, sparkly unitard, and lots of young, drunk kids).
I met back up with the others and we decided to head to the Globe bar which was the bar attached to our hostel. It wasn't hopping yet, and when I walked in I saw two stripper poles on the dance floor--kinda risque if you ask me. We only took a peek and then went to find the other BSU students apartment which they rented for a week as they stayed in Auckland. It was a good walk, about 20 minutes or so---including a few steep hills (which I enjoyed). It was nice being reunited once again! We hung out at the 2 bedroom apt for an hour, just filling each other in on what we did and where we went and then went back to the hostel.
Colin and I decided to go back down to the Globe which was now packed so we danced a little and then headed back to the room. We had a 6 bedroom dorm this time and shared it with a German girl backpacking around. She was very nice and we chatted for a little bit while we were there but not for long. Once I got back to the room it was bedtime for me---only one more day in NZ :(
No comments:
Post a Comment