Photos...

At left is the cool looking tower at Auckland University.
I LOVE that area...
Albert Park- so pretty.

At right is the crater thingy at Mt Eden.
Looks rather like an Ampitheater. Anyhow, you can also seek Skytower in the background.

Farewell to Auckland, for a time...

First off- see me and my ice dude date. This was taken at 5 below my first night in Auckland. They supply the parkas and gloves (included in the $27 entry fee... The cost of agreeing to go somewhere before you find out the cost...)

Since I depart for Nelson tomorrow afternoon (aboard Air New Zealand), I thought I had better take the opportunity to do a few things here in Auckland today.

It being the city of sails, I decided it was time to hit the water. I took the Devonport fairy from the ferry building ($9 return). Walking through this area and seeing people playing with their dogs on the beach or out with their kids, and an elderly couple out for a walk made me think if I was living in the area with a family, this would be a nice area. I really enjoyed it. It was really neat to walk the beach and see seashells, and watch the boats go by. The overlook in Devonport that I visited has some historical significance. It was used as an outlook in years gone by, and there are still some remnants of that as well.

Arriving back in the CBD I went for a stroll. It had been receiving negative reviews from others I talked with, so I decided it was my turn to try some kiwi food- meat pies with wedges. Despite what people had said, I didn't mind it at all.

An update on the job situation: I head to Nelson and I've booked my first couple of nights in the YHA hostel there. I work Monday/ Tuesday this week, and have Wed-Friday off before I start full time the following Monday. I'll have a better sense about what is ahead in the next few days.

I'm ready to move on from Auckland, for a time and see what Nelson brings.

Nelson bound

I received a call this am and I am going to be heading to Nelson, NZ by the end of the weekend for a short 2 day work week next Monday/Tuesday, prior to starting full time the following week. It's a term position of somewhere in the neighbourhood of 2 or 3 months. I'm going to work as a contractor as opposed to as an employee.

I'll now proceed to cancel my Wellington interviews for Monday. I've continued to receive calls from my applications last Thursday- Auckland seems to be the slowest in call backs (today is one week) although there are opportunities here.

It appears you can land a non-professional job in a day or two here. The accounting ones seem to take a few days longer.

I'll have to book my flight now, and book a hostel. Finding accomodation in Nelson could be tricky... It's a smaller community (read no public transport) and will be made harder as I don't want to purchase a motor vehicle.

Off I go to do some research / booking.

The waiting game... and more interesting NZ bits

So I mentioned my big stress yesterday of whether to travel, or whether to look for a job... Zero job calls yesterday didn't encourage me. I woke up early this morning still stewing on my decision, as my friends were booking their trip today... I narrowly decided to try and look for work. However when I got up to shower I spotted my cell and it turns out I had missed a call last night from Patrick at the recruiting firm for the Nelson position. He called me later this am indicating they do want to talk to me. I also received 3 other phone calls. 2 were recruiters in Auckland so I told them I was heading south. (Leading me to hope I find something south, but you have to draw the line at some point). The other was another Wellington recruiter. I'm lined up to meet with him next Monday as well...

So ... if Nelson lines up that is my number 1 choice. Otherwise, Wellington seems to be a hotbet of contract work, so I guess I'll head there and meet with some folks. If that doesn't work out, I'll come back to Auckland and call back the folks who called me today. And if that doesn't work, I guess I'm destined to travel around for a while... (However despite my desire to see the beauty of NZ (and try some adventure activities), at this point, it is overweighed by the desire to actually get to know NZ a little better, by living at least a little "like a kiwi".)

In terms of more interesting NZ stuff... ("Hots" just for Liz...)

For the ladies- Hot- Boots... Worn over pants, or with short pants at the office, or with skirts.
Hot- Pumpkin. Yes indeedy... Seems to be a popular food.
Hot- Subways- at least in Auckland- they are everywhere!
Hot- Smoothies- These things are everywhere - from the grocery to many smoothie shops on the street. I just had a lovely green one for supper. I thought it would taste more like kiwi, but was a little disappointed. I did have a lovely strawberry one in the bookstore last night.
Hot- Auckland's weather this past week! For the dead of winter, I have yet to be caught in the rain and I've done a lot of walking! Also, the dead of winter tends to be in the ~ mid teens here so far during the day time.

Another observation: I think Auckland seems to be more humid than back home. I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise, but I think the lotion producers probably don't do so well here. Apparently one of the girls asked a hairdresser for advice and she was advised to not use conditioner... Interesting indeed...

Also- you can buy sliced rhubarb at the market. This would lead me to believe it sells in small quantities, like you see sliced fruit at home. I wonder who is buying it?

Did I ever mention, I can't stand decisions???

No news on the job hunt today except one email saying someone will be in touch "soon".

A few friends look to be departing on a mostly north island tour - likely on Wednesday. If I haven't heard anything on the job front by tomorrow I may book to travel with them for most of the month of July- and cover off most of the north Island anyway.

Alternatively, today I researched the cheapest way to get to Wellington where I am supposed to have my head hunter interview next week... Answer- by plane. Yes- this beats the by bus and by train option.

I'll likely be doing one or the other on Wednesday or Thursday.

Upside of travelling the north island now: I want to cover the north island and really like Alisha and Steph, AND it would mean I wasn't sitting around waiting for a job. Who is to know whether my leads actually lead me anywhere. I might be doing a lot of waiting if they don't pain out.

Downside of travelling now: May delay or hinder the job hunt if any of these leads actually may lead to something.

Decision day: Tomorrow...

A sunny weekend

I'm starting to feel extremely lucky. Auckland weather has been ABSOLUTELY beautiful! Let me say that again. Both yesterday and today, blue sky and warm. Yesterday I didn't do too much- just more walking, picked up groceries, and hung out with a few folks I met. (Including a Canadian- Happy Belated Canada day!)

The hills here are more than I had bargained for. This prairie girl finds herself climbing up and down inclines throughout the CBD in Auckland. I figure if I was to stay here any period of time, I would be in great shape. Today I frequented the Auckland Museum. For the cost of $5, I observed a number of archeological artifacts from the south pacific, wandered through the animals/ plants exhibit, and got distracted by the pretty interesting volcano exhibit. I wasn't aware of some of the past volcanos in the NZ area. Interesting stuff- and lots of types of rocks, and such. Neat! We also wandered through the top floor, which was a little more sombre- as the mood was war. I realized that my knowledge of Canadian history is rather weak, as I couldn't remember who our own prime ministers were during certain of the wars. Mental note to read a history of canada summary when I make it back home. Also to read up a bit on NZ history- ie what created Anzac day.

The Museum is located in Auckland Domain- a lovely green space with interesting sounding walks, such as "lovers lane". I can't get over the trees. They are just so different. If I was a biologist, I am sure I would like NZ for the plant life. We also made our way back through Alberta Park- again- just so beautiful!

In terms of the resolution of my banking issues mentioned in a previous post- the problem has been settled by simple cash withdrawals from my credit cards, which I subsequently deposited in my NZ bank. My interac card wasn't an option, as my daily limit for ATM purchases is still rather low. Under $500. Maybe as low as $300. I can't exactly remember- just know that it doesn't work if I try to spend more.

I've been excited to see how favourable the FX rates are on the transactions that have posted to my credit card statements. In the range of .68. This makes things here a little bit of a better deal.

An interesting note on parking. They don't have meters everywhere- just a central depository every so often that services a whole part of a street. I'm not quite sure how it works.

My tentative plans are to head south this week. But due to the volume of my work related stuff, I hesistate to trave around much until I can get my work things in storage. (My "backpacking" things are under control. I had to purchase a few things for interviewing this weekend, having realized that my one blazer didn't coordinate either of the 2 pairs of work pants I bought. Doh! Victims of the last packing downsize. Mental note to keep coordination in mind in the future). I may wander down to Wellington/Nelson for about a week for my interview(s) there. If something pans out there, I'll likely do a stint of travel after I'm done that term job.

But I'm really liking Auckland so far. I hope to return at any rate for a stint of work here after the south, if something would line up.

My big walk

Yesterday I decided to try and the Coast to Cost Walk, a 13km walk leaving from the Harbour and through some of Auckland's sites. I ended up not talking the 13km walk, as the walk was not so well marked and I surprise, surprise, ventured off it! At any rate, I did make it up to the top of Mt Eden and all the way back in about 3 hours. Albert Park near the University is absolutely beautiful, and I really like the charm of that area of Auckland.

Alisha and I went to a veggie restaurant on K road for supper last night. (Hare Krisha vegetarian). For $5 you get a huge plate full of veggie food- and it was delicious! We then decided to take in a movie. A few slight differences- you actually pay for the movie at the concessions stand, which seems to make some sense. And- the seating was pre assigned, which again in a busy movie can make some sense as people often leave an empty seat between them and the next party. I think it might be a little harder if you were meeting someone there.

Nothing too exciting on the agenda for today. Looks like another nice blue sky day out in Auckland. I'll try and post some pics one of these days.