Other sights in Auckland

So there are few things that deserved mention, such as the perfect rainbow while on my harbour cruise. In reality the colors of the rainbow were very vivid but I think the camera can't really captured it.

And this huge blow up rugby ball which is next to the Ferry Terminal. It is because New Zealand is hosting the Rugby World Cup from 9 September.

This is not about Auckland but on Sydney, if you look really carefully you can see the Sydney Tower in the background, this picture is taken at the Sydney Airport, surprisingly the A380 has a camera at its tail but you can't really see it at this photo but the camera is really sharp and takes very clear images especially when landing.

Saturday, 3rd September

Woke up at 6 am, put my pyjamas into the laundry and then took another nap till 8 am. Woke up took a shower and pack once again after my laundry was done. Decided to check-out before 10 am so I can catch an early bus to the airport.

But I ended up waiting fairly long for the airport bus but still managed to get in 2 hours before the flight time. Nothing much to do at the airport basically, nothing to eat, nothing to buy.

After a 3 hours plus flight, we arrived at Sydney for transit. As our flight arrived earlier there were ample time to look around and it was much bigger than the Auckland airport anyway. Bought 2 OPI nail polish and that was all before I had to start boarding my flight.

Arrived in Singapore earlier than expected, as usual after a quick immigration and luggage pickup I was out of the airport by 1050 pm and home by 1115 pm.

Now I can finish typing this journal and get to bed since I have been up for the last 22 hours. I bet I won’t wake up until at least 12 noon tomorrow.

Friday, 2nd September

Today is the day I planned to go Devonport but can’t go until I did my internet check-in close to 1pm so decided to head down to the pharmacy at Britomart to get some items for a friend, had lunch there before coming back to the apartment to do my internet check-in.

Once done, I quickly left for the Ferry Terminal, made it in the nick of time but because ferry was late, was considered early. Ferry to Devonport takes only 10 minutes. I thought it was a English looking town but quaint as it might be, it appears too small and I don’t feel I am in UK.

Took a walk up Mount Victoria, after much huffing and puffing I finally reached the top. Although I don’t enjoy the climb up but I must say the view of Auckland from the top is actually quite nice. Walked back to town wanting to check out Devonport Chocolate shop but didn’t realize it was so tiny. There was barely space for more than 10 customers, pathetic.

Anyway left there and headed back to the ferry to catch the ferry back. Was planning to stay longer but felt already seen everything I saw so back to Auckland it is.

Upon arrival in Auckland, I walked to the supermarket to once again get more items for a friend and then decided to head to Sky City but they wanted me to deposit my backpack this time so I decided not to waste my time.

Took a leisure stroll back to the apartment where I got ample time to cook and watch tv and pack. Went to bed around 1130 pm as I had to wake up at 6 am tomorrow to do my laundry one last time.

Thursday, 1st September

Once again can’t wake up early. Was online till 130 am and set my alarm for 8 am but snooze and snooze till 10 am. Made breakfast, shower and head out to check out the nearest Air Bus stop which was actually an uphill climb so I will be choosing the other alternative which is a downhill and actually it feels nearer to me.

From there I took a bus to Britomart and checked out DFS for Manuka honey but they were very very expensive. In the end, I didn’t buy and headed to Westfield again. Walked around while waiting for 130 pm to come so I can go on my harbor cruise. Saw a beautiful rainbow after a short drizzle.

When we arrived back at the city, the rain got heavier so I hop on the Sky City shuttle bus to go to Auckland Museum which I initially planned to go tomorrow. After dropping there, I walked around the grounds and see the beautiful Winter Gardens. Then I hop on the Sky City shuttle bus again and got drop off at Sky City, stayed a while at the casino then walked down to the supermarket to get the manuka honey as I was told they were cheaper.

Came back about 8 pm, cooked my dinner and had a shower and since I have already explore Auckland Museum, I can actually sleep in again tomorrow haha. Lots of laundry and packing to do tomorrow night. Will spent some time in the city tomorrow morning, need to pop by the pharmacy to get some capsules for a friend and then will come back to the apartment to do the internet check-in before heading out to Devonport via ferry.

Wednesday, 31st Aug

I must be more tired than I thought. Fell asleep last night while watching the tv and didn’t even wait till the dishwasher nor washing machine stops. I was asleep by the time it was 930 pm and I didn’t wake up until 11 am this morning. Wow!

Made my brunch and then headed out to the city. Made my way to Auckland Fish Market which was a huge disappointment, I was expecting to be bigger but not so.

Anyway spent a while there and then walked back to the Ferry Terminal via Viaduct Harbour where I checked out some cruises. Had in mind to take a ferry to Waiheke but decided on a harbor cruise instead as it will stop over at Rangitoto Island and I also get a return ticket to Devonport worth $11 and the Harbour Cruise cost me $36 which will include a morning tea or afternoon tea depending on whether I take the morning or afternoon cruise.

After booking my trip I walked to Britomart where I ended in Westfield mall. Malls here are quite the joke, there are not much shops unlike the Westfield in Australia. The massage definitely looks good which I don’t mind trying if I have $40 to spare. Will have to KIV on that. Saw some manuka honey for sale which I am keen to buy but will wait till the last minute as I am very keen to see whether they are on sale at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday.

From there I walked down Albert Street and ended up at Sky City, I was hoping to catch the Sky City bus which will take me to the Auckland Museum but the last bus just left 9 minutes before I arrived…arrghhh. So decided to drop by the casino and play some slot machines.

This time round I was very disciplined, I did not stay long there, by 630 pm or so I was out of there and walked back to the apartment rather than take the bus. Popped by some pharmacies and saw some items on sale which are highly tempting.

Will have to do more shopping on Friday night and checked if I can get a slightly later check-out time of 1030 am at least.

From Melbourne to Auckland : Tuesday, 30th Aug

Arrived at the airport last night at 10 pm or so and was trying to find a place to sleep but seats were limited and most of all the airport was freaking cold. Every time I managed to fall asleep, some loud noise will wake me up.

The Qantas counter was not opened for check-in for the Auckland flight and they only reopen at 330am for that flight. So I set my alarm at 3am and walked over to the Qantas counter. Managed to get an aisle seat on the emergency exit row as well. After collecting my boarding pass, went into the passport control area, the duty free area was huge I must say. Anyway went straight to the gate but since plane wasn’t ready, I took another short nap and woke up at 515 am for boarding.

Saw the row behind me was empty so after takeoff, went to the row and lay down to sleep. So I skipped my breakfast, my lunch and when I finally reached the apartment I was staying, it was close to 2 pm, room was not ready so I had to wait a while. Imagine cold and hungry! Anyway show you guys the slope that I had to go down to the apartment, thankfully it was downhill rather than uphill but when it is wet, it is quite precarious still.

Anyway when I was given another room, I took it, unpack, shower and then went out to explore the town. Took the city circuit line bus which was free around and around just to familiarize myself with the service and the stop. Tomorrow I will try the Fish Market’s bus and Sky Tower bus but no hurry since I have 4 full days to do so. Went grocery shopping but didn’t buy much cos this apartment doesn’t provide a range top for studio apartment, all I have is a microwave oven so cooking is slow as there is only 1 cooking apparatus.

But at least their washing machine works and I put my clothes to wash after putting the dishes into the dishwasher.

Oh another cool thing is they have a heater towel rail in the bathroom and free breakfast and internet so I am definitely going to go online after this to catch up with what’s going on in the world while I was away. Just saw there was a charge for logging onto the internet, will call the reception to check before trying again.

Other sightings in Melbourne

An unknown sign in most part of the world, it means you need to first turn left in order to turn right. Confusing right? These is only for some streets in Melbourne CBD so that cars wanting to turn right will move left first so they don't block the tram and then they can turn right later on. It's call a hook turn just so you know.

Saw these in Chinatown

And these restaurants that were in Chinatown and 1 across the road from where I stayed. If you look at the restaurant's names you will know the reason why I took their photos.

I also spotted this road barrier which are very funky and cute.

And this bridge from Docklands to New Quay, love the curve though it won't shelter you if it is raining.

And this building from afar, it is call Eureka 88, there is a 3 meter platform protruding from the 88th floor, not for those with fear of heights, if you look real hard, you can actually see the platform from here.

Also spotted these barricade to prevent landslides or erosion along slopes but interestingly they give me the feeling that I am in a sauna cos don't the rocks look the same to you?

A Russian looking structure in Melbourne? Issit a palace? Noooo, it is a theatre.

Saw a row of building along the Yarra River, looks like they are some rowers' associations, just look at the number of rowers getting into the river?

And last but not least, isn't the garden of this house just outside the MCG cute? Love the elephant trees!