My apologies. It's been two weeks since I've posted last, and in that time quite a bit has happened. I'm back in Auckland, which I prefer far less than Wellington. I met up with my friend, and, among other things, went Glowworm Tubing, which has been one of the neatest things I've done on this trip. In less exciting news, I've downloaded the Google Phone SDK, and have been trying to learn it.
The hostel at which I've been staying has free Internet, and I've settled somewhat back into my old routine: Run at night, make a post, work on projects, sleep. I'm positive this will get disrupted on Friday, when I go to Fiji, but at the very least I'll write posts on Sparky and be able to backdate them when I get to a terminal. Overall I think I prefer the Livejournal interface to the Blogger interface, which tends to be kind of wonky, or at the very least unfamiliar.
Therefore, this shall be my last posting on blogger. Future updates can be read at my Livejournal page, which I try to update nightly.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Wandering about Wellington
It's Saturday, and thus far it has yet to be clear enough for the observatory to be open. If it's not clear tonight, I'll just have to wait until I get back to Auckland to go to an observatory, or just look up at the sky when I get to Fiji.
I did the City to Sea walk on Wednesday, and my calves still hurt. Thursday I explored Wellington some more, and ended up walking to the airport. It wasn't nearly so hilly as the walk to the sea -- it was along the bay the entire way -- but it was still walking, which means my calves hurt even more. But walking is fun, so I really don't mind.
Yesterday was spent in the Wellington: City and Sea museum, which had as one of the displays "101 stories", which told of one event that has occurred every year from 1900 to 2000. It was a very interesting exhibit, and ended up consuming most of my afternoon. I spent the evening reinstalling Windows on my laptop, a process which I ought to complete today. Not every day can be perfect.
I did the City to Sea walk on Wednesday, and my calves still hurt. Thursday I explored Wellington some more, and ended up walking to the airport. It wasn't nearly so hilly as the walk to the sea -- it was along the bay the entire way -- but it was still walking, which means my calves hurt even more. But walking is fun, so I really don't mind.
Yesterday was spent in the Wellington: City and Sea museum, which had as one of the displays "101 stories", which told of one event that has occurred every year from 1900 to 2000. It was a very interesting exhibit, and ended up consuming most of my afternoon. I spent the evening reinstalling Windows on my laptop, a process which I ought to complete today. Not every day can be perfect.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Wellington: City to Sea
I have just finished Wellington's City-to-Sea walk, running from Wellington to Island Bay. It involved three hours of walking, much of that up hills and down. It also involved gorgeous views and wonderful solitude, a welcome change from hostel life.
It was lent a bit of excitement, as on the radio today I heard the words "drizzle" and "afternoon" used in the same sentence, though I'm not sure the exact phrasing. The clouds began rolling in about halfway through my walk, which made me start to worry. However, as I write this (sitting in a fish and chips shop), the weather remains sunny.
If it stays clear, I hope to go to the observatory tonight. The main observatory is closed for refurbishment, but there are two others located in Wellington Botanical Gardens, which are just a short walk from my hostel. Otherwise, I'll find something else to do, probably involving reading.
It was lent a bit of excitement, as on the radio today I heard the words "drizzle" and "afternoon" used in the same sentence, though I'm not sure the exact phrasing. The clouds began rolling in about halfway through my walk, which made me start to worry. However, as I write this (sitting in a fish and chips shop), the weather remains sunny.
If it stays clear, I hope to go to the observatory tonight. The main observatory is closed for refurbishment, but there are two others located in Wellington Botanical Gardens, which are just a short walk from my hostel. Otherwise, I'll find something else to do, probably involving reading.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Welcome to Wellington
I'm in Wellington. It's windy. The moniker "Windy Wellington" is well-deserved.
Based on the description in the tour book, I spent my first three days in Wellington in a charming hostel a half-hour's train ride outside of the main city, and a 1km walk from the train station. On the plus side, it was large, had a well-stocked library, and contained friendly people. Unfortunately, I was a half-hour train ride from the city, a 15-minute walk to the train station, and it was cold and windy.
It seems that the first three days that I experience in any new city city will be filled with discomfort, which is entirely understandable given the circumstances. It's also a very important self-discovery, as it brings with it the promise that Things Will Get Better.
So what did I actually do during my first three days in Wellington? Not much, actually. Which I think is the general mindset of the hostel. I spent time in the city exploring and hunting for Internet access, which I eventually found. I spent quite a bit of time either on the train, or waiting for it. I read Neverwhere, by Neal Gaimen, which happened to be on the hostel's bookshelf. And I talked with other hostel patrons, like one is supposed to do. In short, I spent a lot of time working very hard to do very little. And that is what I spent my first three days in Wellington doing.
Based on the description in the tour book, I spent my first three days in Wellington in a charming hostel a half-hour's train ride outside of the main city, and a 1km walk from the train station. On the plus side, it was large, had a well-stocked library, and contained friendly people. Unfortunately, I was a half-hour train ride from the city, a 15-minute walk to the train station, and it was cold and windy.
It seems that the first three days that I experience in any new city city will be filled with discomfort, which is entirely understandable given the circumstances. It's also a very important self-discovery, as it brings with it the promise that Things Will Get Better.
So what did I actually do during my first three days in Wellington? Not much, actually. Which I think is the general mindset of the hostel. I spent time in the city exploring and hunting for Internet access, which I eventually found. I spent quite a bit of time either on the train, or waiting for it. I read Neverwhere, by Neal Gaimen, which happened to be on the hostel's bookshelf. And I talked with other hostel patrons, like one is supposed to do. In short, I spent a lot of time working very hard to do very little. And that is what I spent my first three days in Wellington doing.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Life in a new hostel
Have I mentioned there isn't a whole lot in New Zealand? I'm fairly sure I mentioned the fact that there is but a single cellular provider (though, to be fair, while it is relatively expensive, they also have 3G available.) There also seems to be only one supermarket serving all of downtown Auckland. Sure, there are plenty of convenience stores (which are), but they are all overpriced when it comes to basic goods, and they don't have a very large selection. There does seem to be an abundance of coffee shops, though.
Which brings me to a peculiarity that I have found nowhere else: Coffee in Auckland is usually served in bowls. Cups are used for take-away beverages, but shops seem to serve beverages in a dish that is wider than it is tall, and tapered somewhat. It's the sort of thing I'd usually eat cereal or noodles out of, not sip coffee. But it works, and it's how they do it, so who am I to argue? Plus, it's interesting.
My second hostel was much nicer than the first. It had more character, and seemed much friendlier. Sure, some people still used it as a stopoff point on their way to exotic places down south, but a one-week stay seemed to be the average, with some people having stayed for at least three months. When I go back through Auckland on my way up, I'll try to stay there again.
I do have a date-of-return now. I'll be in Auckland until November 21, and I'll be back in San Diego on December 4. In the interim, I'll be in Fiji, which turned out to make the flight cheaper. Plus, Fiji itself is fairly cheap compared to the places I've been so far. It's fairly exciting, especially since until I booked the flight, I didn't even know where Fiji was.
So I have one month in New Zealand, then two weeks in Fiji. I fly to Wellington on Thursday, and at some point might take a ferry to the South Island. I'll be meeting up with a friend in two weeks in Auckland, which I'm looking forward to. I'm still not sure what one does in Fiji though, but I'll find out when I get there.
Which brings me to a peculiarity that I have found nowhere else: Coffee in Auckland is usually served in bowls. Cups are used for take-away beverages, but shops seem to serve beverages in a dish that is wider than it is tall, and tapered somewhat. It's the sort of thing I'd usually eat cereal or noodles out of, not sip coffee. But it works, and it's how they do it, so who am I to argue? Plus, it's interesting.
My second hostel was much nicer than the first. It had more character, and seemed much friendlier. Sure, some people still used it as a stopoff point on their way to exotic places down south, but a one-week stay seemed to be the average, with some people having stayed for at least three months. When I go back through Auckland on my way up, I'll try to stay there again.
I do have a date-of-return now. I'll be in Auckland until November 21, and I'll be back in San Diego on December 4. In the interim, I'll be in Fiji, which turned out to make the flight cheaper. Plus, Fiji itself is fairly cheap compared to the places I've been so far. It's fairly exciting, especially since until I booked the flight, I didn't even know where Fiji was.
So I have one month in New Zealand, then two weeks in Fiji. I fly to Wellington on Thursday, and at some point might take a ferry to the South Island. I'll be meeting up with a friend in two weeks in Auckland, which I'm looking forward to. I'm still not sure what one does in Fiji though, but I'll find out when I get there.
Friday, October 26, 2007
First days in New Zealand
Here I am, nestled at the bottom of the world, living in the future. It's blustery, cold, and generally quaint. This, I gather, is New Zealand in a nutshell.
New Zealand observes daylight saving time, which gives me the curious pleasure of being in the future, relative to anyone I care to talk to online. Right now I'm at UTC+13, which means I'm 20 hours ahead of those back home in San Diego. Effectively, it's tomorrow.
The hostel in which I am currently staying is, by far, the most backpacker-centric locale I have yet witnessed: It is ten storeys, with an STA Travel agency for students located on the eighth storey. The third storey is home to two TV rooms, a vast number of washers and dryers, a massive kitchen, an array of perhaps fifteen couches, another travel agency, an Internet Cafe, and a job board. There's a pub on the fourth floor, but I have it on good authority that it's not very good.
The room would be alright, except for two things: First, my roommates are definitely night owls. It's after 1pm now, and the other three are still asleep. This may be in part due to the second problem, that being that the room is located in the middle of the building, and is thus cut off from natural light. I feel almost like I'm in one of the cave experiments from the 60s. Not an ideal way to overcome jetlag.
At the airport, I picked up a brochure on Auckland tourist attractions. Sunday I went to the Maritime Museum, which overall was very interesting. Unfortunately, due to the weather I was unable to go on the tiny steamboat that was supposed to be running.
There is a park here called, and I am not making this up, Sheep World. I think it's a farm, but at the moment they also have a scarecrow exhibit. I'm not sure if I will actually make it to this wonderfully-named site, as it's a ways' ride out of town, but know that it exists.
New Zealand observes daylight saving time, which gives me the curious pleasure of being in the future, relative to anyone I care to talk to online. Right now I'm at UTC+13, which means I'm 20 hours ahead of those back home in San Diego. Effectively, it's tomorrow.
The hostel in which I am currently staying is, by far, the most backpacker-centric locale I have yet witnessed: It is ten storeys, with an STA Travel agency for students located on the eighth storey. The third storey is home to two TV rooms, a vast number of washers and dryers, a massive kitchen, an array of perhaps fifteen couches, another travel agency, an Internet Cafe, and a job board. There's a pub on the fourth floor, but I have it on good authority that it's not very good.
The room would be alright, except for two things: First, my roommates are definitely night owls. It's after 1pm now, and the other three are still asleep. This may be in part due to the second problem, that being that the room is located in the middle of the building, and is thus cut off from natural light. I feel almost like I'm in one of the cave experiments from the 60s. Not an ideal way to overcome jetlag.
At the airport, I picked up a brochure on Auckland tourist attractions. Sunday I went to the Maritime Museum, which overall was very interesting. Unfortunately, due to the weather I was unable to go on the tiny steamboat that was supposed to be running.
There is a park here called, and I am not making this up, Sheep World. I think it's a farm, but at the moment they also have a scarecrow exhibit. I'm not sure if I will actually make it to this wonderfully-named site, as it's a ways' ride out of town, but know that it exists.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Onward to Melbourne!
I took the overnight train to Melbourne. It's an 11 hour train-ride that leaves at 9pm, and arrives at 8am. I took the economy student seats, that cost $65 one way. It wasn't comfortable at all, as I was sitting upright the entire time, but it was cheap, and I got to see Melbourne.
Overall, I think I like the city. My first day there I saw a pair of Scottish bagpipers in full regalia, standing on the side of the road, piping. I also saw a fake protest (something about using diesel fuel), a real protest (save the Burmese!), and a marathon.
There is a Pixar exhibit at the film museum, which basically chronicles 20 years of Pixar animations. Quite possibly the neatest thing at the exhibit is a Toy Story 2 zoetrope, "inspired by the one at the Ghibli Museum". While not quite as neat as the Totoro one (among other things, they don't bring the lights up and stop the spinning at the Pixar one,) it was still a very nifty display.
In a bit of local culture, I've seen people making hook turns. Because Melbourne generally has trams instead of buses, almost every street downtown has a light rail line running down the middle of the street. As streets are sometimes one lane in each direction, this makes turning right somewhat annoying for those behind you who want to go straight. So the solution is to pull into the four-way intersection and turn to the left first, to wait for a clearing. Once it's clear (i.e. there are no cars coming at you in the opposite direction, nor cars coming behind you and going straight, nor trams going in either direction), you're allowed to turn across all lanes of traffic. It's a maneuver so bizarre it has its own Wikipedia page.
On Sunday, I took advantage of the $2.50 "Sunday Saver" fare, that allows for riding on all trains and trams around Melbourne. Based on advice from someone at the hostel, I took a train to Belgrave, an hour and a half from the city center. Once there, I took a ride on Puffing Billy, the 1900-era narrow-gauge steam train. With lovely views of the Victoria countryside, along with energetic kids and crisp mountain air, the ride was certainly a pleasant one. I ended up at an appropriately-named stop called Lakeside, that I can imagine, during summers when the weather is warmer, would be a nice place to go for a picnic.
Overall, I think I like the city. My first day there I saw a pair of Scottish bagpipers in full regalia, standing on the side of the road, piping. I also saw a fake protest (something about using diesel fuel), a real protest (save the Burmese!), and a marathon.
There is a Pixar exhibit at the film museum, which basically chronicles 20 years of Pixar animations. Quite possibly the neatest thing at the exhibit is a Toy Story 2 zoetrope, "inspired by the one at the Ghibli Museum". While not quite as neat as the Totoro one (among other things, they don't bring the lights up and stop the spinning at the Pixar one,) it was still a very nifty display.
In a bit of local culture, I've seen people making hook turns. Because Melbourne generally has trams instead of buses, almost every street downtown has a light rail line running down the middle of the street. As streets are sometimes one lane in each direction, this makes turning right somewhat annoying for those behind you who want to go straight. So the solution is to pull into the four-way intersection and turn to the left first, to wait for a clearing. Once it's clear (i.e. there are no cars coming at you in the opposite direction, nor cars coming behind you and going straight, nor trams going in either direction), you're allowed to turn across all lanes of traffic. It's a maneuver so bizarre it has its own Wikipedia page.
On Sunday, I took advantage of the $2.50 "Sunday Saver" fare, that allows for riding on all trains and trams around Melbourne. Based on advice from someone at the hostel, I took a train to Belgrave, an hour and a half from the city center. Once there, I took a ride on Puffing Billy, the 1900-era narrow-gauge steam train. With lovely views of the Victoria countryside, along with energetic kids and crisp mountain air, the ride was certainly a pleasant one. I ended up at an appropriately-named stop called Lakeside, that I can imagine, during summers when the weather is warmer, would be a nice place to go for a picnic.
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