Auckland

A little insight to the city. I hate it. It has nothing to offer- no culture, no beauty, nothing. I have not hated a city more. A few days before I got to the girls, they were walking home from a bar and some huge dudes came at them out of a van. They picked a fight with the guys and were about to go for little Celia when sweet Michael stepped in. They punched him and he hit the ground with his head massively hitting it hard- to the point that the entire street stopped in awe. The guys fled off and nothing could really be done. Thankfully Mike was only unconscious for a couple of minutes, but it must have been very scary. I am sure this could have happened anywhere- just a wrong place at the wrong time scenario... but this made me hate Auckland even more.

I was glad to have won the trip because it got us out of there. The night before we left, we had a big night out. We met some guys in our room, Mike (a different one), Duncan and Will... we all went out together. We went to Globe bar, not worth anymore words than that. We did however stop at the White Lady before going to bed... yummy! It is an old street trolley converted into a walk up burger joint. I had a toastie... good stuff!

We overslept in the morning and missed our bus to the Bay of Islands. It was a mis-communication with the boys and what time they were waking up. I have never been more disappointed with myself and in the foulest of moods. I ran down stairs like a mad lady, PJ's and all- trying to catch the bus and stall it. It was still there but as I booked it upstairs to get the girls, I realized I didn't have my key to even get into the hallway. The three of us had to re-check into the hostel and frowns were going all around! The girls went back to sleep, but I couldn't.

I calmed myself down and remembered that everything happens for a reason. After this trip- numerous examples- I whole heartily believe this. I went to the travel agent and realized it was no big deal that we missed the bus. I rescheduled everything for the next day. I however was determined to salvage the day and the image that I had for Auckland. I really wanted to find some charm and appreciate any aspect of it. I asked numerous people that live there- what we could do to achieve that. And there was not one idea thrown out. They all could not offer anything to do to appreciate Auckland. I once again gave up on Auckland.

Instead we decided to cook a big dinner. Sweet Michael and I were the head chef's. We made a big roast dinner. Lamb with roasted potatoes and red onion, gravy, mashed sweet potatoes, parsnips, garlic bread, Yorkshire puddings (like Pillsbury dough pop can biscuits- kind of, but best similarity I can come up with). It was an incredible meal! After the last nights disaster, we called it an early night in the TV room.

We made it to the bus the next morning!