I arrived in Te Puke,4 hours from Auckland,by bus.We left Auckland at 1.15pm and reached Te Puke bus stop at 6.20pm.The sceneries along the way was awesome!There were sheeps,cows,even ox,everywhere.The scenes were all like one of those you would normally see in a picture book.
I arrived at te Puke and the roads were deserted.Only 2 people were standing there and looking around.I approached them to ask for directions,only to be told that they are there to pick me up!Cool!I honestly don't think I would have been able to lug my big bag+my backpack anywhere else.I checked in and it was all OK.One of the guy who picked me up is actually a Malaysian from Penang and he's in New Zealand for about 2 years now.He oversees the security and operations in the accomodation.He's OK,along with his friend Bhoy from Philipines.Bhoy's family is in New Zealand,his wife works as a nurse at the Te Puke Old Folk's Home.
There's also an Indian Malaysian couple who thought I was in New Zealand to work and save money and return home.I told them I am on a working holiday visa and plan to travel the country.So I basically have someone to talk Malay here.LOL.We had a small BBQ the other night.It was really good.
I still can't adapt to the cold.It's summer and I am shivering!Some of my Korean and Japanese friends are complaining about the cold too.The Malaysian woman called me on a trip to Papamoa today.I went along to The Warehouse,something like our Giant and Tesco back home.There's a beautiful beach here,the Papaloa beach,and I couldn't see it today.I will be going sometime.
Work's really tiring!It's summer pruning and I check those trees and sometimes I have to stand on my toes coz the trees are high.It's 10 hours a day and 7 days a week.I am not gonna tire myself that way now,but there are other options around if I wanna switch jobs.I am considering my options as I will not be long here,I have limited time in a place before I plan my next destination!
Other than a few mishaps,I am doing well.My only problem here is the cold.I usually sleep with my socks,2 blankets,sweater and my winter cap on.The other night,my winter cap fell off and the next morning I was blessed with flu and blocked nose.So much for being a "westerner" eh?(HSBC mates,you might know what I'm talking about.Hehe).
I can't upload pictures just yet,mainly because the Internet here is stupid,I can't upload or download anything.I will have to wait until I get my hands on some proper PC.Till then,be patient allrite?
Do keep the comments coming in.I miss you all loads!

I went on a Auckland City Tour today,courtesy of Stray Travels.Bit about Stray:They operate buses with the hop on hop off style,means you can hop on,go until you see somewhere you wanna get off,maybe stay a few nights,tel the driver when you want to be picked up and bingo!you are picked up to your next stop.This backpacker special designed buses have a few packages which varies from a few hours island tours right up to 25days North and South Island tours.The passes are valid for 1 year so you can travel whenever you like.
We visited the Viaduct Basin,Mission Bay (Auckland's very own beach in the city),the active volcanic Mt Eden,Auckland Skytower(saw someone do the bungy) and Auckland Harbour.The tour giude was cruisey and easy going,he asked all of us to call him Worm!Very funny and very charming and very good commentary.Met Natie from New York,we spoke about our travels,and she's heading down south to Wellington in the next couple of days to meet some friends.
Things in New Zealand is pretty much expensive,I forgot to bring my comb and had to pay $2 (about RM4.80)for the small comb we can get for 50sen back in Malaysia!Damn!And it's pretty cold here.Although its breezy and chilly it tends to get very cold at night.I couldn't sleep on my first night in Auckland!At one point I felt like changing my flight ticket to the next day to fly back home!
I am travelling to Te Puke tomorrow after checking out from YHA.Marrean told me it's about 4 hours away.I am gonna be so tired tomorrow!
To all of you who have tagged my board,thanks so much,please do keep me going.Za,I miss you loads and you know that.And I am very sure you are gonna achieve your dreams soon.You are in my prayers always,beautiful =)
I met Marrean today.She bought me dinner and I bought her coffee.We hit it right from the start.She's studying in Auckland University of Technology and working part time at the New Zealand National Blood Bank.Very sweet and charming woman.
I have uploaded some pictures which I managed to take.Please do comment and have a good time viewing it!
I miss you all

I am in New Zealand!
Updates:Weather is about 17 degrees,its cold but sunny and windy and chilly..I arrived at 0930 (local time)at Auckland International Airport via Bangkok.Got stopped at the Customs and Immigration while I was declaring my visa.Now I believe the website when it said " Satisfy us the main reason you are coming to New Zealand is for holiday,not work,"judging on the questions the officer asked me.And thank God I did some reseach on the places I am going,coz he was asking me where am I gonna be going for vacation.They even asked me if I have any contacts in New Zealand!Without thinking,I said yeah and the next thing,they wanted her phone number.I gave Marrean's number,my online buddy from Malaysia who's in New Zealand.Heck,I've never even met her!LOL..
Well,visa sorted out,declared all those Maggis and coffees and the 3-in-1 Oats and Nestums and I was allowed out.Since no one was there to receive me,I found my way to the Airbus stop,got in,paid $15 (about RM36)for a 30 minutes ride to YHA Auckland City where I am booked for 2 nights.Apparently thats the cheapest way to get there,the taxis charge around $65,and other buses..well..no idea.hehe.
I checked into my room (4 bed dorm),went to a shop and got a IDD calling card,called mom to tell her I'm fine and I have reached.She seemed relieved,but I guess she was busy so I hung up.I took a shower,and while walking to find a shop to get a prepaid local SIM card,I decided to stop and update my blog.
If everything goes well,and I have time to spare,I will be taking the bus to downtown the volcanic Mt Eden,apparently there is a 360 degrees view on something,I will let you guys know once I have seen it..hehe.
The flight from Bangkok was boring,I met a Omani guy who was holidaying in Malaysia and was going back to Oman via Bangkok,and our flights were leaving at the same time (5.30pm Bangkok time) and we both are transitting in Bangkok.He was nice though,he got me coffee and we both we just sitting and talking about Malaysia and Oman and New Zealand and Bangkok until the boarding time.
I will be uploading the pictures soon,not much yet,just some pictures I took from the plane,the view of New Zealand from the plane was AWESOME.The trip from the airport to YHA Auckland City was superb too.At one point I saw cattles grazing in the middle of nowhere,along the road there was a big beautiful lake and a yatch was sailing,and typical English houses with chimneys and all.
I will update the blog from time to time,so be sure to read and tag my board,don't be shy to say you miss me =).I miss everyone so much.
Will update soon!