I was goin to update this blog everyday starting from Sunday right through until Friday,but I was away on my final leg of travel to the most beautiful place in New Zealand I have been so far-Coromandel Peninsula.Thus,I missed out on Monday and Tuesday =).
But well,I still do remember what happened on my first Monday in New Zealand.I arrived at 0930,carried my passport and my working holiday visa and was one of the first to go to the Immigrations and Customs.Yes,they stopped me,took down all my details,photocopied my flight tickets,passport,asked,no,forced me to provide some sort of phone numbers of ANYONE in New Zealand(I had to give Rean's number).They let me go after about 30 minutes,then came the declaring part.In the plane,we were given a declaration form to fill in and declare all that we bring into New Zealand.I declared all that I had,including the Maggi Mees and coffees.After all that I pushed my bag trolley out and into the arrivals area.
People were waiting with flowers,banners and signboards for their loved ones.Tour guides were busy checking tour groups and giving out souvenirs.I remember watching with a sigh,and remembering that I don't have anyone to receive me,I made my way out of the gate,and smelled in my first New Zealand air.
The day was PERFECT.The skies were blue,the sun was shining so brightly and I almost cried thinking I am really here!Really,really here in New Zealand.No time for being emotional,I boarded the Airbus to Auckland City,lugging my suitcase and found a seat.Surrounded by all mat and minah sallehs,I was the only dark skinned person in the whole bus.I was dropped off at YHA Auckland City,and was immediately given a room as I made reservations before I left Malaysia.
YHA Auckland City was clean,nice and quiet.I was sharing a room with 3 others,and after bringing in my bags,I settled in my bed,and tried to sleep.
Sleep!How can I even sleep!It was a gorgeous day outside,and it was chilly (17 degrees) so I decided to explore.
I went out and walked straight down and arrived in Queen Street,Auckland's main street and CBD.I walked up to Karangahape Road (or K'Road) and went to Bank of New Zealand to open my bank account.
After that,I popped into Vodafone and got my new SIM card and SMS-ed Anish my new number.Then I went to the Internet Cafe to email the whole world and tell them I've made it safely to New Zealand =P.
That night I walked the length of Queen Street until the Ferry Building,took some pictures and on the way back I was freezing cold.I looked around and everyone was wearing jumpers and sweaters..except me!I guess after taking a hot shower I thought I'd stay warm the whole day =).I remember tossing and turning coz I couldn't sleep,coz it was so cold.Sutha called me to ask if I am safe,Jackie SMSed me a good night message,and Thevika asked me to wear socks to sleep,which helped.
The next day,I went on a city tour courtersy of Stray,the adventure backpacker network and went to visited Auckland's attractions-Mt Eden,Mission Bay,Ponsonby,Skytower..to name a few.We had the New Zealand famous Hokey Pokey ice cream in Mission Bay.Rean called and asked me to meet her in front of Aotea Square for dinner,and I met her for the first time.
Sweet,nice and friendly,not to mention beautiful =p,Rean took me to an Asian food shop,where we had some chicken dish.Then we proceeded to have coffee in McDonald's McCafe.She went back around 10.30pm,and I went back to YHA.
Wednesday-I booked a ticket to Te Puke,where I was offered a job.I remember dragging my suitcase (which I would later ditch for a superrrbbbly expensive and sophisticated backpack =p) to Skycity Intercity terminal to board the bus to te Puke.
Beautiful views along the way,there were sheeps everywhere!Cute little fellows.I arrived in Te Puke late evening,and I had someone to pick me from the bus stop.Settled into a crowded,small room filled with 5 others,I remember not having dinner coz I was too lazy to cook,and the kitchen was too crowded anyway,so I just took off my shoes,slumped on bed,and slept.
***to be continued***=)
But well,I still do remember what happened on my first Monday in New Zealand.I arrived at 0930,carried my passport and my working holiday visa and was one of the first to go to the Immigrations and Customs.Yes,they stopped me,took down all my details,photocopied my flight tickets,passport,asked,no,forced me to provide some sort of phone numbers of ANYONE in New Zealand(I had to give Rean's number).They let me go after about 30 minutes,then came the declaring part.In the plane,we were given a declaration form to fill in and declare all that we bring into New Zealand.I declared all that I had,including the Maggi Mees and coffees.After all that I pushed my bag trolley out and into the arrivals area.
People were waiting with flowers,banners and signboards for their loved ones.Tour guides were busy checking tour groups and giving out souvenirs.I remember watching with a sigh,and remembering that I don't have anyone to receive me,I made my way out of the gate,and smelled in my first New Zealand air.
The day was PERFECT.The skies were blue,the sun was shining so brightly and I almost cried thinking I am really here!Really,really here in New Zealand.No time for being emotional,I boarded the Airbus to Auckland City,lugging my suitcase and found a seat.Surrounded by all mat and minah sallehs,I was the only dark skinned person in the whole bus.I was dropped off at YHA Auckland City,and was immediately given a room as I made reservations before I left Malaysia.
YHA Auckland City was clean,nice and quiet.I was sharing a room with 3 others,and after bringing in my bags,I settled in my bed,and tried to sleep.
Sleep!How can I even sleep!It was a gorgeous day outside,and it was chilly (17 degrees) so I decided to explore.
I went out and walked straight down and arrived in Queen Street,Auckland's main street and CBD.I walked up to Karangahape Road (or K'Road) and went to Bank of New Zealand to open my bank account.
After that,I popped into Vodafone and got my new SIM card and SMS-ed Anish my new number.Then I went to the Internet Cafe to email the whole world and tell them I've made it safely to New Zealand =P.
That night I walked the length of Queen Street until the Ferry Building,took some pictures and on the way back I was freezing cold.I looked around and everyone was wearing jumpers and sweaters..except me!I guess after taking a hot shower I thought I'd stay warm the whole day =).I remember tossing and turning coz I couldn't sleep,coz it was so cold.Sutha called me to ask if I am safe,Jackie SMSed me a good night message,and Thevika asked me to wear socks to sleep,which helped.
The next day,I went on a city tour courtersy of Stray,the adventure backpacker network and went to visited Auckland's attractions-Mt Eden,Mission Bay,Ponsonby,Skytower..to name a few.We had the New Zealand famous Hokey Pokey ice cream in Mission Bay.Rean called and asked me to meet her in front of Aotea Square for dinner,and I met her for the first time.
Sweet,nice and friendly,not to mention beautiful =p,Rean took me to an Asian food shop,where we had some chicken dish.Then we proceeded to have coffee in McDonald's McCafe.She went back around 10.30pm,and I went back to YHA.
Wednesday-I booked a ticket to Te Puke,where I was offered a job.I remember dragging my suitcase (which I would later ditch for a superrrbbbly expensive and sophisticated backpack =p) to Skycity Intercity terminal to board the bus to te Puke.
Beautiful views along the way,there were sheeps everywhere!Cute little fellows.I arrived in Te Puke late evening,and I had someone to pick me from the bus stop.Settled into a crowded,small room filled with 5 others,I remember not having dinner coz I was too lazy to cook,and the kitchen was too crowded anyway,so I just took off my shoes,slumped on bed,and slept.
***to be continued***=)
posted by : kuna rajandran : at
1:38 AM
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