Hey Readers,
I’m so excited to bring some new faces to the blog! Dylan and I are lucky enough to have some visitors from home. My childhood best gal pal, Kayla, and my college roommate/ possible soul mate, Alana. Words cannot even express how exciting it was to see some familiar faces! I got up nice and early on Friday to pick them up for the airport and timed it just right. I had enough time to sit and enjoy an early morning coffee before they came out of customs. I watched eagerly for them to come through the gate… mistaking strangers for them once or twice. I saw one very tall blonde woman pushing a cart with 3 GIGANTIC bags on it, my heart sank thinking Kayla didn’t get the memo about packing light! Thank god it wasn’t her (although she definitely didn’t pack light!).
Day 1:
After lots of hugs, we loaded up the car and headed for the city. It was fun to see them both experience a new place… Kayla kept shrieking as I climbed into the car on left side “oh my god, you’re sitting over there! Oh my god you’re driving over there!” It’s easy to forget how different things are from home when you’ve been submerged in it for 9 months! It was fun to hear their reactions to the scenery and driving as we made our way into downtown Auckland.
We started the day with a lovely cafe experience, enjoying a cooked breakfast and a relaxing cup of coffee as we took in the sunshine and city life. Both Alana and Kayla were full of questions and giddy excitement about all the adventures to come. We spent the afternoon in Mission Bay, walking along the ocean and taking in the slower pace of life. We got lots of fun photos and did tons of chatting (we had 9 months to catch up on so there was LOTS of chatting!). After Mission Bay we went and explored the city and wasted no time getting right into shopping. Kayla has had a blast trying on kiwi clothes and creating a new wardrobe for herself while Alana has been enjoying going into all the pharamacy stores (naturally, given she’s a pharmacy student), seeing all the different products and most shockingly to them, the HUGE price differences! Their jaws hit the floor when they realized a tiny bottle of nail polish cost $25.00! A little different than home! Island life is not so friendly on the wallet. They were both impressed with how little i’ve been living with… but I think they understand why I haven’t “splurged” for little things like nail polish… it would break the bank!
After a long day out and about and some serious jetlag, the time difference and traveling finally caught up to them as evening set in. Since it’s winter, it gets dark around 6:00pm. Dylan and I made them stay up and took them out for “mexican” food (it’s nothing like home, but when you haven’t had good mexican in nearly a year, it’ll do!) down at the viaduct. We made it home around 10:00pm and I think both girls were sleeping by 10:05! I was impressed they made it that late.
Day 2:
I had to work on their second day, so Dylan showed the girls a more rugged side of New Zealand. He first took them to the French market in the morning where they got to check out all kinds of local foods and indulge in some French pastries. From the market they headed for Muriwai beach to do part of the Te Henga hike. The hike takes you up along the giant cliffs along the ocean for spectacular views. They unfortunately got a taste of Auckland’s crummy weather and got a little rain, but nothing to severe. They enjoyed their day on the beach and exploring.
In the evening we went to the international foodcourt near our house for a cheap dinner, then hit the town for some drinks. Dylan and I really enjoyed having some company to go out and about with. It was fun to be so social again! It’s been a while since either of us have been out at the bars. Lots of laughs and several cocktails later we found our way back home to bed!
Day 3:
Dylan and I both had the day off to hang with the girls. We all slept in, which felt amazing! Then we made french toast for breakfast and got ready for the day. We stopped in at my work, since all my co-workers were eager to meet my friends from home. Then we took the bust down to the viaduct to catch the ferry for Waiheke Island. Unfortunately we had the worst bus ride ever and missed the noon ferry by 3 minutes. We had to wait for the 1 o’clock ferry, which was a bummer. It ended up working out, we checked out so more shops and not surprising… Kayla found some more treasures!
The ferry ride was nice, we had a beautiful sunny day with a few scattered clouds here and there. Waiheke was way different than either of them imagined. It’s very tropical looking with amazing views, long beaches and gorgeous vegetation. We walked along a path at the top of the cliffs to soak in the views of the ocean. On the way down we were unlucky enough to stumble onto a muddy patch. I was the last of the 4 of us to cross the mud patch. I watched Kayla awkwardly leap across, Dylan (or should I say mr. wilderness) practically skip across, and Alana logically step around the mud. After watching the three I decided Kayla made it by pure luck, I had no chance in hell making it across the way Dylan did, so I went with Alana’s approach. I somehow managed to make it around the mud, then slip in the wet grass next to the mud, (and by slip I mean epically wipe out) into the mud pit. Awesome. Naturally Alana turned around to see if I was okay, meanwhile Dylan and Kayla were practically crying they were laughing so hard. Of course, not even on the island for 30 minutes and I already make a disaster of myself! Regardless, we had fun playing on the beach, then having lunch at the winery and tasting the lovely New Zealand wines. We finished our day out with an incredible sunset before coming home. Dylan and I bought Alana a cake for her birthday since her and Kayla were due to leave for Queenstown the following day (her birthday). We enjoyed some cake and ice cream before hitting the hay!
Kayla’s first cafe experience
Alana enjoying the cafe Cezanne
Mission Bay for the day
Roomie pose!
Loving life!
Alana- plugging the volcano
Shopping in Auckland
Muriwai Beach
Hiking the Te Henga Trail in Muriwai
Waiheke Island!
Waiheke Island!
Wineries!
Dylan and I enjoying the sunset on Onetangi beach in Waiheke
The girls
Doubt I could ever get tired of sunsets on the beach. *sigh*
Stay tuned for Kayla and Alana’s adventures in Queenstown!
D&K and A&K
Kiwi Living 