Hannah’s Weblog

I have been in Auckland 4 days now. I didn’t intend to stay this long, in fact a lady from Wellington told me on the flight over to “get out of Auckland as quick as you can!” Apparently this is normal, as   I was told last night that anyone who isn’t from Auckland hates it….I am learning a lot.

So my day in Sydney was great. It was actually the first time I had been alone on my trip..pretty incredible really considering I have been away for over 5 months! I would like to say that it was great being alone, but honestly it was a little lonely. I have been so spolit on this trip with all the wonderful people I have met, that to find myself without anyone to talk too, to have fun with was a little strange. Nonetheless  I had a great day, and I really enjoyed Sydney and wandering around the harbour areas, hopping on and off ferries, seeing Manly beach, it was lovely! True to my luck on this trip though, as I settled down in the airport to try and sleep before my flight to NZ I met a lovely guy from Brazil….It made my day, as I was craving some conversation by that point. We ended up talking all night, in the only area of the airport that you are allowed to stay (as Sydney airport closes at night!) It was really nice, and I have definitely made another great friend there

So I arrived in Auckland on Thursday afternoon. I had booked into a YHA hostel and was pleasently surprised how nice it was. I shared a room with 3 others (this being the first time I have ever slept in a dorm (in my adult life anyway)) It was really well equipped, with a huge kitchen eating area, but to be honest I wasn’t really feeling the vibe. Staff were a little cold, and everyone was pretty much in clicky groups….So I went of to explore by myself. Auckand is lovely! When I arrived it was raining and cold, but Friday the sun came out and I enjoyed a day sightseeing and wandering around the city. Auckland has a huge international community. Mostly students studying here, but also lots of poeple working here from all over the world. In fact it wasn’t until yesterday whgen I went for a BBQ with some friends that I actually met any Kiwis ( I have been told I can call them that!)  I love the atmosphere though, and because of the multicutral vibe the variation of great food is fantastic! I ate Turkish the first night, then have mostly been living off sushi!!mmmmmm…………………….

Friday afternoon I decided to go and check out the Sky Tower. The 220m high viewing platform has sensational views, and as I really love being up high I stayed an good hour. I met lots of people too, as you do when you are alone. Two guys from Austrailia and two from Brazil. One of the guys, Rodrigo was leaving the nest day, so invited me to his leaving party. He had been studying here, so I was excited to hang out with some people that live here. I agreed to meet them at 4, invited the 2 Aussis along, and went for some sushi for lunch. The leaving party turned into an all nighter!! hahah…. I met so many cool people, lots from Japan and South America, and it was a great night!!!

Yesterday I hung out with a few of the guys, and then in the afternoon I called Callum’s friend Bevan. I met Callum in laos, and he is from here. He kindly gave me his friends info, and told me to look them up so I did. Bevan kindly came and picked me up and we spent a lovely evening with all his friends just outside of the city! It was another leaving party for a guy from England. So there was lots of fun and games!! Sack races, egg and spoon races, a water slide. They organaised a horizontal bungee, and we also had a ‘gum boot’ throwing competetion!! hahahha it was so much fun! And the food was incredible! The guys who lived at the house had gone all out. There was a whole joint of pork which they had smoked for 14 hours, braised beef, heaps of ribs, and then so many delicous salads. Beer flowed into the night, then we had fireworks. I was very surprised at the confidence in which these fireworks were handled! many they let off from their hands! it was crazy!!Into the evening we had chocolate covered strawberries, skittle vodka shots and I even got to try some Fijian cava…a root sustance that when prepared correctly makes you feel all numb!!!!Totally legal and fun!!

So I am moving on tomorrow. I have just booked a bus pass to take me all the way down to Christchurch. It’s pretty good value, and I can get on and off when ever I like. First stop is Rotorua, I cannot wait to start exploring!!!!!!

So I am at the end of one journey and about to embark on another….I have kind of been dreading leaving SE Asia. I truly love love being out here and am really sad to leave.

Cambodia was such an incredible part of my trip, and I am currently looking to find a job there so i can go back and continue volunteering at the orphanage for a longer, more substantial amount of time.

I am now in Bangkok. I have been here so many times on my trip, and I really like it. I have a nice place where I always stay, know some great places to eat, so will also be sad to leave here! I fly to Sydney this afternoon. I have 24 hours there so plan on doing a little sight seeing around the Opera House, should be great! then Thursday I arrive in Auckland, New Zealand. I am unsure about how I feel about going there. Obviously I am excited! But it will be the first English speaking country I have ever traveled around, and I am sure quite a contrast from the last 5 months in SE Asia.

It’s a strange feeling leaving bangkok, but I just got a phone call from my friend Sugar, and she has come to bKK to meet me!!!!!!!!SSOOOO EXCITED! she is going to meet me at the airport! ohh mann, I havent seen here in 2 months, so thats Awesome!

Anyways, my blogging has become a little sporadic and un-organised, but hopefully when I get to NZ I will get back on it, and have some stories to tell! I better go, I need  to send off my C.V  to some potential Language schools in Siem Reap and  have to get some lunch before my taxi to the airport. See you in NEW ZEALAND!!!!!!!