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- NEW ZEALAND -- I'll update this blog as I travel around the North and South islands of the country. The story so far:<br /><br />-- MANUKAU, AUCKLAND --<br /><br />...seeing as I landed here in Auckland NZ on the 28th January, my recollection of events are blurred and incoherent though probably more consise. In any case, the fact that my intended three week stay in NZ has already extended to more than double that time, says much for itself...

Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud

Asha Patel
2006-02-27 19:50:21

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characteristic of any capital is enough to get my blood pumping. I feel alive. I feel at home. Like London, Wellington has it all - fashion, food and fast pace... Colm and I went out again later that night, strolling round the city with Nikki til the early hours...

...woke to do more of the same... spending an entire 13 hours just strolling around and soaking in the city. Went to the Te Papa museum, the organic foodstore, the good earth organic cafe, an italian bakery (for your sake Aleem)! a juice bar and the wholly bagel. Yes by this point I was feeling wholly sick. Walked to the Beehive aka the NZ Parliament, designed by British Sir Basil Spense, who dreamt up the idea over a couple of gin and tonics (too many some say). Anyhow, not wanting a guided tour but simply a feel for the cradle of government, I was happy to lay out on the lawn in the hot sun. I coincidentally was in prime position to view the unexpected police parade that came marching along to commemorate their 120th anniversary. It was amazing to see uniformed officers perform Maori war dance, living harmoniously as they do. I listened to the Ministers speech, dozed a little, again disbelieving how lucky I am to be here, in Wellington NZ, then toddled off to Queens Wharf in search of a good spot to finish the book Colm has kindly lent me. Not finding coffee to my satisfaction, I wandered down Lambton Quay and found another honey store, making use of their free tasting as well as a chocolatier... well, being the cocoa connosoeir that I have grown to be, it'd be a crime to just walk on by. So I had a single dark chocolate truffle. Impressive. Even by European standards. Time for a Mojo i.e. proper coffee. In the company of a good barista and an even better book, I contentedly spent three hours in that dimly lit cafe atop Willis Street and didn't mind that I had missed the chance to watch the nation's sport live - the Hurricanes were playing the Catz tonight, on the rugby home grounds...

...Walked back in through the Friday night buzz of the city, happy as a bunny. Stopped at the supermarket for some more fruit of which I've never heard and headed to the hostel to update my overdue journal entries....

...Tomorrow I leave the North Island for the South, which has too often been quoted to be the most breathtaking piece of natural beauty. Given how stunned I have been by the North, I wonder if I will ever be inclined to leave this paradise....