New Zealand Homestay

Well we finally arrived in a first world country and I have to admit, it was a little shocking.  Luckily we had Robyn and Colin (the couple we met on the elephant mahout training in Laos) to help us with the adjustment. 

Robyn picked us up from the airport and took us to their house.  It was the first time have been in a regular house (something not resembling a hut) in 6 months.  It was wonderful.  Over the next few days Robyn and Colin were absolutely wonderful hosts.  They made us feel at home and took us to all the Auckland highlights. 

Auckland is known as the city of sails and it was instantly clear why.  The entire city is surrounded by water and on the water are hundreds of sail boats.  We arrived on Wednesday afternoon and spent the day exploring one of the most popular north shore beaches.  Lucky for us the beach is only a block from Colin and Robyn's house.  On Wednesday the beach was calm but as the weather moved in over the weekend it became backed with wind surfers, kite surfers and catamaran sailers.  We instantly  discovered why people love New Zealand.  Its like everything Oregon has to offer (activity wise) all put together in a very condensed space plus the weather is better.  In fact, they don't even have central heating in their houses. 

On Thursday Colin took the day off to show us around Auckland.  First we went to Memorial Park to get a view of the city landscape.  Then we went to Mission Bay where we got fish and chips to go and sat on the beach to people watch.  Next was Kelly Tarton's Underwater Adventure where we got to watch the stingray feeding, shark feeding and penguin feeding.  Unfortunately my stomach wasn't ready for western food and we had to cut the day short.  I did get a personalized view of the bushes in front of Kelly Tartons and the Foodtown in downtown Auckland.  Once all the fish and chips were out of my stomach, I was fine.  Who knew you could spent six months eating all kinds of food cooked in all kinds of questionable conditions and not get sick.  Then you eat something prepared in high standards and throw it all up.  That's irony!  Once Robyn was off work and I was feeling better we took a trip down to Davenport where we got a 360 degree view from Victoria Point before enjoying a picnic on the beach for dinner.

On Friday Robyn took the day off to show us around Auckland.  First, we drove through Cornwell Park to One Tree Hill which afforded us more views of the city landscape.  You have to remember that New Zealand is volcanic country so there are all these peaks (similar to Mt. Tabor).  One Tree Hill use to have a single tree on it but a Maori activitest cut it down.  They tried for years to save the tree but eventually it died.  Now its just a stump.  The plan is to plant another tree but everyone is arguing over who should plant it.  Its nice to know other countries have policitical hold ups too! 

For lunch we went to the revolving restaurant at the Sky Tower -- the tallest building in downtown Auckland.  Everything at the Sky Tower (except perhaps eating) revolves around adventure.  First, the elevator ride is only 40 seconds and you can watch the ride through the glass floor.  Then, during lunch we got to watch someone take the plunge off the building.  No it wasn't suicide, it was the world's tallest base jump at 192 meters or 600 feet.  Tony and I each considered it for about a second and then though no way!  You can also walk 360 degrees around the top on just a small beam, but we didn't see anyone do this.  After lunch we stopped on the observatory floor.  Not only did they have the standard floor to ceiling windows but they also have windows in the floor.  Its pretty scary stepping onto glass that high up.  After lunch we headed home and Robyn took us on a walking tour of Takapuna.  We walked way down the beach and drooled over all the gorgeous houses then we walked back through all the cute little shops in town stopping to view the lake. 

Overnight a storm blew in.  Just in time for the BBQ on Saturday.  Monday was Colin's birthday so they were having a BBQ in celebration.  The weather gave Tony and I a chance to visit the mall and buy a few new clothes.  After wearing the same clothes for six months, we needed some items which were less grungy and actually fit.  The mall was just like home.  Standing in the parking lot we commented that this could easily have been Clackamas, Oregon or Auckland, New Zealand.  The BBQ was a blast.  It had been a long time since we socialized with so many people who spoke English.  Plus we got to try all the New Zealand specialties like barbequed lamb, kumatra and some special dessert I can't remember the name of. 

On Sunday we walked up to the local market.  It was similar to the markets all over Portland.  The vendors sold fruits, vegetables, plants, food, crafts, etc.  However, they also sold used goods . . . like at a garage sale.  Everything from dishes to old tools to books, etc.  It was an interesting combination.  Sunday afternoon was spend drinking beer and wine and playing games.  Sunday night we treated Robyn and Colin to pizza to say Thank You . . . it was the most American thing we could think of. 

It was hard to say goodbye.  It still amazes me that two people can become such good friends in such a short amount of time.  We can't express how grateful we are to Robyn and Colin for all their hospitality.  We only hope they visit Oregon in the future so we can repay the favor.  If not hopefully we can pay it forward!