March 7 We left our house at about 7:45 am to catch the 8:30am bus to the airport for our 3:30pm flight to New Zealand with a transit stop in Melbourne. We have to leave early because there was no later bus and it takes just about 1.5 to 2 hours to arrive at the airport. So it was wait and wait and wait! Waiting!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our first part of the journey was in a Boeing 777 and after waiting for 5 hours we were able to board our flight. Our ride ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) What a relief we were finally on our way. The flight was not full so we had a whole row of seats to ourselves. The seats were quite spacious too. On the way!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Bye Bye Malaysia ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) March 8 After flying for about 8 hours we finally landed in Melbourne at 2:05am Melbourne time. The airport was kind of a deserted at this hour and the only thing to do was to go to sleep because our connecting flight was at 8:10am Blaring TVs ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Sleeping is impossible! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Sleep was almost impossible because of the blaring TVs and the early morning cleaning crews doing their job in the wee hours of the morning. Round about 6:00am people start trickling in and in just a couple of minutes the airport was really busy. Grab ourselves a cup of coffee and a slice of banana bread before heading to the departure gate to board our flight to Auckland, New Zealand. Once again we got a full row of seats to ourselves and this time it is a Airbus A380. Our ride to Auckland ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Flight from Melbourne to Auckland is about 4 hours and we landed in Auckland at 1:45pm Auckland time. We were excited and wide awake when we stepped into New Zealand. Wow!!! That was like more than 24hours since we left home, guess that is the hazard of being a travelling by air… the waiting! Our host in Auckland is my wife’s cousin and she was already there when we step into the arrival hall. The weather was beautiful, it was cool even though the sun was shining … lovely! Finally in Auckland. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We saw our first sheep right in front of our host house and it was interesting. They were curious about us and started bleating at us as though to welcome us to New Zealand. The grass was all brown from the draught that they were experiencing then. Our Host ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Hello!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Baa Baa!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) There were lots of catching up to do and we did not go anywhere that day except for dinner. Sorry I forgot to take photos of our dinner but it was delicious. We had our dinner in Denny’s a family restaurant and I had Moroccan lamb, yes it was really good… yum!!! Another cousin of my wife from Christchurch was in Auckland doing a gig for his church and so more catching up till really late. Host’s Brother ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) March 9 We overslept and our host had to wake us up, must be the very long journey and the very nice weather. We had to meet up with our host’s brother to go for a luncheon. The luncheon was hosted by a Samoan family and we were invited. New Friends ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We met up with them in a shopping mall nearby and grab a quick sushi bite before that. A quick snack. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The luncheon was in Onehunga (pronounced as onyhunga) and when we stepped into the house, I noticed that the door knobs were installed really high like almost at my neck. Giants? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) I was told that houses built in the early days had their door knobs placed up high was to ensure that the children did not leave the without permission. Met lots of people and filled our tummy with taro, sweet potatoes, grilled beef, roast chicken, Kentucky fried chicken, salad, buns and chop suey. Chop suey here is basically Chinese cellophane noodles stir fried I think. My Lunch ...YUM! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Chinese influence- "Chop Suey" ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The boys performed a couple of their self-composed songs before we dispersed on our way. Entertaintment. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) From here we headed to the Pasifika Festival in Western Springs. The sun was really hot but the breeze was cool. It was crowded but I was surprised to see dancers in grass skirt gyrating their hips at such high speed!!! The Crowd ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Me ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) We were surprised to see free sunscreen located at several strategic position for visitors to use. This is something that will never happen back home. Free Sunscreen. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Wild ducks were everywhere with black swans and geese too!!! What a lovely integration of humans and wildlife. Black Swans ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Wild Geese ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Another first for us, a dog litter. Cool!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Next destination was Mount Eden, the highest volcanic peak in Auckland. Right on top of the peak is some sort of structure which I have no idea what it is. Mt. Eden Survey Mark. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Base of survey mark. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) A crater is just beside the peak with Auckland in the background. The Crater ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) There was also direction and distant disc and since we are closest to Singapore, I chose to snap this part. Wow more than 8410kkm from home. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The drive to Mt. Eden was interesting, lots of old buildings offering lots of goodies from souvenirs to yummy food. We just went pass them without stopping …. grrr!!! I could just kick myself but we were rush for time then. On returning to our host home, we met her fiancé who had just return from a short trip to Wellington. After some chit chat it was time for dinner … yum!!! We went to a Italian restaurant own and run by Italians. The food is yummy and the mussels are to die for … wish I am still in New Zealand!!! At Rossini's ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Best Ever Mussels. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Prawn Salad ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Fettuccine with Delicious Scallops & Smoked Salmon. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Succulent Sirloin Steak with Brandy Sauce. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Pan Fried Snapper. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) March 10 Our host’s fiancé took us for a quick round trip in Whitford area where we stayed for a look see in the morning. We stopped at Pine Harbour and my jaws dropped in awe, the number of pleasure craft easily outnumbered those back home all together like 5 times over!!! or more. The sea water is also so clean which made me felt like taking a morning dip! Volcanic Rocks. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) City Of Sails. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) More Sails. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Maraetai Coast Road. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) After that quick little tour, our host’s sis took us to Zarbo in New Market area for a lovely brunch … yum!!! A Lovely Place. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Yummy Spread. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Happiness is when the tummy is filled. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Next was Viaduct Harbour – a high class place at the Auckland Waterfront. Happiness. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Our future apartment in Auckland will be over there!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Big Sail Boat. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) and more. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Hamilton Jet. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The largest America’s Cup challenger in 1988 – the KZ1 ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The KZ1 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KZ1_(yacht) More racing yacht. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Voyager New Zealand Maritime Musuem ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Voyager New Zealand Maritime Musuem ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Tasman Trespasser 2 ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) some old stuff ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The Cloud ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) The Cloud After that it was to our host sis home to meet up with her husband and one very fierce mongrel. Watching some photos from home. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Lovely cherry tomatoes. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Yum!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Ate all of them ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Relaxing on the deck. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) With the very fierce mongrel. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Then it was to another friend’s place and to dinner. A small world. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Festival Garden, Aotea Square, Queen St. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Queen Street. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Yes, we are having Japanese. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Happy Diners. ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Yum!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Sashimi Raw and fresh … yum yum!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Sushi … yum yum!!! ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Having our tummy filled, we went back to our host place for a early night cause we have to wake up early to catch the bus for a 11 hour ride to Dannevirke. It was really great to have met up with people we know but have not seen for quite a while and meeting new friends. Next is Dannevirke and beyond.
What a nice vacation tour you had. I enjoyed seeing your vacation in this pictorial format. The food looked so good.--you could have entitled this posting, "Around the World in 80 meals". I enjoyed seeing the various plates of food that you folks found to eat. It was also nice to meet your friends and family. Great posting, KK!
KK, It looks as if you both had a wonderful time. The food all looked delicious. Are you bursting out of all your clothes yet?
Besides all that waiting at the airport... It looks like you filled your days with family, friends, food and lots of fun looking places. Can't wait to see more.
Wow, you all were non-stop those first few days...but then you could sleep and rest when you got back home. So glad you had such a good time and having friends and family there to host you made it a special trip. We have Denny's here too, ours doesn't serve Moroccan lamb though. We usually either have breakfast or the Country Fried Steak on the Senior menu.
Enjoyed your post KK, glad you both made the best of your time there. Sorry the waiting was so long, that can really be a drag.
Thanks Sjoerd, "Around the World in 80 meals" ... sounds good, maybe our next holiday trip should be a round the world trip :-D . Glad you enjoy the photos of the food, when we travel we always like to eat the produce of the place we are visiting...yum!!! Thanks Carolyn, luckily our clothes were stretchable Thanks Netty, glad you enjoy it :-D . Cherylad, you are right the waiting part is just a small inconvenience. Thanks. Thanks Toni, I guess when the number of sheeps outnumbered the population, it must be in the menu . The Senior menu is a great idea and I just learn about it on this trip. Thanks Cuatro-gatos, glad you enjoy it and the waiting was a drag when it was happening. Care-Bear? ( photo / image / picture from KK Ng's Garden ) Missed this photo in the post. This photo was taken in Pine Harbour by our host's fiance and we didn't notice the heart shape on my chest until my daughter pointed it out.
Seems that you had lots of fun and enjoyment. I enjoyed your trip also. Thanks for sharing the experience. I love to see all the different food.
It was great to come along on this part of your trip. My honey and I would love to go to Australia sometime also. He taught school out there in the mid 1970's and thought the country was very interesting. Looking forward to seeing more photo's of your next adventure.
Hi KK,..you were both smiling so well,..and no wonder with all the good food,..beautiful scenery,..and sheep on the hoof as well as on the plate,..that Sushi looks mouthwatering as does all those Mussels,..oh boy i hope you didn't eat all those Toms,..oh your daughter was very observant spotting the heart on your shirt,..well done that girl.
Hi everyone, great trip and photos KK, made me feel a little homesick, but it soon passed. No doubt most have seen and some have even commented on KK's attraction to food and his enjoyment of same.While he was here, just briefly I might add, we noticed his obvious taste for exquisite food and the very best restaurants which serve it. And of course we have some photos of one gastronomical event and thought this was the exact right time to post it..I am sure most will agree that he was attracted to some of the best places on offer, Great restaurant...great food! ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) YUMMMMMMMM ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden ) Great Gold Coast coffee too! ( photo / image / picture from chocolate's Garden )
KK, thanks to your post and pictures, I now feel I've been on vacation! Lovely photos, lovely food, and especially lovely people. So glad you enjoyed your trip so very thoroughly!
