5/13/07 - Don't $%@# with the American!!
Both of us were quite alert and happy on the second day.
We went to go meet red_trillium and his partner, C. We thought it would only take an hour to get to the little cafe, so of course we arrived a 1/2 hour after we left our hotel. We took advantage of the time to wander to the nearest beach and see the Tasman Sea. Windswept morning, but pretty.
Finally meet up with A & C, have a lovely brekkie with them. They then showed us Craftworld, a large-scale consignment shop that has local artisans. I found a lovely paua-shell koru that I can't wait to build a choker around.
We parted ways for a little while; they were kind enough to invite us to dinner but while they prepared and recouperated from my klutziness, we headed over to Mission Bay. We had planned to go to the zoo or the Auckland Museum, but we belatedly realized it was Mother's Day so those plans were scrapped.
We headed up to One Tree Hill, just in time for an afternoon thunderstorm (we were sensing a pattern, here). I love this shot. It's hard to believe that this glorious park (complete with livestock) is in the center of the city. Coming down the summit, I slipped on the wet grass and mud and pulled a muscle in my calf, so I've been gimping around for awhile. I'll be fine - A, C, and Erik babied it and I will continue to do so until it feels better. No running for a few days. :( But I do feel better already.
About the subject of this post: We were driving back down One Tree Hill and suddenly there was a car coming toward us. In the RIGHT lane. Kiwis drive on the LEFT. So Erik swerves back into the right lane - automatically - and then realized that he was in the correct lane to begin with, and swerves back. "Dammit!" He yelled "Don't *&^% with the American!! It's not nice!".
Also, it convienient that the windshield wipers also function as turn indicators.
Anyway, A & C are amazing people,and A spoiled us with home-cooked Kiwi cuisine - a lamb dish that was unlike any lamb I've every had in the states.
Thanks, guys!
We went to go meet red_trillium and his partner, C. We thought it would only take an hour to get to the little cafe, so of course we arrived a 1/2 hour after we left our hotel. We took advantage of the time to wander to the nearest beach and see the Tasman Sea. Windswept morning, but pretty.
Finally meet up with A & C, have a lovely brekkie with them. They then showed us Craftworld, a large-scale consignment shop that has local artisans. I found a lovely paua-shell koru that I can't wait to build a choker around.
We parted ways for a little while; they were kind enough to invite us to dinner but while they prepared and recouperated from my klutziness, we headed over to Mission Bay. We had planned to go to the zoo or the Auckland Museum, but we belatedly realized it was Mother's Day so those plans were scrapped.
We headed up to One Tree Hill, just in time for an afternoon thunderstorm (we were sensing a pattern, here). I love this shot. It's hard to believe that this glorious park (complete with livestock) is in the center of the city. Coming down the summit, I slipped on the wet grass and mud and pulled a muscle in my calf, so I've been gimping around for awhile. I'll be fine - A, C, and Erik babied it and I will continue to do so until it feels better. No running for a few days. :( But I do feel better already.
About the subject of this post: We were driving back down One Tree Hill and suddenly there was a car coming toward us. In the RIGHT lane. Kiwis drive on the LEFT. So Erik swerves back into the right lane - automatically - and then realized that he was in the correct lane to begin with, and swerves back. "Dammit!" He yelled "Don't *&^% with the American!! It's not nice!".
Also, it convienient that the windshield wipers also function as turn indicators.
Anyway, A & C are amazing people,and A spoiled us with home-cooked Kiwi cuisine - a lamb dish that was unlike any lamb I've every had in the states.
Thanks, guys!