Down Under Part 10...Auckland, Fish Eyes, and Goodbyes

Our last Friday morning on our trip Erin had to go to work so we said goodbye to her until the evening. The rest of us went to breakfast at the cafe nearby with the amazing waffles and yummy hot chocolate. It was a good choice. 90% of the time food is a pretty good choice. Especially waffles. I guess I will actually contradict myself later in this story. Anyway, after breakfast we wanted to go into the city of Auckland. Me, Bri, and Caryn took the ferry over there. On the ferry ride Bri took the opportunity to continue to document the men Down Under. This guy looked like Orlando Bloom. He was pretty.

So we got to Auckland and headed to the mall. How cliche I am that I must visit the mall. The mall had their version of Walmart on the top floor and quite a few souvenir shops. We found a delightful hat store. I almost got a hat, but since I'm not the queens granddaughter in law as was my high school plan I decided that I probably didn't *need* one. We walked around for a bit and found a pretty fun shop that reminded me of urban outfitters but without the clothes. I got a fox purse, a deer pen, and a stamp that says "freaking awesome". The shop was called typo. Then we went to Starbucks because why not.

We headed to the sky tower in Auckland next where we met up with Liz, Sarah, and Kristina. Bri shopped and got a jade necklace thing and we went up to the top. At the top we could look out every direction and stand on some glass portions that made it look like we were sorta floating up there. Possibly a bit questionable but I stood there and I'm a pansy so it couldn't have been too bad.

In order to catch our ferry back we had to run to the ferry station to catch it. Bri kicked a pigeon we were running so fast and so focused. It was awesome! It's not a trip with me unless you have to run somewhere. The runs always make for good stories later. Seriously. We made it back luckily and relaxed outside all the way back to Bucklands Beach.

When we got back to Erin's we waited for her because we were going to have legit fish and chips that night with everyone plus Crystal. The place we got fish and chips from was right next to the waffle cafe. Erin ordered a couple of each kind, although we weren't really sure what that was. Well when we brought it back to Crystal's she had a good laugh about it. We apparently got flounder...fish head and eyes and all. I did not eat any of the flounder. Mostly I had fries and pizza that evening, but still fun and yummy. It was a nice chill evening to just hang with friends.

The next morning was our last morning in New Zealand. Me and Bri wanted to finally go to the bakery we tried to go to on our very first day. We made an error in judgement with our eating that morning. I mean I had to try everything right? We had cakes, meat pies, pastries, cake bars, and iced chocolate. Regret soon followed. Bri and I spent the next hour whining on our beds. Soon after it was time to say goodbye to Erin. Erin, Liz, Sarah, and Kristina were going a couple days longer to a bed and breakfast, but Caryn, Bri, and I were headed toward home that night. So we said our goodbyes and got packed up. Crystal offered to take us around Auckland that day since our plane didn't leave until midnight.

Crystal took us to these fun outdoor shops kinda like a farmers market. We spent some time shopping there and then we went and got fries and Froyo because I can't go somewhere and not get Froyo. The power actually went out while we were there. We headed back to Erin's and got our stuff, made our way to the airport, dropped off our rental car, and waited for our flight. It was time to make the long journey back to Idaho. 

Down Under Part 7...Frolicking through Hobbiton

I am not a big Lord of the Rings/Hobbit fan.  And by this I mean I slept through the last Hobbit movie...in the theater.  I mean I love Orlando Bloom and I like the overall message of The Lord of the Rings.  I think it's a great story, if we could just leave out 90% of the fighting that'd be great.  I mean the fighting could still happen, but maybe I don't have to watch it.  That being said, I loved this day.  Anyway Monday morning the 10th of November we got up at Erin's in Buckland Beach and headed for Hobbiton.  Like the actual Hobbiton. That's right, be jealous.

Totally driving on the right
side of the car!!

Our car was me, Caryn, and Bri.  I started out driving and we followed Sarah, Liz, and Kristina.  Once we were out driving for a bit we stopped to take some pictures at some pretty lookouts and then we stopped at a little diner type place in the middle of nowhere to get some food/drinks and such.  

Then we took one of the prettiest drives I think I've ever been on.  It was probably the long way to get to Hobbiton, but it was completely worth it.  It really set the mood for the whole day.  It was green rolling hills, big puffy clouds, and blue skies.  I took this opportunity to bust out the one song from Lord of the Rings I had on my iphone which I think was the main song and I put it on repeat until we got there.  The music with the drive was seriously unbelievable.  

Then we pull up to this sheep farm (cue the sheep jokes, i.e. I am in sheep, do you know sheep PR?, The sheeps they go baa they go baa they go baa baa baa etc.) and it's actually where we buy our tickets for Hobbiton.  So we buy our tickets and look around and take some pictures while we wait for our tour.  Once it's time for our tour we hop on a giant bus with a bunch of other people and head for the hills.  It wasn't a very long drive.  Like 5-10 minutes maybe.  

It was so neat when we got there.  I don't think I can fully explain it right.  You walk down this path and then all of a sudden you're standing at the bottom of a bunch of hills and there are tons and tons of hobbit holes everywhere that are little houses.  There are gardens and trees and all sorts of shenanigans. I probably have a picture with almost every hobbit house.  Bri and I had our picture taking down pat.  We would swap super fast to take pics so we didn't get in people's way too much...yet.  (I'll admit writing this right now almost 6 months later I'm looking at the beautiful pictures we all took and I'm almost crying because I loved it so much and want to be there again).  So we weren't actually allowed in the Hobbit holes because most of them there was nothing behind the doors since this was the outside set.  But there was one we could stand in and peek our heads out of.  Then we get to the main house...Bag End.  The tree above it is fake and apparently every dang leaf was hand painted.  I guess if you make the Lord of the Rings movies you're allowed to ask whatever you want of people who work for you and they do it.  

So me and Bri had previously discussed frolicking through Hobbiton.  We decided it would be best if it was filmed.  Bag End is at the top of a hill so I had Caryn film and play the LOTR song while me and Bri frolicked in Hobbiton down the little hill.  Some people's reactions were priceless.  It was totally worth it!  We took another opportunity to frolic around the May pole from the party field scene area.  That time we accidentally hit the May pole which had bells at the top so we had to run away fast so we didn't get caught.  Again, it was so amazing there.  I can't even describe the feeling I had standing there looking out at everything.

The last part of the Hobbiton tour was that you got to go to the Green Dragon Pub and get a drink.  Of the drinks two were alcoholic and one was not (the ginger beer).  So we all go up to the counter to order and I start to drink mine...twas not ginger beer, but instead was a delightful hard apple cider.  It was yum...but I behaved and gave it back and got my ginger beer.  Then we went over to order some treats from this cute bar tender dude.  He posed for my picture.  So we all sat there in the Green Dragon eating and drinking until someone discovered that even the bathrooms were themed and cool there.  Of course they were.

      

Once we were done we got back on the bus and headed out of Hobbiton.  We spent a little time in the gift shop getting a few people gifts and signing the guest book.  Then it was time to roll out.  We drove to Rotorua to our hotel.  We had almost a tiny apartment there.  It had an upstairs and downstairs and a few rooms.  After grabbing some good food at the nearby countdown (grocery store) we headed to the bus stop to be picked up for our Maori Village experience.  On the bus they explained the rules that when we first got there they would do this traditional chant thing and it was disrespectful to laugh.  I always worry when I'm told I can't laugh.  I mean if they wouldn't have brought it up I probably wouldn't have laughed anyway, but since they said I couldn't it made it kinda hard.  Me and Bri were not allowed to look at each other until they were done.  

We go into the village and go to different areas where they show us chants and games and the Hakka .  It was pretty interesting.  They then did a little luau.  But let's be honest.  I was there for the dinner.  It was delicious.  There was so much food and yummy lamb.  I really was surprised that the food was so different from a Hawaiian luau.  Still so good though.  On the bus ride home our crazy bus driver gave each group there a chance to sing a song.  We figured people already hate americans enough that we didn't need to give them an extra reason by singing God Bless America or something like that...so we sang Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree.  Yeah, that happened.  Then this guy decides he's going to sing She'll be coming around the Mountain while driving so so so many times around the round about.  I believe Sarah later told me she heard me say, "This is my own personal hell".  But we made it back to our hotel and we all quickly went to bed.  We had had a long amazing day.  And we had more to do the next day.

Down Under Part 6...Why won't you just let me leave Oz?

Wow it's been a while.  I really should have done this sooner so I didn't forget anything.  Sunday morning November 9th we got up at our motel and took a shuttle to the airport to head back to Auckland.  So we get to the check out counter or ticket counter or whatever you want to call it and the lady is seriously terrible.  All we want to do is go back to Auckland where we have a 3 month visa there.  She wants to see every single one of our full itineraries and showing her one isn't good enough...she has to see everyone's with their name on it.  I'm pretty sure it's none of your business lady.  Don't worry about it just let us leave for heavens sake.  Well after some time she finally let's us get our tickets and check-in.  Thanks.

I don't really remember the flight to be honest.  I'm guessing I took a nap and ate their food they gave us.  I do remember when we got into Auckland though...it took a few hours.  Those who had newer passports got to take the express lane and those of us with older ones (they all expire this year--me, Caryn, and Liz) got to take the long unpleasant journey with the rest of the riff-raff.  On the bright side I beat a few levels of the rarely played Candy Crush Saga.  Of course by the time we get through line one our luggage is not still just going on the conveyer belt.  Thankfully Erin had waited for us near baggage claim with our stuff that we had checked.  Then we got in line two that took another bit and where they questioned us about the stuff we brought back.  We all passed the exam and met up with everyone in the waiting area.  Thank Goodness!

Just a note...

At the point Liz, Sarah, and Kristina rent a car and Bri, Caryn, and I rent a car.  Heaven help New Zealand at this point because they drive on the wrong side of the car and the wrong side of the road.  Erin was kind enough to ride with me and talk me through the backwards round about.

We survived the trip back to Erin's and then went to her friend (and our new friend) Crystal's to eat.  It was so peaceful at her house.  They had an amazing view of the water/ocean? there and it was so nice after our yucky travel day to just sit and look out on the water.  Crystal also fed us some local cuisine.  I remember one dish specifically that I think had cumin in it and it was really good.  Also I think there were rolls of some sort that maybe I ate like 5 of.  Maybe.

That night after we went back to Erin's I think we crashed.  It's possible we watched a movie, but I think I mostly participated in sleep.  We had some travel ahead and I needed it.

Down Under Part 5 Well...MK and Ashley did it

After a good nights sleep we got up early Saturday morning and walked to one of the most iconic images of Sydney...the Sydney Opera House.  We walked through the park and then past a news broadcaster...news broadcasting.  Poor guy, I hope it was a one way window and he couldn't see the people making faces at him.  Oh well.  Sarah and Liz went to meet up with some long lost family (I should go someplace where I can find some of my long lost family) so it was just 5 of us trekking around that day.

The harbor was beautiful.  It was seriously everything I had seen on movies and tv for years.  The opera house tour started with a video of the history.  I honestly don't remember all of it.  I'm sure google could tell me, but what I do remember is the guy who designed and worked on the Opera House for years got kicked off of the project before it was finished and never came back to Sydney to see it completed.  I wonder if he regretted that in his final moments.  To never see the thing he had spent a lot of his life and effort on.  I hope I never have that kind of regret.  The opera house was amazing.  The inside isn't anything like you would imagine.  It's wood and cement inside and the carpets are bright bold colors.  In one of the concert hall rooms they asked if anyone would like to sing.  So Caryn sang a piece from an opera.  It was pretty neat.  I hope one day I can go back and watch a show ther
                          

Food came next.  Food always comes next.  We ate right on the harbor at the Opera House.  I was too late for breakfast by 4 minutes......4 minutes.  Come on people.  I ended up getting a classic Australian burger topped with an egg and beet relish.  It was decent.  I could have done without the beet, but it wasn't too shabby.  Also the seagulls there have a death wish.  One tried to steal my food.  Joey DeeAnn doesn't share food!!  Those birds were causing all sorts of havoc picking up drinking glasses and smashing them.  Rude.

In the harbor there's this thing I will call extreme speed boating.  We participated in this.  It was probably not my favorite activity ever.  Basically you go really fast and then he spins the boat and everyone gets wet.  Anyone who has known me since I was little will know that I do not like getting wet in regular clothes.  They did give us ponchos.  I kept mine covering my head most of the time.  Honestly I was terrified we were going to flip.  My plan for this was to quickly unbuckle my seat belt, swim down and then swim out as far as I could before I surfaced so I didn't hit the bottom of the flipped boat.  Then find something to get on i.e. Rose in Titanic so I don't get eaten by the shark our boat driver told us about.  We drove past a cliff and he made mention that it happened to be the cliff where that guy in that you tube video jumped off with a go pro and as soon as the bubbles cleared in the water he was face to face with jaws.  Anyway I survived and didn't have to use my escape plan.  We got gelato after. I felt better.

That afternoon we were going to go to the zoo, but because we had already seen animals and such we decided not to.  Instead we hiked up this hill, ok it was just a path with stairs, but it was steep, and Erin and I got tickets to do the Sydney Harbor Bridge Walk.  More on that shortly. While we were up there we saw an inflatable blow up ball soccer game.  It was pretty funny. We headed back to the "hotel" by train so everyone could take a break for a bit.  I had other plans.  Bri and I made our way to the world famous Bondi Beach!  It was an interesting ride out there.  A couple train stops over and then a wait in line for a bus and then a packed bus ride.  We made it though.  The water was cold and shark infested so we just decided that putting our toes in was enough and laying on the beach would be delightful. Apparently this was a topless beach, or some lady thought it was.  Luckily it seemed to be just her and maybe one other lady.  After laying there soaking up the sun for a bit Bri and I went up to the stores and each got a cute shirt.  I love my shirt.  I'm wearing it right now.  Finding the bus back to the bus/train station was sketch, but a nice man helped us out and got us on the right bus.  I asked probably 3 other people who had no idea where to go either.  I'm glad we had a little helper.

Back at the "hotel" I got ready for the bridge walk that night.  Maybe I'm a dork, but ever since I watched Mary Kate and Ashley do this bridge walk on the movie Our Lips are Sealed I needed to do it too.  It looked so cool.  It was super expensive, but totally worth it.  Erin and I got there and waited a little bit.  We met the guy we hoped was our guide who walked us into a room with the other people we were going with to explain why were doing this.  I was lame and didn't admit the Olsen twin thing. I should have, I won't see those people again.  We heard the rules, got in the special outfits, practiced moving with our little clip thing up and down stairs, and headed out.  I should mention this was a long process.  We also had radios so we could hear our guide.  I don't remember her name.  First we walked on the bottom of the bridge for a bit until we reached the part where it starts to go up.  There were a couple sketchy staircases, but nothing too terrible.  Then we started walking up.  It was a full orange moon that night.  We weren't allowed to take our cameras (or anything) but they took pictures of us at certain points.  We got to see the Opera House all lit up and even a party going on in the distance.  There were parties on boats going under the bridge and so many lit up buildings.  One day I want to go back and go during the day.  The night was awesome, but day would be fantastic too.  Next time...

Our trip back to the "hotel" was eventful.  It was late at night.  We passed some vomit on the ground and went to McDonalds. On the train home we met Mohawk Man.  Yep we named him based on his hairstyle.  He was wearing some super lovely tight pants and standing like he was Mr. Australia up against the train wall.  He saw us in the reflection laughing so he turned around a bit with the head nod.  Apparently we had the same train change.  On this change he grabbed an orange cone from what I assume was a drunk guy and blew a little tune for us.  Doo doo doo doo.  Hopefully that sound was spelled out right.  We then continued to follow him since he kept going where we needed to.  What a surprise.  He got off at Kings Cross which was hoppin' that night.  I'll admit it looked like fun.  We walked back to the "hotel" and headed for bed since we left early in the morning back to New Zealand.  Sydney was great.  I really want to go back one day.  It was a blast!

The Oregon Coast

Growing up I was fortunate enough to get to spend many summers enjoying the beach life on the oregon coast.  Specifically in Waldport, Oregon.  I loved it.  I just want to point out the highlights and some tips from a few of the cities I spent time in.

The gorgeous view...

#1-Waldport
Waldport was the heart of my summers.  It's a unique coastal town that has a couple of my favorite spots.  My all time favorite spot to eat is Grand Central Pizza.  I love food, and I'm pretty sure I went to eat here at least every other day while I was there.  No, they don't serve anything super different, and no it isn't fancy or anything out of the ordinary, but it's good and sometimes that's enough.  My other suggestion there is just to walk around.  The town is small enough that you could walk from one end to the other in about 15 minutes.  When I used to stay there there were no fast food chains at all.  Now I believe there is a Subway, but all other restaurants are non-chains.  There's no Walmart, no Costco, and one small chain grocery store.  Check out the shops and just enjoy beach town life.

The view in Yachats

#2-Yachats
If you thought Waldport was tiny...Yachats you will pass in the blink of an eye.  Not a whole lot to it, but a couple of gems are hidden there.  The Adobe hotel and restaurant is my favorite.  I requested to go there almost every year on my birthday.  It's a little fancy, but you can still show up in jeans.  The best part is that they have huge windows facing the ocean.  If you're lucky you might even spot a whale.  I also love the candy shop in town and by town I mean one of the little shops just off the highway.  They have ice cream, fudge, and all sorts of yummy sweets.  I'm not usually an ice cream eater, but for some reason whenever I come to the coast I suddenly need some one two times a day.  It's vacation...why not?

Yaquina Head Lighthouse--Tallest in Oregon

#3-Newport
This will be where you can find more of your creature comforts...Walmart, McDonalds, Fred Meyers, Taco Bell (thank goodness), etc.  I loved going into Newport.  It's only about a 15 minute drive from Waldport.  As a kid though there's much more to see.  There are two light houses I would definitely recommend stopping to see, one on each side of town.  One you'll have to pay to go to, but it's worth it for the views.  There's even a small hike you can do.  I also recommend heading down on Bay Blvd where they have Ripley's Believe it or Not, a Wax Museum, and an Under Sea Adventure.  There are lots of good places to eat and grab sweets...like ice cream...enjoy the shops.   The last must see area is the Aquarium and Aquarium Village.  The Village will have fun shops and places to get trinkets unique to the coast like blown glass globes.  The Aquarium used to house Keiko the killer whale a.k.a Free Willy.  Of course he's no longer there/living, but I was fortunate enough to see him a couple times while he was still there.

The harbor you leave from out to the Ocean

#4-Depot Bay
Whale watching galore in this tiny town...and more ice cream.  This is the smallest harbor in the world. My last trip there I went out on a whale watching tour and within an hour we saw a few whales.  I suggest taking a tour out.  They have charters most of the day and they are fairly priced.  It's truly nice to be able to go out on the Ocean when you're visiting the coast.  It's nice to walk the beaches, but what's better than actually being out on it?

These are just the top cities I stayed around, of course there are many more stops along the Oregon Coast route, but these towns are great in their feel and vibe.  Personally I love them.