Karma

 Friday, September 21, 2012

“It’s not about how to achieve your dreams.  It’s about how you lead your life.  If you lead your life the right way, the karma will take care of itself.”

Thank you karma for being nice this first week.  My NZ “family” have been overly welcoming and fun.  Living just East of Auckland, in the small town of Mount Eden, Delwynne, Greg, Vincent, Hannah, Brendan, Oliver, and pups Toby and Jake have supported my first week with open arms. Delwynne takes me for rides around town, shows me all the great Op-Shops, and sorts out some left over camping gear, so I don’t have to buy new.  Greg has helped me purchase my little beater car, a dark blue 1991 Nissan Primera for $900.00.  Buying a car in New Zealand to travel with was a decision I’ve made so I can carry camp gear, and go to places that are off the beaten path/bus stops.  Also, of course is the freedom to come and go as I please alone or with travel mates.  The Auckland Car Market was the first place we looked, and after a sweet old couple almost sold me a 1988 Honda City with a blown head gasket- I was quite thankful to have Greg with me. In one week this family has shared everything from dinners (NZ kind and Southern American kind) to tequila shots to music (between the countries and eras), and 5 k runs or sprints….Sending lots of good karma your way family! 

Little Beast

                                

I’ve also purchased a pre-pay NZ mobile phone, recommend when traveling as you meet loads of people, and it is nice to touch base for future travel plans, or just to meet up for a cup’a (tea or coffee). Of course some op to not travel with things such as cars or phones to get the real outdoor lifestyle, but I find them both useful.  Waking up early here is a way of life, running, biking, and skating are all ways of normal transportation, and there is always a spare fishing pole, kayak, and wet suit lying around to have your go. 

One Tree Hill

Sky Tower from CBD

Boats in Auckland Harbour

Tour De’ Auckland can be done in just a few days.  Muriwai Beach is a must, just find some mates with 4-wheel trucks and head to the dunes.  This beach is just miles of sand, to drive fast on or to go up into the hills.  It is a touch easy to get stuck though, so be prepared to get pulled out or sit and wait out sand storms. (tnx Vincent and friends for this).  A nice run along the coast of Mission Bay to St. Heliers is beautiful, Delwynne and I took the pups, had Fish N’ Chips for lunch, and some coffee to warm up.  The Coast-to-Coast Walk Way is a 16 km stretch that leads directly from Onehunga to the Harbours in CBD Auckland.  The mild hike takes you through towns, cities, parks, and the main Auckland viewing points of One Tree Hill, Cornwall Park, Mount Eden and The Auckland Domain.  Cornwall Park is gorgeous, and where I took most of my Auckland Photos.  If you enjoy parks like I do, trees and gardens and such then the 16 kilometers is worth every step.  Viewing it through the lens of my new-to-me camera I was able to get in some good practice time with Sir Canon Rebel.                            

Auckland Greenhouse

Auckland Domain

View from top of Mt. Eden

         

Cornwall Park

View climbing to One Tree Hill

CBD Auckland

O.k. one last Auckland experience to feast on as it was not only appreciated, but also delicious.  Chef Nick from The Commons, a newish restaurant in the coastal town of Takapuna, treated me to an amazing meal.  A friend of a friend (shout out to Morgan, you are a man of much talent and very talented friends) sent me out to say hello to a cooking mate of his from Australia.  Only purchasing a beer and stopping in for a hello, Nick and his kitchen prepared for me Vanilla Salmon (mint, thyme, chili, raw kingfish, salmon, lemon snow, pickled cucumber, coconut sorbet, vanilla) Wagyu Tartare ( Wagyu beef, roasted eggplant, yakon, kaffir lime gel, parmesan, sesame snow, brioche) Duck Panang  (duck leg & breast, panang custard, coconut, micro herbs, peanut, lychee) and Pina Colada Desert.  Two older guys sitting at the high top table next asked where the hell I put all the food.  Ha, I told’em to ask anyone I can eat when it tastes this good, (besides I had 3 days in NYC to prepare).

Duck Panang

The Commons

Vanilla Salmon