So the first day I moved to Auckland we were walking around on the streets and I saw a poster for a music festival outside of Auckland. Due to my sadness of missing all the good festivals in the states this summer, and the recent downfall of what is Rothbury(the best event.. ever?) I decided to be a little crazy and spontaneous and just give it go. I ended up going by myself and catching a random ride, probably not the best idea, but when in Rome?.. Anyway, it was a blast, saw some very cool music and met a lot of cool people.
Crazy festie art.
Sunset the first night
It was called Splore.
This is Basement Jaxx. You may know them as the group that does the song "Where's your Head At." The music was very interesting at the fest. Lots of dub and drum n bass. World music. DJs. A little rock. Hip hop. Not enough dubstep. Oh, Lupe Fiasco was also there. Yuck.
Best photo I've taken at a gig. They're called gigs here.
Still at the festival. Yum
This is the sunrise set on Saturday night/Sunday morning. I wandered up t0 this little lookout where I could still see the stage/hear the music and watch the sunrise from the best seat in the house. It was very a serene and awe inspiring experience. I had the area by myself for most of the sunrise, then was joined by some really great people to share it with. Then took a two hour nap before heading to the beach and listening to more music. Bliss.
A few days later we took a ferry out to Waiheke Island. There was a very awkward bunch on the back of the boat filming something, and the rumor was that this guy is the most famous director in China. Anyone got a confirmation on that?
We did a little hike for a few hours that contoured around the coastline and ended up on the beach. Very cool walk.
In Albert Park, which is this gorgeous park adjacent to my uni, they hosted a Lantern Festival to celebrate the Chinese New Year. There were performances and Asian music and lots and lots of crazy animal lanterns. And a sitting Buddha, of course.
Hungry hungry hippos!
puurrrrtyyy.
The next night we could see the fireworks from my apartment!
The next weekend we took another ferry to an island called Motutapu. When we got there the park ranger came up to us, told us we had to go into a little shack, close the garage door behind us, turn the light on, open are packs and make sure we didn't bring any ants or mice over with us. He then preceded to say he had to leave, but we should proceed with closing ourselves into a dodgy hut. I'm still surprised we didn't get gassed in there. I set up a great little CK wilderness style tarp and then we hiked the entire island that day and saw some amazing views.
The island is uninhabited--except by cows. But there were a ton of these abandoned World War II military bunkers.
The grass is even cooler(though not greener?.. haha.) in New Zealand.
I wanted to steal one so bad..
This area on the Northern most point was fenced off. So what else was there to do besides jump it. Anyway, we found another hidden bunker and a perfect little vista.
This is TOTALLY where Frodo hid from the dark riders in the first film. Yeah? Yeah? Yeah. That's what I thought.
Sunset.
Nighttime. I didn't think you could figure that out by yourself.
Sunrise. I slept out that night under the stars and woke up to this. Yes, please.
I love the clouds here. The Maori name for New Zealand is Aotearoa, which means land of the long white cloud. Apparently it rains a lot?
Recall the earthquake in Chile the other day? Well shortly after sunrise we were informed that we were under a tsunami watch, and that we should pack up and move to higher ground. So we did pack up, but then hung out on the beach. Smart. Anyway, we were actually stranded as the ferries had stopped running, and we had to be transported to a different island and then finally catch a ferry back to Auckland Central. This is everyone being concerned.
Yesterday we went to Telecom Derby Day. We got to dress all pretty and buy big cheap hats and pretend to be posh. It was a ton of fun. Below are some of the people that were in a contest for best dressed or something. I didn't know people still dressed like this.
We saw about 10 races throughout the day, but the actual Telecom Derby is the biggest race in the southern hemisphere. 2.2 million dollars. I guess it's a pretty big deal. I bet a whole $2NZD on a random horse called Katie Lee, not having a clue how to do it. The horse came in second to last. Katie Collins, I blame you for your unlucky name. You owe me $1.40 when I get home.
Welp, that's all for now folks. I'm off to another week of classes. This weekend I finally get to go climbing! Goal number one: find someone who is down for a cheap life in the woods for two weeks during the semester break I have coming up. Wish me luck.
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