I apologise to everyone who has been waiting with bated breath for the latest updates in my world. It appears that I'm a rather busy man on this little island in the pacific and despite reminders from my dear sisters to keep people updated I... well, haven't.
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| Auckland city skyline |
So, where did I mark the page last time? Ah yes, I'd just fallen 13000 feet from a perfectly good aeroplane. As should be expected, my adventures have died down a little bit since then due to starting a routine (what dastardly things those are) but there have still been a few. In fact a result of my routine was that I got to observe and create something quite spectacular - a superconductor. If you don't know what those are (and care at all about what they might be), then google is your friend. If, however you don't like to browse wikipedia like me, then basically they make magnets float! I had a video of my group's (read: someone else's, as ours didn't work), but i have no idea where it's gone so you'll just have to contend with imagining it. Other school things include doing a ridonculously interesting maths class and designing possible drugs!
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| Scott against Devonport |
I've explored a little bit, going across Waitemata harbour to Devonport a couple of times on the ferry. The view of the city on this journey is spectacular (see above photo). Devonport actually contains a bit of a military outpost, including some gunnery stations and a barracks left over from World War II
just in case the Germans or Japanese decided it was a good idea to invade a small set of islands over 4000 km from the closest land mass (Australia). You can never be too safe. What I find really cool about Auckland is that due to the fact that it is built across a few bays and islands, it is not uncommon to take the ferry to work. I mean, imagine seeing the above view
every morning and
every evening. Allowing for rain of course.
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| Waitakere ranges and the gang |
I've joined the international students network and the tramping (hiking) club at the university. This has allowed me to make a few more chums and to explore the country a bit more. They even give me free food sometimes! So last weekend, the tramping club went west up to the Waitakere ranges to celebrate their hut's 70th birthday. I was, as most people can imagine pretty unorganised for this tramp so had to buy a butt-tonne of stuff to prepare at very short notice. The hut is called Ongaruanuku (say that 5 times fast), and I of course joined in the short hike, potluck dinner and merriment. The landscape actually kind of reminds me a little bit of George of the Jungle or maybe a tropical rain forest. I slept outside on Ongarauanuku's porch as it was bloody warm inside. The stars were the best I've seen since I trekked up the atlas mountains 6 years ago (almost exactly). I was woken up by
beautiful mostly beautiful bird calls, and hiked back home through the bush. It's been said, many times, many ways but New Zealand truly is a beautiful country.
Oh, and a couple more things - I have tickets to see the All Blacks vs Australia next weekend. Squeeeee! Also the mid-semester break is coming up after I get all these assignments turned in and tests written. As I'm not as financially well off as I'd hope to be, I'm going to go south for the two weeks and pick fruit - possibly asparagus. This will be my first non-Auckland kiwi experience and I have high hopes for it. Oh, and most importantly, I now have furniture in my room (including a bed and the desk from which I'm writing this). Living in this house has taught me a very important lesson - don't buy things, just wait for someone to move out!
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| All Blacks! |
