Monday, February 1, 2010
Auckland, NZ
I'm waking up in Auckland, NZ to the roar of the city! It's about 8:30 AM Tuesday morning, February 2. We crossed the international dateline late last night so I can add crossing the IDL to my list of "first." Today is the first day back to school after the summer holiday for New Zealanders so the morning talk shows (almost identical to Good Morning America etc) are running programs about school bus stop safety, school lunches etc. Auckland looks pretty much like any big city and it's noisy like any busy downtown area. I'm missing waking up to the rooster's crow and the sound of the ocean. I also miss the island breakfast by the pool the beautiful brown faces of the staff at Etu Moana. Cinnamon smiles have been replaced by white and Asian (Chinese) faces, and the rooster's crow replaced by constuction clanking, beeping, buzzing. I'm sure we will love New Zealand once we get out of Auckland; our flight to Christchurch departs in a few hours, but right now feeling "island sick." There are a few things I like better in NZ for one the highspeed reliable internet connection although it's expensive at $30/day NZ, hot showers (always warm but never hot in the Cooks), dry clothes (nothing ever felt dry in Aitutaki because it was so humid so my clothes are smelly and in serious need of a good washing). Our six days in Aitutaki made a big and lasting impression on me and I will miss the friendliness and beauty of the people, the chubby babies and toddlers, people honking and waving from their scooters, the music, the flowers, the colors, the amazing food, the colors of the ocean, the chickens, goats, and pigs, the mango trees and just about everything I experienced there. I will write about yesterday (Sunday) when we get to our next stop outside of Christchurch tonight. I have to sign off now because we're rushing to catch the shuttle to the airport.
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