no double stuf!

As if a lack of Double Stuf Oreos wasn't bad enough, my Oreo totally got the icing shaft.  

My Oreo, left....Bret's Oreo, right.

Missing American cookies...

sushi and sunsets

As you've probably guessed, I'm a sucker for sunsets.  Thank goodness for the day off, we rested, relaxed, and rejuvenated ourselves for the upcoming week.  I've been longing to hike Mt Eden with the reward of watching the sunset with a 360 degree view of Auckland.  The accompanying picnic of sushi and wine was an added bonus. 

        

First we took the 15 minute walk to the mall in Newmarket, Auckland's fashion capital, to pick up sushi and wine.  Next, after making a last minute stop at the post office, we took the walk back, past the hostel, and took the steep hike up to the top of Mt Eden (without water, what a mistake!).  We have just had daylight savings time this weekend, therefore falling back an hour (going into fall here), and the sun was setting early.  We picked a prime spot on the hill and set up dinner.

Once we started dinner, the cool breeze picked up, chilling our sweaty skin from the hike.  Lots of tourists were crowding the top of the mountain, which is fairly large.  A group of Indian tourists decided to take several group photographs, literally, right on top of where we were eating.  It was frustrating at first, but highly amusing.  We enjoyed sushi, edamame, and Kim Crawford wine.  As the sun finally set, it appeared like a glowing volcano.  We stayed on top of the mountain a short while longer, and headed down before it got too dark!

 

Shadows creeping over the volcano...
 

Slowly sinking...

Barely shining.

   

Meanwhile, I am having a hard time adjusting to the sun setting so early (6:15ish!) as the weather remains mostly sunny and warm, no sense of fall in sight!

omaha blueberries

In an attempt to satisy a sweet craving at the local market, we stumbled across Omaha Blueberries Sorbet.  Omaha!  Another friendly reminder of home...too bad Bret is allergic to blueberries!

200

Today is (I can't believe it) our 200th day in New Zealand!  We both had work in the morning, but took advantage of the great weather this afternoon to celebrate.  On the agenda was a visit to Galbraith's Alehouse, a traditional English brewery right here in Auckland.  To continue Bret's sampling of New Zealand beers, we shared a tasting tray of four beers, accompanied by a yummy grilled chicken sandwich, hot chips, and aioli.

We were back at the hostel just in time to catch another sunset overlooking One Tree Hill, and cap off our 200th day!

Sky City babysitting

Today was a mostly relaxing day, working in the morning, chilling in the afternoon.  This evening we took a bus into the city to babysit yet again.  This time it was at the Sky City Grand Hotel, attached to the Sky Tower.  It was a peaceful evening, ordering room service and watching New Zealand's Next Top Model with Evelyn.  The view from the hotel was incredible (so many great views here)!  After Evelyn fell asleep, we spent the rest of the night reading quietly in the room.  It was refreshing to be in our own clean and quiet space for even just a bit, far from the hustle and bustle in our hostel!

 

 

When Kim and Lance arrived home, they informed us that they ate dinner tables away from Ozzy Osbourne's son, Jack, in the hotel restaurant.  We tried to find him when we left, but no luck!

Thank goodness…

•    My 3 hour cleaning job barely takes 1.5 hours!
•    My bedbug bites are healing and fading, and I have not had an additional outbreak!
•    For free internet to download new LOST on iTunes!
•    The Act II popcorn we bought in NZ last night was from ConAgra in Omaha!
•    For Bret’s iPod playlist he made me with Bon Iver, Lady Gaga, The Veronicas, The Ting Tings, and Kings of Leon that gets me through my work shift!
•    For babysitting jobs in 5 star Auckland hotels!
•    We’re healthy and happy despite the occasional discomforts!

recovering

Yesterday’s fiasco was completely physically and emotionally draining.  I am definitely tired, and hitting a wall in our traveling.  I dream about a clean bed that I can call my own, a personal shower with sufficient hot water and pressure, a clean fridge and kitchen, my own remote control operated to watch what I want to watch when I want to watch it, and a wireless internet connection.  Instead, I am recovering from yesterday, willing the pain and discomfort away, and looking forward to the rest of the time we have here in New Zealand.
 
Kim and Lance and baby Evelyn are actually in Auckland this week, and need a babysitter (three times!).  Tonight we took a bus into the city, followed by a 30 minute walk to their friends’ home, which was located at the top of several grueling hills.  Upon arrival, Evelyn greeted me with the sweetest grin and squeal, and it was comforting to see Kim and Lance (those familiar faces I was longing for).  Their friends’ home was beautiful, and had a perfect view of the Harbour Bridge, with the sailboats in the bay.  We played with Evie for a bit, shared wine and cheese with the two couples, and eventually were released to watch whatever we wanted on television.  We settled on Flight of the Conchords and channel surfing, all while enjoying the view of the bridge as dusk settled and it lit up the night sky.  I couldn’t help but by reminded by the string of lights in Omaha near the airport, with similar lights dotting the bridge.
 
Exhausted from the recent adventures we’ve endured, we both ended up snoozing off and on, and were content to get home after midnight and fall asleep until work tomorrow!