Doug and I also found awesome beaches on the North Shore and we couldn't have asked for better weather! Doug got me to go body surfing in the ocean (which I was horrible at, was nearly stripped of my entire swimsuit). We also did a good deed and helped a lost little girl on the beach find her mom. Lastly, pipe was going off!
Pipe is the place in the ocean on the North Shore where the waves get huge when the right type of swell comes in (remember the movie "Blue Crush" ?!?- that's what I'm talking about).
I have never seen waves so big. The surfers were insane and it was an epic event to watch.
We spent most of our time on the beaches and enjoyed coconut shrimp and veggie sandwiches from food trucks. Doug and I (to save money) split basically ever meal we get. We order 1 sandwich and each get half and we have crackers and granola bars to snack on. It's nice because you don't feel like crap or absolutely stuffed after you eat. Sometimes we even get crazy and buy a few apples or a bag of carrots to snack on (wild, I know). An apple with peanut butter was our favorite form of breakfast while in Honolulu. Anyways...
Our time in O'ahu came to an end and we soon had to say goodbye to the North Shore and to Ruby, our compact little fiat (by the way we only filled that baby up one time and it only cost us $26.00- gas was like $3.20/gallon). Don't be surprised if you see Doug and I cruising around in a fiat when we get home :)
Our flight from Honolulu to Auckland, New Zealand was about 9hrs. It wasn't until 10:30 at night but we made sure we got to the airport with plenty of time, which we did (maybe a little too much). We got bored so we ended up wandering into a duty free store. Before we knew it an Asian woman was persuading Doug and I to take free whiskey and rum shot tastings in an effort to get us to purchase alcohol. Sadly for her we didn't buy any (but we did feel warm and ready for that plane ride!).
We flew Air New Zealand, which was amazing! We got two meals (containing delicious fruit and even ice cream) and we could watch movies/tv/play games on our own individual screens. If you ever get the chance to fly with them-do it! The food was great, the free wine was delicious (and they weren't skimpy with it) and we received random snacks and candies. Plus their introduction film (you typically see on planes) was themed after The Hobbit. We flew coach but felt like we were first class!
We got to Auckland at 6:30am (18 hours ahead of Indiana-so strange). We managed to catch a bus into the city that dropped off a road away from our Nomad Hostel.
Doug and I spent the day walking around the city of Auckland. It kind of reminded me of a less upscale Chicago.
We decided to try new foods (an Istanbul pizza-pretty good actually).
Walking around was fun because there are all kinds of shops and tons of restaurants. We returned to the hostel in the afternoon to do our laundry and get situated in our room.
We were assigned an 11-bunk room, which wasn't so bad (aside from the fact that it smelled like a boys locker room- you know what I mean.) We made friends with 3 guys from England (Nathan, Josh, Cory) and had some interesting chats discussing traveling. The next morning we boarded a bus to begin our Kiwi Experience. In the same way that I call myself a "hoosier," people from New Zealand are known as"kiwis." The kiwi experience is a hop on/ hop off bus tour that we booked to take us all around the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Ill be blogging about each day and will post the updates whenever I can get free wifi. Here is the breakdown in New Zealand thus far:
9th: arrived in Auckland
10th: hopped aboard the Kiwi Experience bus and did a few hikes. We also visited Hot Water Beach where we dug huge holes in the sand. You then sit in the holes and it feels like you're in a hottub!
11th: Doug and I did a hike and visited the glow worm caves in Waitomo where we went rafting through pitch black caves (more on this later).
So far we are loving New Zealand. The landscapes here are so breathtaking you feel like they are fake. God was on his game when he created this place- it's beyond beautiful. :)
Sending you positive vibes from New Zealand and of course much love!
Here's to hoping you have a wonderful week! Step outside of your comfort zone :)
Cheers!
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