...I realize that internet is severely limited here: mobile data plans are expensive and free wifi in hotels is scarce. You have to pay for data consumed and that sucks.
...I encounter "real kiwifruit filled chocolates". Hmmm I'll pass.
...I notice my hostel is actually a YMCA establishment. Fancy that...
...I observe a great many American fast food chains: Carl's Jr., Wendy's, Denny's.
...I conclude that this being summer, weather is actually quite chilly. 20C and windy
...I spot quite a few little birds (sparrows, robins) tends to shamelessly invade inside areas (hotel lobby, eateries - picking food scrapes off of tables) and nobody's even surprised
...I visit the Skytower observation deck. It affords a nice view over the city it's its surrounding islands.
...I am shocked by universally outrageous water prices in small shops and gas stations. NZ$4 for a bottle! It's not like we're in the Sahara here...Luckily I discover that in supermarkets it's about quarter of the price. So I stock up :)
...I drive 3 hours out to a small sleepy village of Kawakawa and admire...public toilets built by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who used to live here for a while.
...while driving I notice the usual summer holiday traffic and a great many police cars checking people's speed, both marked and unmarked. Note to self: comply with limits.
...I arrive at the west coast of the northern part of the island to see the famous giant kauri trees - very impressive. The area is so remote actually that no cellphone coverage exists. Before each trail to see the trees there's a shoe cleaning station to protect the giants from outside contaminants and diseases that can kill them.
...I pull over at the side of the road to sleep because I am so tired I am dozing off behind the wheel. There's virtually zero traffic (think 1 car per hour), it's dark and spooky. Around 3am some joker pulls over in a muscle car next to me, revs his engine a couple times to make sure I'm awake and speeds off.