Out and About Exploring in NZ

So after getting up at 7.30 and getting dressed and ready I was on the train into Auckland city centre at 9.35. That is actually amazing for Melanie.. she doesnt do early days!! But New Zealand is changing me. Unlike Argentina the people here are early morning people and early night people to. I bought a day pass on the train which meant I good use the train bus and ferry service however much I wanted for just $13! I arrived in Auckland and coming out of the train station the first place I saw was the ferry station so off I went. My first trip in New Zealand was to a place called Devonport which is about 12 minutes away on the ferry from Auckland. I arrived with the sun shining and the beach before my eyes. So before doing anything I had to dip my feet in the water and walk along the beach. And that I did. It was so pretty. After that I headed to the information centre. Possibly my favorite place in New Zealand because you get books of free information on every possible place here. Im so glad I didnt buy a tourist book back home! Stuff from the Kiwis is much better! As well as information they also have loads of discount coupons for every place possible!! Its fabulous... youd never find this in Ireland!

The lady there was really helpful and gave me the little booklets on places to see in Devonport. Now in fairness there wasnt very much apart from the chocolate factory...which I of course did visit! And then I just walked around enjoying the sun and water, having a delicious bacon and avocado panini in the sun before heading back to Auckland. It really was a lovely place. Back in Auckland I walked around and of course did some exploring in the shops although refrained from buying anything as I dont have very much room at the moment... dont know why!! It was then back to my location in Papakura.. I love the names of the places here, ones called Papatoetoe! Although its not pronounced as it looks!:( ) Although I had an early start I certainly had an early night and was in bed by 8.30/9.00!!

Although I was up again at 8 the next morning and on the 9.35 train back into Auckland! This time I went to explore Kelly Tarltons Underwater Aquarium! AND with my coupons I got discount on my entry fee!! Love New Zealand!! As for Kelly Tarltons it was pretty amazing! It had loads of types of fish that I had never seen before - or else Id just seen them on Finding Nemo, they even had Dora!! They had huge eels and even bigger cray fish! I did some exploring and then went and saw the fish feed which was pretty fascinating! I watched puffer fish crunch mussels and octopus try to escape from their tank! It was really fascinating the information I learnt to, although dont ask me to tell you what it was, I have short term memory!! After that they had a little cinema with a documentary about a man who went to Antarctica, and I do intend on going their on my next world trip!! Before heading back to Auckland I watched the shark feed and had great fun watching stingray being fed directly in front of my face and shark swimming around with fish tails hanging out of their mouth! After that it was back to Auckland city centre for some lunch and a trip to another information centre(telling ya the best part of New Zealand!) before heading back to Papakura where I ate fish for the first time in I dont know how long!! Are you amazed Mum?? I have a feeling Im going to be eating in much more, not by choice of course but out of politeness!!