Earlier, I discovered that one of my photos is featured inSchmap Sydney Ninth Edition. I just found out that another one of my photos made it to Schmap Auckland Ninth Edition, too! I'm thrilled that both of my photos are featured in Schmap.
This was taken from Devonport while I was on top of Mt Victoria, a view of Rangitoto Island. I never went to Rangitoto Island since it was closed when I was there, but I would love to go back and visit someday soon. Absolutely breathtaking.
I haven't blogged in a while, but I suppose it's hard to when you're away from home for so long. So here's a blog to finish off the rest of my adventures and the end of
summer 2009.
In London: England
I went to Calvin Harris' concert at Somerset House. One of the best concerts I've ever been to. The neo-classic building was lit up in red neon lights, lots of elektro/house fans gathered and many cute English indie guys. Calvin Harris is electrifying and amazing! I danced and sang along to the music. I absolutely loved it all. The UK has some of the best music. Their dance/electronica/house music proves it, along with their (HMV) record stores. Other highlights: Abbey Road, going to the British and Barbican Museum and shopping at H&M and Primark.
In Portsmouth: England
My mom and I went to Portsmouth (Charles Dicken's birthplace) for Auntie I's graduation. Yay! We're so proud of her! The graduation was quite an experience itself. The traditions of a graduation in the UK are dissimilar from the US. The chancellor was like the Queen of England. She was lovely and gave an inspiring speech for all the graduates and attendees. I think my mom and I were laughing hilariously after the graduation. I couldn't help but imitate a British accent and say, "chancellor, I now present you with...."
In DΓΌsseldorf: Germany
A reunited party with the M family! We had many laughs, took lots of pictures and had many crazy moments. Basically, what happened in Germany stays in Germany. Some mornings, S and I jogged around and in the forest, such beautiful greenery. The places I went sight seeing were Extersteine and Spparrenburg. Everyone was so nice to me, especially the M family for taking care of me. I stocked up on lots of Haribo and Ritter Sport. The song I listened to non-stop is now the soundtrack to my summer.
"I've gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night" (Black Eyed Peas).
In Amsterdam: Netherlands
Ok, so I've only really seen Amsterdam from a plane. But I was stuck at the Schiphol Airport for about 3 days, trying to go back home. It was an unpleasant ordeal, but I learned how to be a "grown up" and deal with some impossibly mean people at the airport. Another thing I've learned is that Dutch guys seem to like me. Maybe I should move there or to a foreign country.
In Narita: Japan
Less than 24 hours returning home, I hopped on a plane to Japan. I stayed there for only a few days so there wasn't anytime to go to Tokyo. Japanese food is my favourite and they sell the best honey-lemon tea in Narita. We visited a temple at their town, went shopping at Aeon and ate lots. (I'm going back to Japan next week, so more adventures ahead).
In Oahu: Hawaii
Hawaii is my second home in paradise. I love going to the beach and playing in the sun. My friend A recently moved there, so we partied for about two weeks before school started. We had so much fun in North Shore and downtown Honolulu. Some of the highlights were the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC), North Shore, Hanauma Bay, Jack-In-The-Box and Fatty's!
This summer has truly been the best summer, ever. I'm so grateful I was able to visit all these places. The world is truly amazing. I am going to conquer Antarctica next. Or at least one day...
Visited places:
Australia: New Zealand: England: Germany: Netherlands (Amsterdam, sort of): Japan: Hawaii
(Wish I could post more pictures, but there are some 5,000+! Check my flickr site.)
Dear Australia & New Zealand, I miss you terribly. Please come back to me!
p.s. New Zealand...one day you will be my home forever.
Dear Calvin Harris, You are the highlight of my London trip. I am in love with you, your music and your Scottish accent. Please marry me one day.
Dear Auntie I, I'm so happy that we came to your graduation in Portsmouth. I've had so much fun hanging out with you and A in London. Congratulations again! You did and we're so proud of you! You are amazing.
Dear London, I could get lost in your museums all day. I love learning. I want to take Selfridges & Co and Primark home with me!
Dear Underground, A bit of A/C and upgrading would be nice. A life lesson learned...never stand near the closing doors. I'm now paranoid of them. Although, I really do love the Underground musicians.
Dear J, Secretly I have loved you and can't wait to see you again. There was a musician last night who reminded me of you. A part of me misses you.
Dear friends back at home, I miss all of you! I'm glad we can kind of keep in touch via facebook, twitter & e-mail.
Dear scale back at home, I wish you were lying to me. I hope you're wrong. Although I don't believe this lie myself.
Dear sleep, Where have you been and how can I find you again? I can't seem to get enough of you. I need you.
Dear world, I am really loving you so much. I've seen lots and learned much this summer.
When I landed in Auckland, New Zealand I was certain that I fell in love with this country. From the airport window, New Zealand looked like a pretty countryside already.
My mom and I planned on going to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. We didn't know which stop to get off at, so we ended up taking a tour of Auckland from a bus. We didn't mind. Thanks to O(who told me about Devonport), we caught a ferry going there in the afternoon. The sun was out and it was lovely weather. After we got off the ferry, we took a short horse carriage ride. Then we walked up to Mt Victoria. The view on top of Mt Victoria is indescribably beautiful. I don't know if there are words to describe how beautiful it is up there. The grass is so green, from every direction there's an incredibly gorgeous view. From one point you can see Rangitoto Island (which was closed while we were there), the ocean and the Auckland skyline. Also, you can see the rooftops of pretty houses in Devonport. I love their cafes and shops. I want to live in Devonport. Before heading back to the ferry, we ate at a restaurant called Mecca. We had really good soup and they have the most interesting wine cellar. You can actually see the cellar from the floor you're standing on. Before heading back to the hotel, we went to Valentino's Gelato. So good! My favourite flavours there are Passion Fruit and Hokey Pokey (carmel & honey).
We took a bus to see Sheep World. Again, we loved it there! Did you know they have pink sheep? Not even kidding. We saw a dog and sheep show. All the sheep are so cute. The most shocking and sad thing we saw was the sheep being sheared. It just shocked me. I learned that it doesn't hurt the sheep when they're sheared, but still sad. The sheep herder invited everyone to shear the sheep and my brother went up there. Let me say that after seeing a sheep getting sheared, I can never look at my Uggs the same way again. We fed the farm animals, the sheep and ram. The ram terrified me! And one sheep bit my hand. I screamed a little and nobody cared although it didn't terribly hurt. We saw more farm animals. There was this one sheep who looked half dog/half sheep. Not even kidding. My mom and I still laugh when we think of that one sheep-dog?! After Sheep World, we shopped a little in downtown Auckland, which was pretty amazing that we even made it to the stores. All the stores in Auckland close early at 7 pm. The same in Sydney. And I thought our stores in America closed way too early...
My last day in Auckland, New Zealand was sad. I didn't want to leave. My mom and I eventually figured out how to get to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. It is one of the coolest museums I've been to and I learned a lot. They had all these cool dresses they wore decades ago. Surprisingly, they did not look vintage at all. I would wear them. They featured everything and even modern design. I spotted a Mies van der Rohe chair! Although I'm not a big fan of the chair itself. We watched a little bit about Sir Edmund Hillary. I remember reading about him in Time Magazine. I even think Mr. B talked a little bit about him and/or the Sherpas. Then we learned about volcanoes by experiencing a generated earthquake/volcano. While I watched the news reel, I half-believed that this volcano eruption happened. I was standing up the entire time and the floor moved. It scared me. The next day I heard about an actual earthquake that occurred between New South Wales and the South Island of New Zealand. That freaked me out.
So I fell in love with New Zealand. I am going to live there one day. It's literally off the edge of the world and in a different world too. New Zealand is one of most beautiful places I have ever seen so far in the world. They have the greenest hills during the winter. Everyone is really friendly and it's very multi-cultural. I love kiwis-both the people and the bird. I like their laws and it seems like a quiet, peaceful place to live. I'll just have to work on liking LOTR. At least I think I like rugby and the guys who play it. Kia kaha.
I am so grateful and blessed to have been able to see Australia and New Zealand. It's been lots of fun and one of my favourite vacations yet. I miss Australia and New Zealand quite terribly and I wish I could go back right now. My dreams of going to Australia and New Zealand came true. Now I'm off to conquer Antarctica. You better believe it. And the adventures will continue on...
Well hello there! Kia ora! It's actually 0:20 in NZ right now. Way ahead before the other side of the world, back in the US. It's actually 6:17 am back at home. I never quite understand how time works. Especially with all the different time zones. I know it's all simple math, but it's confusing nevertheless. I always get mixed up with time and dates, especially during the summer. I never know what day it is. So far I'm having a lovely time on my trip. All of this has felt unreal. NZ is truly one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I want to live here one day.
I haven't blogged here in a while and thought I would throw in some random facts along with this blog entry. It's been a long day and it's midnight over here. Uh, yeah I have no idea what I'm thinking except maybe I need some sleep.
.I could live off french fries or chips as they call them here. As long as there's plenty of ketchup. (I've been craving some fries)
.I want to live in New Zealand sometime in the very near future.
.I bite my straws and I can't help it.
.Writing and receiving postcards are one of my favourite things.
.I like to spell words the Queen English's way.
.I like to think I can drive on the wrong, err right side of the road. I'd like to try one day.
.Words like 'Quay' and places in the Down Under have cool names.
.I'm scared of fake Dinosaurs. (The ones you see in museums. I saw a few of them while I was in Australia. They creep me out)
.Drinks taste better with ice. I still don't get why more European countries don't have ice.
.I boycott so many things, passionately. And then sometimes I end up liking the very thing I hate. When I go home, I'll try watching the LOTR again. All because of NZ.
.The world's natural beauty never ceases to amaze me.
