A week with Tina & city beaches

Well, it certainly has been a while since my last blog report and things really have changed since my last entry [as usual].

My first week in Auckland was spent fixing up Tina: the van, to get her ready for sale. This took several days and involved me having ot go to different mechanics in dodgie areas before everything was in order for about half the price I was originally being charged for.

I was ready to sell the van, and then make my exit out of NZ as rapidly as possible; but on Saturday I went to get my dreadlocks fixed: and who appeared out of no where on the street: with their arm extended to grab me? Edwardo and Larissa from the uprising festival!

Suddenly my anonymity was broken and I had friends; I checked out of my camping spot and into their living room upon the request of their humble hospitality and smack in to the middle of an engagement bbq/party.

The next day we drank with a small group of friends in the lawn all day, despite our hangovers, and Monday I finally went to the car fair to unload my van. i had no idea how long this was going to take, but fortunately it was sold in one day! And I made back some of the repair money, so in the end my loss was very small and well worth the value of having a van in the first place!

I've driven to Piha, Anawhata and some other beaches, the west coast beaches are what Auckland is all about. Auckland its self it mega boring; its ok if you have a car; infact without one you are nothing short of immobilized as every cool place is at least 2 km away from the next cool spot. People all have 1 or 2 cars here; and with one you can actually get out to these amazing beaches of km upon km of sand with rocks that jetisson out of the sand in cartoon like images dozens of stories tall. The ocean is warm, the sand soft beneath your feet; the air here is romantic.

Some other highlights:
dozens of sweet sparrows that eat from the cusp of my hands.
new insights and feelings develop inside of me as my various friendships with all my friends continue to grow and unfold- yet more old principles of mine that once were carved in solid matter break into new continents where new growth now occurs.

but the big news is: Monday I leave for Japan!!!! Crazy, I am doing my final preps today: like getting my bullet pass for the train.

But before that, It's off to a Reggae festival for me! This weekend Friday to Sunday. We will see if I'm actually into reggae music or not; as Helen & Allan did a good job of getting me initially into it; and now I'm very curious to hear more... I'm eager for a new musical direction, will this provide the kicks the bass rumbles?

Some new photos are loaded in a new photo album: the links on the right panel have been updated from the time I went dolphin swimming up to kiwi burn. Have not taken that many photos here in Auckland, but these pictures are not up yet, next time!