In Auckland (Or: In Japan, or China...or Samoa...)

We got in at the airport Friday (...), all fairly tired. We successfully pass through many, many, many checkpoints (bio-security, security-security, customs, immigration, etc. etc.) and catch a shuttle to the hostel...Auckland Central Backpackers. We find that we cannot check in until 13:00 (haha) and spend 8 hours sitting around, essentially. We open accounts with BNZ, which was a omen of the ease and simplicity with which tasks would be accomplished here. We also got mobile phones...only to find out the phones that cost less than a hundred dollars were out of stock...but we were instructed to come back "in the afternoon" by the sales-girl, who gave Keller excellent service. We returned in the afternoon, but: no phones yet. We (Noah and I) suspect that the girl just wants to see Keller again. (We eventually got our phones the next day).

Saturday, we ventured out to Kelly Tarlton's, an underground aquarium and penguin habitat. We hitched a ride with a tour-bus driver going to pick up his fares, who would become our first glimpse into kiwi indiosyncracies. We were waiting for another passenger (who never showed), when the driver looked at his watch and announced "Well, I guess I have time to roll a quick joint." (which turned out to be tobacco based). He went on to encourage us not to take up smoking, but excused himself for the habbit by saying "I'm too old for sex, and I can't drink." He is my favorite person we've met so far.

We notice that there are enormous populations of Japanese, Koreans, Chinese and Malasians here. Perhaps more so than the population of brit-decended kiwis. (It's only the 3rd day and already Keller is getting tired of my Japanese tourist impersonation).

Today, Sunday, we walked to the Auckland Museum, which was fantastic, then returned home after doing some shopping (three words: "Budget" brand beans) for under $13NZ. Now we're of to make some Thai Lamb sausages and, of course, the beans.

Sweet as,

Nathan