Rock lobster!

It’s time for a big update again. Since starting with a piece of a song was so fun, and some of you might be feeling a bit down with the minus temperature and the sleet. Here is a little piece, that helped me get through hard time:

We were at the beach / Everybody had matching towels / Somebody went under the dock / And there they saw a rock / But it wasn’t a rock / It was a ROCK LOBSTER!

- Peter Griffin (B52′s)

Ok, enough Family Guy references. But few honorary mentions for the music section since I completely forgot few bands last time I wrote about my favorite past time. Hidria Spacefolk’s astro rhytms and Von Hertzen Brother’s almost progressive rock deserves a mention. Also Lightman has been a huge success among everyone I’ve met so far. Haven’t heard much sports news while being here, but UFC 88 was a few weeks ago. I read the results online and was a bit surprised. Chuck Liddell got knocked the f’ out on the 2nd round by Evans. Pretty sweet knockout to say the least, since I got to see it online later on. Waiting for the Leben – Bisbing bout at UFC 89. Enough for MMA, since I don’t think anyone reading this is interested in it. Some more miscellaneous chitchat. Martti Ahtisaari got his well deserved Nobel peace price at last. That was a delight to hear. Economic crisis is obviously baaaaad, and makes me a sad panda. But I don’t want to put any toughts on that one while Im here.

On to other matters at hand. Whats been happening you ask. Its been a busy week. We’ve got heaps and heaps of stuff done, including a cattleyard and some gates to it, planting the orchard and shertering most of the trees plus much more. Its nice to see your accomplishments . We’ve also had some fun times, Jim’s stepsister from Australia came to visit with his husband. We went for a local 1 hour trek in the forest, and even spotted a native wood pidgeon, which are hard to photograph. I managed to snap few sweet photos of the bird, which you will see at the end of this post. From the forest we went for a little beach walk and from the beach we went on to Smashed Pipi (a local restaurant, good enough to have a honorary mention in the Lonlely planet) for some beers, pool and pizza. Overall a fantastic night.

On Friday me and Jim walked on top of a nearby hill which has an awesome view over both coasts and all the way up north to Whangarei. Photos from this trip included also. We’ve also played some tennis, Thursday night was the regular tennis club night, and I got to play few games of doubles, nice as always. We’ve also been playing some singles with both Ngaire and Jim. Yesterday we went for a birthday lunch at Ngaire’s sister’s Cathy. The lunch was fantastic, sun was shining, but still the whole situation was a bit awkward since everyone else seems to have loads of catching up to do, on the other hand I sit there my mouth shut. Atleast I got myself sunburned. After lunch we headed to nearby beach at Waipu Cove since the weather was too good to miss. Thats most of what has been happening, but what will be happening from now on is far more important!

Eero has successfully managed to leave Finland behind, and should be in Hong Kong soon. Thursday morning we’ll finally meet up at Auckland ferry terminal. Months and months of planning will finally come true, it feels awesome! My plan before that will play out like this: Today and tomorrow there will be some more work to do etc. Wednesday Ngaire will be heading down to Auckland and of course I will be able to hitch a ride with her. On our way down we will stop at Ngaire’s other sister, who owns a restaurant, for lunch. Ngaire will drop me down to a hostel I have booked from central Auckland. Decided to go for a bit more expensive single room for one night, because rest of the next month will be on budget and probably using out tent quite a bit. Before spending a night in Auckland I got a few tips on where to visit in Auckland. Depending on the price I will or wont visit the top of Sky Tower, which obviously would have spectacular views about 50miles to every direction. Also some art galleries and Auckland Museum are said to be worth a visit. So one touristy day in Auckland ahead!

Thursday, around midday, we’ll take a bus to Rotorua which will be our first destination. From Rotorua to Tongariro National Park to do some trekking and check the famous Mt. Doom. From Tongariro to Golden Bay to do some chillin’. And so forth. Ill keep you posted as best as I can. On the same bat channel, definately not on the same bat time! Stay tuned!