Monday, October 23, 2006
Kiwi notes
Auckland
- club in either Parnell or Ponsonby, which are fairly close to the central city. Clubs that show signs of life on a Wed night, include Vanilla on Parnell Rd and Safari Lounge or Sponge on Ponsonby Rd. Of course depending on where you're staying, there may be a Cock n' Bull, which is an Irish pub and Kiwi local where you can enjoy beers and wedges.
- Skytower, which is the tallest tower in the Southern hemisphere I believe. You can visit the cafe up the Skytower and enjoy a coffee and muffin (a typically Kiwi thing to do)
- Mission Bay our most popular beach, though not for the water is someone you can go for a stroll and an icecream or gourmet burger and chips. It's a pretty area, filled with little boutique cafes and icecream parlours.
- a ferry from downtown Akl to Devonport, a seaside suburb where you can relax with some fish and chips.
- Mt. Eden and having a walk
- shopping is good in newmarket (broadway)
Christchurch
- Arts Centre & Art Gallery are a must if you're into the arts. Go on Saturday and if the weather is nice there'll be markets and hundreds of people & all sorts of things to see.
- the other side from Arts Centre is High St which has loads of boutique stores and great coffee shops.
- Port Hills which are easily accessible by bus, or it can be a great walk! Beautiful views of the whole city, of Lyttelton Harbour & of the Southern Alps. And on a clear day right around the coast to the Kaikouras.
- As for nightlife, you'll probably be told about The Strip on Oxford Tce. A small street with just bars but it's not the nicest place to go; loads of very young & very drunk people.
- Head over the other way back towards High St/Lichfield St for the nicer clubs & pubs. Poplar Lane is very quaint, runs between Tuam & Lichfield St's. The best nightclubs are Concrete on Manchester St & Base on Struthers Lane (an alleyway paralell to Lichfield St).
- For gigs and DJ's etc try and find a JAGG booklet (Just A Gig Guide) which are everywhere, coffeeshops, clothing stores etc. That'll have all the gigs for that weekend in it.
- Magic Bus "Tranzalpine Experience" (7 days, w/ Milford 8 days):
Thu 11/16 5:30p-6:50p Auckland-Christchurch NZ$132
Fri 11/17 8:15a Tour begins
Fri 11/24 1:30p Tour ends
Sat 11/25 2:20p-5:00p Christchurch-Auckland NZ$167 - HSBC Locations
Australia
Sydney
Views
- north-head in manly
- palm beach, take the walk up to the barrenjoey lighthouse and follow the vague trails to cliffrocks
Nightlife
- Attic Bar, Art House Hotel
- darling harbour
- culture shock, try Oxford St. it's actually a big gay area in Sydney, but also has a fair few gothically inclined straight clubs
Brisbane
- Cairns Dive Centre
4-day and 5-day liveaboard - Cairns Dive
4-day and 5-day liveaboard
2 passport photos required for certification
Down Under Dive - Whitsundays Sail
2d/1n (8:30-4:30), 2d/2n (2a-11a), 3d/2n (9:30-4:30)
Trips starting Tuesdays
Southern Cross, 68', 14 people, $409
Maxi British Defender, 83', 28 people, $329 - Adventure Travel Bugs
Condor, 26 people, $340
Clipper, $320
SV Whitehaven, 24 people, $339
Freight Train, 22 people, $429 - Peter Pan's
Whitsunday sail options
Dive costs
- AUS Certification
AU$539 (US$405) (incl. physical, photos) Cairns Dive Center 4-day liveaboard
AU$649 (US$487) (incl. physical, photos) Cairns Dive Center 5-day liveaboard - Transfer
- USA Certifcation
$325 + boots/gloves rental (< $10 / day) @ Wallin's Dive Center
AU$341 (US$256) Cairns Dive Centre 2-day liveaboard
AU$451 (US$339) Cairns Dive Centre 3-day liveaboard
AU$320 (US$240) Down Under Dive 2-day liveaboard
AU$499 (US$375) Down Under Dive 3-day liveaboard
AU$560 (US$420) Pro Dive 3-day liveaboard
- HSBC Locations
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Oz-Kiwi: Plans
Now that I've finished writing about (and reliving) my trip to the East Coast, it's time to think about the next trip. I will travel to Australia and New Zealand from Oct. 30 to Nov. 25. What follows are notes for my preparation.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
