Thursday 31st March 2005

After spending much of the day walking around Auckland city yesterday, I have managed to destroy my legs. They are extremely achy today, therefore the plan was to spend the day relaxing a bit, maybe do a bit of shopping.

I had managed to walk miles yesterday, and the distance I had travelled by foot had taken its toll on my legs, and I felt very weary. This meant, however, that I was able to get a good night sleep. I was asleep before my head had even hit the pillow, and woke up nice and early this morning, 7:30am to be exact. I showered in the I-cant-believe-this-is-a-bathroom, and made my way down the long corridor to the buzzing breakfast room.

I looked around as I sat eating my cereal, and noticed how many of the guests were more mature than I had expected. I was easily the youngest there, and I had unintentionally separated myself from the small groups that had formed between the rest of the guests. I felt like an outcast, but in this strange room that I was in – strange because it was a large room, only half of it being occupied, the other half showing no clear signs of what it’s purpose was – I didn’t much care for my solitude. I had a nice day planned, so I would be glad to be out of this poorly-lit hostel/hotel.

I walked to the part of the city where the shops were situated, and realised I wasn’t the only one with the intention of buying today. Much of Auckland’s numerous population seemed to be congregated in and around the rows of outlets, each person seemingly on a mission. Workers hovered around the food stands, one hand holding their newly-acquired hot dog, the other hand grasping a mobile phone, head slightly slanted to adopt the – I’m a very important person on a mobile phone – look. As more and more suits swarmed over every available pavement space, I felt like a tourist, failing to conform to the pace and eagerness of the passing crowd. Instead I just sauntered along, weaving frequently to avoid collision, and took in the sights and sounds like the tourist I was.

I found myself in some quaint little touristy shops, largely due to the fact that I had walked into them, and pondered whether to buy souvenirs now, or to wait until I was further into the trip. I wanted to buy authentic gifts, not the kind you find in tourist shops along the main high street in New Zealand’s busiest city. So I didn’t. I must admit though, for all the hustle and bustle, I was enjoying myself immensely. I was a far cry from home yet I was experiencing something unlike I have ever experienced before, and I was having a lot of fun.

I took the opportunity to e-mail home today, and to do a bit more walking, even though my feet were telling me to take a break. I wanted to push through the pain barrier and see as much as I could.

The evening came and I took another early night, if only to rest my throbbing legs and feet. Tomorrow I wanted to get on with things, which meant a trip to the information place. I had heard about these bus tours around the two islands, and needed more information to decide if this was the way forward for me. But for now I was pleased to be off my feet.