PRINCESS WHARF

So its been busy few months .. between spending a month in Adelaide (working some of that time remotely ), and flying back and forth between Adelaide and Auckland for Lumley NZ , Im surprised how quickly time flies.

Also ....finally, this weekend I signed up a new apartment on Auckland’s waterfront Princes Wharf…. Its sunny, spacious, overlooking the western side of harbor.
It has that great feel that my OC house had … so really looking forward to relaxing here, watching the sunset and enjoying weekends. More info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princes_Wharf

ADELAIDE, WTF??!!! REALLY??!!

Back in Adelaide for 4 weeks for 2009 Xmas and New Year … so three things happened to me first week back that make me think “WTF has happened to Adelaide”

1. I got asked for ID @ Electric Circus …. So I say …..WTF, how old do you think I look …. And the bouncer goes … I don’t know, that’s why im asking for ID …..… Mate …. You are 2 decades off if u think I’m underage (I have not been carded in Australia in nearly 20years!!!!)
   
2. I got refused entry into another quality establishment because of a “jaw-lined beard” (as in what I have in photo below ..... and which I have been sporting for past 5 months …ALL OVER THE WORLD!!!) .... and this place apparently had a a “No jaw-lined beard Policy” …WTF????
3. I noticed another bloke being refused entry because he was wearing a “Ed Hardy - Christian Audigier” at the Vodka bar, which has a “No Ed Hardy Tshirt Policy”. Ok, I do agree that they are shit … and would never (ever) wear one, but I do have also say that they are part of a clothing trend that has taken over the world (very common in Los Angeles/Hollywood/OC/London/Sydney/Auckland etc), and if some poor shmuck wants to pay A$150 for one … he should be allowed in....just because ..... !!!!

Adelaide … get a grip … you take yourself way too seriously if you are putting up with this sort of crap!!!!!

Maybe its that there are just too few a places to go out in little’ol’Adelaide … and they can discriminate with these absurd rules …. Thinking that the establishment you are trying to enter is just “oh so cool”!! ... fuck u .. that is just pathetic business sence ....you aint getting my $$$ (and for those that know me, its not unusual for me to drop a few $100's on a bar tab ... when its a good night)

ROTORUA - WHITE WATER RAFTING

Another weekend, and more outdoor activities.
The work crew decided to rent another car (this time a van, as there were 5 of us), and head to Rotorua.
Zorbing, and bungie were also proposed, but that did not look as good a sin the brochures.

On the way there, I introduced them to the Meat Pie, and we finished off with greasy fish –n-chips (wrapped in a newspaper).

Thats how you eat a PIE!!!

Drive around the Lake...

AKL vs ADL

RANGITOTO ISLAND

On Sunday, work crew group took ferry tour across the bay to a volcanic island, which in Kiwi’s youngest volcano, which created the island some 600 years ago, during its eruption.

Interesting, but not as exciting as previous day’s activities …. View across to Auckland city (from top of the volcano cone) was quite spectacular.

WAITOMO CAVES

First weekend, and we rented a car, and drove 200km south to do some abseiling and black-water diving, and see the glow-worms; http://www.waitomo.com/caving-adventure.aspx.

Absailing 30m down into the caves.

Crawling around through caves (dont think about the eels!!!!)

Bit of fun in the dark!!

Climbing out through the blackwater

.. the tour operator only had a small camera (which struggled in the dark), so below are some professionally taken pics, to get idea of what we did for 5 hours underground:

FIRST WEEK IN AUCKLAND

My first week in Auckland was pretty awesome. There are couple guys down from US for only a few weeks, so we have been very busy wining and dining …. And also discovered Chimay beer … and managed to drink the Belgium Beer Café dry of all their Blue Grand Reserve (including the 1.5litre magnums).

What happens when you run out of 750ml bottles ... go straight up to the 1.5L!!

The Kiwis are relaxed and very switched on, and there is a great atmosphere of getting things done .. with a good balance of work and fun…. Not to mention the breaks for morning-teas, and Friday afternoon drinks (something that did not happen in the US ... ever!!!).

The offices are slick and modern, high enough in the Lumley building to overlook Auckland harbor, so its great being there, and every few hours just take a few minutes out of the day, and stare out into the horizon.

Currently they put us up in OAK Apartments across the road (less than minute away), which are convenient, but a bit small and boxy, and I have been looking at other more permanent arrangements, and currently trying to stitch up an awesome pad in the Mertropolis building (below)… will let you know how it turns out.