Driving days

For the next two days I hired a car and took a drive north, just a day trip, coming back to Auckland for night. As my first destination I chose Waitakere Ranges, a regional parkland west from Auckland. I had a big desire to drive on those narrow and winding roads of New Zealand. Once I got out of the city and to a proper country roads I was really enjoying my time. There's nothing better than a open, winding road ahead of you, great weather with stunning scenery and good music from radio. At first I drove to Piha, then thru Karekare and onto a narrow detour around the area and last but not least, I drove to Whatipu. To get to the end of road in Whatipu I had to drive for the last 4,5km on narrow gravel road that was hugging the mountains, what an amazing small stretch of road.

After Whatipu it was time head back towards Auckland and my hostel. On the next day I decided to start heading towards north from Auckland, this time driving to bit further away. As my first stop I drove to Devonport just to get a feeling from the place. Actually, it would have been quicker to go there with a ferry.. I had a brekkie at Devonport and started heading towards north on State Highway 1. Pretty boring strech of road, just a motorway. I skipped the toll road section - would have been only $2.20 - and drove thru Orewa to get out of motorway. After joining SH1 the road was back to a 'normal' two-lane road, now I could enjoy driving again. Even thou being one of the main highways, SH1 was still quite winding at places but yet again, so are pretty much all the roads in New Zealand. Or at least, that's what I've been told. I drove to Omaha Beach since fella from car rental told me it was a gorgeous beach. Well, not really.. After Omaha I headed towards Leigh and was aiming to Wellsford via Pakiri drivin again on a narrow, winding gravel road that was hugging a mountain. What a stretch of road again, maybe even slightly better than the one in Whatipu.

At times, scenery reminded me of Scotland. Just take few specific trees out from the view and you had a similar backdrop like in Highlands. I felt so good, even thou started to get a bit hungry and tired of driving. I still had about 2hrs to get back to Auckland and I was thinking how am I gonna survive this.. It all changed when I had a brief snack at Wellsford and decided to take State Highway 16 via Helensville back to Auckland. Was that a great drive, climbing up to the top of the world and then winding road down hugging the coast line. I was really enjoying the drive again, what a feeling.

Back to Auckland for night and I returned my car the next morning.

Auckland - City of Sails

Just a few weeks ago I decided to make New Zealand as my next destination. I chose Auckland as the city from where I would start my exploration. It was kinda strange 'losing' 3hrs when flying from Australia to New Zealand. I got thru customs more or less easy in NZ but in OZ it might have been a different matter.. Back when I arrived to Brisbane, I visited immigration office to double-check what would be my last day that I'd have to leave Australia. Then, officer told me that 25th would be okay, but.. ..since I arrived to OZ on 24th I should have departed it as well on 24th.. Well, it was only a matter of one day and the officer was laid-back. Like I mentioned, got thru NZ customs without any hassle and all I had to do was to show my hiking boots and that was it.. Felt a bit lazy gettin a bus - well, actually walkin that 1,5km from bus stop to my hostel - so took a taxi and what an expensive trip that was.. ..NZD89.. After ditching my bags to room I took a wee walk to downtown and headed for a pint. It's always interesting to walk on a new city without a map..

On the next mornin I got up about 9ish and headed for a better walk to downtown. This time I could actually see something and had my camera with me as well. But man, was I freezing..! Surely it was +20degrees or somethin but spending that much time in Queensland & Brisbane was takin it's toll. Had my jeans on and even a pull-over shirt as well but still felt chilly. 'How am I gonna get used to this weather'.. Even had to wear socks..

On first impression city felt nice, slightly busier than Brisbane even thou being smaller. I saw quite a few similar brands like in Australia but also some new ones. Reckon I took about 5hrs just strolling around downtown area and trying to find some nice shots with my camera. As usual, the first day I just concentrate on CBD, not bothered exploring further.

For the next day I had decided to take harbour cruise, a 1,5hr cruise around harbour and a brief stop at Rangitoto Island. I didn't took any photos from Rangitoto since I was gonna go there some other day for a hiking trip.

Bittersweet goodbyes

So, the day that I had been fearing, finally arrived.. ..time for me to depart Australia.. My employer was more than willing to sponsor me to stay here but immigration had different thoughts.

My time working for NQX was just absolutely brilliant, I've learnt so many new things from my industry and especially, doing some things in a different way what I'm used to.

Last few weeks have been more or less tough, my feelings going from one side to another, trying to figure out where from here, where should I head next. And, also the fact that all this came at a bit of a surprise, wasn't really prepared for this. But, what can you do, life must go on..

All in all, my year in Australia has been nothing short of amazing, all the places I've seen, all the people I've met, nothing can take this experience away from me. But now, unfortunately, it's time to move along towards new challenges. I wanna thank all those people who made this year so special for me. Alisa, Nick, Patrick & Sebastian from my hostel in Melbourne. Brett & Michelle for absolutely great week at farm. Heidi, Lola, Lou & Taavi for amazing road trip through Outback. Jack & Jenny for providing me home & work in Tablelands. All the other backpackers at Walkamin - Tiina, Eri, Stefano, Chelsea, Lee, Kristo just to mention few of them. Julius and his lovely girlfriend that I met in Eungella National Park. Janelle, Colin, Timo & Mandy from my hostel in Brisbane. My great housemates Dave & Neil, not forgetting our dog Ted. My Finnish mates in Brisbane - Jarkko, Harri, Perttu, Jenni, Kristiina, Mika & Elina, without you guys my time in here would have not been such a blast. All my workmates from NQX - Guy, Anthony, Dave, Ian, Kev, Russell and so many more who's names I just can't remember right now.. All the NQX staff - Bruce, Ray, Chris, Anthony, Phil, Linda, Lucy and again, so, so many more. Last but absolutely not least, my brilliant boss Wayne, I'm so grateful for you giving me a chance when so many others didn't. Apologies to everyone who's names I've forgotten.

I just can't put into words how great and memorable past year has been. Surely, one of the most eventful years that I've encountered so far in my brief time on this planet. Even thou I'm saying goodbyes now, it doesn't mean I wouldn't come back to this country. My aim is to do everything I can to get back here, sooner or later, in a way or another. Australia has left and everlasting mark in my heart.

What an amazing country.