THE NEXT ACT

I was told that Christchurch is a beautiful place and it is called the Little England of New Zealand. So when I was invited for an interview in Christchurch City Council I became so excited right away. The interview would happen at 10 in the morning of Friday, March 30. So Jovy from Christchurch City Council booked me on flight to the city at 6:30 am. I requested Jovy a flight back to Auckland at 7:10 pm of the same day so that I would have some time to look around. My request was granted. She sounded nice by the phone. I checked my Email at night and there was my electronic ticket. Everything was settled. Great! Christchurch, here I come! I arrived in the Christchurch City Airport 8:30 am. I took a cab going the City Council. I got a good chat with the lady driver who has been a cab driver for twelve years. I fell in love right away with place when I got a glance by the cab window many joggers along the path of the huge North Hagley Park. I got off the cab in front of the Buiding of t...

I flew to Rotorua for a job Interview in the District Council. It went well.Rotorua is small town but very famous in attracting many visitors because of its beautiful lakes, Hot Pools, Redwood Forest and giant geysers.Too bad, I did not get to see a single one of them for I only had an hour interview and I got to fly back to Auckland City.Inside the airport, while waiting for my flight back in Auckland City, I ordered a latte in a coffee shop. I couldn't seem to take a sip because I was enjoying looking at the design the waitress made on the froth of my latte.

The bay is outstandingly beautiful. It attracts people who use to enjoy night life by the sea. Several bars are along the stretch of the coast. In some part, you can take a good look at the Sky Tower.

One more station after New Market Station is the Britomart Station. Getting out of the station would lead you to famous Queen Street which is somewhat like the Ayala in Makati. In front of the station is the West City Mall. The size of it is just as big as a typical Robinson. Walking along Queen Street and just like in Broadway Street in New market, you would see a lot of restaurants, Mcdo, KFC, Burger King, Starbucks, beauty shops, clothing stores, Starmart. Civic Theatre, the Aotea Centre, Art Gallery and the Townhall are also along Queen Street.If you haven't seen the Sky Tower when you are in the City, it's like you haven't been in the city at all. You got to see it. Sky Tower: 328 meters tall, with 360 degree views of the city, 3 viewing platform, glass floor and fronted lifts, 3 restaurants, Sky Jump, Vertigo Climb and a gift shop.When I was there for the first time, I happend to see a parade of graduates of Auckland Institute of Technology.

I use the train going to New Market. When I first heard about New Market the thing that came to mind was a typical busy wet and dry market. It was a mistake. It is a commercial area where malls and theatres are everywhere. Walking along Broadway Street woud just cover all of what New Market is all about.

I jog in the morning and end up in Pak n' Save. It is something like the Puregold in Pinas. I might like to hang out in the Library and be a geek. But really, it is so comfy inside. I like it there. There are computers where you can look into their database the books you like.

I got to spend overnight in Brunei for a stop over in my flight from Manila to Auckland New Zealand. In the morning after breakfast in Brunei Hotel, I still had the chance to walk around and to take some shots of the famous Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque with its Golden Dome.I was surprised when I saw Jollibee in Brunei.

I am trying to take a couple of pictures of britney but she is still not used to me around the house. Everytime I come near her she just run away. I did not see her for the first two days in the house because Allan told me that she kept on hiding from me. I was surprised when a huge cute black cat appears in the sala on my third day in the house. She is still avoiding me, sensing every move I make to approach her. (Click image for more images.)

Two days in Auckland and it seems I have been here for two weeks. The adjustments, sightseeing and learning are overwhelming that I became numb with the time. Auckland map and Vodafone became my security. They are the items that I must possess in order to move on, to venture and to take risky routes. Just in case something goes wrong and consulting the map on the road won’t help you a bit, a loaded Vodafone would connect you to friends to rescue. I am not really a guy who is not easily lost. As long as there are signs in all roads and a map I would find my way to the destination. Auckland seems to be efficient in their road signs. I still don’t drive here so I don’t bother to learn the driving rules although I have been given a quick instruction on it. I just have to possess a car and have to drive so that my brain would generate learning nerves for driving rules. Today, I am gonna try take the bus and ride the train to the city and force my brain to learn the hard...