Hong Kong Part II--Credit Card Unleashed!

Greetings from the Northern Hemisphere!  I never felt different south of the equator, and all I feel now is jet lag.  I'm still over the International Date Line, but soon I'll board a plane and go back to yesterday.  Now that will feel odd.
My departure from Auckland went smoothly, and now my time in New Zealand feels like a dream.  I certainly felt the Kia Ora, which is a Maori phrase for welcome and best wishes.  I knew where I could get the Sky Bus, and it was down hill, too, so that was good.  I found the bus about to leave, but I jumped around a bit and the driver let me on, and then other people showed up, too.  On the way I got to see parts of the city I hadn't before, and we also passed my old pal Mount Eden.
I put my new sweater in my carry on bag and was glad to have it as it got chilly in the airport.  Usually I am cold on planes, but this time it was so warm I had to take the sweater off for a bit.  I thought it was just a merino wool sweater--but no!  It's a blend. Twenty percent is possum fur.  How does that work?  And then Ten percent is silk.  The rest is wool.  It was a good buy even though an expensive one.  The fabric is soft, and although it keeps me warm, it feels light on.  And I am glad to have it here in Hong Kong because it's the middle of the night and the airport is cold.
So here I am in Hong Kong after a long flight. I had a pleasant seat mate, and I even got in a brief nap. I have a short layover, but I decided to take advantage of the time here.  First I freshened up a bit.  Then I set out to shop. On my first go through I throughly scouted the shops, and I found something I wanted very much but was unwilling to carry around New Zealand--tea! or as we Chinese say cha.
I found my departure gate, and then began to look for the shop with the beautifully packaged Dragon Well and Oolongs.  Eh?  Where was it?  I walked here, and I walked there, but not a sign of tea did I find.  There are all sorts of other goods on offer from high-end luxury goods to rather tatty souvenirs.  I wanted none of them. Where was my tea?
After two false starts I had an inspiration. On my last visit I passed an Emporio Armani and gave a smile to the posters with handsome Hu Ge, who is one of their spokesbeings. (You can google Hu Ge if you don't know who he is.)  Anyway, I seemed to remember the Tea Zone was in his vicinity.  I was right!
I stuffed my checked luggage so as to leave plenty of room for these acquisitions.  I look forward to drinking many happy cups.  Speaking of tea cups. Right next to my boarding gate is an exhibition of tea pots, cups, and other tea accoutrements made by Hong Kong Potters mostly in the Twentieth Century.  Very cool.  I liked the fish one especially.
I just had my pre boarding interview.  The United States has initiated a new security rule that all passengers for the U.S. must be interviewed before getting on the plane.  In my case with my U.S. Passport and harmless looks, it was very short and routine.  I don't know if this means passengers from anywhere abroad or just certain locations.  Interesting.
Thanks to the many of you who followed my journey.  I'll try to get pictures up soon, and I predict that the beauty of the country will inspire you to want to visit New Zealand.
[update--that security was really serious. They searched our carry on bags before we could board the plane.  Have to admit the search of my bags was pretty cursory.]

Climbing (sort of) Mount Victoria

Updating--I just learned that today is a national holiday for my host country--New Zealand day to commemorate the founding of this wonderful country.  I noticed that the central commercial district was a bit empty this morning.  Now I know why.  My friends the Kiwis are celebrating.  Congratulations!
This is my last full day in New Zealand--for now.  I'd like to come back sometime and inflict myself on the South Island.
Once again the sky has turned threatening in the late afternoon, but this morning dawned clear and bright. Thought I, "Hmm. You climbed Mount Eden without problems. What about Mount Victoria?  Because when I went to Devonport on my first go around here, I wimped out.  But what if my travels made me fitter?  Eh?
Too optimistic, Pil?
Not in the least.  After doing some errands, I took the ferry back to Devonport.  Now by this time it had turned hot and humid, so that was not conducive to climbing.  Neither was my need for a toilet, which sent me back down in (a successful--I LOVE New Zealand) search of one.
Ok.  Personal needs taken care of, I remounted the hill.  Mount Victoria is another one of those extinct volcanos.  It rises steeply from the port and is also covered in lush vegetation.  The Maori called it  Takarunga, and the mountain was sacred to them.
Most people drive up, and as far as I can tell the summit consists of a car park also accommodating tour buses.
I did not make it that far, I confess.  I did have a nice walk because I needed to stretch my elderly legs before boarding the plane tomorrow.  I had nice views of Auckland's skyline, but I turned my gaze to the other side of the bay.  Lovely!
But the path was rough.  I knew I could make it up, but I felt nervous about coming down.  I turned back short of the summit and carefully descended.  I stood aside for some people coming up, and they thanked me profusely.  New Zealanders.  Really Nice Folks.
This is an incredibly beautiful and welcoming country.  I was anxious about coming here, but now I have to laugh at my nervousness.  It was easy to get around, and I more or less speak the language.  Indeed some people don't hear my accent, and those who do go out of their way to be helpful and kind.
So come here and enjoy it.  And it you are a Lord of the Rings/Hobbit Movie fan--well then all the better.
The next time I talk to you, I'll be back in the Northern Hemisphere, but still on the far side of the International Date Line.

Shopping in Auckland

The clouds have turned gray and threatening, but I am snug in my room with the day's chores done.  Because of the uncertain weather today and the better forecast tomorrow, I decided to stay in town and do my shopping.
I began with a visit to the grocery store to replenish my supplies.  I no longer have a kitchenette, but I do have a fridge and the means to heat water for my morning tea.
I am staying on Queen Street which is at the heart of Auckland's commercial business district, and it's a short stroll to the waterfront and a lot of other places.  The shopping here is nice, and most stores carry the exact same merchandise.  If you want junk you can find it--just not in great abundance.  Most of the offerings are worthwhile.  You just need to decide what you want.
Well one of the things I wanted but did not get is Maori Art.  Some of this is clearly mass produced, but there are also genuine works--priced accordingly, but I had to consider my home and my suitcases.  I looked and lusted, but passed.
On the other hand I did find plenty to spend my money on.  Ahem. Most of this money was spent on myself.  I bought a sweater made of New Zealand Moreno wool.  I'd spotted it in a very classy shop down by the waterfront, but I didn't want to cart it around, so I got it now.  The wool is soft and warm and yet very light feeling. It's just hard to convince sales folk that I am indeed extra small (and this is no advantage!) even though I give the impression of being larger, but I have a small rib cage.  I also bought some presents, but I will also be at the airport and duty free in a day or so, and I am returning via Hong Kong, which also gives the opportunity for buying myself gifts.  It's one of the perks of travel.  You want exotic items?  Go get them!

Climbing Mount Eden

Reason 42,736 that I hate busses. . .
Pil, you wouldn't hate them if you could use them properly.
Humph.
Ok. What's the matter now?
Well, I did get to Mount Eden, and I did climb it all the way to the top, but getting there was a bigger pain than it had to be, and, yes, I bear significant blame for it.
I looked up travel details on the internet this morning, and figured since the weather was uncertain this would be a reasonable activity.  I got some more cash and strolled around town, then went in search of the bus stop, which I could not find where the internet said it was.  I asked at the tourist office and got the straight scoop.
The bus came, I hopped on board with my magic transportation card--which then registered empty.  I hopped off.  I was right there at the Britomart Transportation Center, so it was a simple matter to go in and use one of the machines to add value to the card.
That doesn't sound so bad.
No, it wasn't.  I went back to the bus stop and did not have too long a wait for the next bus. I got on and we rode off.  These buses do not announce stops, so I have to guess.  Counting stops doesn't work because these are "request" buses, and if no one requests a stop or there's no one waiting to get on at a stop, the bus passes on.  I stayed alert, and then I saw a mass of trees in a park-like setting.  Was this it?  I got off.
The place I got off was indeed park-like and very pretty.  It just happened to be a cemetery.  Sigh.
This was not the bus's fault, Pil.
Meh.  I waited for the next one, got on, rode, and this time I guessed right.  I was deposited at the bottom of Mount Eden, and I soon found an entrance.  It was not the main entrance and was kind of rough.  There were paths--some of them mere tracks.  I climbed a flight of spooky stairs, and at the top I found--a style.
I have not had to cross a style since I was wandering around the border land between England and Wales twenty years ago or more.  For those of you who think I'm talking about fashion trends, a style is a way for humans to cross fences while leaving animals helpless to do so.  There are stair like affairs and then one swings oneself over and goes down the stairs on the other side.  This was a lot easier to do when I was younger.
But this took me to the main way up the mountain.  Mount Eden is an extinct volcano, and the Maoris regard it as a sacred mountain, but tourists are welcome.  The road up is long, but the walk is actually not that bad or else I have gotten fitter since I've been here.  The weather cooperated, too.  The sky spat at us a couple times, but there was no real rain, and it was warm.  I shared the way with joggers and bikers struggling up and zooming down.
The walk is lovely with lush foliage on the downward slope, and the views of the city are spectacular!  You can view the crater and walk around it, but no one is allowed to climb down it for safety and culturally respectful reasons.  I had a pleasant stroll down and easily found my bus stop back.  I am getting quite bold at crossing busy streets with no lights or crosswalks.  Here I am back safe and sound.

Rotorua and Back to Auckland

I'm nicely settled in with a cup of green tea and my kindle awaiting me.  I am in a much different and smaller room this time.  In contrast with the other rooms I have occupied this trip, I feel cramped, and I miss some facilities I learned to take for granted.
I got smart and booked my bus trip on as soon as I arrived in Rotorua.  I chose another early trip, and I got an ordinary seat this time.  As I had a very early breakfast it began to rain hard.  I like rain, and I don't mind being out in it.  I do not like to move in it, but I had to get my bus, so I left with my luggage and my umbrella in hand.   My bags got wet, but I was wearing my tan slacks made out of some kind of elvish material that dries quickly.  Of course as soon as the bus engine started, the clouds began to shred and the sun came out.  It did not rain again--until we arrived in Auckland.
I know my way around now and the trip back here was mercifully down hill.
The trip was about four hours, so not too bad.  I have spent too much time on bus back this trip, but at least have not not had to worry when to get off on the long distance runs.   My bags are significantly heavier these days.
But one big advantage of traveling by bus is seeing the country.  New Zealand is beautiful--so green and lush whether we are talking about lamb studded meadows or the exuberant foliage that decorates each deep gorge and riverside.  The loveliness of the land is what I will take away from me.  The route back to Auckland took us back through Hamilton and then north but by a different route than when we came.  There is a multi-lane highway between Hamilton and Auckland, but our bus did not spend much time on it as we wound around to make our pick ups and drop offs.
When we got near the city despite it being Saturday here, there was a traffic jam, but we arrived on schedule.  Now I need to decide what to do with myself before I go home.

The Sun Comes Out in Rotorua

Rain!  I love rain partly because we get so little of it where I live. And one of the thing I enjoy is being all snug in bed listening to it pour.  I fell asleep to the sound of falling rain, and this morning I woke up to it as well. And the air was so fresh and cool!
There are a lot of things to do in and around Rotorua.  I just don't want to do any of them, but you can experience Maori Culture, or go on lake cruises, or mountain bike or zip line--and a lot of other things.  But I did feel I should do something touristy today, so after I strolled down to the lake to see it all blue and calm, I went to Government Gardens.
The land was a gift from the Maori to the Crown back in 1880 to benefit all the people of the world.  It is a beautiful and popular recreational site very close to the lake and the center of town.  Unfortunately the museum building was badly damaged in the 2016 earthquake and has been deemed unsafe, so the museum is closed while they figure out how to retrofit it.  I knew this when I came so I did not go away disappointed, but the museum building is interesting and beautiful in itself.
There are formal gardens and monuments, a bathhouse, pitches for bowls, and a playground for the kids.  Apart from a very pretty rose garden woodland is provided for those of us who like to stroll.
I have mentioned before that this area is geothermically active.  Well the gardens also have hot spots.  An early settler exploited them and there is still an energy center on the grounds.  I looked into plopping pools.  There's a geyser, too, but it's not Old Faithful, but I understand they induce it on special occasions.
I got a lot of good walking in, but then the afternoon turned hot and humid. Time to take shelter and enjoy a Southern Hemisphere treat of New Zealand cheese and Australian rose.