Back in Mission Bay, AKL

Mission Bay, AucklandNZ, vinneve

It has been 6-7 years I think since the last time we were here. So it’s time to visit this place while students are still having a school and the parents are still earning money to save for the coming holidays. Hurray!! It is best to visit when it’s off peak hours like early morning (9-11am) so you can have all the best seat in the restaurants and even on the parking grounds. FYI Auckland is still on the alert level 2.5 it means you must wear a face mask on all public transportations and establishments. But unfortunately some are lacking and freely walking to a store without wearing one. Anyway, we have the least cases compared to other countries and so we are having much more freedom. Other regions in NZ are on level 1 which is great! It means “almost back to normal”. No case of covid.

The Mission Bay Parade, vinneve

See the pink building there? It is the Fontein Belgian beer cafe restaurant. We have eaten brunch in there using a GrabOne coupon $20 to get $40 in return. It is a good deal and I only pay $5 just for the service charge. Since Auckland can be very expensive so it pays to buy a coupon. FYI.

Cheeky Black back Seagulls, vinneve

They’re double the size of the regular seagulls that you have seen somewhere but they are many living here being cheeky at times waiting for you to turn your back on your food so they can steal it and fly away! Mind you they can be very near you and doesn’t shy away. Their favorite meal to steal is the “fish and chips” and no they are not even cheap! Beware! haha!

SPRING BREAK TRAVELS SOON, PinoySwiss Abroad

Please check out this video from PinoySwiss Abroad as per this LINK. LIKE SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE. Thank You!!

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Back to home base in Auckland

Neststarlingeggs, vinnevefoto

After our July holiday in Abu Dhabi leaving hubby there to continue working, we went back to our daily routines including going places around Auckland to be reacquainted after long years of absence in Nz.  And yes this nest of eggs is just propped beside our house on top of an old garden mat, reminding me that this is where we started out as a family.

Western Springs – we love this Park. It brings old memories. This is just 20 minutes drive away from home with normal traffic. A big public park for everybody.  All the birds and other animals here mostly are tame and you can feed them with your leftover bread then they start to follow you that sometimes it can freak you out too haha! 

WesternSprings, vinnevefoto

Auckland Zoo – this is just beside Western Spring Park so it’s two in one either you go to the Zoo first or the Park then your whole day and night outing are full-on.  The Zoo is very big as well so wear a comfy shoes and your good spirit with or without a kid in tow.

AKLZoo, vinneve

Auckland Art Gallery – my son and I love museums and art galleries.  For locals, it is free to enter here so I just have to show my ID. It is located in the City Center and just a walking distance from the famous Queen Street just beside Albert Park.

AKLArtGallery, vinneve

Auckland City – yes the harbor is very busy in summer months from both tourists and locals alike.  To go across another island like Waiheke or if wanting a ferry instead of driving to Devonport or Coromandel you can get to ferry easily except when you have to go on a long queue when there are some cruise ships docked at the port. Most tourists coming from cruise ships tend to go to the little islands.  Unfortunately, an incident of a sudden volcanic eruption in the White Island (NorthIsland) the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas (we were there when it was docked in AKLport) some passengers were having their tour of the volcano when it suddenly erupted. Click the link above and this  (update: 8 now dead etc.) Condolences to those families who have been affected. So sad.

AKLHarbour, vinneve

Albert Park – Just beside AKL Art Gallery.  You will be amazed that there is a park-like this in the middle of the City.  They used to celebrate CNY (Chinese New Year festival) here and we had very nice memories with the whole family before our fate changed.  

MtAlberPark, vinneve

Auckland Viaduct – Families with children love to go across this bridge. There are some free entertainment here (free movie night & playgrounds) plus the restaurants and bars lined up so you won’t get hungry!  A free library in nearby giant benches if you want some reading in your spare time while in the City or just a walk for some fresh sea air or watch some rich people sailing their expensive yachts and big boats, or perhaps if you can afford to rent it.

AKLviaduct, vinneve

There’s a lot more to visit and for sure will post it here.  Follow me as I will show more of each place in my next post.  Soon it’s another holiday and yes another travel adventure awaits!  Guess where we will be for Christmas and New Year?… wait for it or better FOLLOW ME.  A LIKE and a comment would be great.  Cheers!

 

Discover Challenge: Finding Your Place

via Discover Challenge: Finding Your Place

I always see a quote “FIND YOUR HAPPY PLACE” somewhere, anywhere.  But what if the place you thought was a happy place is not within your reach at the moment though you can choose to be in that happy place but would it be really a happy place without someone to share it with?

THIS WAS MY HAPPY PLACE.  Sometimes it is not that easy to stay if you are alone and your obligations place somewhere else.

PIHA, AKLNZ, vinneve

Current Place: A place for an adventure, Luxuries in life, Opportunities & feeling ambivalent at the same time.  A mixture of everything.  Still finding my place…

pinterest.com

 

Camera Lucida – The Colour of Life

This is in response to Week #10 Camera Lucida Photo Challenge.

Auckland – Chinese Lantern Festivals (usually every February).

Full of life and (happy) noises, crowds cheered (free shows from China), tummy full (lots of food stalls from different Asian Countries), children having so much fun (free play, face painting, freebies) and I think this makes the City comes to life and meet all types of people to smile and/or talk to.  I like festivals like this, it makes me feel like a child again!

 HAPPY PIG

AKL Chinese Lantern Fest. “Vinnevefotos”