Waiting game

Here I am back in Auckland after another short flight from Christchurch on Sunday. Andrew and Ruth very kindly put me up again when I got back from Kaikoura and cooked me a delicious dinner. Ruth had to dash off to do a night shift at the hospital so Andrew and I settled in to watch the England game and another after that. Was exhausted knowing I had an early start in the morning.

An easy flight back up to Auckland although I felt sorry for the little kid sitting next to me. Her mother clearly had a short fuse and spent some of the time very upset about something (I didn't like to pry so just gave her a bit of privacy) but kept chastising her kid for anything and everything she did or didn't do.

Felt a bit frustrated when I got back to the hostel here in the city as I didn't really know what to do for the rest of the day. I've kind of done all the sightseeing things that I wanted to do so it's felt like I'm just killing time for a couple of days before I fly out. The weather has been pretty rubbish raining most of the time too although the sun seems to be shining today. So I had a lazy afternoon finishing my book and then headed off to the cinema in the evening to keep myself entertained. Saw 'The Help' which was quite a sweet film.

Yesterday I did some shopping for a few bits and pieces I need while I can buy them in a Westernised country and then paid a visit to the newly reopened art gallery (it wasn't finished when I was here before). A stunning building with lots of open spaces and light streaming in the large glass windows with an interesting collection of modern New Zealand art, as well as some older stuff that I'm never that bothered about! Although the Maori portraits were worth a look.

Last night Nikki and Neal took me out for a farewell dinner to a restaurant that we tried to go to before but was too busy with a quiz night. Lovely to see them again and catch up. I was reacquainted with all the summer stuff that I'd left with them and did wonder how I was going to fit it all back in my rucksack! But this morning's packing has managed to squeeze all that I should possibly need in. Rucksack weighs a tonne though. Can't really figure out what the weather is going to be like until I get there so covering all bases on the clothing front.

Few bits and bobs to do today and then I might take myself back to the cinema to occupy myself until I need to get to the airport. Buenos Aires beckons. Going to have to cram it all in when I get there as I'm not there for long but a tango lesson, steak and a glass of Malbec are definitely on the cards.