My 1st Outing in NZ

The frame is for us to take the best view. Me, E-han & Mark.
A day out in the Waitakeres
Giant Kaori tree
.............................................................silver fern

Piha beach with lion rock


the beach for surf lover

doggy waiting for feed

Mark is a nice & friendly American, I knew him in Oaklands Lodge. He is my first travelling companion in NZ. Our friendship started with a piece of chocolate cake. He offered to drove me up to the peak of Mt. Eden when he knew that I never been there. The next day, he invited me to join him to a beautiful beach for surfer~ Piha Beach. Together we went with another 2 companion, E-han (photographer from France) & Eric (Canadian). We stopped by at Waitakere Ranges Regional Park, a refreshing forest with giant Kaori tree. This is my first trek in NZ. After an hour trekking, we proceed to Piha beach. It a popular surfing spot as the waves here is strong. We climb up the a big rock called Lion Rock and playing with the water. It's great to spend time at the beach during summer. After all, Mark drove us to Mt Eden again because E-han never been there. It was a windy day, I felt the wind going to blow me away.
We have a great day. Thanks, Mark!

Oaklands Lodge ~ My 1st stop

Oaklands Lodge




the fat cat







staff room

Mt. Eden is the a dead volcano and surrounding suburb in Auckland, NZ, situated five kilometres south of the city centre. The mountain is the highest naturalpoint in the whole of Auckland.



the cow eating grasses in the volcano


Mt. Eden provides good views in all directions over the city
.................................................... Street view

27 Feb - 2 March 08


My first stop in NZ was a cozy backpackers budget hostel(bbh) located at Mt. Eden, Auckland. This bbh getting very high ranking among the bbh in Auckland. The hostel is clean, the people stay here is friendly and nice. What I need to do are making bed and clean the rooms from 10am-12.30pm for every morning. The work is quite easy with help of others helpers. We 4 helpers stay in the same room, Isabella from Germany, and a French couple. They are all travel abroad for quite some time.

I choose to work here is because I want to let myself quickyly adapt to the lifestyle here before I continue my journey. It's a good way to save the money on accommodation even though I didnt get pay for the work.

I get to know a lot of friends here from different country. I'm the only asian stay in this bbh, I guess maybe is because of the location & the higher room rate compare to other bbh.