Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium

First things first, for those of you who don't know who Kelly Tarlton is, then shame on you! He is this incredible man who sadly passed away at only 47 years of age. I don't even know how to describe him, he has so many titles. Marine archaeologist, treasure hunter, marine photographer, inventor, and many more. I could go on and tell you much about him but who knows if you're actually interested! So I suggest some light reading on your own time if you feel like it, he's a pretty awesome guy and left the world with some pretty amazing inventions and discoveries.

Here's the ol' chap himself:

 



The day started off with helping my roommate move out of this hostel and into a new one not too far from here. She got a new work for accommodation job at a different hostel with more benefits so she took it. Definitely going to miss her like crazy but she's not far at all and we're all so close! So we decided as a fun thing to do on our "last" day together, we'd go to the aquarium and admire everything it had to offer. In Auckland there is Kelly Tarlton's Sea Life Aquarium. With amazing reviews and one of the "to-do" items on many lists for visiting Auckland how could one not do it? Especially when I love marine life so so much. So we hopped on the free shuttle, which immediately made you smile and found ourselves just 10 minutes later making our way into the aquarium.

That awesome shuttle bus:

 

 

 

Now, the really neat thing about the aquarium is that it was built underground! Even more interesting is that the iconic tunnel shark tank (that first appeared here in Auckland and now distinguishable around the world) was created in unused sewage storage tanks from the 1960s. Needless to say they are spick and span now.

 

The aquarium has a variety of exhibits for you to enjoy. From seeing penguins, sharks, marine fish, sea horses, sting rays, and even mock hut rooms from research done in Antarctica. It was a real interesting place to visit, although I did expect more from it with all the hype you hear about it and how incredible you would imagine an aquarium would be situated in New Zealand. I mean, come on, everyone knows how amazing the marine life is in this part of the world, dazzle me!

 

The penguins were pretty amazing though, just because how can you not smile at them? I did secretly hope to have one dance for me. If you know me at all, you'd know I love Happy Feet so much. Combination of penguins and tap dancing and just adorable-ness really gets me. They were so funny, one penguin kept looking at this one baby while I was there, and when the mother walked away the penguin followed! No kidding, it was like in a movie. And then a whole bunch of penguins were standing together facing a rocky wall, just looking at it, not even curious about anything else.

 

Look at them cuties, I want some just like Mr. Popper. Is that too much to ask?

 

Poor little fella was missing a foot :(

 

 

Next we moved onto the NIWA Southern Oceans Discovery. Got to see some jellyfish, which I love, and a giant squid! As well as some facts on conservation and marine & Antarctica life.

 





 

 

Stingray Bay came next, which had a really neat area where you could grab some food if you were hungry in the middle of the visit. Remember how I said that the aquarium was built underground? Well they have windows in the eating area, where you can actually see part of Auckland CBD (central business district) as well as part of the underneath of the harbour. Real cool area to take a break for sure, and such a clever idea!

 

Found a rocking hat at Stingray Bay as well:



As well as decided to be a penguin for a split second, everyone meet Laura! She's from France!



The stingray themselves were huge! I've been to stingray exhibits before, the one that stood out to me was at the Toronto Zoo and you can pet the stingray and whatnot. It was amazing don't get me wrong but they were so much smaller!! These were stingrays with a 2 metre wingspan. Crazyness

We hit up the Pacific Shark Zone next, where the tunnel is found! The tunnel is broken up into two sections. The first has the sharks in it, called the predator tank and the second tank has mainly schooling fish. Both real neat tanks and if you're super lazy you can just stand on the moving side walk and enjoy a leisure ride through the whole lot of it!

My camera thought the railing was more interesting than us!

 

 

 

 

We made our way to the last exhibits, the Fish Gallery and Seahorse Kingdom. They were the cutest exhibits by far! Had a whole tank that was pretty much a mock of the tank in Finding Nemo. They had Dory, Nemo, Bubbles, Gill anddd the OCD fish I cannot remember the name of lol. In another tank they had a blowfish as well! I wish I was good at taking pictures haha, my friend is really into photography and her pictures of the fish were incredible! So bear with me for my photos.

 

The gang's all here!

 

My camera died before I could take pictures of the sea horses, but they were adorable :) you'll have to trust me! The gift shop was a little lack luster, so I decided to splurge on some typical tourist photos, enjoy lovelies!

 

my favourite, hahah:

 

 

fun fun fun, more to come I hope!

 

Celebrations!

So the past few days there have been a few celebrations I'd like to point out quickly!

As of February 14th, it was officially 1 month since I had left Canada! Sad to think that I haven't seen my family or friends in a month, but boy has time flew by, so crazy! Just wanted to let everyone know that I truly do miss you all so much, I cannot wait to see you all in person but in the mean time I enjoy seeing everyone on Skype or just messages here and there. Check mail boxes frequently as post cards have been sent out, but who knows how long they take to arrive!

Just a few photos from my last days in Canada, wish I had taken more with more family and friends :(

Good byes and good lucks to Steff, Flo, and myself!

My little babycakes <3





My besties made this for me, along with bringing me balloons :) so so so grateful, can't even believe how amazing they all are






Cupcakes were delicious, of course!



This picture brings tears to my eyes!



Jennay, forcing a smile of course!



Papa



Zelda just popping up :) didn't have to say good bye to her because of course she came with me!





Next celebration, as everyone knows, February 14th is also Valentine's Day, and my loving family in chilly Canada was kind enough to send me a Valentine :D Thank you so much ma, papa, bubba and Zeusy, I loved the gift so much, it made me feel soo so loved and missed!

 

Cutest little chocolates ever!! Lips and hearts :) so yummy and the card (that I don't have a picture of) was very heart warming, thank you guys so much!



And lastly, February 16th is officially my 1 month in New Zealand! I'm still alive, still happy, still healthy and still wanting to be here. Pretty successful so far, I'd say! So to everyone, I love you guys, but I won't be coming home quite that soon!

This smile hasn't left my face for a month

good bye for now everyone, please drop me a line and let me know how you all are doing!

I'd post a heart if I could! :) a smile will do, ta-ta

Ooot and Abooot

I think people are utterly shocked when I don't pronounce "out and about" the supposed "Canadian way" nonetheless, they tell me that I apologize too much for stuff I'm not doing and I say "eh" too much. I guess you never realize how true some stereotypes are, especially the ones you engage in, until people bring it up! In fact, now my friend says "Oh Canada" every time I do something Canadian, it's shocking how often I hear it during the day.

Continuing, it's a little sad that I've only met 1 Canadian since being here. However, it was a pretty glorious moment. It was about 2 am after a night out and I was ready to grab McDonalds and go to bed then ran into this guy at the ATM machine and my friend told me he was Canadian. Naturally I go up and ask him, sure enough he has a Blue Jays hat on and we immediately became best friends. He loves the Jays and he's from Edmonton, so funny! The night couldn't end there, so we all went out for some more drinks and reminisced about how much we love Canada and whatnot. It was heart warming, but that was the end!

 

I only know two other people in that picture

It seems that even 17874.69 km SE of my wonderful older sister, I still cannot avoid the awesome-ness that she holds. Working one night at the restaurant, I was serving dessert to two older gentlemen who were business partners. After much conversation with them I find out one is from Scotland who has worked many years with Molson, in Mississauga. So naturally I mention that my sister is studying in Scotland right now, completing her masters degree. He first asks if she's at Heriot-Watt University and I corrected him saying University of Edinburgh. You would have thought I hit him with a frying pan, the face he gave me. I already impressed him with that and when I told him she's one of two students in the Biomechanical Engineering program he nearly fell off his chair. To say he was astounded is an understatement. So, Steffani, congratulations once again, you are one lucky gal and an extremely smart cookie! And he went on and on with all the accomplishments the University has under their belt, an impressive school to say the least! I'd link you guys to her blog, but I don't know if I have permission since hers is password protected! But maybe she'll read this and give me the go ahead :) she has pretty neat stuff to say about Scotland! and she'll be going on more adventures soon during her reading week!

 

 

In other news, everything has been going wonderfully. Getting really close with all my friends at the hostel and at the restaurant, really really happy! This week we celebrated a roommates birthday as well another roommate leaving for a different hostel to work for accommodation. Really sad because I was the closest with her! But she's still only 20 minutes away, so I can still see her whenever possible! It's crazy how many people are wanting to do work for accommodation, literally each time someone has left another girl is put into the room the same day because there are that many girls waiting to get in. I don't blame them, it's a great way to meet people especially when you're travelling alone.

I went to this event in Auckland called Pacific Showcase (http://www.pacificshowcase.co.nz/) with one of my roommates and her friend. It's a free entry festival where you can taste local cuisine, buy goods, listen to music, etc. They had amazing things to buy and the food was incredible! I definitely will go again when they're back in Auckland in March. One of the highlights were the huge murals they were painting throughout the day as well as the ice cream in the pineapple!

My favourite mural, because I absolutely love sea turtles:

 

 

 

 

Enjoying my half pineapple and ice cream on the pier :)

 

 

More updates to come within the next day or two, had a little adventure at the aquarium I'd like to share! As well as valentine's day surprise from my mommy!

 

love 

Waiheke Island

I guess this would be considered my first real adventure outside of Auckland! For the record, it was the best day I've had thus far!

This island is spectacular to say the least. Only a 35 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, it seems worlds away! You aren't in a busy downtown city with buildings and business people walking all around. You're surrounded by trees, and more trees, water, beach, vineyards, sky, sailboats, heaven pretty much! I definitely plan on visiting the island more, doing more activities and adding to my adventure. I think the next time I'll do a wine tour, because it looks amazing and my love of wine is pushing me to do it.

I don't even know what I should say about it, it was just so relaxing. Probably the best word to describe it. Nope, I lied, it would be "euphoric" what else. I went during this art exhibit, they have sculptures all along the walking paths on the island so not only do you see the breathtaking scenery, you see some art sculptures which I'm sure are pretty appealing to the trained eye but in all honesty, I preferred the scenery. I guess I just don't "get" this type of art.

Parental Discretion advised...

  

In any case, it was a lovely lovely lovely day to say the least. Spent the beginning wandering the island on the walking paths and taking pictures, had lunch on the top of a hill overlooking the ocean and had dinner by the waterside with a glass of wine to accompany it, what else! I even think I'll look for jobs on the island at some point, because I don't know what would be nicer on days off than just to sit there and soak in the sun.

 

 This was my lunch spot!

Here are some of the 200 pictures I took, I may have gotten a little camera happy!


My first view after walking off the pier:



My favourite sculpture, a gazebo made out of wooden pallets, with swings!




Lunch location (a picture of me in it for my dear Mother)



Just some pretty panoramas during my walk





C'est tout!

Love,

Alanna

Also, if anyone is interested in the sculpture thingy, here's their website:
http://sculptureonthegulf.co.nz/

Also also,
Baby Kenzie had a wonderful time, she said it was such a great experience, check it out:

Wining, Dining, Working

Just a small post for some general updates!

After bugging my roommates for weeks now to have a glass of wine, I finally got what I wanted :) We're not allowed to have alcohol in the hostel, and since I work here they watch you very closely! I've been a good girl and have not had any alcohol in the hostel however I have been wanting a glass during dinner every now and again. So I promised myself, once I got a job I would treat myself (using my parents credit card) to a little celebration dinner! Pizza and a glass of wine, but not a fast food pizza place, I wanted to sit down and enjoy a yummy pizza and try some local red wine. I did just that!

And of course, documented it:

As for dining, I found out that New Zealand is not so much a tipping country. I feel like I must have known that beforehand but definitely 100% forgot. I was quickly reminded though, after I had tipped the waiter at dinner. He ran after me when I left the restaurant because I forgot my "change" on the table! So sweet and I said that was his tip and he told me that it is not common at all for that and I should keep it. Are you crazy? Could you imagine if I just took it back from him, how rude that would have been? So obviously he kept it and we went on our merry way, but yes apparently it is not a tipping country. The majority of the people only tip if their service was exceptional! Another thing to remember, when traveling anywhere! Research their ways :P

Onto working! I have another job :) one where I work to get paid haha, not for accommodations! I'm working at a Brazilian Restaurant right on the harbour, called Wildfire (http://www.wildfirerestaurant.co.nz/). The food is amazing, I never thought I'd be able to try it because it's super expensive even with a discount. However, everyday there is a staff dinner that you can attend as long as you call beforehand. It's free and the chef cooks up platters of food for everyone to enjoy. Yes, I've been enjoying it quite often now! I don't know the exact title of the role I play in the restaurant. It's not the normal way of dining, it's sort of like a classy buffet? I don't know how to explain it. This type of restaurant is apparently common in Brazil and for about a tenth of the price according to one of the girls I work with.
Platters of food are brought around and are served to you if you want it, and you can have as much or as little as you want, as many times as you want. So part of my job is bringing around the platters and serving food, cleaning the tables, setting up the tables, taking orders (if they dine "a la carte"), ordering other people around (my favourite), running the dessert trolley, and the grunt work at the end of the shift to clean and polish the cutlery! It's a fun place to work at and I really enjoy the food. My lovely uniform is a black dress that cost me $70, but it's good quality so I'll try to take care of it and bring it back to Canada and maybe have it shortened to just above my knee. It's right in between my ankle and my knee at the moment, weird length, and without a little slit in it so walking around is extremely awkward when you can't take normal strides!

Hope everyone is having/had an amazing day. I miss each and everyone one of you so much!

Just wanted to give a shout out to my baby sister Kenzie, she just came home from a week trip in the Dominican Republic building houses :) what a kind heart, can't wait to hear all about it and see the tons of pictures she better have taken! So happy she had a safe and successful trip, love you bubba!


OH ALSO
I got to Skype some Western lovelies :) miss you all