Kaikoura and Waitakere Central Library

I'm always happy to see the sun up in cold places like this. I tagged along my flatmates as we headed to a nearby garage sale. The owner has 3 boys and he's got a bunch of toys as part of his items on sale. Arnie scoured some really nice Luminarc bowls, 4 pieces for a dollar. Afterwards, we headed off to a nearby park where we had a wonderful view of the rest of Waitakere. The park is Kaikoura Reserve, which is just a small patch of land really with a playground.

I was still feeling a bit sore from all that walking from last Friday so when we got back, I had to take a nap. They woke me up for lunch which was a good thing as I intended to scour West City to check on the library and then head off to Westfield City mall.

It's just a 5 minute bus ride from whichever bus route for $1.90 so I've decided to take a walk instead.

Walking sure helped give me some bearing. I passed by Holy Cross church along the way and Harts Domain. Then finally, these West City establishments. Seeing Waitakere Mega gave me a boost as I know that I'm getting close to my goal. I saw another lady scurrying along way ahead of me as she seemed to be headed in the same direction as I was. I think I'll be as fit as her after a few more days of walking. What's nice about this place is that there are pathways/ sidewalks for pedestrians and you won't feel poisoned by the traffic since the air still feels crisp and clean.

Finally it's the Great North Road again, and to my left, just a few paces more is Unitec, and next to it is the library. I availed of a library card by registering as a new member. I was required to show any identification and a document that states my address. So I've shown the old lady my passport, and the mail that I got from the bank when they sent me my FPOS as it shows my address there. This membership is free for all Auckland residents and entitles one to use any library within the region.

The library is two floors and you've got 28 days before you get fined for a borrowed book. Not bad compared to the 3 day limit that I remember back in school. You can even  get your books and cds online. And the reason why newcomers like me go to the library is that if I ever have a need to use the computer, the internet, do some printing or photocopying, then the library is the best and cheapest place to go to.

Walk, Train, Bus

I had a 9am appointment at ARMS located at Three Kings Plaza today. It's a free IT Job Hunting Seminar targeted specifically for migrants. I studied the bus and train schedules for this trip through Maxx, Google Maps and Google Earth.

My first train trip was short, just 2 stops. The bus ride from New Lynn to Three Kings was interesting since it was my first bus ride. That's when I realized that all the suburbs looked pretty much the same.

Walking up Queen's Road

From Three Kings Plaza, after my seminar, my new found friends accompanied me to Britomart where I bought a Hop card. A Hop card is like a prepaid card used to swipe for bus fares. You can only buy this at Britomart, their transport center, or where all the buses and trains stop. It is located at the end of Queen's Road which is supposedly known to be a notorious part of the city (just like Ermita). Funny it still looked better off than Berlin's commercial areas.

We passed by the famous Victoria Road. Why is famous? I don't know really, they just say it is. Then I finally had a peek of Sky Tower but since my friends were hungry, our focus was into finding a food court. I did saw this interesting building which is like a famous theater in Auckland. So old!

Walking in this downtown area of CBD is like walking within Paseo de Roxas, the side of the old Greenbelt area. You've got some old buildings and not so much high rises yet. There are lots of construction work happening around.

I know there's a lot more to see in the CBD area but I couldn't risk letting the night sky catch me. I don't know how home looks like at night and I don't know the bus schedules! I will definitely do some sightseeing on Monday since I'll be headed off to Takapuna anyway for my IRD application. I took the train to Waetakere which is going west of the city. Then walked minutes to the hilly roads of Sunnyvale amidst dusk. It was very quiet except for the roaring cars passing by. It's nice to have seen people coming home from work in the train and I see them in their homes too! By the time I got home, I was tired from all that walking. I'm gonna be sleeping soundly tonight.

Finding the Train Station

I was able to setup an appointment at IRD for tomorrow morning at Takapuna. I reviewed the maps based on the schedules provided by MAXX (http://www.maxx.co.nz). It took me some time to get used to finding the right schedule and routes of buses and trains. It's nice and sunny outside so I decided to take a walk and find the train station. My hosts seem to insist on taking the bus but the schedules are too early for my appointment.

I was really expecting something else before I found the railway. From the pathway to the bridge were I took the train photo, everything reminded me of Thomas the Train series. According to a waiting passenger, they don't have cards instead, somebody in the train asks where you're headed and then you pay him the amount required. Sounds very classic!

Coming from Seymour Road

 I took a few more photos on my way back. On top is the Sunnyvale Superette which usually has a Takeaway next to it. And what do they offer in Takeaways? Fish and Chips. But this one seems to have Thai food. I wonder if my hosts know about this. This is similar to the dairy found across our street. It's a suburb, what else can I see here?

Sunnybrae Superette, also known as a dairy

 So there really isn't much to see here. It took me 20 minutes to get to the train station and another 20 or less to get back. Going back was a lot more tiring coz it's uphill! I was thinking about going to the other side of View Road, towards Great North Road then to Awaroa Park but thought I'd do that this weekend instead. I would probably have to do some daily walks just so I won't feel chilly in this house. staring at the monitor all day is not exactly good for me.

Our driveway and the very familiar mailbox.

Some direction pointers, I'm staying at View Road, Sunnyvale which was originally part of Waitakere. Super Auckland now consists of Auckland, Waitakere and Manukau. It's approximately 40minutes by bus towards Auckland Central.

With the sun shining, Spring is in! The wind is still cold though so I still wore two layers of sweaters. Maybe next time just 1 coat would do. I won't be surprised to get some heavy showers every now and then. Now that's chilly!

Getting Connected

This is what happens when you get a Netbook... I don't even have a photo editor! I can't rotate the image 90 degrees to the right... Arggh!

So these were my stash from the airport, all waiting patiently for hungry travelers like me hoping that I'm a tourist and would be checking out the "highlights" of the place. With this much loot, I think I can only make use of the maps. Since I'm staying in West Auckland, it's probably just the Central Auckland map that I'll find useful.

So today I accomplished the 2 most important items needed for a Day 1 job seeker:
1. I got a prepaid sim card (2degrees) so my future employers and my friends can give me a call
2. I opened a bank account at ANZ for my financial needs so I won't have my pocket money just lying around. I just need to wait 3 to 5 working days for my FPOS (atm card) to be delivered here at home.

I attempted to get my IRD (like our TIN) but since I only have my passport with me (passport and overseas drivers license is the basic requirement), then I would have to go and make an appointment at the IRD main office which is at North Shore. The kind folks here even lent me their street map and taught me how to use online resources plus this to find my way around.

I'm fortunate to have a kind host who drove me to the mall - West City Shopping Centre to do all of the above, with his little tyke in tow. We left the house past 10am and were back by noon. He even had the energy to cook sinigang for our lunch (minus the veggies since we already ran out of veggies in the fridge). The meal was perfect as it was a chilly afternoon. I went back in my room to proceed with my online applications. Then click clack clack, heavy rain poured outside. I was freezing again so I had to turn the heater on. I submitted 4 applications, and had the 5th one left hanging. Somehow my IBM account just didn't work correctly.

I rode again with Shane when they picked up Arnie from work. Sun's up by that time and we even saw a rainbow! It was a nice view as we passed through some major roads which I'll try to remember next time (like The Great North Road, the Motorway -- like a high way).


I got more info from Arnie this evening as she reviewed my CV. There are moments when I feel guilty coz they're doing all that they can to help me at the expense of spending time with their daughter. Arnie didn't want me to go through that low point that she experienced when they first arrived. She said to just stick with your goal prior to arriving here coz that's gonna help me stay focused. She even gave me tips on how to organize my applications and how to set daily targets.

Today I finally used Skype Video Call and it was definitely cheaper than making calls. It's great to see my family and I even gave them a tour of our house and a view of the local dairy just across the street (seen from my window).

I need to sleep.

Day 1 - Arrival at Auckland

Total Travel time: 21 hours from Quezon Province to NAIA, to SG then finally, Auckland.

Immigration at Auckland International Airport was pretty intimidating. You go through immigration first, hand over your arrival card (customs declarations), then have your passport stamped. Afterwards, you can already collect your bags, then head to security check where your customs card is reviewed again prior to entering the bag security section where all items even my soap was scrutinized! Maybe it's because it's papaya soap? Afterwards, I hauled my bags through the exit where the pre-arranged Super Shuttle is waiting. Finding the house was easy as soon as we arrived on View Road.

I arrived past 10am at the house where i'll be renting a room. I think for NZD130 a week, including food is a good bargain.

Room is decent with a closet and just a step away from the common toilet. The common bathroom is just next door. Hence, no problem with those late night emergencies. I unpacked a few of my things. Called home, then NZIHS, and finally, Auckland Chamber of Commerce so I was able to secure a seat in the Kiwi Career Success seminar scheduled on the last week of August. I've also contacted Krislen via text and I'm to meet her this Friday.

My host cooked brunch for me. Nothing fancy, just fried pork chop and some rice. The Q&A was continuous since I arrived as I had to get all the info that I can from him. I was also keeping myself busy with the sorting of my luggage, bathroom breaks so I can keep myself awake but come 3pm, I really had to take a nap. By the time I woke up, Arnie was already home and dinner was ready. Shane left soonafter and his wife, Arnie gave me some good tips on job hunting for my field.

It's been overwhelming for a first day. I come up to Arnie whenever I had a question in mind. We did cover shipping, banking, driving, making calls, how to work on the washing machine, what and how much a take away usually cost, what she usually get in their pantry, how to deal with the cold, and job hunting.  The coat that she offered was perfect for job hunting since what I brought with me was too casual. She also said that it's coldest at the beginning of winter, and right now, which is the tail end of winter when everything begins to melt for spring. I'm glad i have all those sweaters and socks with me.

I put a status message in FB hoping to tap my friends here and true enough, Gena and Kara messaged me right away though both are in Wellington.

Tomorrow I need to get myself a prepaid sim card, and a phone just in case the phone doesn't work, get my money and put it in the bank, get a FPOS card (like a debit card), find my way home, update my resume and then send out some applications.

Lots of things to learn. Need to maximize my time.