Sunny Urban Auckland

Today i set out to search for new and interesting places around Auckland, it was great weather and i just went out with no goal, or destination in mind, but i visited a few cd stores to listen to some new cd's , and look for some dvd's, and i continued around the streets until i came to an old train yard covered in graffiti, and rusty carriges. There was a huge german shepard, which eyed me up, but must have thaught it wasnt worth the effort, and walked slowly into the shade of the train building.

Also i went for a ride in the reserve next to the Auckland mesuem which i havnt visited since i was a kid, it has really nice paved roads, and long winding paths through native NZ forest. Just a nice place to relax, or even watch some sports like cricket which was being played on the fields.

After a cycle i headed off to a Japanese super market to be ripped off for yaki soba i payed like 400yen for! but its worth it, because it tastes great! On my cycle home, i found a sign on a kindergarten and i couldnt resist taking this photo, see below..

For a person without a car or motorbike in Auckland, the only way over to the city is by boat which is not so good because its about 9NZD for a return, Auckland is a car friendly city, and i don't see any bike lanes going on the harbor bridge anytime soon, unfortunately.

Auckland, New Zealand, clean and green "the myth"

I have been brought up with the idea that New Zealand is clean and green, with lush forests and farm land, but in reality it is just the same as many other countries with sprawling suburbia, and plaster board houses, Auckland is one of the biggest cities in the world when all of the suburbs are included, and also one of the furthest behind when it comes to public transport resulting in an incredible amount of cars per capita. In my family we have a van, 3 cars and a motorbike. Its insane.

Leaving all this negative stuff behind, it is a great place to ride a bike, and the area where i live is basically cut off from the ugly side of the north shore, leaving me placed in an area 5 minutes from a nice beach, and 30 minutes from the city by ferry boat.