Here's to our great adventure!

REUNITED WITH MY ANGEL OF A SISTER - 

The Keyes have become like family to me and I am full of gratitude for their hospitality, allowing me to stay at their home several nights and for their help running my last minute errands. I'd sorted my finances at the bank, grocery shopped, checked into the apartment block Amy and I would be staying in for our week in Auckland and done a load of laundry. Before Amy's arrival, I went out to New Flavour for one final Chinese shabang with my 'Broth' homies - Jason, Josh, Milika and Andrew. 

I could not contain my excitement any longer to get the best sister ever here. I'd tracked her flights intermittently throughout the day and made her a sappy 'WELCOME TO NZ, BEST SISTER EVER!!' sign too. My life really has been incomplete without Amy; she's the Batman to my Robin and sweetest person worldwide. I got to the airport early as I didn't want to miss her coming through, plonking myself front and centre on the seats at Arrivals so she'd see me straight away. Ready to succour her, having worried that she'd have had an awful ordeal on her voyage over. 

AWWWWW, I LOVE HER SOOOOOO MUCH - 

There were no tears only big, beaming smiles when I saw my beautiful, baby sister walk out and to my relief she didn't look too exhausted. How she managed to look like a Disney princess after over 24 hours travelling, I'll never know! We hugged and our reunion continued with rejoiceful jabbering. We contacted the family to let them know she'd got to Auckland safely. 

My buttercup managed to suck it up and be strong throughout the flights as she'd been able to sleep off and on. We got the Skybus back into the city but had missed one by a couple of mins, so had to wait another half an hour until 12.15am. Neither of us turned into pumpkins! That night we stayed up chatting, snacking and watching a Netflix show I'd downloaded until 2am. I don't know what source of energy was fuelling Amy to last so long! 

MAN, I LOVE THIS LIFE! - 

Amy did well to not sleep in too long as I'd wrongly presumed she'd need 10 hours or more. I left her for 40 minutes to get ready while I went to shop for a few more food items. Mt Eden is the 2nd extinct volcano (Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh our initial) Amy and I have commandeered as a duo. I gave obsessive commentary that she didn't need; she was awed with the majesty of the scenery and the sacred crater. The freakish wind was hard to endure upon the summit but it was funny to us. A picnic with my all time favourite person had me legit thinking we'd blow off the bank as the gusts persisted. Amy must have looked like a local on day one, as she was asked for directions while I powdered my nose. 

Bussing into the city centre, we bonded more after 11 months apart. Had a sneaky peek in Tiffany's, Amy was worried they'd throw the likes of us peasants out! The yellow diamonds collection was displayed, the most regal and elegant of jewellery; it all looked very schmancy #wishIwasRICH! Giapo, esteemed artisanal gelateria, made Amy's acquaintance and Kiss Kiss was the best ice cream she's ever had in life - and that's a direct quote. There's no secret that there was an instant attraction 'tween my scoop of Afghan cookies and I. A guy from the travel company, Peter Pan called us 'sister goals!' 

FALLING IN LOVE WITH THIS COUNTRY TAKES NO CAJOLING - 

Window shopped in souvenir stores, Pinocchio-ing that we'd be back to make a substantial purchase! Then onto the Art Gallery to escape the gruelling rain; Amy likes art coz she is smart and understands their statements to the world. I also took her to Aotea Square, the heart of the city of Auckland; thank gosh we didn't have our fanciest outfits on in such weather. As we'd ticked off all places to visit on my first day in speedy time, we returned to our base for a rester. Fed our bellies that evening on an upsized value meal at Wendy's of crispy chicken mayo burgers, fries and a fizzy drink. This was by no means our favourite food but the Monty monsters had to eat up. 

It's raining, it's pouring, some old man is snoring!! But we'll be darned if we let the stupid rain destroy our dream hols. My socks were drenched through and no kid likes a soggy sock! I still wanted to take Amy down to one of my favourite parts of AKL - the waterfront to show her Queens Wharf and the Cloud (which look more like a glorified caterpillar or worm). Taking picture stops of Amy with Auckland attractions like The Light House which is utterly aware of its own cheery absurdity and Silo Park which is not usually this fun in drizzle. 

NEW ZEALAND CAME INTO THIS WORLD PRETTY PERFECT - 

My heart was gladdened to show Amy all the sites I love but I'm not sure she was loving my tour guide commentary detailing, 'this was my local Indian takeaway', 'this is where I did all my food shopping' or 'That's the hospital I was admitted to.' As she's a sweetie heart, she smiled and nodded politely all the same. I hoped she could see how I felt life more than I ever felt it before in this country. 

For a mini pre-lunch, we started our day the right way with No 1 Pancakes as they are quite the pancake makers! Both being sweet-toothed, we each favoured the non-savoury rarities; Amy went for the dark chocolate oozy centre and I, the cinnamon sugar filling. They're to DROOL for!! We ate in Chancery Square by the fountain. 

MISSION BAY, WHERE THE PRETTY PEOPLE PLAY - 

We were living our best life at the Bay before midday while the sun popped out from its hiding spot amidst crowds. I appreciate it making an appearance when it was supposed to be a showery Wednesday at the seaside suburb. Taking it in turns to paddle in the cool temps of West Bastion Reef as we'd have been insane not to at this calming seashore. I didn't know that Mission Bay got its name from the Melanesian Mission established by Anglican Bishop Selwyn in the 1840s or that there was once a Flying School in operation there, many of whom served as pilots in WW1. 

Spent some time picnicking, pigeon/seagull chasing and scrawling Mum a 'Happy Birthday' message in the sand, being our typical, super daughter selves. After a short gander around the town cut short at the bloody sight of a poor possum, dead as a dodo :( we took to Movenpick for a zesty invigoration. My lemon and lime ice cream lit my tongue on icy fire. 

I CAN'T STOP SMILING EVERY MINUTE I'M IN MY SISTER'S PRESENCE - 

Got our skates on to Auckland Domain, the largest park in the city and also considered by myself as my 75 hectare back garden. A goose hissed at us twice in a dramatic fashion which made us reluctant to pass him and his buddy by. It was exceedingly frightening as I imagined we were going to watch its head explode in territorial FURY; it could have been much worse. In giving Amy a peek into my personal life in these parts, I showed*my* spot in the domain - the duck pond, where I liked to introspectively contemplate on one of the benches.

At this point it began to rain, which had not been the case 5 minutes before so we sheltered in the Winter Gardens and our noses were struck with sugary, nectar perfume from tropical foliage and gorgeous blooms of les fleurs. We especially appreciated the pink daisies and I was impressed by the bulbous pod on the Cacoa tree. Also hid in tree roots, swung by the museum and tssked disrespectful kiddies climbing the War memorial fountain before traipsing through muddy grass to enter the village of Parnell. 

I'VE ALWAYS FELT A KINSHIP WITH CHOCOLATE - 

In Parnell, Auckland's most affluent and oldest suburb, Amy was concerned that we shouldn't have been inside the wooden, Gothic St Mary's Cathedral as we were having a look around during choir practice. They were warming up their vocal chords singing a numeric scale of 1-10 operatically and it sounded angelic. This cathedral has 18 panels 'of vividly coloured Pacific motifs' which tell the Christian story and depict the creation. The great window at the rear of the building is said to be the largest expanse of stained glass in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Later that evening, Amy and I met up with Darcy at Chocolate Boutique Café and it was a good job we'd arrived slightly before Darcy as it took an age for us to choose from the many delicious menu choices. I was not game to test out the Bubble gum flavoured hot chocolate special, instead drinking Black Forest hot chocolate; I'd jump off a cliff for this drink! Amy and I shared Chocolate Indulgence - there was SO much chocolate involved. I pride myself on eating chocotastic dishes and CB excelled themselves yet again! Everything on the plate wrapped me up in chocolatey love; if only it made you skinny! Amy and Darcy were comfortable in each others company and we shared lotsa giggles :) I vow to be a little more heart healthy after this holiday.