Auckland-ing Like A Local

I had a much lighter Auckland day compared to yesterday. I woke up without an alarm and decided to stay in my king-sized bed a little longer before heading into the CBD area. The first stop was Remedy Cafe. I wanted to relive my moment there, with my journal, pondering and writing my life away, but it didn’t seem there was any available seat.

So I walked the short distance to the Auckland Library instead, with a self-care stop at Yoyosu, a one-stop shop for Korean stuff, including K-beauty products. I stocked up on my facemasks and got yet another hippie that I won’t be using to my collection.

Auckland Library

For some reason, the Auckland Library reminded me of Singapore NLB. And of the hours I spent there lazily working on my thesis while being accompanied by my equally lazy friends. Good times.

On level 2, I randomly picked up David Sedaris’s Theft by Finding Diaries Volume One. And started reading it while sitting on a high chair, trying to ignore the violent coughs coming from the man who sat diagonally across from me.

Back to the diary, I didn’t expect for him to be of university age when I was born. I knew this because I flipped through his thick diary to find what he had written on my actual birth date. Nothing – a space sandwiched between 6 and 8 September, both entries talk about his Uni life.

Is it weird that I chose to sit and read in a library in a not-so-familiar city that I have yet to explore?

Auckland Downtown

Maybe my instinct about Auckland, years ago, still holds its ground; that Auckland is boring. Or rather, Auckland downtown is boring. This thought made me pack up and leave to explore the city. Because I believe nothing is boring if you are not a boring person (well, mostly).

I started walking randomly and stumbled upon a small lane filled with Korean restaurants, from BBQ to dessert places. Then, a little further down to High Street, I stumbled upon Cafe Melba, the cafe Fafa and I had been to during our first visit to Auckland.

The Unity Bookshop

A few steps from Cafe Melba was The Unity Bookshop. It was buzzing with amazing energy and had plenty of NZ lit that I’d love to get, but unfortunately, I only got a carry-on with me, and I already blew my one book per short trip budget yesterday. But well, it’s a bookstore, and I have zero control when it comes to books, so I picked up Things I Learned At Art School by Megan Dunn (also my self-imposed blowing only-thin-books during travelling rule).

I also got a Maori Christmas card for (someone who might read this blog, so I will keep it a secret for now).

I also made a pit stop at Shut The Front Door, a gift shop two doors from the bookstore. I wanted the Kiwi Christmas bauble, but I’m not sure whether it’s worth NZD20, especially if I won’t enjoy it until next Christmas (we are skipping putting up a Christmas tree this year, there is too much going on).

Little India Auckland

At noon I made my way to Sandringham, Auckland Little India, for Sandringham Food and Spice Food Tour. It was held by Mary, a Kiwi and attended by 5 more Kiwis and me. It lasted for almost 4 hours. I wanted to squeeze in an eyebrow threading session afterwards, but I was pushed away by the beauty parlour lady with “sorry dear…” but why? It’s not 6 PM yet. Anyway, with that, I made my way back to Auckland CBD.

Skycity Hotel Auckland

Gambling in Casino

I was in the lift to my room when I decided to check out the casino. I was already staying in the hotel, so I might as well check it out. So I did, only after showing the security guard that I am indeed above whatever the limit age of gambling in New Zealand. I played Roulette. At first, conservatively. So much so that I haven’t lost any money even after the 10th round. Then, I got bored and put all my NZD10 on 8 Black. 33 Red came out, and with that, I left the sad machine.

My next stop was the jackpot machine to live my pop culture dream. I sat, put in another NZD10 and started pressing. My screen kept changing, I kept pressing, and my money kept decreasing by 20 cents. I looked around. There were plenty of people doing the same thing as I was doing. But it was far from the movie version.

There was no alcohol, no drunk girlfriends surrounding me, no happy cheers and no casino mafias in the background. It was such a soulless activity; I wondered why would people do this instead of, I don’t know, having a drink in the restaurant downstairs. I left, leaving 60 cents credit to be played by the next lucky gambler.

I also realized that I should have spent that money getting that Christmas Kiwi instead. Alas, at least I got an experience out of it.

Me-Time Night-in

Back in my hotel room, I showered, put facemask and ate the remaining of my Kue Salju. I have yet to pack to move to my third hotel, the one booked by work. Instead, I am writing to you with Borgen playing in the background on my laptop. I wonder when will Bravo air Come Dine With Me.

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