Muriwai Regional Park

Yesterday (Sunday), I was invited by my friend to go fishing. We went to Muriwai Regional Park. It was my first time going to Muriwai Regional Park. It is located about 45km from Auckland. Muriwai Regioanl Park has a beautiful beach. It is one of New Zealand's most spectacular black sand surf beaches. At its southern end, Otakamiro Point is the site of one of this country's few mainland Gannet breeding colonies. Gannet is a kind of bird. I don't really know much them, they look like seagulls, but their heads are orange in colour.

The weather wasn't that pleasant yesterday as it was sort of cloudy. Yesterday was the first time in my life to fish. I found that it was really fun. I supposed patience is really important when it comes to fishing. My patience was put into test yesterday as I didn't caught a fish at all. Damn it! Those fish were just so smart to eat away all my baits. Anyway, I am NOT going to give up so easily. I'll BE BACK! haha...

The scenery there really amazed me. It's really hard to describe my feeling by words... The only thing I can say is that I really enjoyed myself! Well, since it's hard to describe the place and my feeling by words, I think I'll let my photos to do the talking instead...

It's a cloudy day....

Muriwai Regional Park's black sand surf beach

Somewhere opposite the beach... a large ROCK!

Gannets gathering on the rock

Wintergarden

This afternoon, after my lunch, I decided to visit the wintergarden which is located at the Auckland Domain. I never know that there is a wintergarden in Auckland Domain until two months ago. This was my second visit to the garden. Before I carry on, just to let you know that the Auckland Domain is a very very big park which is located near to the University of Auckland. In fact, it is very near to the School of Architecture. It probably takes me less than 10 minutes by walking to reach it from my school. At Auckland Domain, it has a duck pond, the Auckland Museum, the wintergarden and a large feild. Well, I'll tell you more about Auckland Domain when I have chance in future.

The wintergarden is currently under refurbishment. However, half of it is still open to visitors. I noticed that some of the plants in it had been replaced with new plants. I'm not sure if it is because due to the change of season, or it is due to bad maintenance that all those plants die. hahaha... Well, the last time I visited, there were cactuses. Anyway, there was not much difference. The place was still as facinating as ever! I really couldn't stop myself from taking photos. I actually ran out of memory and began to delete my old photos. I bet you could imagine how excited I was. I hope that you'll enjoy my photos.

Kelly Tarlton's Antartic Encounter & Underwater World

I'm really glad that I had finally handed up my theory assignment. The assignment was really challenging as we were asked to apply the key concept of a famous philosopher into our design work. The last few days I was working on it day and night, in fact I didn't sleep last night. Well, it's done! I can sleep well tonight.

Before I go to bed, I was thinking of updating my blog with some new stuff. My pleasure to introduce to you Kelly Tarlton's Antartic Encounter & Underwater World. Kelly Tarlton's Antartic Encounter & Underwater World is located in Auckland. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Auckland.

I visited Kelly Tarlton's Antartic Encounter & Underwater World last winter during my break. I found that it was an interesting place to go. I was really excited all the time. The feeling was always great when you saw those fish swimming around you. Besides that, I really enjoyed my time watching the penguins. They were really fat! It's been a long time since the last time I saw penguins. The only thing about this visit which I wasn't satisfied was that the place wasn't big enough, it only took a while for me to finish walking through the whole place. I hope that you'll enjoy the photos. Cheers!

Flowers...Flowers...

I had finally handed up my assignment this aftenoon. It really took me quite some time to finish it... After taking my lunch, I went for a walk around the park next to the university. This afternoon's weather was really mad, in about an hour time, it rains and shines for a few times. For your information, Auckland's weather is ever changing. If you are from a tropical country, you would definitely get crazy about it. While relaxing myself during the walk, I get to see some lovely flowers being planted beside the pathway. Like what you are expecting, I took out my camera and began to snap photos. I decided to publish a few photos which I like and share. As usual, I hope that you'll like them! hehe...

Sky Tower

It's 4.10am... yes, 4.10am! And... I'm doing my assignment now on the 1st night of my school while all of you are probably sleeping now. I have been doing it since I finished my dinner ages ago. Well, I'm kind of tired now after cracking my head for so long to look for solutions for this assignment. So, I decided to give myself a break to update my blog...

I'm proud to present you the Sky Tower. Sky Tower is located in Auckland City. It is the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere with a height of 328m. It is one of the top attractions in New Zealand.At the base of the Sky Tower is Sky City where you can find restaurants, souvenir shops, information centre and casinos. For your information, Sky Tower is the first tower in the world that promotes Sky Jump. What is Sky Jump? Sky Jump is an adventure that allows one to leap 192m from the tower. It takes about 16 seconds with a speed of around 75kph. What do you think? Feel like trying? hehe...

Sky Tower's architect was Gordon Moller. He is currently the president for the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA). I attended a talk by him in the School of Architecture of University of Auckland about a month ago. Well, he's good! But sad to say that, I slept through half of the talk as I was too tired on that day. Anyway, just to let you know, I wasn't the only one. Haha!!

Yesterday, on my way back to the school's studio after dinner, I managed to take some photos of the Sky Tower. Just to share... By the way, I won't update my blog anymore until this coming Thursday or Friday. I already have something on my mind, you'll know it the next time when you visit again. Cya!

Auckland, the City of Sails

My mid-semester break is going to end in 2 days time, I really hate that, how I wish it could be longer than a mere 2 weeks... Anyway, let's drop this topic, it makes me sick.

Friends, have you ever heard of the City of Sails? I bet some of you do heard about it and the rest of you are just like me, have no idea at all. To be frank, I really don't know anything about Auckland being called the City of Sails until I came here. It's in fact an eye opener for me. I have never seen so many sailing boats in my life until I came here. People here really enjoy sailing. Every weekend, you'll find that the sea is full of sailing boats as well as yachts. I really wish you are here to see it yourself. I know you'll love it!

A few days ago, I was having a walk by the shore. It was the first the time that I walk this far in the direction which the Harbour Bridge is located. Harbour Bridge is the bridge that connects Auckland City with North Shore, a place which is located at the north of Auckland. On the way, I passed by a few harbours. There were many sailing boats stopping there as it was a weekday. The scenery was magnificent! I was so excited that I began to take photos. I have posted some of the photos which I took, I hope that you will like it.














City of Sails - Auckland































Harbour Bridge















The tower at the back is Sky Tower















1, 2, 3, ..... 100?