28 October 2013 ~ Lampshades and Shopping

Listening to: Talking Heads ~ Cross-eyed and Painless, 8/3/1983

R.I.P. Lou Reed

There is a cool pub with lampshades hanging from the ceiling.

They serve local craft beers. I like the "Sassy Red".

The Sky Tower as viewed from the base. I have not yet been to the top.

Countdown is one of two local grocery stores I've found. It's about a 7 minute walk from my apartment. Downhill on the way there, uphill on the way back.

On the way to Countdown I pass the liquor store and a hemp store, where I bought some lovely citrus hemp body oil (interestingly imported from Dallas, TX).  Hemp oil is also used quite regularly here for cooking.

There was a great sunset on Friday night from my front window.

 

26 October 2013 ~ Happy Birthday Skye!

Listening to: Seasick Steve ~ Hubcap Music

Today marks the 10th year since Skye came into our lives. She doesn't look a day older!

 

24 October 2013 ~ Casita Miro

Listening to: Anthony Romeo Santos ~ You

There as been quite the Pop music stars playing in Auckland recently. Two weeks ago, #1 sensation Lorde stayed at the hotel next to me...a big crowd was gathered outside. I caught a glimpse of her...completely by accident as I was waiting for a taxi. Then, One Direction was staying at the hotel across from my co-workers place. Beyoncé played several concerts here last week. And I guess Justin Beiber is here this weekend.

After leaving Stonyridge Winery, according to the map anyway, we were only expecting a stroll of about 15 minutes to the next winery stop.

Enjoyed some flowers along the way.

Side note: some 84% of New Zealand's flowering plants are found nowhere else in the world. I've booked a rainforest day trip for a few week's from now, and hopefully will learn more about the diversity and uniqueness of both flora and fauna here.

The next winery wasn't a mere 15 minute stroll...it ended up being about a 45 minute walk. We lost 2 of our group who decided to go shopping instead. Well, this beach view was calling them. But the 3 of us trekked on.

It was hot, hilly, but we made the most of it. This could be a Napa/Sonoma scene.

And finally, just about when all hope was lost, the Casita Miro winery.

A lovely Spanish-themed stop.

We shared a bottle of "Summer Aphrodisiac", a Bordeaux blend.

We also worked up an appetite, even though we just had the platter at the stop before. So we opted for something light to share, starting with the octopus salad.

And a side of Patates Bravas.

Finished it off with the Turkish Delight, but I only got a picture of the menu item, and not the actual dessert. Sigh. Sensational indeed!

20 October 2013 ~ Wild on Waiheke

Listening to: Furthur ~ Dear Mr. Fantasy (Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA, 28 September 2013)


Not necessarily "wild" animals, but the llamas and "hairy" pig were interesting, especially to my Hong Kong colleague and her mom.

The first watering hole we happened upon (the bus dropped us off and we were now walking at this point, with no clear direction) was the Wild on Waiheke Brewery.

They were having an archery event, so it seemed to crowed to and not as relaxing as we were hoping.
So we decided to stop in the place next door, Stonyridge Vineyard.

They have a croquet club, but no one was out playing that day. (But it did bring back lots of memories of playing in Marion, WI.)

The winery building.

I ordered the Premium Tasting, which included a Stoneyridge Pilgrim, Luna Negra, Airfield and Larose. The Larose is an exclusive with only grapes from this specific vineyard, and they only make 40 cases a year.

It was a very relaxing spot.

Barely enough room on our table for all the wine glasses! There were 5 of us.

Finally decided it was best we eat something as well. This platter included grapes, olive oil for dipping, oysters, duck pate, salami, smoked fish, prosciutto, tomato puree. Delicious!

 

19 October 2013 ~ Waiheke ~ Part II

Listening to: Bob Marley & The Wailers ~ Give Me A Ticket

From the bus stop I took a stroll down Pohutukawa Avenue. So far the hardest part of living here is knowing how to pronounce the names.

 I'm very interested in learning more about the flora and fauna here, most of which is unique to NZ.

Views of the bay showcase the oyster beds along the shore. I have not had oysters yet since I've been here, as usually when ordered with friends/co-workers they are raw, and I preferred grilled.

What a tranquil view.

 

 

I came upon a really nice moment between a father and son coming in on the boat, getting the tractor, and the son "helping" crank in the boat.

The birds are apparently not short on food supply.

Marshall got directions from a local mate...hopefully our bus will follow some sort of timetable.

 

18 October 2013 ~ The NZ Customer

Listening to: T Bone Burnett ~ Linda Lou (1984-10-24 Rockefellers, Houston, Texas)


The reason I have this great opportunity to be in New Zealand is all about the customer.

I facilitated and led 2 weeks of intensive design sessions, for a global group of about 30 folks. Exhausting, but what a great group of people to work with.

On Wednesday night we went out to celebrate and I was able to get a few pictures of the "team".

Data Conversion and SharePoint, core team members Mark and Sam.

Representatives from Payroll and HR, from NZ, AUS and UK.

Workday and Customer co-mingling. Kiran, Amanda, Andrew, Nerida and Veruschka. I trained Veruschka in a class in Shanghai last year May, and am so excited to get to work with her.

Shanghai and Cincinnati also represented by Jenny and Peggy.

Project Manager Stephen, Sponsor Sharon and Renee. Renee has a friend from Racine, WI who went to school in Madison, refuses to wear make-up or shoes with any size heel, and likes to drink Vodka. I need to meet her friend. :)

I was so surprised and honored today when during our closing session they thanked me for making very "dry and boring topics interesting", and that even my corny sense-of-humor got us through these sessions. (They were referring to the fact that during my demonstrations there was down time, so one day I brought in a list of knock-knock jokes.)

In addition to the verbal thanks, I also received this bottle of wine....

as well as this gorgeous glass hand-blown bottle stopper. It is known as the Pikorua, a maori symbol with crisscross paths representing a bond of friendship and loyalty, becoming one for all eternity.

13 October 2013 ~ Auckland Skyline and Waiheke Island Part I

Listening to: Pink Floyd ~ I'm A King Bee (Studio Rehearsal, 1965)

My first Saturday here, my Workday co-workers Marshall and Vivian, and one customer member, Hillary (from the UK) decided to take the 45 minute ferry to Waiheke Island. Waiting to leave on the ferry, I got my first great view of downtown Auckland.

This is the Customs Building.

One view of the skyline. The total population of New Zealand is about 4.2 million, of which almost half live in Auckland. The entire country is smaller in population than several cities I've lived in recently.

A complete skyline view once we were out in the harbour.

I bought some new shoes here. What do you think? I love them!

Arriving at Waiheke Island.

We decided to get an all-day bus pass for 9 NZD. I love the "day trip" slogan on the back.

A hobbit door?

The island itself reminded me of a cross between the US Virgin Islands, with Napa wineries planted on top of it. (Waiheke translates to "Wine Island".)

So far so good! I'm really excited about my NZ adventure!