Mangere Bridge Santa Parade

Yes, that's Santa behind there.

No, that's not Santa on the bike.

Mangere Bridge is a great place to get a coffee/meal as it has so many places to choose from. I usually do this when out for a walk with my friend D who lives in Onehunga.

Last night we, her daughter S, and flatmates went to see the Santa Parade.
We had booked a table at one of the cafes and were seated outside with a prime view of the event.

There were lots of people out reflecting the great community spirit of the area.

I'm going home

I'm going home to Japan to visit in January/February. I'm so looking forward to catching up with my friends in person. We all have had very eventful years so there is definitely be a good reason to celebrate with good food.

Daifuku (actually 'mame-daifuku') are one of my favorite Japanese sweets. Futaba here I come!

Super Sunday Revival:Soccer

Iwamoto who is on short-term loan to ACFC.
The dance group leader getting the crowd going at halftime.

Last Sunday I met my friend, D, and her flatmate, A, who live in Onehunga. We went for a walk around the neighboring suburbs. The sun was shining, the breeze kept us cool, and the koorero was flowing. Things like these are a great recipe for an good time.

Afterwards I went to see Auckland City FC play. The venue at Kiwitea Street is very intimate. I met some of the team. It was great that Teruo Iwamoto (-he previously played for Grampus in Japan) was playing as he'd been red-carded recently. I enjoyed watching him and the others play a good game. At halftime the local Japanese dance group took to the field to provide entertainment. The team is off to Japan to play in the World Club Champioships next week-I wish them all the best!

Ballet

On Wednesday night I went to see Giselle performed by the New Zealand Ballet Company. It was interesting to see the principal dancers are Japanese. It was good to see the ballet after so long but this ballet needs serious concentration to follow especially if you're up in the balcony as I and my companion, S, were. We appreciated the grace and form of the dancers but I confess were more impressed with the full moon and the Christmas lights decorating peoples' yards we saw on the way home. Note to self: the next ballet you see will have to be The Nutcracker which, thankfully, has more going on both in costumes and in characters.

Street Art

In Auckland I often see ordinary things made a little special like this wall in Mt. Eden and the Telecom phone communication box near the entrance to Albert Park on Victoria Street.

Sunrise

I started a part-time job which starts at 7:30am. To make it on time I get up at 5:30/6:00. Among the advantages is 1) I get some quiet time to myself with my coffee and 2) I get to enjoy this view!

Fish 'n' chips at Mission Bay, Auckland

What's more Kiwi than eating fish 'n' chips by the beach? Unfortunately these fish 'n' chips from the Fish Pot Cafe across from the beach weren't up to standard but last night I had some fish 'n' chips from the Riddell Rd Takeaway Shop in Glendowie (near the high school) and they were 'Primo!'

North Head, Auckland

View from North head back to Devonport and Auckland City CBD.View from North Head out to Rangitoto Island.
View of Cheltenham Beach at low tide.


Just a 15 minute ferry ride from the CBD of Auckland the Devonport/Cheltenham Beach/North Head area is worth checking out.

Rasoi Vegetarian Restaurant (Indian) on K'Rd

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Auckland with great food, drinks and sweets (as pictured). Sometimes I go there for a snack/meal with friends. For those who live in Auckland it's near the Hobson Street intersection.

Toasted sandwich+Cafe Latte=Cheap Lunch

Toasted sandwiches are a great option for a quick meal.


When I was a kid my friends and I got fancy using filo pastry and stewed apple etc-pretty impressive for 8 year olds!


As teenagers my classmates and I were so into toasted sandwiches we had 2 toasted sandwich makers put permanently in our commonroom kitchen at school. Those machines got a heavy workout as there was over 100 of us students!


In Japan when I saw a toasted sandwich maker at my friend, P's apartment, I got the details and immediately went and got one for myself.


After all the cheap and delicious eat-out food options in Japan I'm always on the lookout for cheap eats for lunch here in Auckland. One day on the way home from university I found a cafe on Anzac Street that serves toasted sandwiches. It tasted great!


I've only had 2 since then (at friends' houses) but every time I marvel at how good they taste. Mmm mm.

WRC '06 Raglan, NZ

On 11/19 E, R, and I went to the World Rally Champs held near Raglan-usually known as the surfing capital of NZ-2 hours south of Auckland City CBD. It was a great day out. And the driving superb!