[insert attempt to say something creative/relevant about New Zealand here]

It's only been a couple days but since they've been kind of eventful, I feel like I've been neglectful of this poor blog. We got into New Zealand on Tuesday, and it was amazing to fly over and see New Zealand from the wee plane window. Even from thousands of feet in the air, everything was so lush and green with some trees, a few houses and lanes sprinkled on.

It was a long drive from the (kind of small) Auckland airport to the house but I didn't mind because I love car trips so I can look out the window, although this time it was from the left side of the road. All the freeways were so clean and new with barely a spot of litter to be seen! The roads were smooth, unlike some of the freeways back in California which look ragged, and plagued with potholes and faded lines. Plus, some of the freeways there would have so much litter it's kind of shameful. Here, everywhere we go we're surrounded by greenery, trees, cows and sheep, which even though it sounds like somewhere in some agricultural US state, I don't mind it. Hiking trails, streams and the like are close by and everything is so laid-back. A lot of people don't work 5 days a week so it's not common to see someone hiking or out and about in the middle of the day. How nice is that? Everyone so far has been friendly, even the people at customs and the airport. At the luggage carousel an employee asked me if I had all my luggage. I was sort of surprised, as she didn't have to ask me (yet she did) and she at least sounded sincere about it. Everyone who passes by greets you and asks you how you are. It excites me when people notice my accent and ask me where I'm from because I'm usually on the other end. Now, I'm the one with the accent, which although it sounds strange, it's something I've always wanted to experience!

Our first full day in Auckland was really nice since the sun was shining and it was a really leisurely morning/afternoon. I poured myself a bowl of cereal and milk and after taking a peek of the backyard, I went out and had breakfast on a huge, mossy rock. Despite my excitement and urging that Swathi should join me, she didn't want to sit outside so I just enjoyed the quiet and the nature myself, optimistically imagining that perhaps that's how Kiwis have their breakfasts. After watching the Tyra Banks Show (we only have 5 channels and it was only American programs on at the time, unfortunately), we picked up the little cousins and relived some of our childhood when we brought them to the neighborhood park. There are few days that I consider blissful, but that it was indeed and it was also perfect.

Between then and now, we've just been checking out the sights. We've done some hiking, shopping at the Warehouse (sort of like a Costco and a Target, in my opinion), and after getting sick from hiking, we spent yesterday hopped up on cold meds and napping. Today we felt much better so we went out the the Bay of Islands (to be honest, I was so sure I kept hearing 'Bay of Violence' and wondered what kind of strange place the family was planning on bringing us to) to go on a ferry tour and we also saw the Kawiti glow worm caves which now makes me wish I owned a glow worm cave as not many people can say they own one.

Tomorrow we'll be checking out the sand dunes which excites me because you can climb to the top and slide down them. Before hearing about the sand dunes I actually wasn't too interested in the tourist sites because I'm generally more interested in seeing a country as the locals do than as a tourist (such as living in a residential area, going to a grocery store, etc.), but I have to admit, I want to slide down a sand dune!