Sky Tower, good food, and finding my way to Christchurch

I went to the lab this morning to check email and stuff. When I was done, I decided on a whim to finally go up the Sky Tower!
The day was beautiful out (and that was really the reason I had waited so long - either, the weather was bad or it was too dark because I got out of the lab late).
 
Lucky me, I remembered that I had bought an international student ID card... I actually got a discount for the Sky Tower :D (I had completely forgotten about it, until yesterday, when I found the card in a pile of papers >_<)
 
The view from the top of the tower was amazing! There are two viewing platforms (and a few restaurants that have windows, too) that offer a 360 degrees view of Auckland. I could see the university, and recognize the building that the lab is in, I saw Albert Park and the Auckland Domain, the harbour, The Railway campus...!
 
I also watched someone jump off the tower - on purpose, of course!
One of the popular attractions in Auckland is the "Sky Jump," where you can bungee jump off the tower. I think, the jump is only about 200 meters (the whole tower is 328 meters) and Marcel made fun of it the other day, because it is a "controlled jump." (Basically, they secure you with three ropes and can control your speed)
 
Either way, I don't think I'll jump anytime soon!
 
The main viewing platform has glass windows built into the floor! The glass is only 38 mm think, but apparently as strong as concrete...
I was almost afraid to step onto it, because you can really see through all the way to the ground. It was also interesting to watch other people on the glass. Some brave teenagers eagerly jumped up and down on it, while some other people tip-toed over it!
 
After the Sky Tower, I stopped by a little shop that sells Kebabs. I had wanted to try one for a while now, so today I just went for it!
Interestingly enough, the lamb kebab was cheaper than the chicken one (then again, they have a lot of sheep here!).
I tried the lamb kebab, and it was actually really good. However, it wasn't Doener style, where all the meat comes in a big piece of bread. Rather, the meat and the lettuce were wrapped in a thin pita bread.
 
After the lunch break, I went to The Warehouse to stock up on muesli bars. They taste good, and they are way cheaper there than at the regular supermarket.
 
I also "pre-registered" for the Harry Potter book. Now, on July 21st, at 11:01 AM, I can go to the store and pick up my personal copy :)
I hurried home, because I wanted to catch the bus to the airport early (you never know what will happen on the way!).

According to the brochure about the bus service, a bright, yellow sign advertises the bus stop... When I got to the bus stop (as indicated on the map in the brochure) I saw nothing, however, denoting any kind of bus stop!
I asked a few people, who all directed me further and further up the street.

Luckily, the whole bus is painted in a bright blue color, and as soon as I saw it coming around the corner, I waved at it ;-) I'm still not sure if I actually stood at the right stop, but it stopped and I got to go on (that's what counts)!

It took us about 30 minutes to get to the airport. Then I unloaded my suitcase and looked for the Air New Zealand counter.
Checking in wasn't a problem at all (I'm turning into an expert frequent flier...!)

At the security gate, no one wanted to inspect the inside of my shoes! New Zealand security staff isn't as suspicious as American security staff, they are much more relaxed.

The flight to Wellington only took about an hour. It was just enough time to have some tea and read a few chapters in my book.

I had a seat at the window, and since it was still light out, I could see quite a bit of New Zealand landscape underneath me.
Once we left Auckland, the countryside quickly showed a colorful patchwork pattern (lots of farms!).
Apparently, some of these farms are so isolated, they don't even have telephone connections!

As it got darker and cloudier, I couldn't see much more, except for the occasional glittering "island" in the darkness, indicating a bigger city. One of those "islands" turned into Wellington, where I had a short, 30 minute stop, before getting onto the plane for Christchurch.

Unfortunately, we were a little late getting into Christchurch - just 15 minutes, but that was three minutes too much, and I missed the bus into the city. I started reading up on attractions in Christchurch in the free visitors' guide while I waited for the next bus (it came in an hour - not too bad).

When the bus came, I asked the bus driver how to get to "base backpackers," where I had booked a bed. New Zealanders are all so friendly - the bus driver called out to me personally when/where to get off (right around the street from the backpackers place).

The backpackers place was nice, and not too dirty. I never stayed at one before, but I did hear stories about how dirty and filthy they can be.
I had booked a bed in a six-person room, with five other girls. Linens and a towle were included, a shared bathroom was down the hall from the room, and a swipe card allows access to everything.

Also, there are two kitchens, a few computers to go online, a bar on the first floor called "Saints & Sinners," and a TV room (huge screen, but they played King Kong when I walked by... boring).

Of course, the room did not have central heat (what else is new - we are in New Zealand after all) but there was a little electric heater.
However, as I was the last person to check in for the day (at around 10 pm) I got the "last" bed, which was the middle top bunk that had the heater attached to the wall above the pillow!

I got a really warm head, when the girl next to me turned the heat up, but luckily a timer shuts off the heat automatically after half an hour :)