Lots of people seem to be heading to New Zealand for business and pleasure. While I’m sure you won’t get bored of the beautiful South Island, Auckland is another story. On first impression it can seem like a dreary version of Sydney with a slightly taller tower, significantly smaller harbour bridge and not a lot to do.

In reality Auckland has some great food, amazing beaches and lovely people. I am writing this guide so you can skip the dull bits and actually enjoy your stay in Auckland.

1.  I may be biased because I grew up here, but I think most people agree it’s a pretty great suburb which can be summed up in one word: gentrification. You can still grab a decent coffee at some of Ponsonby’s original grungy cafes, just look for arty names like Cezanne or Byzantine.

For the best food in the city go for Italian words; Bambina for breakfast and Prego or S.P.Q.R. for either lunch or dinner. One of the best things about NZ being a farming nation is even in the hippest part of the big city you eat delicious fresh (often organic) food. You can tell the waitress you liked your meal in Maori by saying “ka pai te kai” pronounced ”car pie tea k-eye”.

2.  About an hour north of the city are some of my favourite bits of the region. Goat Island has been a marine sanctuary since the 70s, you don’t have to swim very far from the beach to be surrounded by fish!

On the way there stop off at Matakana which is popular for it’s many vineyards and organic cafes.

3. Growing up I took black sand for granted, a whole side of Auckland’s coastline has it. After living in Australia for a while I have realised how incredible this phenomenon is. The best place to experience it is Muriwai Beach because you will also encounter spectacular wildlife such as the large gannet colony or seals.

You know how painful it is to touch a steering wheel when it’s been out in the sun all day? That’s what this sand is like, so wear closed shoes on hot days. Also remember to wear SPF30 sunscreen whatever the weather. Due to global pollution there is a hole in the ozone layer right above NZ. This means it’s very easy to get sunburned and the country has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. If you want to undo some of the damage done to our environment consider donating to the NZ Cancer Society >

4.  If you want a Haka there are plenty of places you can pay to see one performed. However if you want to experience real Maori culture I suggest you pay a visit to this Marae which is used daily by the Ngati Whatua, my adoptive Iwi! Although not technically open to the public if you go up during business hours you may be lucky enough to find someone who is happy to show you around.

The land which it sits on has a spectacular view of Auckland, and an intense history. Remember no shoes!

5.  After a day exploring you may want to get into bed and appreciate one of the country’s finest talents… advertising. We must have easily won the most international advertising awards, per capita. NZ is particularly good at TVCs. To watch some fantastic ads tune into primetime telly like Outrageous Fortune which currently airs 8.30pm Tuesday on TV3.

Is there anything that needs to be added to this list?

A couple of years ago I made a pact with two different friends that we would do a roadtrip of America (continent) when we finished uni. Life happened and I ended up in Sydney while both of them are now in America, one in Mexico and Rose (above, with friend Livvy who is visiting her) in Vancouver.

I did make it to Hawaii last year which was one of the highlights of my life and is almost America. See: Swimming with a liger of the sea & Hawaii’s whitehose.

There are so many places I want to go in America, but the ones at the top, top the list:

There is nothing in the world I have ever wanted to see more than this phenomenon. I will spend as long as it takes in Alaska or Scandinavia to see the Borealis.

Ok so this is on everyone’s list, that doesn’t make it any less exciting. I often have dreams about being in NYC.

I could happily live in Portland, or Seattle. I think I really like the city because so many bands I love are from there and they all give it great reviews.

My Grandma had a poster of Canada when I was young and I was always fascinated by Nova Scotia, maybe because Anne of Green Gables lives there. Either way it is “hauntingly beautiful”.

There is something fascinating about ghost towns, especially when they are very new and people still live in them. I would like to see Detroit before it is reposed.

Of course there are many more places I would like to see Washington DC, Boston, Lincoln, Wilmington, Vancouver, Toronto etc… What are your top picks for Northern America?

At 7.30am we started our Obscura Day adventure. We took a train three hours out of Sydney, past Paramatta, past Penrith up into the Blue Mountains.

The drive from Lithgow with the other explorers was slow and dusty with very high chances of death. After an hour of windy cliff roads and termite hills we made it to a point where we could only proceed on foot. The lush ferns in the forest reminded me of home until we came across a large red bellied black snake who slithered away we neared him.

After following the old railway line for 15 minutes we entered the tunnel, every so often turning off our torches to reveal the glow worms. They were pretty, but not as impressive as some of the caves I have seen in NZ. When we reached the end the others stopped to take photographs outside, James and I went back into the tunnel. This time waiting still and quiet for several minutes as the glow worms lit up. We even found one who was broken and stayed glowing when the torch was on.

On the return trip we found some more treasures which Lithgow had to offer including a Mining Museum which we jumped the fence and had a look at and the Blast Furnace (below).  With trains scarce from the remote location we got a lift home with two lovely friends we made (above, crossing the bridge).

The drive home was probably the highlight of the trip with sing alongs and driving past Hooters, who knew there was one in Sydney! We got home 14 hours after our trip had begun incredibly tired, but surprisingly alive.

Obscura Day was organised by Atlas Obsucra >

Looks like he’s been boning that Jewish lady again.

via @bexrad >

Dick Frizzell is one of my all time favourite artists.

Sleeping Woman (2008) was top of my Birthday present wishlist this year, I didn’t get it however there is potential of an even better present next year…

We’re going to Tuscany for my birthday and just after this Mr Frizzell himself is doing a 2 week painting workshop there! It would be a dream come true to go, however my flights back are shortly after it starts and with the booking being Florence – London – Kuala Lumpar – Melbourne – where ever I am living, it would be a mission to change. Fingers crossed they let me attend the workshop for just the first couple of days!

Actually come to think of it his son Otis Frizzell taught me how to tag, back in my West Auckland days.

The painting on the right (Grocer with Moko, 1992) was the inspiration for my 6th form painting boards. We had to start with Jim Dyne and thank goodness my teacher recommended this as a segway into a painting style I actually like. I’ve had a love affair with his work since then (minus the Colin McCahon inspired recipes series).

When we heard from a friend he was releasing a range of wines we fly back to Auckland and got 6 bottles from the airport, we drank one (the bottle is now used as a vase), but the rest have been reserved for a special occasion amoungst other far more expensive and better tasting, but not nearly as stylish wines (and a bottle or two of CC):

Will hopefully find out soon if I can attend the workshop, and then just have to save up a million dollars to fund it – or maybe I can sell the paintings I do on trademe to cover costs? Haha

I was meaning to go to the Sculpture by the Sea exhibition at Bondi beach this weekend, however it clashed with my life goal of being the only kiwi to live in Sydney without ever going to Bondi.

I did find some other great outdoor sculptures while I was indoors this weekend.

Giant pencils by Joanna Pohjalainen, in Pedvāle Lativa (a country I have always wanted to visit)…

…and giant penises at South Korea’s “Penis Park“. An engaged woman drowned before her wedding and brought a curse on the local fishermen, so they erected phallus sculptures to keep her horny spirit happy and the fish returned to the sea.

via Sell Sell >

This restored video from 1927 was way too long for me to watch, but sure does make me excited about returning to this quaint country in six months. I was pleasantly suprised at how English and old London actually is (photos below from my trip last year). It really is like in this film, but with slightly newer cars and fashion.

What London attractions await me next time? St Pauls, Madame Tsuades, Saatchi Gallery….

Hello Sandwich posted photos of this cute cafe unfortunately it’s in KL not Syd. OH wait! I am in KL for 3 days next May, so I can go visit! Thus far I have been much more excited about Rome, Florence, London and wherever else we end up than the stop over in Kuala Lumpar, however now I am excited about that too!

Anyone have suggestions for what else to see in KL – or which European cities are worth a visit?