[Days 6-8] Final Moments in Auckland

There were 5 bunk beds in our Auckland dorm room. Bradon & I both scored lowers, which served supremely convenient since our nightly debauchery always ended at around 4am. Supporting the bed above me was a row of blond-wood planks, on which signatures, advice, and memories of past travelers stared back at me: 'I did it in the stairway'; 'Van Halen #1'; 'Os gases sao os doidos natan benchimol esteve aki doidao'; 'B afraide but do it anywy'. One person tallied the nationalities of people they apparently hooked up with... England took the cake at 13. Our iHome made us many friends... we introduced our fellow backpackers to the sublime sounds of Deadmau5, Crookers, People Under The Stairs, and Wes Montgomery. The room became the nightly pre-pre-party location. Official pre-raging occurred on the 8th floor patio, overlooking the city and harbor, via countless rounds of the 'Cuppy-Flip Game' (that's what the Swedish girls call flip-cup).

Birthday morning and I'm in a world of hurt... decide to read in the Hostel's quiet-lounge. There's 1 other girl there who I completely disregard. After a short while, 2 fun English friends (Andy & Kate) come down & we chat it up. Bradon eventually arrives. Conversation grows lively & the lone girl jumps right in. Her name is Eeda and she's Swedish. First impression: bright, true-hearted, & very nice. Her, Brad, & I discuss travel plans... low & behold they are almost identical! And she has 3 friends arriving the next day! NICE! We propose our groups joining forces... agreed. NICE! The rest of the day is mellow & you all know the amazing night that followed :)

The next day Swedish ladies began to arrive. The first was Prneella... warm, curiously inquisitive, & beautiful. We run into her & Eeda on the main drag at around mid-day. The 4 of us peruse the town shopping & getting to know one another. That night we meet Ahna & Mollin. We meet Ahna in the hallway.. her kindness glows 30 ft away. Mollin is a self-proclaimed sporty-spice & among the quirkist girls we've every met; a total character. STOKED!

Nightfall. We all play Cuppy-Flip Game 'til 11( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa07vv-aURE&feature=related )then venture to the club inside our hostel. It's crusty, reminds me of Safari's in TJ, minus the belligerent Mexicans blowing obnoxious whistles and pouring rivers of cheap tequila down your throat, and of course that awkward beach volleyball court. We spot a small crew of locals busting out the new dance craze: Melbourne Shuffle—more or less a mix of Crypt-Walking, Locking, & Up-rocking. We spend a brief moment analyzing their style and decide to battle. After slamming some NZ courage (Speight's Ale) we go up against each and every one of the little buggers. It's quite a pitiful scene as these cats are pros. But, they are cool & kind enough to teach us proper techniques after the blood-bath... lookin foreword to flexin our mad wickit skillz yoe! BOOYAKASHA! Haha.

Everyone eventually moves on to an underground electro club situated down a random brick back-alley. As we walk, an unforgettable mist gently sprinkles & sparkles in the street lights. We arrive. The only exterior decor is a tiny neon-orange sign: Forte. The epitome of underground. AWESOME! Brad, Andy, Kate, 4 Swedish girls, and myself roll in. A round of drinks floats us to the dance floor and we take the place over. Music is great... perfect blend of deep electro, reggae, & funky house. Immediately Brad spots the DJ... a 6' blond bombshell. Then Prneella reveals she's been a gymnast & dancer (both formal performance & break) her whole life. WHAT?!?! This night is too much! The 8 of us rage until 5am & pass out—HARD.

Saturday. We spend the day chatting with the Swedes & planning our 18 day tour of NZ. That was our final night in Auckland with all our crazy friends... we went out with a bang :)

Sunday is spent bouncing between travel agencies & phoning numerous Campervan companies. At 4pm we arrive at the rental facility, located across the street from a random cow pasture in Auckland's BFE industrial district. We sign paperwork, load belongings, and hang disco-balls on both the rear-view mirror & the ceiling of our massive RV. Off we go to Raglan, the world-renowned beach town & home of the world's longest left break (as noted in the movie Endless Summer). The trip is full of excitement!... despite relentless downpour.



Click on the 1st photo below & meet the man, the myth, the legend: Stretch aka Whitesnake