quiet day

we stayed in the mercure resort last night, in queenstown. place was LOUSY w/ snow bunnies!! all ages and descriptions. we tried hitting up the city centre after dinner at the hotel's restaurant, but there was absolutely no parking anywhere. even the illegal spots were taken! fail.

i had a sleep-in, as they say, this morning. then the dad and i went back into town, hit up the embassy, and did some shopping. we found the last thing on our "have to buy" list, just in time to get to the airport. we got some toasted sandwiches at the airport cafe, ham&cheese for dad, ham & pineapple for me, then settled in with coke zeroes and books to await our boarding time.
remember how i said kiwi airports are very do-it-yourself? further proof--the attendant had us scan our own tickets before hitting the tarmac to board the plane. hilarious.

mahad, the cab driver who took us to the airport from our auckland hotel, was there waiting for us when we de-planed. sweet. he's already agreed to take us back to the airport tomorrow evening when we say farewell to nz for good. convenient! we're staying in the same auckland hotel (auckland city hotel on hobson street, downtown). and baller bonus---free upgrade to execuite suites!! woooooooo!! king size bed, kitchenette, and most importantly, a shower with a door!!

we had 'lupper' at chargrill burgers & kebabs. dad's burger was absolutely HUGE. comically big. he did it justice, though. then more city wandering, b/c it felt like summer after the south island's cold temps.

tomorrow the agenda includes a ferry ride and parnell-district shopping before flying out at 930pm (auckland time).

cheers!