First Day in New Zealand

We were picked up at the airport by a Victoria Senior named Anna (pronounced AH-NA) and she was very welcoming and kind. Anna is from the UK! She is studying literature. She was happy we only had three bags since she recently picked up a girl from the airport with 12 bags...unfathomable. The Stafford House is tall and in the business district, and as a consequence to the location we had to cut across parliament grounds to get to the supermarket "New World". Before shopping we ate the most delicious bagels at "Wholly Bagel" and loved the new supermarket. They have a whole section of meats called "Game". I was a bit scared. Had to carry all the supplies back to the apartment, so we didn't get everything we wanted. The apartment is cool, with 2 bedrooms, a bath, a kitchen and a sitting area. We have a washer/dryer combo front loader that is very complex and requires special soap. Bought it at New World!!!!
The students we met downstairs were most helpful, particularly Gina and Nicola, who helped to set up internet access. We are on the ninth floor and if I crane my head up and to the right I can see the harbour from the window. You know how I love water!!!!!!
Speaking of water, we had to walk down to the harbour and see all the ocean and all the homes precariously perched on the side of the mountains. Real estate must be at a premium here! Met a man and his wife by their boat. She offered to take a photo of us, at which time her husband suffered a gigantic splinter attack while untying the boat. He cursed and his wife chided him, and apologized profusely. It was hilarious.
Shortly we found this giant ball in the sky and took a photo because it was soooo cool to see this by the water and all the restaurants and shops. You can’t see the wire that supports it...I guess it is supposed to be a work of art since it is by a few museums...We were fascinated by it, to say the least. Enough of the ball.
We found a bazillion book stores and shopping on Lambdon Quay. This is a shopping street and I love it. We happen to be living in the Lambdon Quarter and I consider this lucky.
We managed to stay awake until 7 pm or so (no small feat) and I didn’t get up until just before 7 am Sunday (That is Satuday afternoon at home).....See Sundays adventures soon.....