a taste of winter
It seem a little unfair to me that while Canada is moving into summer and Toronto is hitting temperatures of 30 degrees, that here in the South Pacific we creep closer and closer towards winter. You may be asking yourself what winter in Auckland looks like. Well apparently it looks like rain and rain and rain.
It's a rain that pours down suddenly, fiercely and turns the streets regularly into rivers. Luckily, it doesn't seem to rain continuously. Being a maritime city, the weather can change from sheeting rain to bright blue skies in less time that it takes to walk into one of the many cafes and order a flat white (with soy, thank you very much). I must admit that I still giggle at Aucklanders as they shiver and shake when the thermometer plummets to lows of 14 degrees. I enjoy watching their eyes grow wide as I regale them with tails of temperatures well into -40, frostbite warnings on Ottawa radio stations, and jumping off my roof as a kid into big piles of soft snow.
Come to think of it, a few months of rain isn't so bad. Especially when I can step onto my balcony and the cloud cover has created such incredible displays as this:
As it is still autumn and not quite winter yet, today was a gorgeous +16 and nothing but sunshine. And apparently I can hop on a flight to OZ and be swimming in an ocean and enjoying +30 temperatures within a few hours flight. Hmmm... perhaps I should do that very soon...
~~~~~~~~~
P.S. If any of you were on the lookout for cheap flights to New Zealand, I got this info by email:
CHEAP FLIGHTS TO NZ FROM THE STATES
$705 -- Fly to New Zealand in June (Roundtrip)
http://www.travelzoo.com/Top20.asp?id=101241263
Source: Air New Zealand
CHEAP FLIGHTS TO NZ FROM CANADA
Price: from $808* per person
Destination: Auckland, New Zealand
Sales Period: Sale ends 05 Jun 06
Travel to be commenced between 01 and 27 Jun 06
You will not see another deal like this any time soon. Book now for travel in the month of June and take advantage of this fabulous fare to Auckland, New Zealand. But hurry, this offer will expire on the 5th of June, 2006.
Canada to Auckland, New Zealand
From To Price
Vancouver Auckland $808
Calgary Auckland $898
Toronto Auckland $988
Comments
I could actually go for some rain and a nice 14* day right now. You are missing Toronto's first bone fide heat wave, complete with smog and humidity. Just wish I could take you up on that cheap airfare (that's truly an amazing deal!) but I'm headed to PTown, for a film fest, and NYC, for fun, throughout June. Then back to the Valley for Canada Day weekend. ~Amy
Posted by: Amy | May 31, 2006 9:55 PM
So,June is really Dec., right? Still the airfares are enticing! I'll check out a few. And what's the cost to OZ and 30C from your place?
Mom
Posted by: Mom | June 1, 2006 4:12 AM
Amy:
Pleaz excuse my uncoolness... but... what is Ptown? And (yay!) I love NYC! Have an amazing time. I accept postcards...
Mom:
Yes, I think June is December (although it feels more like September), and I keep finding my mind drifting to what to get people for Christmas. When autumn first hit I kept wondering what I was going to be for Halloween. Wierd seasonal habits.
The cost of a flight to warmer weather is about $130. Pretty cheap if you ask me.
xo
Posted by: heatherland | June 1, 2006 2:30 PM
Oops, sorry Heather...I thought you were much cooler. ;-)
"PTown" is Provincetown, Massachusetts. I think it's only slightly larger than Eganville, but since it's on the tip of Cape Cod and a short ferry ride from Boston it's a popular tourist destination and has become famous (or so I thought?) for it's beautiful beaches and popularity with gay and lesbian travellers. I'm going for their international film festival and I will be managing the "big multiplex downtown" (ie. 2 screens on main street).
So after that NYC is going to seem extra big. It will only be my second time there. Anything you'd like me to do in your name? Or any insider suggestions?
Posted by: Amy Rouillard | June 1, 2006 7:24 PM
sigh... I guess I'm just not hip anymore... I was unaware of the PTown's fame. Anyone else reading this blog heard of this popular destination?
Renate went recently to NYC and I gave her a big to do list. I'll dig it up and forward it to you.
Renate, you should post the names of some better bars you went to in NYC for Amy.
Posted by: heatherland | June 1, 2006 8:15 PM
Amy check out www.hthse.com for all the up to date cool scoop on NYC. They have a bar section. I went to Henrietta Hudsons, loved it. Warning: there's no coat check, and I had some belts I bought for myself and Heather stolen there - though everything else was left, including my untouched wallet. But don't let that stop you!!!
Check out Cattyshack, which is in Brooklyn. I didn't get a chance to make it there, but it looks awesome. I also went to CBGB's but that's purely sentimental. You can google them - they all have websites!
Have a blast, I sure did!
Renate
Posted by: Renate | June 2, 2006 9:43 AM
Thanks for the tips Renate. I knew you'd know all the cool, hip, up-to-date places to go.
Now maybe I'll have to set up my own blog so I can share stories and photos with you gals.
Amy :)
Posted by: Amy | June 2, 2006 6:56 PM
Yay! Start a blog. Would love to hear your stories and see your photos. Besides, bloggers are the koolest.
Posted by: heatherland | June 4, 2006 9:50 PM
Finally had a few moments to check out your blog. What a great place for me and my Robert to check out "down under". He has an interest in playing rugby everywhere in the Commonwealth.
We'll keep reading with interest.
Thank,
Carolyn, Paul, Robert & Irene
Posted by: Carolyn | June 21, 2006 1:07 PM