We don’t know how much money you can spend, but we figure you’re rich, and the exchange rates are good, so what the hang 
Day Tour One:
When you arrive, just familiarise yourself with Queen St and the surrounds. If you just take your time, you’ll be fine. You have all day and you’ll always find somewhere to sit and rest for a while.
Walk from the Hotel onto Customs St East and head towards Queen Street. When you hit Queen Street.
When you hit Queen st walk up the left side and all the way until you hit Aotea Square and Borders. Cross the street and walk back down the other side. If you had of kept walking from here up to the top of Queen street, you would have passed lots of Asian restaurants. For now, cross over to Borders and go back down Queen St to the Downtown Shopping Centre. Have a look in there, if you want to see shops, then go towards the waterfront and onto Quay street. Go into the ferry building and check out prices and times for a ferry ride to Devonport and Waiheke.
I would suggest a trip to Waiheke only if you have transport. Personally, Ana & I recommend going instead across to Devonport. It’s about 15 mins to the other side. There are great cafes and you can walk to the top of Devonport Navel Reserve (Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park). It’s a hike, but a MUST see, because on the other side you’ll see Rangitoto Volcano and the gulf Islands and views of all of Auckland. In Devonport, we like the Stone Oven Bakery. It’s not hard to find. There is also an alleyway opposite the library, close to a secondhand bookstore, where you’ll find a really nice cafe. You’ll know it when you see it as it’s like an old collapsed building in a passageway. We love the smoothies there and the food is good too.
Catch the ferry back and when you come out of the Ferry building, take a right towards the Viaduct basin. Just follow the waterfront onto Princess Wharf and to the end where the Hilton Hotel is. Next to that is the Maritime Museum. There are lots of expensive restaurants at the Viaduct. Go past there and make your way across Victoria Park and Victoria Park Market. As you’re crossing Victoria park, you’ll see a New World (or Countdown) supermarket. That’s the best place to buy food for picnics and for your room.
After seeing Vic Park Market, head uphill, past the supermarket along College Hill Road. It’s a steep climb, but it won’t kill you. When you hit Ponsonby Road, walk along that all the way until you hit K Road. Karangahape ( Ka Rang Ga Happy). As you’re going along Ponsonby Road, keep an eye out for the Little Fairy Shop (left hand side) and the Food court (right hand side). The food court is between Macklevie and Pollen Street. Go upstairs and check it out. Cheap eats, a great variety of choices and clean. Bear this place in mind. One meal and a side of wontons or some such, will do the two of you and you might consider grabbing something form the supermarket for Emily, if she can’t share.
Leave the food court and cross the road and go to Western Park. Check out the sculptures. Maybe walk down there if you have time.
Continue on to K’Road and follow that to Upper Queen St. K’Road is great for eating. Ana & I love The Little Turkish Cafe (left hand side opposite Starbucks). Look for an arcade on the same side as the turkish cafe. At the end of the Arcade is a large set of stairs that takes you down into Myers Park. Walk all the way down under the Mayoral Drive overbridge and on to Aotea Square.
From there cross over and walk up Wellesley St. You can either turn left onto Lorne St, which has shops and things, or continue up to Albert Park.
If you do Lorne st, high st, chancery lane and then towards your hotel.
Day Tour Two:
MOTAT and the Zoo. MOTAT is the Museum of Tranport and Technology. This place is a gem. I’m not sure how you’ll get there, but there must be a bus from the Britomart to Western Springs. It’s not expensive and you’ll spend all day here and at the Zoo. Often they have interactive things for children. Lots of things for boys too
Have lunch in the park. You’ll need a picnic. Western Springs is well worth a walk. Lot’s of friendly duckies. You’re not allowed to feed the ducks. You can either go through the park and direct to the Zoo, or catch the MOTAT tram. We’d suggest the tram. The Zoo is great.
If you aren’t too pooped, continue onto the Airplane Museum. (You’ll have to Google that), but it’s part of one of the ticket options for MOTAT.
Day Tour Three :
Kelly Tarltons – Underwater Aquarium This is on Mission Bay, which winds along the waterfront. You can catch a bus to there and then walk from there along to Saint Helliers. Or better yet, if the weather is good, just walk from your hotel all along Tamaki Drive, which takes you to Kelly Tarltons, then keep walking after that. There is a domain right above Kelly Tarltons. Ask there if there is a walking path and cross that to the other side and down into Mission Bay. Walk until Saint Helliers and have lunch. Catch a bus back into town.
Sky Tower – You’ve got two options for the top. You can pay to see from the viewing platform, or dine. As it’s a one off, I would suggest having lunch or dinner there. You’ll have to book to eat though, so decide quickly. You’ll pay around $70-$80 for the three of you, but that then you won’t have to pay for the view. You can go up to the viewing platform after I believe. It might be worth trying to get a booking just before sunset. When you’re up there, you’ll note that every hill that you see if an extinct (or dormant) volcano.
Day Tour Four:
Leave you Hotel and go down to Beach Road. Turn right and follow that to Parnel Road and up the hill. Parnel is the Posh Street of Auckland. Walk up the hill on the left hand side (it always seems easier) and then cross the road at the ped crossing. Stick to the right hand side after that. Look for the brick pathways where the white colonial style shops are, and go down all the little alley ways you can find. Just keep heading up to the top of the hill.
When you’re past the shops, look for Domain Road on the right hand side (just past a nice bread shop). Go down there into the Auckland domain and head for the lake and the ducks. Walk around Garden Road area and then go up to the Museum. It’s free, but they ask for donations. Emily is NOT a donation.
Auckland Domain & the Museum. It’s a beautiful park and the Museum is one of the best we’ve ever seen for children. Loads of activities and the cafe wasn’t too bad at the entrance. Go to the small lake and the flower garden beside it. Be prepared to spend plenty of time in the Museum. You HAVE to see this. Try and see it all. It shouldn’t be a problem.
When you leave, go along Maunsell Road extension (back of the Museum) and onto Broadway. On the Corner where George street is, you’ll see a Brown Brick Building. Have a quick walk around there and then back along broadway. Broadway will take you onto Kyber Pass Road and Newmarket. Newmarket is Ana’s favourite shopping street. Just for looking. We never buy 
The area to look around is between Kypher Pass, Crowhurst, Mortimer, Gillies and Broadway. The side street in that square and the main road.
When you come into Newmarket, you’ll see the traffic lights at Kyber Pass and Broadway. Cross over to the Rialto Centre where the cinemas are and go upstairs to the foodcourt, if you’re hungry.
Walk around the area.
After that, you’ll need to find out how to catch a bus going south towards the Auckland Domain along Manukau Road. I hope the weather is good.
Instead of getting off at Cambell Crescent and Puriri Drive, ask the bus driver to let you off at the Entrance to the Domain which takes you to the Stardome (Observatory – it’s suposed to be really good). That entrance is along Manukau road and just after Lewin Road.
Walk through the park and up to the top of One Tree Hill. Go back down the way you came up and then walk around the park following the tracks. I suggest sticking to the East side (sunny side of the hill, Bollard ave, twin Oaks drive side) onto Cornwall Park area. Emily will love this area because it’s a farm. Lot’s of Sheep.
I’d head back into the city after that. You can catch buses from Manukau Road or The Great South Road back into Broadway (maybe even direct into the Britomart (Downtown Auckland) or Queen St.
Hello readers.
I finally feel inspired to write, which is excellent, since I feel very grateful that my husband made this blog for me
First of all, its cold. It has been quite cold for a while here, in Rio. I dont like the stinky hot summer weather, but dont fancy the cold one either. Why cant we have mild weather???
If I had my husband here to warm me up, it would e a zillion times better!
To make things a bit worse, its Sunday evening. I never liked Sunday evenings (unless I am on holidays). Its depressing. And the radio staions keep on playing those discusting Brazilian songs. I HATE Brazilian songs 
(always knew I dont fit in this stupid country).
By the way, for the ones who cursed me on my Bikram Yoga post: Brazil is a shit country!! And if you dont like it, go read another blog! Or go to hell. Whatever…
You Know, after a long time fulling myself to think I like certain things just because they are healthy, nice, blah, blah, blah…., the truth hit me: I dont like yoga, I dont like raw food, I dont want to be a green, let alone a vegetarian, And I havent been exercising for a while because I am NOT feeling like it. And the only workout I like are the Leslie Sansone ones. I also dont care about cosmetic brands because, at the end of the day, no matter how expensive or cheap, they will cause the same effect on you.
I want to eat pastries 
, sandwiches, pies 
, sweets, chocolates 
or even salads with fish and steamed vegetables. If I feel like it.
The thing is, all this preasure I have been putting myself into is not taking my anywhere but getting me all stressed and frustrated.
Oh! How much time, money and energy I spent buying unecessary health food, clothes, accessories, DVDs, books, makeup, etc….. Clutter!!!!!! Arghhh!!!!
And, afterwards, feeling the painful void inside me….. because of spending so much time (and energy) trying to be somebody I am NOT.
Why is it so difficult to just let it be!
But I am living and learning. All those years……… I am recovering myself now.
Changing subjects, my beloved husband sent me two most amazing animations: “Tangled” 
and Rango”
. Amazing! Specially Tangled. Its soooooo cute and the story is absolutely delicious to watch. I´ve watched it two times now and I think I can watching again forever!!! Love it so much!
I´ve also download Biggest Loser 9 Season, Breakfast at Tiffany´s, Charade, Roman Holiday (yes, I think Audrey Hepburn is adorable), Mulan, Little Mermaid, Incredibles and Manhattan Murder Mistery (Woddy Allen).
Watching Woddy Allen New York movies makes me remember the wonderful trip I did with my parents and my brother to NYC. Good old times. The 4 of us together. In January it will be 12 years since my Mum died. Why?? Why, God? I dream so much with her in my dreams, I think of her and I miss her so much. A very important piece of my life´s puzzle will be forever missing.
There are so many things I would love to do. For instance, a road trip with my husband. That would be such fun! I love road trips and Cam & I did some really nice in NZ.
I would like to travel with Cam to Disney World
. 
. I went there once, in 1981, when I was 14 years old and I LOVED it!!! It was much smaller than what it is today, but I remember how wonderful that place is. I want to go back there again so much!!!!! Hopefuly my dream will come true.
I have more than enough air points for me and Cam get airline tickets, next time Im in Auckland, I will make sure Cam and I go to Lan Chile office to make enquires about the air points. We must use them before they expire!!!
About work: I´ve been through some stress since the counter schedule changed to 9AM to 18PM… Ridiculous! Its a long story and I am not going to write about it now. I am just going to mention that I am sooooo lucky my boss like me. I cant help but wonder that my mother put this lady in my way.
There´s a bitch at work who has been trying to become my “friend”…… yeah, right! I wasnt born yesterday. Like I said, I am very lucky that my boss likes my so much.
Well, enough for now. See you soon, my very dear blog
Hello readers.
Its been a while since I wrote my last post.
Time runs so fast and its easy to forget the most important things. Like writing in my wonderful Blog.
It feels so comforting knowing I can open my mind and my heart in this magic space my husband built for us.
Some times I think that long after Cam and I are gone, this Blog will be existing in the infinite cyberspace…..
First, I would like to say that I found out the Yoga is NOT for me. I am quite sure about it. never tried Bikram Yoga though. Maybe I would enjoy the practice since its all repetitions and everybody in class will do the same asanas altogether and there is no needing to memorise the poses.
Another low point about yoga was that it took my about 15/20 minutes to get there walking so I had to wake up before 6AM, dress up quickly, have my breakfast and make the bed in a hurry. But the LOWER point was the fact that I had to leave my husband online and go to class. ARGHHHHHH! I hated it!
Also, I never felt like I had a good exercise, that I burnt calories, never felt the stamina and endorfine runing through my blood like I feel and I do my power walking.
I cant believe I was so fascinated with yoga and now I know its boring and so not for me. My workout is my Walk Away the Pounds. Thats what I love to do and I can do whenever I want in my little room. Today I did 13 miles. How many kilometers is that? (let me check on Google…)
13 miles = 20.921472 Not bad! Almost 21 kilometers!!! yayy!!!
I believe that, without my power walking my life would be quite hard on me. Power Walking saves me every day.
The only time I dont need it is when I am together with Cam. For many reasons. First, because he loves me and holds my hand and my emotional get balanced and fulfiled. And plus we walk together quite a lot!
I have been downloading and also purchasing books to my Kindle and they are about sports and its power. Like Dean Karnazes says: “If everything fails, run!”
Im going to suggest a couple of books :
Run Like a Girl – How Strong Women Make Happy Lives
Mile Markers – The Most Important Reasons Why Women Run
Complete Book of Women’s Running
Run Like a Mother. This one also has a very nice Blog
Be Iron Fit
All these books are soooo motivating and a very good read. I like when the authors go on about how to organize your daily routine and no matter how busy you are, there is aways time to train if you want it!
Well, I WANT IT!
Changing subjects, its less than one month for me to be back in New Zealand again. I love being there. Every time I am there I love it more. My place in the heart. My husband’s country. Hope one day life will get easier and Cam and I can live there together (and God, please, no more earthquakes, please!!!).
I have been daydreaming about all the things Cam and I love doing together in Auckland, Whangarei, the Little House, the drivings up North (Kerikeri), etc… Everytime I go there I thank God. How blessed am I!!!
I miss everything there so much. Its in my heart and soul. I really hope Cam and I, one day, we will be living together in NZ.
Cam and I have a very nice friend and her name is Amber (nickname: Snoopy Doggy Dog). She is a cute little kitty cat! The neighbour’s cat
Changing subjects again: I went to my aunties place today for lunch (like every Saturday) and they started talking about their will. Thats when I took the opportunity to let some truth out of my throat. Feels good to tell the truth. I am not going to write the details of our conversation because its too personal. But it was good, despite the things we disagree. I guess I opened their a bit to see that the world is so much more than those brats (my cousins brats). Tomorrow I will go there again and say goodbye before they catch the plane to Paris, next Friday.
My dear Father is still waiting for the authorization from his health plan so that the doctor can schedule the surgery to remove his skin cancer.
Last comment: I am sick and tired of shitty people and shitty attitudes at work. Plus, the Supreme Court decided we, the stupid slaves workers have to have the counter open so that the lawyers go there. SHIT! No more comments about that terrible situation.
Thats it.
It was such wonderful Christmas Eve. Loved it!!!
Last Tuesday (25/01) we “celebrated” 10 yeard without my beloved mother. My brother, Roberto, went to the cemetery and put beautiful roses on her grave.
I miss her so much and life has never been the same eversince. I love you Mum. Lots of kisses and hugs, wherever you are, You will never ever be forgotten.
Changing subjects, I already purchased my plane tickets to go to New Zealand at Easter time and I cant wait!
More amazing days together with my husband and doing everything that we love to do together.
Plus, I just love New Zealand and I am so luck that the LOVE of my life is a kiwi 
We had an amazing time together here. We didnt take pictures (I will make sure we take pictures next time together in NZ), but we should when we went to the Botanical Gardens, for instance. Nevermind. Next time.
Also, I started practing ashtanga yoga in a place called Nirvana. 
I am liking – I am not loving it. I am happy that I am practing it because makes me feel very good and I can tell how good it does to the body. Those poses have been performed since a century or more by people in India and its gotta be something powerful.
The yoga style I am practicing is called Ashtanga Mysore and Mysore is known as the Asthanga yoga capital of India.
Ashtanga yoga has been taught there by the revered guru Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois 
since the 1930′s.
Ashtanga yoga involves putting the body through a progressive series of postures while synchronizing the breath. The process produces intense internal heat and profuse sweating, which detoxifies muscles and organs. I sweat a LOT!! I sweat much much more than when I do 3 hours of power walking in the summer!! No kidding!!!
Its HELL having to wake up at 5:50 AM to get ready to yoga class. Plus having to leave my husband online and run to class.
But one thing that keeps me going is that I cant wait to be able to perform the difficult advanced moves! 
ps: these pictures are Shiva Rea´s, the beautiful goddess of yoga
I have been a bit upset with myself for not writing as much as I should. 
I know its a question of establishing priorities, focusing on what is really important, etc…
The truth is I have a couple of bad habits, which sabotage me every day, if I don’t pay attention.
And I now know a couple of little things that might help living my life. From now until I die.
The thing is: lighten up your life. Get to love what you have. Buy only what you need. Your life will be sooo much better!
Easier said than done.
Many of us feel that buying stuff will makes us happy, will give us comfort, etc.. But NOT. NO.
Another thing: buying unnecessary stuff equals loads of clutter equals carrying weight inside of you. The clutter you bring to your life will be brought to the inside of you. 
And the way to set yourself free from this vicious circle is learning to focus on what is important and stop filling yourself and your space with things or food you get because you are trying to fill an emotional void.
I know we live in a world full of advertisements and such strong powerful messages to consume. Point is: all these crap have been brainwashing us into believing that buying makes us feel good.
So: set priorities and learn the differences between needs versus wants and entitlements.
The thing is, learning to live on less is actually freeing and empowering and, once it becomes a habit, you will never want to spend recklessly again.
One word: DETACHMENT. This one I need to practice. Really. Not easy, but I need it in order to honour the real blessings in my life.
Clearing out your environment beautifies, detoxifies and brings loads of energy to your life.
IMPORTANT: MY HUSBAND GAVE ME AN AMAZON KINDLE WHICH IS THE MOST AMAZING DEVICE AND HELPS A LOT!!!!
That’s because I ABSOLUTELY LOVE the books and now I can purchase them without cluttering my shelves Awesome, my tiger! Thanks, kisses, snuggles and caresses 
I am writing about this subject – which I am loving – because at the very beginning of this years, I cleared to top of my wardrobe and got rid of LOADS of stuff. Gosh, the feeling is amazing! From there I am totally into this mindset and I recommend this to everybody.
Readers, please forgive me if I sound contrary to what I wrote above. What I mean is that I love the books and I will buy them (and books cant be considered clutter, can they??!), but the kindle keeps it all Yayyy!!
To finish the post, I would like to recommend a couple of books really good on the subject:
Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?
Peter Walsh is classic! The guy is and expert. He had many appearences at Ophra´s show helping helpless people get on track.
The author, Sadie Nardini, is a yoga teacher. She makes a very interesting comparison between an actual travel and life. The books goes through contents like: “How to Fill Up with Soul Fuel and Keep from Driving on Empty”, “Drop What´s Weighing You Down and Lighten Up” and “Deciding Who Gets a Ride and Who eats Your Dust”. Unfortunately, its not avaliable in Kindle format. But this one is pretty awesome
Lighten Up!: The Authentic and Fun Way to Lose Your Weight and Your Worries
Life Is Short, Wear Your Party Pants
Loretta LaRoche is fun. She is very accurate and simple.
The first book is a great read and motivational to anyone wanting to shed excess weight and who has decided to take a lighter, more humorous approach to it. The secondis a book about making the choice to live an extraordinary life. It is about showing appreciation, giving more hugs and being more forgiving. Loretta explores a variety of beliefs and shows how stress is a signal to change your life.
The Guru in You: A Personalized Program for Rejuvenating Your Body and Soul
This one goes on through the yoga principles of modaration, non-violence and telling the truth. The book consists of four parts: Part One: The Path consists of The Material World and Setting Your Intention. Part Two: The Foundation consists of The Practice of Nonviolence (kindness toward ourselves and others), The Practice of Detachment (Allowing what nature intends for us), and Letting Go of Excess (Knowing when enough is enough). Part Three: Expression consists of Posture Practice and the Pursuit of Inner Beauty, The Breath, Living the Ayurveda Way, and Practices for Building Awareness.
PS: dear readers, if you´d like to purchase any of these books, click on the images and that will lead you directly to Amazon.com website and you will help us. Thank you!
Hi everyone!
First of all, thank you so much for reading and posting. Even for the nasty comments. Its all part of running a blog.
Let me clarify some things: I dont hate Brazil. Specially because I have a very good life here. But I miss a lot of great things which are important (to me) and feel very frustrated for not having access to them in this country.
Like wheat grass, for instance. I have wheat grass powder, but thats because I bought loads of it in New Zealand (www.lifestream.co.nz) while spending my holidays with my husband. Wheat grass is soooo amazing to your health. Why on the earth they dont sell it here?!
Anyway, I notice that the Bikram Yoga post is the most popular. Still, I would love to practice it and its the only yoga stylle that got my attention. The asanas repetition and the heat seems very effective (the heat, sweating, makes you feel sooo good!). They dont teach it here. Why??
Well, I will probably recieve more nasty comments on this one, but thats fine.
I am reading a very good book called “Secrets of a Former Fat Girl”, by Lisa Delaney
Its very realistic and truly motivates you to change your life to become a fit and healthy person. But, most of all, the author gives you tips to achieve such a stronger mindset and you end up changing yourself completely. Or maybe you become your true self after the transformation.
Speaking about kindle, I LOOOVE my kindle!! My husband bought me a kindle and its the best present. Its so simple to use and to add the books to it. Plus, the reading is so clear and comfortable to your eyes. Not to mention that you can have a whole enormous library inside it. You can carry your, lets say, 1000 books with you all the time and you dont have to worry about space to keep your books!!!
I am always looking for good options on books and I would like to hear your suggestions. So, please, post.
All the best.