The Suitcase Backpacker

Flat hunting fun, a secret cove, and a wet & wild inflatable obstacle course

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Aotearoa New Zealand

3 min read

December in Auckland was busy and beautiful. Quite a lot happened in a short amount of time, so I will be splitting up my posts into separate pieces. I will try to keep them as brief as possible because I know you all have short attention spans according to my Google analytic reports (yes, I’m onto you).

Now that I was back from my trip to Hamilton, searching for a flat with Alison (my new Scottish friend) took priority. I was very keen to leave the hostel environment and get some much needed personal space, plus the chance to bloody unpack! The next few days/weeks were filled with endless online scrolling through listings and last minute flat viewings. Not to mention other important life admin…like finding an actual job!

Staying at the new capsule hostel again definitely had its perks though. I got to experience the eventful opening night with free booze all around; those flavoured tequila shots were deadly, but delicious. The fun mini skateboard freebies were even better! Not that I had the slightest ounce of space in my luggage for one.

Speaking of carrying things…my weekly food shops were becoming quite the Bear Grylls trek. Auckland is full of inactive volcanoes and parts of it are quite hilly. I found myself somewhat missing having a car! Carrying heavy shopping bags back to the hostel was such a workout; I’m certain my arms are actually going to drop off one day, and I’m absolutely considering taking my suitcase with me!

My first experience of Crate Day, held on the first Saturday of December, is an unofficial kiwi tradition celebrating the arrival of summer. The day involves drinking a crate of 12 beers from 12pm until 12am the next day. I think I had maybe 2 or 3 ciders though (lol) I’m very much a lightweight and not really a big drinker anyways. I spent the afternoon with friends along the colourful and lively K road, playing jenga (with a twist) and laughing at the frenetic Nerf gun fights between everyone.

The Devonport Christmas market took place the following weekend and was just a short ferry ride away from Auckland central. It was a sunny celebration filled with live music, BBQ food, handmade jewellery, summer clothing, festive candles, and beautiful art displays. I wandered around admiring the lovely stalls, before grabbing a juicy hotdog. Later on, I managed to find the Secret Cove in Stanley Point of Devonport. It was such a beautiful and quiet place, completely hidden away, if not for the public sign located at the top of the narrow pathway pointing the way down. I spent about an hour perched on the small pier soaking in the tranquillity and unforgettable views. On my way back to the city hostel, I stopped at Mrs Higgins for a yummy cookie or two; the most delectable, gooiest cookies ever. Very addictive!

Now, onto the incredible Megaland, the biggest inflatable obstacle course in the world apparently, and possibly the best one in Auckland! My friends and I had a blast one Sunday afternoon in the pouring rain bouncing around, slipping and sliding all over the place. It was a soggy sight to see. The mega slide at the end was wild and even more slippery with the rainwater! I almost went flying out of the arena. To say we looked like drowned rats would have been an understatement. Despite my elbow becoming painfully grazed in the fray of it all, I had so much fun.