I feel like I've traveled ten years to the past.

Wi-fi in New Zealand is ridiculous. Not even Starbucks offers free wi-fi, which has never happened to me, in any of my foreign travels. I know I sound like a spoiled American, but that's partly because I am, and also because Starbucks normally has a global standard, and apparently that doesn't apply here.

It might not entirely make up for the not-free internet, but not only are public toilets free, but they are kinda cool. Each stall gets its own sink and soap, and some have neat systems to inform patrons if the stall is occupied.

Anyways, we find ways of getting Internet, so it's not that bad. Just a hassle when we need to pull up a map, say, to meet up with a friend.

Speaking of, we saw Kirsten today! Yay! We played at the park (we were accompanied by a 4 year old girl), had lunch, and really enjoyed ourselves.

Before that, we explored the north eastern segment of Auckland. You already know about Albert park, which was nice. The University of Auckland had plenty of older-but-not-old buildings, reminiscent of the 70s. Although Marshall and I stopped and read a bunch of posters from the schools of science, math, and engineering graduate students. The school is currently on mid-term break, so it was quiet.

We then walked around the perimeter of the city to the park where we met with Kirsten.

Fast-forward: after our friends left (Kirsten had to pick up the other children), Marshall and I walked the 4 blocks back to our hotel, took a 20-minute recharge, and headed out for Waiheke Island, a 40 minute ferry ride from Auckland. We arrived a little before sunset, and walked to the nearest village, Onerua, where we had dinner at an Italian restaurant called Fenice. Marshall had the pork ravioli and I had Pork Belly with carrots, beets, apples, yams, and fried pork rind. It was fantastic.
Marshall tried San Pellegrino mandarin flavor at dinner. It tasted a bit like red Gatorade.

After dinner, the sun had long set, and we were both exhausted, so we walked back to the ferry (about 20 minutes) and made our way back into the city. We have just arrived in our hotel and are about to slumber.

So goodnight Seattle.