a few more days

Kia ora! Getting closer to departure for the Land of the Long White Cloud. Yesterday my sister and I took a good brisk walk around Burnaby Lake, in the cold rain.  Considering the weather, it was very pleasant and quiet.  Skunk cabbages are just starting to peek up and look strangely like bright yellow orchids in their early bud stage. I do note that was a flat walk; I'll still be huffin' and puffin' on any kind of hiking involving a substantial change in elevation.

On the way home I stopped by the Daiso outlet in International Village called "Yoko Yaya".  Great place to pick up small travel odds and ends like, say, lip balm for men labelled "care your lips with men's lipstick".  Also in the men's section, a washing towel which promises to "thoroughly wash your manly body".

Today, contrary to yesterday's forecast, the sun is shining brightly.  The mountains are capped with fresh snow and the blossoms here at sea level are throwing off a lot of pollen.  Today's weather in Auckland is cloudy with a few showers, high temp forecast of 21degC.

Here's a view of Auckland and one of its harbours, taken from the Auckland Domain.
(original photo here, taken by Gary Korhonen in 2006).