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Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Outdoor Wednesday: Oakland and Auckland


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http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com

http://rogerowengreen.blogspot.com/2010/04/n-is-for-new-zealand.html


Fellow Blogger Ramblin' with Roger did a great post informing the world about my adopted country New Zealand. Thank you very much.

I was posting my comment to thank him when I remember this news story. Then I went on to another site which has a header photo of Oakland.

I live in Auckland. Often confused with Oakland California when I tell my American friends.

This is true, in the 1980s, a young American man ended up in Auckland, without the tickets and passport. He said, he was flying to Oakland from an American town, heard the announcement advising passengers to Auckland board at gate _____. So he went.

He duly fell asleep in the plane and arrived in Auckland. Mysterious as it was, people wonder how he could have boarded an international flight. Without any cash or clothing, typical of the warmth of Aucklanders, he received a lot of Auckland hospitality.

Nutty but true.

Roger, and anyone else in the whole wide world, if you decide to come to New Zealand, we offer you a warm welcome. Some times, you might even get a tradition Maori Official Powhiri welcome.

We have some tourists who are stranded in New Zealand because of the Icelandic Volcanic ash. There were twice more New Zealanders than tourists who offer to "shelter" them. This should take a bit of the bitterness of the sad situation.

11 comments:

EG CameraGirl said...

bet that young man would never get on a plane to Auckland NOW! Times have changed and security is tight.

Jan said...

Hello Anne, There was nowhere to reply personally, so thank you for your comment, it was very touching. God Bless.

Jim said...

Ann, I'll shout you a beer and a meat pie if you come to visit me.

I have to set you straight on one thing though. Anzac Day is a day to commemorate and remember those soldiers who fought in wars and those that lost their lives. There's no cheerful greeting for Anzac Day. What you can say is 'Lest We Forget' for Anzac Day. Keep a look out for some Anzac Day posts on my blog over the weekend.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

rainfield61 said...

I read in newspaper today that there are 5 places which are named Singapore, what if ...

magiceye said...

lovely images... and loved that story about the american lol!

Anonymous said...

I wouldn't mind being stranded in such a gorgeous place!

http://graceolsson.com/blog said...

hej Ann...
I adored the first shot.congrats and have a nice day

graceolsson.com/blog

Lois said...

Funny story, but it definitely would never happen now!

Carver said...

Great shots and stories. I also love your shot on the skywatch home page.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Ann: Cool photos of the games, neat photo on SWF.

Elaine Yim said...

Congratulations on being Guest Host for Skywatch today. Your pictures are beautiful. Happy Weekend!