This time, I only called mom AFTER I’ve completed my trip.
At 9am, I was still lazing in bed. Trust the weather to be a nice and cooling stay-in-bed-since-it’s-your-day-off to mock me. I finally left Hastings at about 11.10am!
This is after driving for about 2 hours south and wasn’t very happy being somewhat tailgated by a trailer. Pee stop at Woodville – so glad I have iPheR to navigate me.
These buildings were by the toilets in the park.
There was also a small band practising in the park and I wanted to snap a photo/take a video…but decided against it.
Have I mentioned that I love the Lomo app on iPheR?
When I saw the rocky teal coloured waters, I thought, “I could live in Wellington.”
There’s something about water that attracts me.
I arrived at uStay Urban Apartments near 4pm. I “splurged” and took the ensuite option here ($69/night) – as opposed to the $63/night (shared bathroom) at the backpackers by the train station. I initially booked the backpackers room because I thought I was taking the bus. When that plan fell through, uStay was nearer to the MHC and the ensuite room was cheaper than the backpacker’s.
Security key tags for the main door and elevators. If mom knew where I was during the time, she would’ve been more rest assured.
What’s next?
FOOD!
I spent some time looking up restaurant reviews and their location earlier this week. I wanted to have everything that wasn’t readily available in Hastings/Napier but I was alone (thus no food sharing – what a bummer!) and my stomach can only take so much at a time. That didn’t stop me from being super ambitious! The plan included nasi lemak for afternoon tea (Malaysian style mah but then I forget they don’t have the RM1.50/pack type here), Japanese for dinner and bubble tea to wash it down. The next day, dim sum after my appointment and tah pau roasted duck/pork rice and bubble tea for dinner when I arrive in Hastings. Not TOO bad, right?
I was also wanting to get some Asian groceries while in Wellington but the address I found online led me to more of a Korean grocery store (although they say Asian grocery store online) – I still managed to pick up some snacks. You know they do the best snacks!
Kazu restaurant
It worked out a little differently to what I planned – I couldn’t seem to find Istana Malaysia and I decided to just start with Japanese food first.
There was only one other customer when I stepped in and I’m guessing because it was only just before 5pm!
Beef Tataki Sashimi, $12.50
I read the review on the Menus app that recommended this. I am not usually adventurous with food (especially when dining alone, due to cost and satisfaction risk) and I KNOW what I’d like – yet somehow I felt like I SHOULD give new things a go. You can see in the photo that I did still order my favourites (Sashimi Ume, $10).
The beef sashimi was a little too salty for my liking that I couldn’t really taste anything else. Maybe it was the timing or maybe it is just a case of different tolerance.
While sitting in the restaurant, found that Istana Malaysia is just around the corner! What are the odds (and I’ve got more than enough time on my parking opposite Kazu)! Yay!
Guess who I thought of when I saw this?
The office was just a few steps down Kazu.
Ah! Istana Malaysia restaurant – come to me, nasi lemak!
I couldn’t eat anymore after what I’ve had at Kazu, but I didn’t want to drive out again later in the evening/night. So I decided to tah pau the nasi lemak, $16.90 (it’s $8.95 if you go for their lunch special and I think it’s a dollar off for takeaways).
While waiting for my item, I could see one of them in the kitchen making roti canai – if you were there, you could hear the wheels in my head going, “Hmmm…can I fit a roti canai in with the nasi lemak?”
In case if you were wondering, no, I didn’t.
Whaddaya know? The bubble tea place was also around the corner from where I was parked.
I think about Joanne/Arron/Nicole when I have bubble tea.
Ah! My day is complete and my belly is fully extended. Pig is I!
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