• Filed under: Places to Try | Dining
• Location: Silverdale, Auckland
• Price range: Usual cafe prices, brioche doughnut-$5.00-7.00

All of us have that special place we go to when we are feeling down and need that caffeine fix and sugar comfort. For me it's this place near my home where you can eat the best brioche doughnuts and macaroons. I love the caramel doughnuts at Magnolia Kitchen. That and paired with a flat white just lifts my spirits and I'm ready to face the world again. This cafe also serves as a boutique shop and those fond of shabby chic will also love the decor. They sometimes switch stuff around and I like looking at new things every visit, tiny details I might have missed before. I also appreciate the creativity and little details. The tables are made of old doors and the lights are made of clouds. 

The cafe only has desserts, coffee and smoothies. Just a terrific place to come to on a cold winter day or when you want to chat with a friend. I am happy with my furry cup of flat white, spending a lazy Saturday afternoon. I apologise I wasn't able to take a photo of my doughnut! I forgot I was supposed to take one and just ate it. Here's a grabbed photo from their website. 

As always thank you for reading! Hope to see you again.

Caramel doughnuts!

 I fell in love the first time I visited the PumpHouse Theatre.

The first time I visited the PumpHouse Theatre it was love at first sight. The theatre was located beside a lake, with wide-sweeping views of the surrounding town. The skies at sunset were rich in purple and blue hues. The brick structure looked old and filled with history, as if it had so many stories to tell from the past. My love for art and nature has combined in this place. How more idyllic can you get? 

The PumpHouse Theatre is located in Killarney Park on the shore of Lake Pupuke in Takapuna, Auckland.

Formerly, it was a pumping station to early settlers, but was converted by a group of local artists into a community theatre and arts centre for the North Shore. It is a venue for the performing arts and other types of staged events like stand up comedy, book launches, play and poetry readings and even psychic mediums.

The lake with a catwalk reminds you of holidays in an island resort. The building is made of bricks which adds to the overall look and feel. There is an amphitheatre outside which is used for shows in the summer. There is also a café beside the theatre you can go to and have a coffee while marvelling at the beautiful scenery. Other patrons bring their own mats and chairs and have a picnic outside while waiting for the show to start. This is a public place so people can just come in and take a look, take pictures, have a picnic and swim. There is also ample parking. 

The main theater is small and cozy. Upholstered seats and the sound system is good. Check out their upcoming shows this summer, eat at the French Cafe or just bring your own food and have a look. 

What to do if you have lots of time and also love the theatre? Volunteer of course!

I was happy to be a volunteer for Shakespeare in the Park this year at the PumpHouse theatre in Takapuna, one of my favourite places to visit because it’s a theatre beside a lake! It's really a picturesque place especially during sunset. You can read my previous post about PumpHouse here. Shakespeare under the trees with a cool breeze is too much to pass up! A perfect summer thing to do for this Pinay Kiwi.

Setting up for the night. Look at that beautiful sky!

I volunteered for three (3) nights for the month of January. I was assigned to be an usher. Duties included checking tickets at the gate, directing guests to the loo and cleaning up some stuff left at the seats after the show. We also had a Health & Safety briefing in case of emergencies and what to do. 

It's official! Show me your tickets please!

We already have a crowd waiting for opening.

On each night I was assigned with a different partner usher. This part was interesting for me because you get to meet a lot of people and I always ask them why they volunteered. People had different reasons. Some were part of productions before and missed the environment. Others just wanted to give back. One guy in particular just lost his job and was looking to find himself. Something I can relate to. For my part  I took the gig mainly to watch live performances for free! On my last night I was paired with an older lady who was more fit than me! She could lift this big box of cushions over a flight of stairs while I was huffing and puffing behind her. 

Show is about to start! Go to your assigned areas please.

On my first night, the play was Hamlet. The show was doing fine and the weather was fine too initially. There was a cool breeze and the sun was about to set. The play was held at the outside amphitheater, but midway through the performance it started raining and then later, it was really pouring. We were told we will only stop the show until it was raining cats and dogs. The actors did their best to carry on with the show until it was just too much. We then had to transfer them to the main theater inside where Hamlet continued his diabolical and tragic scheme of revenge. We had to shuttle the remaining audience under the rain to go inside. They were really a good sport about it and went inside and stayed to finish the play.  I didn't bring a jacket because it was summer and was hot earlier in the day. Needless to say I was wet and shivering. 

One of the main characters in the play Much Ado About Nothing, her name was Hero, looked like half Filipina/Latina (like Vanessa Hudgens). A Filipina mom from the audience approached me during intermission and asked me if I was Hero’s mother! At first I was offended, did I really look that old to have a daughter her age? But then again, Hero was beautiful so maybe she could see the resemblance?! I decided to go with that. 😉 I politely told her no and just smiled. 

All in all it was a good volunteer experience for me. For those who would want to try this, here are some tips: bring a water-proof jacket because Auckland weather is unpredictable, have some bug spray and bring some water. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Shakespeare at the Park will run until the 20th of February. 

Thank you for reading and see you again soon!

I finally had the chance to visit the newly opened Westfield mall in Newmarket to check out the first ever rooftop dining in Auckland and it did not disappoint! All of the restos were already open and there was even a DJ playing dance music. Apparently those two DJs were Fordo & Flynny. No wonder I felt like dancing to the selection of groovy tunes! The atmosphere was lively and the weather was lovely, blue clear skies and all. 

I particularly liked the design of the pool of water located at the rooftop. It had a glass bottom and this was the ceiling of the floor below it. It created a very interesting texture on the walls and lighting inside the shopping area. I took a video!  😀

Pool on Top

Ceiling Below

For those planning their Christmas dinners and parties here is a list of the restaurants and some photos. Most of them have ample space to accommodate big groups. I will probably post something when I eat in one of those places. Click on the resto name to visit their website.

 Corner Burger - What's on the menu: Gourmet burgers and beers

Inca Ceviche and Woodfired Grill – What they offer: Peruvian and Latin American food

Bodrum Market - What they serve: Mediterranean food

The Bavarian – What's on the menu: Bavarian food and beer!

IPPUDO – Japanese : Satisfy that Ramen craving! 

Something & Social - What's on the Menu: Salads, burgers, pizza and drinks!

White + Wong's – Asian fusion

Island Gelato Company - Gelato of course!

There’s a small play area at the centre, but I think this could get crowded on the weekends. The rooftop top dining area is open until 10PM Thursdays- Sundays while the mall is open until 9PM Thursdays-Sundays. Checkout the rest of the schedule here. 

There will be live music entertainment and DJ sets until next weekend. Some stores and restaurants also offer discounts and freebies to celebrate the recent opening. Something new to do for the family!

One Friday night I was walking along Queen Street after work and I looked around the busy street filled with people in a hurry to go somewhere. It was Friday night after all. 

One of the many challenges of being a migrant is that you don’t have many plans on Friday nights or the weekends for that matter. People tell me that I will have friends eventually and I believe that in time I will. But today what I wish to elude is loneliness. 

In today’s fast paced society, we’ve become accustomed to filling the eeriness of silence with fluff. We turn to many distractions as a means of escaping feelings of idleness or boredom.   

We tend to fill loneliness with all types of distractions. For example, some single women would rather spend a Friday night with a man they have no genuine interest in, than spend the night alone. They long for a way of killing time while they await the man they are actually seeking. Sometimes I wish this was me, just to make the monotony. Then there are young adults who are involved in cliques where they can’t really relate to their companions. However, they would rather feel accepted on a superficial level than risk feeling outcast. So what is it about being alone that scares us? 

As an introvert I relish in solitude. Solitude does not have to be alienating or lonesome. In fact, solitude and loneliness are distinctly separate. 

Loneliness is different. The death of a loved one or the inability to find people who understand you can leave you feeling isolated. Webster’s dictionary plainly describes loneliness as “being without companions.” It’s natural to experience an emptiness while longing for love or acceptance. Loneliness is therefore an emotive state that can be experienced whether or not one is physically alone.

In the city I was surrounded by people, noise and fluff, where I am reminded of my desire for connection. The need to belong was the source of my loneliness. I needed to slow down and retreat in my own solitude. I am not spooked by the unfamiliarity of silence. Silence can be an amazing thing. It teaches you how to truly listen. It teaches you to pay attention to what’s going on inside of you. Only when we are alone, can we have the space and peace we need to think without being outwardly influenced. It therefore becomes easier to make important decisions as well as identify whatever feelings are culminating within. 

What I learned is this: Being in a new country is like being a fish on land. It’s tough. You have to get in touch with yourself so that you can make conscious decisions rather than simply react to emotions. Appreciate the time you have to yourself. Let the peace and understanding you find better equip you for the days to come. Living in a new country has taught me to love spending time with myself. Being a migrant is just as much about learning to be alone as it is about making friends.

In one of my wanderings I was surprised to find tucked in the middle of the CBD this open space that was in contrast to the lined shops of Queen Street. Freyberg Place with its open steps set-up is a perfect spot for that summer lunch out where you just want to eat outside and enjoy the sun. It has a stream-like water fountain that makes the air cool around the terraced steps and keeps the children entertained.

Opposite the steps you have beach chairs placed outside of the  Ellen Melvile Center. This is a cool spot if you prefer having a little shade from the scorching sun when you chat with friends while eating.

Chancery Square is nearby where you can find the only Krispy Kreme branch in the city as well as other places to eat. This place reminds me of Eastwood City in my country. I think its because of the feel of cobbled roads leading to a central square.

I was able to find a place that sold milk tea with cheese foam and it was delicious. Check out @nzroyaltea

There was also a utility box painted by Paul Walsh, one of my favourite artists with his usual witty portrayal of animals. Strolling around this surprising bit of space in the city, with my milk tea and the sun shining brightly and pigeons flying, I could almost hear the lyrics to the song, "Dont worry, be happy..." I think the monkey has it right.