My friend Ronan (from back in Shankill – Ireland) sister (Niki) was travelling through NZ with her friend (Niamh) and we met up for a drink in the Dux. They’re taking 6 months off from working (in Accenture with my brother Chris – I’m sure they need the break after working with him ;)
Then on Thursday I picked Laura up from the airport (she had flown down from Rotorua) and we headed off to Akaroa for the last day of her trip. In my van – which is now working (quite excited about that).
We stayed at a lovely hostel (Onuku Farm Hostel – 03 3047066) which had been recommended to me by my friend Dave. They have these huts called Stargazers where 1/4 of the cieling is perspex and you can look out to see the stars at night. Really really excellent. Will definitely be back that way again.
Had dinner at a cute little restaurant called C’est la vie. It’s always full and they often ask you to share a table with others. We shared with a couple (of restauranteurs)from Queenstown. Excellent conversation (even got to talk about Peak Oil ;) plus they shared their bottle of Pinot Noir… so it was all good. Except for Grants puns… usually I am up to speed on these things – but I certainly wasn’t quick enough that evening.
The next day I had booked Laura and I on to the dolphin swimming that the hostel runs. Cheaper than the other operators in Akaroa – and with a maximum of 6 people (turned out to be just the two of us) it was an amazing experience. At one stage I had 5 Hectors Dolphins swimming and circling around me. It’s impossible really to do justice to the feeling you get playing with these amazing animals.
So, for $80 – a 3 hour cruise around the bay and swimming with the worlds smallest (and rarest?!) dolphins. Not bad value for money you would have to admit (or should admit, even if you don’t want to)
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Then it was time to head back to ChCh and drop Laura to the airport. One last stop for an ice-cream (you can’t leave NZ without at least trying Hokey Pokey flavoured ice-cream)
I honestly felt pretty sorry for all the people waiting in the check-in line. I know how I’d feel having to leave NZ and head back to a German winter. I know that Laura and Natalie had an excellent time here – and one imagines at some point they will be back. NZ has that effect on many people.
On A Scary Note
I have been accepted for this 10 day Vepassna meditation-no-talking-for-10-days thing North of Auckland (27th Dec->7th Jan). I am pretty sure it’s going to be one of the hardest things I have ever (voluntarily) put myself through. Honestly quite nervous about it…
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