Cheetos Goodness April 9-April 13

To wrap up the Easter trip info, just a few more photos. The first set of photos show Mount Ruapheu from the front porch of our cottage at 7:30 am. I woke up Josh and unlike our time at Lake Taupo....he actually woke up to check out the view. We both had a hot tea while overlooking the AWESOME view. There was not a cloud in the sky in the early morning. After tea, we went back to sleep until 10:30.

At 10:30 we woke up Jess and Ike. Ike borrowed the car and drove into Ohakune to buy some "chocolate buttons" for the pancakes Jess was making us for breakfast. The pancakes turned out to be "doughy" but the guys at least didn't seem to mind.

The shots below were taken later in the day before we left the house at 11:30 so Josh could make it home in time to talk to his parents for Easter. Loading up the car. A pic of Mt. Ruapheau in the window pane of the French door (pretty cool, I must admit). The four of us and the awesome cabin.

So, I've still been doing the whole work thing. Work, work, work. BUT, I may be able to quit earlier than I thought...the 2oth of April rather than the 26th. That would be nice! I've got the whole South Island trip to plan and evenings only don't provide enough time to research/schedule everything.

That leads to tonight, Friday the 13th...which wasn't so horrible. My Wednesdays are typically worse than my Fridays. For example, I left out the story of last Wednesday (April 4) when I pulled into the parking deck downtown really not motivated to go to work thinking "Man, I don't want to go to work today."

When I went to turn off the car, it wouldn't turn off. I couldn't pull the key from the ignition nor could I get the car to re-start. What the heck?!? I tried to call Josh at home but he wouldn't pick up (he was in the shower). I called work and the temp agency to explain why I would be late...I couldn't get the key out of the freaken ignition!!!

Truly, I was in panic mode. Late for work, although they didn't care, I was at a loss for what to do without Josh's advice. Luckily, we carry the phone book in the car with us, so I dialed the Honda dealership. They sent someone out to me in the parking deck and I was finally able to reach Josh on the phone too. I told Josh to call a cab to come meet me rather than waiting on the bus. I didn't know how long it would take to fix the car or what. However, the Honda guy (who was actually a teenager) quickly solved the problem.

The problem, to my complete EMBARRASSMENT, was that I hadn't put the car in Park (P). That 's why I couldn't take the key out of the ignition. Kill me now!!! So embarrassing!!! Anyway, I gave the guy a hug for fixing the "problem" and there was no charge for his driving out to the downtown parking deck. I called Josh immediately and told him to cancel his taxi.

All this to say, today wasn't so bad. Actually, I put in with Palmerston North Personnel that I want my last day of work to be April 20. That will give me a week's worth of time to dedicate to trip planning before we actually embark on our trip on the 29th.

The Cheetos Goodness part of the blog tonight comes from the fact that my dad sent me some Baked Cheetos (super yum!) and I'm eating them now as I type the blog and look up South Island trip info.

So, just a quick chat to keep you up to date on what we've been up to here in NZ. We're taking a tour of the Collis's dairy shed tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 with the other Palmerston North Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars. Also, we presented to the Terrace End (Palmerston North) and Fielding Rotary Clubs this week. Wed. night was Terrace End and Thurs. night was Fielding.

We really feel like we're honoring our Rotary commitment and "Leading the Way" with the Rotary work we've been involved in here.

April 8-9

April 8, 2007

Easter Sunday. Josh and I had set the alarm for 6:15. Too early. Remember how I have this thing about not waking up when it is still dark outside? It was still dark.

As Josh and I went about getting our backpack ready for the day we noticed something on the bar. The Easter Bunny had come in the night. Jess and Ike had left us a chocolate egg! How nice!

I'm not a real big breakfast person (at least this early in the morning) so I had half a chocolate granola bar while Jess and Ike were eating some scrambled eggs she'd whipped up. The shuttle was running behind schedule and arrived at 7:15 rather than 7. We were the first people on the bus and we each grabbed an individual seat.

As we went into Ohakune, we picked up more and more people for the climb. Most were appropriately dressed i.e. thermals under shorts, rain gear, hat, gloves, hiking boots. The bus filled up and pretty soon we were leaving down and on the road towards the Tongariro Crossing. The bus driver told us a bit of local history as we made the 35 minute drive. We arrived a bit behind schedule, according to the driver.

There would be two pick up times at the other side of the mountain. A 4:00 and a 5:00...we aimed for the 5:00. We took our picture at the entrance to the crossing and began the one hour walk that led to the base of Tongariro. We passed waterfalls and streams along the way. The flat walking trail was really nice and Mount Ngauruhoe was clearly visible as we walked closer and closer to the mountains.

So, the first hour wasn't so bad but we knew we weren't going to be able to hang with Jess and Ike who wanted to do a side trip and climb Mount Ngauruhoe. See ya. We planned to meet at the end of the trail and take the 5:00 shuttle regardless of the time that everyone finished the hike.

Josh and I were on the slow track. Seriously, the web says that the first 45 minute ascent is the most challenging part of the journey but let me tell you what I was thinking while climbing:

*This is a joke

*This can't be real

*It's too late to turn back

*It's just rock and mud...I can do this!

The last thought is pretty much what got me through the majority of the walk...that and the thought of spaghetti for dinner as we neared the end of the day. This picture can kinda illustrate the steepness of the climb as Josh was behind/below me and I was sitting there (not even at the top yet) taking a break.

When we reached the summit (or what, as it turned out, I thought was the summit) we had some snacks, talked, regrouped mentally and prepared to go on. We thought we were going to be okay because once you get to the top, the landscape flattens out as you are in the crater area. In the distance, we saw that we were going to have to climb up and out of the crater but it didn't look too bad....until we got there.

More uphill walking, stopping to catch our breaths, save your legs, etc. Yes, we were rewarded with an AWESOMELY SPECTACULAR view of the land below but jeez, I didn't know how much more of this I could take...and I was starting to feel like I needed to pee. Uh oh.

No joke, after looking at the amazing view, we had to climb uphill more to reach another summit. The rocks were loose here and I slipped a few times. Josh was bringing up the rear and we didn't know where Jess and Ike were in relation to us because we didn't know whether or not they decided to do the extra climb or not.

We reached the top of that and were able to see the red interior of the volcano which was amazing....except for the fact that we had to walk uphill even further before we got to start downhill toward the Emerald Lakes. But, it's hard to get excited about going downhill when downhill is on loose gravel and if you fall, you better hope it's on your butt (like me) rather than on your face. Hence, the photo of me posing looking fake happy by the Emerald Lakes.

After passing by the Emerald Lakes, I asked Josh how far to the next bathroom. He told me it was just up the way so I said bye to Josh and started making a run for it. Until, that is, I saw a sign that said the next major site was 2 hours away (and I knew that site was the next place with a bathroom). So, since I'd run ahead of a group of people and I couldn't see anyone ahead of me, I found a big lava rock to pee behind. Seriously, what else are people supposed to do on an all day hike when there is a minimum 4 hour walk between bathrooms?That done, I waited on Josh to catch back up to me. I always tried to keep him in my line of sight. Then, I'd run off again...I REALLY wanted to get off the mountain. Experiencing the beauty, otherworldliness, vastness and isolation of being on the walk was one of the best and worst things I've done in my life. However, I said I would never do this walk again.

Josh said that this walk illustrated to him again that whenever I set my mind to do something, I become very focused and determined to achieve that goal. He thought I was mentally strong by the fact that even though I was in so much pain I still pushed myself to literally run ahead of him.

The trail never seemed to end...it kept going and going and going. Seriously, you would see signs that said they next stop area was two hours walk ahead and you'd think it was a joke. How could it still be so far to go? When the Emerald Lakes are behind you and you make it out of the second crater area, you start walking around the side of the mountain and WHAM it hits you...one of the GREATEST views you'll ever see: the glory of Lake Taupo spread out in front of you while you're looking through the mountain pass.

Then it's just back to watching your feet as there are wooden planks in the ground that you can trip over if you're not careful. The landscape changes to a grassland kinda look and you can make out the next pit stop - the hut you see in the picture. However, distance is misleading and there are so many switchbacks in the mountain trail that you wonder if you're going to make it to the hut. I'm the red dot in the picture (click to enlarge). At this point, I was making animated and dramatic death signals to Josh who was so far away taking my picture. For example, I acted like I was choking myself, diving off the cliff, etc. I could see Josh laughing his head off way in the distance so that was a good time.

As I was walking down the mountain and keeping an eye on Josh, I recognized the bright blue sweatshirt Jess was wearing and the tallness of Ike behind here. I gave a wave and they waved back...they were behind Josh on the trail. However, as I rested at the hut (when I'd eventually made it there) the three of them had caught up with each other and arrived at the hut together.

So now we were all back together which was nice. Jess and Ike had done the side climb of Mount Ngauruhoe and their hands were all cut, dirty and bloody because of it. Everyone was worse for the wear and it was now 4:00 which meant we had an hour to get off the mountain and catch the shuttle back.

I led the way. Everyone seemed complacent with the idea that the bus would wait for us or something but I was like, "I'm leaving." The sign said we had another 2 hours until we reached the carpark so if that was true, we were going to be late. I pushed it on the way down, running when I could. I wasn't running to show off and be like "Hey, look at me." I was running because I was honestly and truly desperate to leave.

The thought of a hot spaghetti dinner drove me forward as did the thought of the bus driver saying that when you hit the forest you only have 20 minutes left. Well, when we hit the forest, Jess and I joined up in a power walk that would make any mall walker in America proud. Dude, we were passing by people at the end of the trail....but we still reached the end of the trail at 5:30 and our shuttle bus was gone. That whole part about 20 minutes in the forest was my wishful thinking. Apparently, the bus driver had said once you reach the stream in the forest, you have 20 minutes left. AHHHH!

We sat/laid down and I told Jess that we should be really proud of what we had just accomplished. We talked to some other people who were waiting for their ride and then the guys showed up at 6:00. Josh said he'd received a phone call from our shuttle driver at 5:15 saying they were leaving us and that another shuttle would pick us up at 6:15.

Josh looked so dead when he made it out of the forest. I was really proud of him for giving it all he had when even his legs (which never failed him before) were cramping up on the trail. We were all so exhausted. We were also the last people left at the carpark when everyone's ride (except ours) had shown up.

Our shuttle arrived at 6:30 and the driver was mad at us at first but we explained the situation and it turned out that the 5:00 shuttle driver had lied to him saying that he had waited for us until 5:45. That was not true and Josh had the cell phone message to prove it. Anyway, the guy had bought us a pack of M&Ms which was really nice and we all loaded into the van which didn't have seatbelts and had a handful of the chocolate. Josh and I talked to the driver for a bit while Jess and Ike sat in the back.

We made it back to the house around 7:30 pm and crawled our way into the house. We put on dinner, everyone but me managed to grab a shower before dinner was ready and I grabbed a shower after we'd eaten. While I was showering, John came over to settle up with the money we owed him for renting the place. $400 total but by sharing the cost it was like each couple paid $100/night to stay in the house. We put in North Country in the DVD player and just settled down to watch a show and relax before going to bed. We went to sleep around midnight, however, we didn't plan on waking up until about 10:30 the next day to leave around 11:30.

April 2-7

Well after returning from Wellington, we heard from Jess and Ike (who were scheduled to come up here and visit the weekend of April 13) that it might be better to get together a week earlier as New Zealanders get Good Friday and Easter Monday off from work. This seemed like a good idea to us.

So, we decided that we would go to the central North Island and check out the volcanos there. I spent April 2-5 planning for this "mini-vacay" as I call it. And if you know me, you know how stressful it would be for me to only have a few days to plan a trip!!! Oh my gosh, I was so stressed about finding accomodation for 4 people and what we were going to do, etc.

We knew that Jess and Ike would come up to Palmy on Friday afternoon because I wouldn't get off from work until 5 pm on Thursday and Josh was going to the Rotary club meeting Thursday night. Okay, Friday night, Jess and Ike could stay with us. Next, where to stay for Saturday and Sunday night?

I looked at so many places, hotels, holiday homes, backpacker hostels. Around the perimeter of the three volcanos there are so many accomodation options. First you have to decide what part of the volcano area are you going to stay at: south, east, north? Then, take into consideration it is going to be Easter break and you're booking your room only 3-4 days in advance so you aren't getting the best selection.

In the end, on Wednesday, I got a phone call from a guy regarding his holiday home "John's House - This House Is Hot!" so checked with Jess and Ike (who we'd been IMing through the week) and we all agreed to go for this 3 bedroom/1 bathroom house on the south end of the volcanic area. Awesome...we have a place to stay. Now, I only hoped it was a good place because I was kind wanting to stay in a home over a hotel so that we could have a washer/dryer and a kitchen to cook in. I didn't want anyone to blame me if the house was bad.

While looking at places to stay and reading about the central North Island, I came across something called the Tongariro Crossing. It was a 11 mile walk across one of the volcanos. Everyone was down to do the hike, known as New Zealand's best one day hike and one of the best one day hikes in the world. We had a plan.

Also during this time, Josh and I got squared away a holiday home rental west of Nelson for the first 5 days of our South Island trip. We were only going to stay 4 nights but they have a stay 5 pay for 4 nights special so we're staying 5 nights. It works out to be about $50 USD/night for our own cottage. See: www.hairyhobbitcottage.co.nz We also are booked to give one of the Nelson Rotary clubs a presentation while were in the area.

Thursday, April 5

Josh brought home this Easter gift from David and Bernice on Thursday night after the Rotary club meeting. That was very thoughtful of them and we love chocolate! While Josh was at the Rotary club meeting, I cleaned the house...we were able to borrow a vaccum cleaner from someone. We also had bought an air mattress and additional bedding to host Jess and Ike and also Josh's parents when they come here in August.

Friday, April 6

Today is Good Friday and unexpectedly (somewhat, considering that it is New Zealand and everything closes early) all the shops are closed when Josh went out in the morning to pick up a few last minute things like paper towels and such before Jess and Ike arrive.

It was so funny because when Josh left the house on Friday morning and came back 10 minutes, I opened the window while he was still outside and asked him "Where's the stuff?" and he said there was no stuff because all the shops were closed. So much for that idea. We got the air mattress blown up and made because we didn't figure we'd want to do that later in the evening.

Jess and Ike arrived around 1 and considering they don't have a cell phone, I think Josh gave them good directions to find the house. We made lunch of hot sandwiches and chips (good thing because I was getting hungry)and then we headed out to show them the sites around Palmerston North.

First, we went to view the windmills. This was the first time Josh and I went out of Palmerston North to specifically view the windmills. It was a nice day and we walked across a big field to reach a viewing area behind a cafe. Very cool.

Next, we drove Jess and Ike through the Manawatu Gorge and went down by the river (where Josh and I had gone before). This time the fence was closed and we thought that was strange, however, when we reached the bottom of the hill we realized why the gate was closed.

There were sheep grazing everywhere! But, every time I'd try to get close, they'd scamper away. We walked along the river, skipped rocks, and played a makeshift game of baseball with rocks and sticks....not recommended regarding safety but still fun and no one got injured.

We hopped back in the car and gave Jess and Ike a tour of downtown Palmerston North (grabbing ice cream at McDonald's along the way). We fed ducks on the Square and I was bitten by a duck which made me scream although it didn't hurt that bad.

Next, we drove out to Himitangi Beach for a quick look. It was low tide so we could walk out really far. A wave came up surprisingly fast as Josh and I were posing for a picture so we got soaking wet but it was fun! We took the posed picture after we got splashed.

We drove back to Palmerston North in time to make dinner and watch American Idol. We made burritos and had chips and salsa for dinner. It was really good. American Idol was just okay and then we played a couple of rounds of Scattergories before trying to get 4 people comfortable on 3 love seats to watch a movie (For Love of the Game, I think).

I fell asleep during the show and then got up to go get in bed.

Saturday, April 7

Josh woke up before me and had some breakfast and got on the computer. I got up around 9:30 or so. Jess and Ike were up a little later. After some breakfast, we were on the way out of Palmerston North at noon...which was funny because that's when we told John we'd be arriving in Ohakune, the town close where his holiday home that we were renting was located.

We made it to the house by 2:15 pm, but John wasn't there so Josh got the house key from where John had told him it would be. Inside the house, it was as the photos had shown and the listing had advertised (although the listing said linen was provided but we had to bring our own bath towels). The house looked great and had a view of Mount Ruapheu from the deck, however, it was a cloudy day so we couldn't see the peak at all.

We went into town to get information from the i-site tourist office. We found out more details about the Tongariro Crossing like what gear you should have (hat, gloves, etc). We didn't have much of the recommended gear but we were still up for the climb. Since the crossing is 11 miles one way, you have to arrange transportation if you don't have two cars. Besides that, we'd heard a lot of recommendations about NOT leaving your cars in the national park car parks because cars are broken into while people are out hiking for the day.

We booked the only shutle that runs from Ohakune to the Tongariro Crossing. Highly recommend Matai shuttle service if you're in the area. Our rental home was 10 minutes out of Ohakune in a town called Rangataua. The shuttle would pick us up at the house at 7:00 so we didn't have to drive into town and leave the car there. It cost $25/person for the round trip shuttle ride. Luckily, we booked the shuttle just in time at 3:25 or so because the i-site closed at 3:30.

After booking the shuttle ride, we went on a drive up Mount Ruapheau in order to see a waterfall (only 5 minutes walk off the road). The waterfall wasn't very impressive considering the water level was so low, however, the view from the mountain was great. We were at km 13 when we stopped to see the waterfall, so we continued up to km 16 where the road ended just to have a look around. The ski lift was closed, however, they were doing some work to get ready for the ski season which begins at the end of June/beginning of July.

Back down the mountain and time to grab some dinner. Most places in town were closed. We agreed to eat at a little cafe that had a variety of options on the menu.

We were so hungry at this point we all just stared into the kitchen waiting for our food. We got some garlic bread to tide us over (which was really like a garlic butter hot dog bun). For our main meal, we all got a different flavor of chicken on rice. Ike and Jess split a lemon pepper chicken, Josh had a curry chicken, and I had black bean chicken. I didn't realize it was going to be cut up chicken, I thought I was ordering a chicken breast. Oh well. Like I said at the time, it was hot and it was food.

After we ate dinner, we had to go to the New World grocery store to buy supplies for the next day. Walking down the road, we noticed how clearly visible Mount Ruapheu had become. We took a couple of pictures while standing in the middle of the street. We needed hiking type food like trail mix and we also needed to buy dinner to make at the house after we finished the hike. We did our shopping and returned to the house to have snacks, watch a movie and play a game of Phase 10.

We watched the Producers and it was an okay show...I had two coffees with dark chocolate melted in the bottom (trying to make my own mocha). It was sooooo delicious but I so do not recommend drinking two cups of coffee before going to bed when you have to try to go to sleep to climb a mountain the following day.

Needless to say, I couldn't sleep. I tossed and turned and on top of my caffine keeping me up I was also worried about missing the shuttle or oversleeping. When I did get to sleep, I dreamed that I had overslept!!! Agh!

March 31-April 1

So, we're going to skip a few days in this blog entry. There have been some big events and then some days that are just work and trip planning for the South Island.

Saturday, March 31

Josh and I woke up early because we were going to attend the Rotary District Conference in Upper Hutt today. Well, Josh was going to attend while Kim and I went shopping and looking around Wellington.

We were on the road by 7:15 and looked forward to stopping at the first McDonald's down the road for some breakfast. Now, we knew we would not be able to get a sausage biscuit as they don't have biscuits down here, however, we were excited about the sausage.

Excited that was until we took our first bite into the sausage McMuffins we had...they tasted like poison! Ugh. We couldn't figure out why either. I had a coffee to drink and a hashbrown that tasted normal. Josh's hashbrown was fine too but his diet Coke had the same poison-y taste. Not like bad, flat Coke but just BAD.

So, with that disappointment done, we were closer to Upper Hutt and the conference. The sessions started at 9 and I planned to meet Kim there to head into Wellington which is 30 minutes from Upper Hutt. Josh and I made it into town, but Josh had left the directions to the conference hotel at home so he had to call Anand who has a cell phone and who was riding with Fleetwood and Kim, to find out where the hotel that was hosting the event was located. We didn't carpool down with Fleetwood, Kim and Anand because F&K planned to extend their trip after the conference concluded.

Josh and I made to the conference hotel around 9:15 and ran into Pauline (the French Rotary Youth Exchange student) at the back entrance. Pauline was standing outside with a group of other youth scholars because they were about to be introduced on stage. Josh and I went to the proper entrance, got our name badges, and went to sit in the autotorium for 5 minutes before we noticed Fleetwood enter the room.

We went out in the lobby to talk and I met up with Kim there. We decided that we would take our car into the city and Kim woud give me directions on how to drive to the Te Papa museum since she'd been there twice before. We said good bye to the guys, Kim went to get the right gear to wear since it was a raining day and then we were off...with me at the wheel to drive into the big capital city in the rain!

Well, it wasn't raining that bad and it stopped raining before we reached Wellington. It was exciting to drive into a big city after having been in such a small town and on such small two lane roads. Wellington's motorway actually has 4 lanes rather than 2...how exciting! It was nice to be in a city although I don't usually like them that much.

We found the Te Papa parking deck easily enough and popped in the museum to have a look around. There were police all around the outside of the museum so we asked one of the museum workers what was going on. Apparently, the Te Papa was hosting a Meat Association conference and people were scheduled to protest outside the museum. Interesting.

Kim and I had a look around. Since she'd been here twice before, I tried to make it quick. I took a look in the "Earthquake House" which simulates an earthquake...not quite the real deal but it did stir up some memories of the last one we felt in Palmy. We grabbed a coffee in the cafe. Best mocha I've ever had! And, it was so cute to look at! We finished looking around and I learned that the real Treaty of Waitangi is not housed here but in another archive building that is accessible to the public (I also learned that is where the women's suffrage documents are also located). Being a total nerd/historian, I am excited to view both on my next trip to Wellington.

As it was, Kim and I left the museum and went to have a look at a market across the street. It had some cool stuff but nothing I was willing to buy and ship back to the states. We looked around at the stalls that sold food there but nothing looked that appealing. We left and walked towards the wharf and found a great place to eat.

We lucked out with Mac's Brewery. The fish and chips were awesome and they had brunch prices until 2 pm - score! It had very modern decor inside and was just a nice place to sit down for awhile. After lunch, we walked downtown to where all the shops are located. I got to see the parliment building which is known as the "Beehive" because of its shape.

Wellington is known as "Windy Wellington" and it deserves that title...it is crazy windy! I couldn't live in this city. We walked in and out of shops as we made our way back towards the Te Papa. We looked at a lot of Easter candy as Easter was coming up soon.

The guys called us around 3:00 and we planned to meet up at the New World grocery store across from the Te Papa. By the time Kim and I had walked back to the parking deck, got the car, paid $12! for parking and drove across the street to New World, we didn't have long to wait before the guys arrived. I went inside to grab a diet Coke and when I came out the guys were there.

Kim, Fleetwood and Anand were staying the night with a Rotarian and Josh and I were staying with Jess and Ike so we all parted ways...Kim borrowing a pair of my black heels since she'd only brought one pair of dressy black shoes to NZ and I'd brought 3.

Josh and I called Jess and Ike on the cell phone to get directions to their place. We only got lost once and we were at there house fairly quickly. As they live in the middle of the city, parking was a nightmare. Also, because Jess and Ike live in the lower level of a house built on a hill, Ike was standing on the sidewalk so we could spot where they live. Since Ike was wearing all black for the Chicago theme and he's dark complected with dark hair, I was like, "who's that Greek waiter standing over there?"

When I saw Jess for the first time, I gave her a hug because I felt like I knew her from writing emails back and forth since before the NZ move. It was like instant friends...just add water. It was that natural of a click/connection.

10 minutes after arriving, Jess and I were doing our hair for the evening and putting our dresses on while the boys changed and finished getting ready. It was really hectic because Jess was supposed to meet people in her Rotary club so they could paint a black eye on as something that represented their club and a rugby team. That shortened the time we had to get ready and made for a really fast, stressful pace.

After we were ready, we headed out to the Jess and Ike's car. My short dress was killing me in all that Wellington wind!!!! Aggrivation walking up the hill to the car - ugh! As we drove down the hill, we picked up Elise, another Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar studying in Wellington. Elise is from Misouri like Jess and Ike. It was so funny because as we were driving down the hill, Jess told Ike, be on the lookout because Elise could be anywhere on this road because once she gets tired of waiting for us to pick her up she starts walking towards the house.

We found Elise then headed over to the Rotarians house while putting our make up on in the back seat. We got lost once and then we made it to the Rotarian's place. They were having lots of drinks and invited us in. Jess and Ike put the eye make up on but since it wasn't our Rotary club (and I just didn't want to wear it) I declined.

We got back on the road and drove the 30 or so minutes to Upper Hutt....in the rain...and when we got out of the car it was pouring. Jess had furs that she borrowed so we brought those in with us but they soon became a bother and Ike returned them to the car. Everyone was in costume so we blended in well. It was neat to see everyone dressed up and themed out!

Dinner cost $75 per person. We thought that was expensive until we realized that included drinks. So Josh and I had some pre-dinner drinks and then they starting escorting everyone in the autotorium which by this point had been set up for dinner. We thought drinks may have ended with the pre-dinner social hour, however, when we got inside the autotorium we realized that they were still serving.

And by still serving I mean, I went to get a glass of wine and the guy was like just take the bottle back to your table...okay.

They had entertainment which was a review of a variety of Broadway musicals. It was really good singing and a lot of fun. Tables were divided up according to Rotary club, so Josh and I sat with President Lindsay, Jill, and Lyle. Dinner was a buffet but really tasty. At the end of the night, people finally got out on to the dance floor and started dancing to the live Grease and Mama Mia! songs being sung. We had a great time!

As the night concluded (with a call "Bus 1 is now departing) we all gathered up in Jess and Ike's car and returned to Wellington. We dropped Elise off at her apartment and then went to Jess and Ike's house. They made us a bed on a mattress on the floor but we stayed up for another 2 hours talking and hanging out.

Sunday, April 1

Josh and Jess had to get up early to make it back to Upper Hutt the next morning to present with the other Rotary Ambassadorial Scholars. Ike and I got to sleep in while they were presenting which was nice after having got up so early on Saturday morning and having stayed up so late talking the same night. Josh was a bit upset that other Rotary speakers had run long that morning so that the RAS presentation which was supposed to be 25 minutes got cut down to about 12 and they were essentially ushered off the stage by the playing of music like at the Oscars. This was disappointing because Josh had put a lot of work into coordinating every scholar's information and arranging a powerpoint presentation based upon it.

Josh and Jess came home before the conferene ended so we had some extra time in Wellington. We picked up Elise and went to eat lunch at a place called "Chicago" funny because of the theme we did the night before. We went there because they were playing the finale of the Final Four game on tv there. It was so not a big deal in this place though. Hardly anyone was there BUT the food was really good.

After lunch, we were going to go home but dropped Elise off at the New World to get some groceries since she doesn't have a car. We waited in the underground parking garage (who thought that a grocery store would have an underground parking garage?) and then we thought we were going back to Jess and Ike's but the thought of ice cream was to great.

We went into a local mall and grabbed an ice cream cone. Wendy's is NZ's ice cream place...but they didn't have that many flavours. Everyone was tired but we still wanted to talk/hang out. After ice cream, we dropped off Elise and ourselves and hit the road out of Wellington. Driving around those Wellington streets is like Seattle...winding, twisting, narrow....unpleasant....living here would be way to stressful to me. Give me Palmerston North any day!

We got out of Wellington and pulled over at an overlook. We're so lucky to be in New Zealand. You just can't take something like this for granted!