Travel Story «Lorna in New Zealand story so far»

New Zealand | 0 Comments 07 November 2006 - Last Update 29 January 2007

Well after a packed weekend off revelry which included a farewell to the tea gardens with Helen on Friday night while girls went to Hard Fi, then races on Saturday sore head I have to say but I battled on. Sunday brought around Grainnes Birthday. Monday was spent trying to catch up on some sleep and then Tuesday we had a family meal with the extended cork relations before they headed for the coast on Wednesday. Wednesday night chef Emily cooked up and storm and we had a lovely and sedate meal in the apartment while I did last of the packing. Thursday I departed at the every early hour of 5.00 am on the 5th of October from Harris street with my sandwiches thanks em they were great and headed off to Airport. The travelling was fine no dramas as I had ate sambos before getting on plane (see taz story).
Well I arrived in Christchurch and now just so you know I had spent last three weeks in Oz in flip flops etc and last weekend at the beach only to arrive in a freezing New Zealand! Seriously hoddie and two coats were put on was a bit of a shock. Checked into the Yha there and set up for a few days. Meet up with two great American girls, which I did the gondola, ride with as wouldn't have nerve to do it on my own! I also did a walking tour of christchurch which was nice alot of English architecture with not a very city feel to it. We went for a great Japanese meal that night. The next day was Saturday so little retail therapy and went for last meal as the girls were leaving the next day. So but on the glad rags and went to see what Christchurch had to offer now I have to say not much the city was dead as dead can be seriously Moate on a week night is more craic! So we were in bed early enough.

Sunday brought around decision time I liked Christchurch but not that much so I decided that since I had to make decision on wether to go north or south and didn’t know what to do I flipped a coin and headed North up to Wellington. The ferry trip across was fab scenery was amazing but I did sleep for a good portion on it. Anyway arrived in Welly as the locals say and discovered that they were not lying when they call it the windy city. I was introduced to my first room mate when I came into room later that night she was in bed and there was a knock on the door which was followed by her saying I am not here. Opened door to find a gentleman looking for my room mate and thus started the saga of her love life seriously was like Mills and Blooms novel very strange girl too long a story to go into now though. Next day I did the usual washing of clothes and a wander around the town. I got two new rooms mates from Newcastle great girls and went out with them a few nights. Went to botanical gardens, Ta Tapu museum (great place and its free spent three hours wandering around it).

After a few days in Welly I decided that I wasn’t fond of the idea of staying in a big city again for work so flirted with the idea of doing some vineyard work! So I emailed around and decided to stay on north Island and head further north to Hawkes Bay wine region. Now did not get many replies before I left Welly but still headed on. I arrived in Napier on the Friday was a fab sunny day and the hostel was lovely really quaint sprits were hight. I had told emily of my plans and she mention that Sammy and David who worked with her in Dublin lived near here in Hastings. So I dropped them a text and sure enough that evening I meet up with them for dinner was great to met them again. The following day I did Art Deco tour around Napier it has a lot of it and famous for it after an earthquake in the 40’s ( OH there was a mini earthquake here the other night was really weird thought my bunk mate was shaking the bed!). That evening I Sammy and David invited me to BBQ in Davids cousins house which was nice to meet some real life Kiwi people instead of Backpackers. Now most of girls in Sydney heard voicemail messages as yes we drank and dialled! It was great night headed to Navelock North for few after BBQ and then back to Sammy and David’s for a few more. The next day was a little subdued but Sammy and David offered to put me up for a bit so moved out of a hostel and into theirs. Thanks a million guys they were great hosts and really took me under their wing, seriously can’t thank them enough were so good to me. After a week of job hunting I landed a job in café Cappadonna on Napier. As I had realised that idiot here had arrived in wrong season for picking any sort of vegetable or fruit1 So packed up and left my home with Sammy and David missed them and moved into hostel in Napier.

After this I have been working five days a week some very early starts 6am and chilling out in Napier as it has fab Ocean Spa with swinmming pools and Hot Spa pools devine. It’s a lovely seaside town not to sleepy and not to big either kinda hard to describe but I like it.Has all teh shops you need a littel too many for my bank balance but anyway. Have meet a few people from hostel somejust passing through and few other long temers like myself. had a few quiz nights out in local Irish pub no less Rosie O’Gradys. But seeing as we are all foreigners and know very little about New Zealand history or sport we always come last but we still get a $10 bar tab its a bit of a running jike at this stage! Halloween was a quiet affair as they don’t really celebrate it and I was working next day. Instead last Sunday 5^th November they go mad for Guy Fawkes Night so had BBQ in hostel, bonfire on the beach with fireworks was great night out.

And now I only have two weeks left in my piece of the Kiwi work experience as I meet up with the girls in Auckland on the 21^st of November and start my three months travelling of New Zealand for real can’t wait I have to say.

Take Care

Lorna