21/2/09 = A Cuban Carnival in Wellington Another good sleep - getting the hang of this now - and only woke up at 7:15 because wanted to go for a run. Actually didn’t want to go for a run at all when opened eyes and could think of nothing worse than leaving lovely warm bed to run in cold, cold weather, but made myself anyway. Got dressed and off I went at 7:30. Ran along waterfront and couldn’t believe how windy it was. Had to run some of it totally leaning forward just so I could move…was even worse when turned [View Full Entry]

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19/2/09 = Arriving in Wellington; the cool Te Papa Museum Was hoping to wake up at 7am today, but phone turned itself off, so no alarm. Lucky the old bodyclock alarm kicked in and actually came in handy...woke me up at 7am, bang on the dot. Got in shower, had breakfast, then got ready to leave and head to Wellington, not forgetting all important stop at library first. Got there at 9:15 and as informed, a queue had already developed of more than 10people. Hope they weren't all waiting for free internet...but why else would you queue at a library so [View Full Entry]

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18/2/09 = A chilled day with an Underground Elevator Opened eyes at 7am, but room so cosy that closed them and went straight back to sleep again :) Opened them up for good at 8am, having nearly had a 12hr sleep. Brilliant! Could have drifted again, but any more sleep would be bordering on lazy! Stayed in bed dozing until 9 (dozing, not sleeping), then Deb came and delivered bad news to me. Could stay another night, but had to leave room by 10am until 1pm for cleaning. Not happy with that...planned to stay in bed and relax for at least [View Full Entry]

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17/2/09 = Tongariro Alpine Crossing...awesome! Alarm went off at 5:10am and crawled out of cocoon into freezing cold of room. That = interesting thing about NZ; first country have been to that is really cold on a night and in a morning...just like home. Ran for shower to get warm, then got ready, packed up, had breakfast and got into car at 6am; right on time! Still dark outside, but managed to find our way onto right road...not that we knew really where we were going. Had some sketchy directions from a lady and a map that didn't really show the [View Full Entry]

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16/2/09 = Black Water Rafting Woke up to sound of loud voices. Stirred for a while until finally looked at watch and saw was 6am. Loud voices at 6am? Can't be. Tried to doze back off and back came the voices...no, the voices were not in my head! Loads of people in room getting up to check out early; not whispering like a normal/decent human being would at 6am, but using a normal speaking voice and actually shouting at times...to some particularly lazy guy, who, like me, did not want to wake up or get up! Didn't want to get up [View Full Entry]

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15/2/09 = Huka Falls and a near Bungy Jump Woke up early to try and use internet (slipping ever more behind), but as usual, was full and had queue of people waiting...even at 8am! Had cereal, then got showered and ready for day. Pleased to say belly gone down a little (can see feet now), but not pleased that new hairdo stinks of bonfire. Bugged me all night! Couldn't bring myself to wash it (still in a decentish style), so just laquered it with wax to cover smell. Funny the things you do when you are travelling! Packed up and got [View Full Entry]

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14/2/09 = A Haircut and a Hangi. Had a much better sleep in today and practically had to force self out of bed at 8:45 so didn't miss free breakfast, which presumed finished at 9. Slept better because so cold had to snuggle up in duvet and still really cold this morning; hence the trouble getting out of bed. Clambered out anyway, only to be confused by sign next to breakfast saying "Breakfast $3". How can it be free one day and not the next? Re-read it a few times (had just woken up), then went to ask lady on reception [View Full Entry]

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13/02/09 = White Water Rafting?...who?...me?... Woke up early today because other people in room getting up. Do hate that about dorms...you can't really tell strangers to shut up like a normal person you would share a room with. Tried to snooze for another 10mins, but then admitted defeat and went for breakfast. Had the usual museli and then just when finished eating, hostel owner told me about free breakfast...gutted! Couldn't see that opportunity pass, so squashed in some toast. V.nice. Was make your mind up time then (to quote Cilla) and decided to book rafting, despite dream of death l [View Full Entry]

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12/2/09 = A cathedral with a difference + a bath you dig yourself. Alarm went off at 5:30am and reluctantly got out of bed into pitch black room. Stumbled around, toilet, grabbed scarf, cardi on, rainmac in hand and off we went 3mins later. Freezing when got outside and had to put mac on just to keep warm; Deb regretted not bringing hers. Did 30sec walk to beach then sat on bench to wait for sunrise. Bench wet, so had to rip and use plastic carrier bag found in pocket. Actually wasn't a carrier bag, was a spare dog poo bag [View Full Entry]

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11/2/09 = Pick up Sylvia & off to Whitianga Another brilliant sleep last night. Woke up at 6am, but then got straight off back to sleep and didn't wake up properly until 9am...awesome! Took alot to force myself out of bed at 9am, but lot to do today because picking up car...yeh! Really excited for driving, but not excited to see what car we've been landed with...did ask for smallest and cheapest possible thing. Got ready and checked out at 10am. Asked about a hairdressers in town because both look a state still and lady on desk recommended a salon over [View Full Entry]

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