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Published: August 5th 2006
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Hello All
Well I got to New Zealand in one piece, just!
First off, a few quiet drinks on the Tuesday night turned into me going home at about 11.30pm really drunk, thanks to Bernard and Declan!! Obviously I was really protesting every time they bought me a drink “I really can’t finish this one, oh where’s all that wine gone!” You get the jist!
Secondly, when I got back, I took my remaining clothes off the line and packed everything pissed. So when it came to the next morning I couldn’t fit everything into my backpack properly and so I had three bags of hand luggage, not counting my handbag, or the duty free bag, oopsy!
Thirdly I was severely hungover NEVER TRY TO SUCCESSFULLY CATCH A PLANE AND FLY ON A HANGOVER!!! I repeat NEVER TRY TO SUCCESSFULLY CATCH A PLANE AND FLY ON A HANGOVER! (Just incase any of you are being slow) and the queue to check in was huge (for all of those who know me, I was that kind of hungover when I look really rough and no matter how hard I try, can never quite get rid of the make-up
from under my eyes!! Nice).
Fourthly the plane was delayed originally for half an hour but it turned out to be an hour and a half.
Fifthly, as I was entering customs in New Zealand, the sniffer dog singled my food bag out as particularly interesting THREE FUCKING TIMES! (oh, I have to tell you first!! When I was coming through customs in Australia, I caused a right commotion as I’d forgotten that there was a teaspoon in my handbag and they couldn’t workout what it was! Being hungover this struck me as highly random and amusing! They however, were not impressed. Anyway, I’ll continue…) The first time was cute and mildly funny, the second was irritating and by the third I was muttering ways to wear hound fur (Clive and Margaret’s future is definitely looking bleak!). I did have fruit in my bag which thankfully for the first time in my life I declared, and the dog was correct and very clever to pick up on that. However, three times, just ‘aint cricket, well not as us English know it anyway!
Sixthly (yes there is more, how much more can one hungover girl take!) when my
bag got scanned at customs there were more issues! This time it was my juggling balls that were causing a commotion, and because they were filled with millet seed, they also got confiscated! Can you believe it? I’ve carried those bastard balls all the way from Bangkok and have played with them once! And now I’m nearing the end of my journey and can finally see a use for them and they’ve taken them away!!! Scandalous!
I felt really sorry for Tip, the wife of mum’s friend who I was staying with in Christchurch, as not only had she had to wait the hour and a half delay at the airport (she and their son Tom were picking me up) she also had to wait while customs stole my dignity! (well not quite they were actually very nice and one was quite attractive but that wouldn’t make for a very good story!!).
We finally got to Tip and Warren’s place and I set about getting in the way and making myself at home! I have the little sleep out in the garden which is very cosey, whilst Tip Tom and Warren share their house with Ben, the flatmate.
Tom and The World!
This is the view from Port Hills in Christchurch! These next few pics are Warren's pics, taken with his amazing camera! They’re all lovely and Tom nearing three is a constant source of noise and amusement.
New Zealand, or rather Christchurch seems very nice from the small amount I’ve seen of it. The first full day I was there, Tip took me shopping to get some boots. I can’t afford any proper walking boots at the moment so we hit the cheapy shoe warehouse to get some crap ones! I found some for 30 New Zealand dollars, which is about 10 quid, and when I have trousers on they look really nice! However, the top bit of the boot is full on scally fur, so as soon as I get working I’ll be buying some more that don’t advertise that I have friends from Manchester!!! (strike one for Mary)!
The second day I went off into Christchurch centre on my own, unaccompanied. I didn’t really see any of the sights as I was too busy with my mouth open, trying to sort my travel arrangements out around New Zealand, but it all looked clean and lovely. I did see Cathedral Square and apart from being pretty, I couldn’t work out what all the fuss was about, sorry Kiwi’s!
Today, Saturday, Warren, Tip and Thomas took me to see some of the scenery around Christchurch! It’s really pretty. You can go right from a long, sandy beach to the mountains in just a few miles, very nice! Tomorrow we’re hopefully going on a day trip up to Kaikora to see some stuff up there. I’m really excited, lets just hope the weathers nice!!
Some fairly useless things to know about NZ (that’s New Zealand just in case you’re unsure. And yes I have abbreviated it as I keep spelling it wrong and its annoying!! And yes the real reason is that I’m too lazy to keep typing it out in full every time!!).
1. Our Queeny is on their coins ( I know she gets everywhere)
2. Their lowest denomination of coin will shortly be the 10c and
3. They use possum fur for jumpers (I know!)
Anyway, that’s about it for now. I’m currently in good spirits and slowly getting fatter, as Tip is Thai and an excellent cook. She’s also one of these wonderful hosts who believes in serving nibbles that always involves cheese before lunch! Hmmmmm!!! I’ll leave here this week, probably Monday
or Tuesday I haven’t decided yet for Dunedin then hopefully I’ll be in Queenstown with a job by Monday, hurrah!!
Take care, hope you’re all well!!!
Love
Julie
xxx
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Pat Temiz
non-member comment
We're having a good time too
Hi JUles, Just back from a long afternoon in the mountains visiting Turkish people we know from Ankara (the capital) who are here visiting their familes. Went to some amazing old houses, met a huge extended family, from 95 year old granny to almost 2 year old boy. Four generations all having a great time together. Wonderful time - and homne to find your latest blog - well done again, hope NZ can cope. Love Pat