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Published: December 25th 2008
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Wellington, New Zealand, North Island - December 24th - 11:50pm
So as you can tell by the time it’s been a very very busy day.
Lee had to go to work for a few hours so I took my time getting up and ready. By the time I was ready he was done work and we headed into the town of Wellington. We needed to still get a few gifts for Flavio. We did a lot of walking around and we got where we needed to go…the Liquor store and the laptop store. Lee drastically needs a new laptop as his screen has gone to dead computer land. So for the next few days I get to read up on how to operate Mac’s.
We got what we needed and headed back on the shuttle bus but not before we had a Starbucks.
Lee informed me that one of his really prissy guests was going on the Pub tours and that it would be hilarious. So I was looking forward to a good laugh. As you just realized Lee and I headed out on the Pub tour, it’s precisely what it sounds like. We go to 4 different pubs
and we are giving 4 drink tokens. The pubs were cute and it was neat to taste New Zealand’s beer but after the other night, I’m not planning on drinking too much, plus I think the shore ex is doing their secret Santa tonight so there will be a few drinks involved in that. We got to the first bar and I got a beer, drank that and ran to the next one. We only got about 30minutes at each stop but it was enough. We were told there was food at the second stop, the place where Lee had the really good chicken fingers with the neat dipping dish. Well we got there and were informed that they let their chef go home early as it’s something like Christmas Eve or something. So I kept drinking the beer as Lee doesn’t really like beer. I was starting to feel the beers so I figured I’d take it easy at the next stop and not drink a beer.
We decided to have some food and pop. We got some fries and chicken on a hot stone. The stone was 400 degrees so we trusted the waiter and didn’t touch it. The chicken was very good. It was slow to arrive though so that put us back about 20mins. Our tour guide, Ollie, said that he wasn’t used to the young crowds that order their second round, he’s used to the old people that can’t wait to get back on the bus and get the tour moving.
Lee and I still needed to get some bags for Christmas presents as we continuously forget so we did the Pub run. We stopped at the pub and Lee and I ran down to the shopping area. We thought that the shops were a little closer than they were but regardless we got there and back with a few minutes to spare.
We got back to the ship in time for Lee to shower, change and go to work. He left me with the joys of wrapping the presents. I changed and headed up stairs as well as they needed some more help with shuttles. Lee and I played Santa and dropped presents off to Flavio and Sheldon. They were both shocked to see we had gotten them presents but it was the least that we could do for them after all they’ve done for Lee and I. There is a housekeeper that is training for shore ex as well so she and I did the shuttles. There weren’t many at all as most people decided to walk in the town rather than take the shuttle. We aren’t sure if she’d be good at shore ex as she is a little intimidated by guests. She’s extremely shy. But best of luck to her…after me that is.
Luc had given JC and Charmaine the night off as it was going to be a slow one (which it was) and then decided to draw names for one person to have the entire day off tomorrow. Lee wasn’t too impressed as it messes up the entire schedule that he worked so hard on and that one person is going to have more days off than the rest of the team. Everyone else was thrilled, so guess who got the day off…the one person that didn’t want it, Lee! Lol I laughed. So now we have Christmas day off to relax and do nothing!
We headed up stairs for some dinner and back down to the show. It was a very nice Christmas themed show put on by the singers and dancers. I enjoyed it and helped get everyone in the Christmas spirit. After the show the shore ex was supposed to have their secret Santa down in the staff bar; everyone’s always told me to come down and since I’m technically signed on as Lee’s guest and living in his cabin we thought that it’d be alright for tonight. So I headed down with them. It was weird to be back in there and not have to work. Things haven’t changed at all, still the old dirty chairs and couches but they have added an extension cord for everyone that uses their laptops. I thought that was pretty funny. I got a few funny stares but otherwise nobody really knew that I didn’t belong. Even a few security officers walked in and looked right at me but didn’t say anything. The gang was a little late but they all showed up.
Lee got a nice daily planner from Francesca, Charmaine bought JC an alarm clock (maybe he won’t be late anymore…NOT), Luc got Marcella an awesome fleece as she hadn’t brought a jacket, JC got Francesca odds and ends, Lee got Charmaine an awesome pen made from the Kawaru trees in New Zealand and a face mask from Roturoa, and Luc got a nice hat from Marcella.
The crew was doing carolling in the grand foyer at 11 so we gulped down our drinks, ran upstairs to listen to the last 2 songs. It was very good though. Anna was done with her secret Santa in the spa so we ran back downstairs so Lee and I could give Luc and Anna their gift. We got them an awesome picture of the 2 of them on top of Mount Eden in a nice frame. I think Anna really enjoyed it as she started to get teary eyed and then Luc looked at Anna and got a little red eyed himself, which was nice to know that they enjoyed it. Lee was ready to pass out as he was so tired so we wished everyone a Merry Christmas and headed off to bed. I don’t think either of us even made it in the door….ZZzzzz..zz….
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