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Hike up to the summit of Rangitoto Island

2/26/2014

On Wednesday, February 25 I took the ferry over to Rangitoto Island while Jody worked. Upon landing, I then hiked up to the summit. The guidebook said it would take one hour. After docking, I asked one of the tour guides which way to go and that I understood that the summit hike would take one hour. He looked at me and said, "No, for you - 45 minutes." I'm so glad I lost 80 lbs. I would have been dead after 30 minutes on this moderately strenuous hike. The island is incredible in that it came out of the sea only 600 years ago as an erupting volcano. Lava fields are everywhere. There is a crater at the summit that is spectacular and covered in vegetation. You can see vast expanses of Auckland Central and the surrounding islands and land masses.

Leaving on the ferry from Auckland's dock, complete with one of the local cruise ships.

Views from the summit looking directly down into the crater.

Top of the world (actually, closer to the bottom).

My fellow hikers.

Our ferry dock from the summit.

Vast fields of lava rock undisturbed for 600 years.

The summit from the dock. Hard to believe I was just at the top.

Leaving the island for the trip home.

On our way to and from the ferry stopped at Devonport, the island with two volcanoes that Jody and I visited when we first arrived.

Just to illustrate how fast the weather changes, compare this afternoon return weather to this morning's weather.

The Rialto Theater in New Market, New Zealand (outside Auckland)

2/24/2014

In my continuing exploration of New Zealand cinemas, today I had a great trip to the Rialto Theater in New Market (real close to Auckland). I saw INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, the new movie from the Coen Brothers (RAISING ARIZONA, FARGO, A SERIOUS MAN, etc.). I enjoyed it immensely. I wonder if it has made it to Sarasota yet? New Zealanders are really into film. The theater was a delight.

Our first day in Auckland - Trip to Auckland's Sky Tower and the Devonport Island

2/23/2014

We traveled to Auckland this week, NZ's largest city, so that Jody could meet with local Ministry of Education staff as part of her refugee resettlement research. As it was Sunday, we filled an awful lot of activity into our first day. After dropping off our bags at the hotel in the very early morning we wondered down to the harbor and had a wonderful brunch at a local restaurant. On the way we encountered this incredible tree and had to stop to admire it.

We then went to Auckland's Sky Tower which is the highest structure in the entire Southern Hemisphere. Comparable to Seattle's Space Needle. We had fun at the top as the pictures demonstrate.

The vertical line in the middle is actually the line descending downward for the sky divers (see below)

You could skydive off the building for $249.00. We would have done it, but not at this price. We preferred to sip Pinot Gris and watch them plummet from the window.

This was as daring as we got, standing on the glass floor looking straight down.

Yeah, I know - it's a rough life.

Jody took this great telephoto of a tall ship in the harbor from the Sky Tower. Without color correcting, it looks very moody with the tint from the glass.

After our trip to the Sky Tower, we walked back down to the harbor, jumped on a ferry, and cruised on the ferry to Devonport Island, home ot two extinct volcanoes. We took a bus tour around the islland and went to its highest point where we took the above and following pictures. Beautiful views on a beautiful day.

Rangtito Island which I plan to hike to the summit later in the week while Jody works.

Downtown Auckland.

At the trun of the century, NZ was fearful of a Russian invasion by sea. Thus, they erected huge gun in placements on the island. This gun was actually hidden in the ground on the top of the island and was elevated by compressed air. It was only fired once, breaking windows around the town. It was never fired again. Pretty funny.

After an exhausting first day, Jody treated me to an excellent dinner in the hotel. She was thrilled that they had her favorite soup, potato leek, an Irish favorite. Great end to a great day. Isn't she cute?

Our weekend trip to Paraparauma.

2/16/2014

On Sunday, February 16, Jody and I took the train from Wellington for the hour long trip to Pparaparauma on the Kapiti Coast. This is area is known for its lovely beaches and serene surroundings. We had an enjoyable afternoon shopping, walking the beach, and eating lunch. Just had to get out of the city for a change.

And for you Harry Potter fans, there was a Platform 9 3/4 in the Wellington train station.

Valentine's Day

2/14/2014

Jody and I had a wonderful Valentine's day. We went to the famous Roxy Cinema in Miramar for a special Valentine's Day Dinner of Duck at their wonderful restaurant then retired to the upstairs cinema to see the just-released romantic movie, WINTER'S TALE. Huge, cushioned chairs in the theater and film memorabilia throughout the building. What a great time. And, because NZ is so safe, we took a bus both to and from the cinema and got home around 10:30 pm.

The Roxy Cinema Management was so proud of their achievements with the cinema that they even had a minature see-through showcase of the building.

The House Husband in Residence

2/10/2014

Monday, February 10 was Jody's first official day at work at the Ministry of Business and thus it was my first official day as House Husband in residence. Here I am wearing my official House Husband apron which Jody gave me for a Winter Solstice present.

The Sevens?

2/8/2014

On Saturday, February 8, The Sevens played at the Wellington stadium. What are The Sevens you ask? The Sevens is a rugby event that is basically for drinking, partying, and dressing up. Lots of different international rugby teams play in the stadium, but it is generating increasing controversy in Wellington as too many local residents (particularly young people) use it as an excuse to dress up, party, and get major s**t-faced. Following are just a few rather amusing locals in action on the streets of Wellington. Kind of like Halloween. Many of the young men like to dress up as women - must be the British influence.

Why, hello sailor!

Orientation Trip to the Bush

2/7/2014

On Friday, February 7, Jody and I were treated by the Orientation Committee with a trip to the "Bush" the nature preserve in Wellington. We had a two-hour tour of the various flora and fauna of Wellington. It was a great compliment to our previous trip to the Wellington's Botanical Gardens.

Orientation at Ian Axford and trip to a major Maori Settlement outside Wellington City

2/4/2014

After our first week back in Wellington getting settled into our new digs, Jody attended a week long orientation session with the Ian Axford Foundation. It was held at the local Fulbright Foundation in downtown Wellington as Fulbright administers the Ian Axford Fellowship. Fulbrught actually encouraged the spouses to attend the orientation - what a wonderful invite and experience for me as it introduced me to the local culture and issues in NZ, particularly regarding refugees, government functioning, and the various cultures in NZ. Our first main event was an overnight visit to a Maori settlement just outside Wellington. I will not go into detail at this point regarding the Maori. Suffice to say, their situation in NZ history is analogous in some ways to the American Indian. When British settlers arrived in NZ, it did not take them long to basically screw the Maoris out of their land, an issue of reparation that still exists to today. The Treaty of Waitangi put an end to major violence between the British colonists and the Maori, but effectively took much of their land from them. For a more detailed history, just Google New Zealand history or go to this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C4%81ori_people. Jody and I have discussed this issue at length and it appears that the Maori are much more integrated into NZ then American Indians are in the US. American Indians have indeed been royally screwed by the US over the centuries and relegated to reservations that remain intact to this day. In contrasts, the Maori have a major say in government and are fully participatory, while at the same time retaining their cultural roots and actually reclaiming cultural landmarks that were taken from them. I'll give a more detailed example later. Following are pictures of our overnight stay at the Maori settlement

There were at least 25 of us participants and we slept on cots around the meeting hall.

The Maori are major fishermen and carve extremely ornate fishing vessels.

Jody couldn't help herself in calling attention to the Maori God who had multiple women. Hmmmm!

The two-day experience with the Maori was very significant. We were treated like royalty and had an opportunity to learn about their culture, traditions, song, dance, literature, and current state within New Zealand society. As I become more familiar with them I will share more of significance.

Ian Axford Dinner Party at our home

2/2/2014

Finishing up Sunday, February 2, Jody and I hosted a dinner party for her fellow Ian Axford scholars, Ben Riley, Rosemary O'Leary, and her husband, Larry. Jody and I had fun keeping the flowers she picked from our garden alive long enough for the party.