Thursday 6th April 2017. Day 1 of the big adventure. Discussions on when would we do it, how and when – are all in the past now. Months of planning all come down to this. Heading off to Wellington airport – two bags (one of which is crammed to busting but we wont say anymore on that for the time being . . .)
The idea is Jo and I head off for a year. A vague itinerary with a few milestones like – seeing the girls, detoxing in Sri Lanka, exploring South America and hanging out in the Netherlands. But more gaps than milestones to be honest. Isn’t that great! Flew into Dunedin about an hour behind schedule. Wellington, like the rest of the North Island, has been completely drenched by the remains of a tropical cyclone, which did some serious damage to the Aussies. Edgecumbe pretty much one big swimming pool. Anyway – this trip is all about embracing the things that don’t go to plan – so on that basis, being delayed an hour is a fortuitous start. Viv hooned into Dunedin airport in our Hilux Surf (the Beast), which she is loaning for the year while we are away. Big hugs and then off to the city. Jo and are staying in a cool little studio converted from an old stable – run by a quirky backpackers called Hogwartz on Rattray St. Dinner that night at The Dog with the Two Tails – just about our favourite Dunedin place to eat. Laid back and funky with a miniature train running around the restaurant. Every time we have been here there has been live music – this time a very credible jazz band rolling out a few lively numbers. The clientele numbered dreadlocked students, tourists, a big bloke with a beard who looked like he had just come off a fishing boat and at the next table a curious couple – the man spending most of his time engrossed in a large picture book on New Zealand birds with his partner looking slightly on her own. One highlight of our three nights in Dunedin was probably our excursion with Viv up Kapukatauumahaka - Mt Cargill. At 676m it is one of Dunedin’s highest points – complete with a bristling 104m communications tower and satellite dish. Looks a bit like NASA if you had never been out of Dunedin. The walk to the Organ Pipes from the summit was only 20 minutes according to Viv. More like an hour. But spectacular with birdsong and nature so close to the city. The Organ Pipes are a formation of columnar jointed basalt – for the geologists who might be reading and they look sort of like organ pipes I guess . . . Viv went hard out in front (so much for a social chat along the way!) while her parents formed the back party. The beer tasted great that night. The other Dunedin highpoint was attending lunchtime Theatre at Otago University’s Allen Hall. Saw a very cool and funny short piece about a group of women in a mental hospital meeting to discuss various issues, such as how to pre-empt the imminent attack from the men’s’ ward. Put on by the performing arts students – a good laugh. Viv is doing a practical theatre paper this semester, which allows her to manage the lighting and sound for some productions. Her class numbers just 12! She told me on the phone the other day she has found her calling . . . isn’t that awesome.
1 Comment
Frist & Mirjam
4/15/2017 02:37:49 pm
Mirjam and me wish you a lot of fun and you are welcome to stay with us in Amsterdam. (or Crete)
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Richard and JolandaJo and I have decided to give up our work, our house and our lives in Wellington NZ to see the world. Our big adventure started on April 6th 2017 . . . Archives
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