Kiwi Winter Home Survival Kit

ok, we know this is not the Antarctic (although we are not that far away) and that we hardly ever reach the 0º, but most houses here are so poorly insolated, that the temperature inside the home doesn't differ much from that outside. If we had known this before coming here, we would have added an extra pair of socks to our luggage (and we would probably have sneaked another blanket from the plane as well)... We have strong cold southerlies today, which means: it is cold. The MetService website recommends two or three layers of clothing to remain comfortable in these conditions (but, do they mean inside your home? I wonder...)

Bernd's Graduation Ceremony

We attended Bernd's graduation ceremony today at The Regent theatre in Palmerston North. After being told how important their degrees are going to be in these times of crisis, the students were capped by the vice-chancellor of the university and got their diploma. After that, there was a parade with all the graduating students (and families) to the square (where else...) with the Town Crier leading the way. We had never seen the Town Crier from Palmy before: she is like an ambassador for the city and her job consits on opening festivals and leading welcoming ceremonies and parades (among other things, we guess). Here is a picture of her:

Bruno's farewell. Muac Hut

We spent last weekend at the Muac Hut, below Torua skifield on Mount Ruapehu, around two hours away from Palmy. The hut can accommodate around 30 people in hut style bunks. It's got flush toilets, hot showers, kitchen, coal fire, and lighting...luxury!!

Together with other 25 people we celebrated Bruno's farewell party with a pot-luck (which included an awesome Swiss fondue), slacklining and other ready-made crazy indoor sports...

On Sunday, Phil went up to the summit of Mount Ruapehu (2,797m) together with Erich, and I joined most of the others on a day walk to lake Surprise, a 4 hours walk which is part of the Round the Mountain track.

Van Project

Our art project on the van is finally finished!! Here you have some pictures of the process, which included projecting the image and drawing, sanding and painting. We are quite happy with the results; however, and contrary to what some of us thought, the flames do not make the van go faster... Anyway, we would like to thank Bruno, Alex and Jackson for their help with the project. As you can guess, our van is easily recognizable on the roads of New Zealand now...

20/04/2009 Fox Glacier

What we learnt: Fox Glacier is the longest of the New Zealand West Coast glaciers (13km). It falls 2,600 metres, on its way from the Southern Alps to the West and it's nowadays one of the most accessible in the world. Fox Glacier is said to be moving at approximately 10 times the speed of other valley glaciers around the world.

While Paco and family were on their way to a helihike on the top part of the glacier, Phil and I did a half-day walk with the Fox Glacier Guiding company. Not a single cloud on the sky and the sun was shinning like on a summer's day. The track began through bush on the left side of the glacier, and went on for around one and a half hours until we reached the ice, put the crampons on, and actually walked on the ice. There we walked for about another hour, squeezed through ice holes and arches, and learnt a little bit more about the place. The blue colour of the ice was at some parts really bright and beautiful (unfortunately that was the day when our camera broke down, so the pics we have aren't very good). A bit expensive, but highly recommendable.

Mañolandia invade la Isla Sur

On the way to Haast

Bikes for fun in Arrowtown 18/04

Lake Wanaka

Tasman Glacier 17/04

Mañolandia invade la Isla Norte

Relajación mental de camino a Wellington 12/04

Castle Point 11/04

Tongariro Crossing 10/04

Wai-O-Tapu thermal valley 9/04

Rotorua

Caromandel peninsula 6-8/04

Sunrise at Porangahau Beach

This year’s first Surf Camp with Massey Surf Club was on the lat weekend of March at Porangahau Beach, on the East Coast of the North Island. There were more than twenty five people (including non-surfers, like me ;-) ) BBQ, sun, nice waves and a big fire at night. The weather was awesome, especially in the morning of the second day, which is when Phil took this picture.

Surfing weekend in Castle Point

Wellington on a summer's day

13th March Cocktail Party

carpet = no shoes

nice job, well done guys!

7th March 2009. Relay for Life; Hokowhitu

In case you were wondering what is Philipp doing in this picture, well, he's representing the surf club (and Massey) in the Relay for Life, a race organised to support victims of cancer. He's wearing the head of the Massey Uni mascot...handsome, hey?

Piper, the neighbour