Favorite Moment #4: New Zealand has some freakin’ cool trees
Maungatautari Ecological Island Preserve | The North Island
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Archive for January, 2011
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#4: Freakin’ Cool Trees
2011
01.31
01.31
#5: Remote Bus Stops
2011
01.30
01.30
Favorite Moment #5: Farm Critters at a Rest Area?
The Flat Hills Mandatory Rest Stop
Somewhere between Hamilton and Wellington, New Zealand
When I wrote my original itinerary for New Zealand, I had planned to take the train from Hamilton to Wellington. However, when I went to book my ticket, I discovered that the train route was shut down for maintenance, so I was stuck taking the bus. It was an experience that I’ve already blogged about, but I still can’t get over the fact that one of our rest stops was out in the middle of nowhere. Seriously? Chickens at a rest stop? 
#6: Seafaring Folks
2011
01.29
01.29
Favorite Moment #6: Voyager Museum
Auckland, New Zealand
To be honest with you, visiting the Voyager Museum was a last minute decision. I was running out of Kiwi Bucks, so I didn’t want to spend the boatload of cash needed to gain entry into Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Adventure. Plus, I only had a couple of hours and the Museum was located two blocks from the Britomart Transport Centre.
I am happy to report that this was a good decision. Also known as the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the joint was packed full of boats. The variety was amazing, ranging from the little blue boat (shown above) to the massive yacht used to win the 1995 America’s Cup. It was exactly what you would have expected for a nation surrounded by water.
#7: Buzz
2011
01.28
01.28
Favorite Moment #7: Seeing the Beehive
Wellington, New Zealand
I’m a political scientist. Of course, I thought that walking past the Beehive was a cool event. I just wish I had time to take the tour, but — alas — it was late when I walked past these buildings because I spent most of my time in the national archives.
Now, if you’re not familiar with New Zealnd politics, you probably have no clue about this building’s political significance. Here’s your description, courtesy of Wikipedia: ”The Beehive is the common name for the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Parliament Buildings, located at the corner of Molesworth Street and Lambton Quay, Wellington. It is so-called because of its shape is reminiscent of that of a traditional woven form of beehive known as a skep.” The top floor is occupied by the Cabinet room, with the Prime Minister’s offices on the ninth floor (and part of the eighth). Other floors contain the offices of cabinet ministers.
#8: Fake Horsies
2011
01.27
01.27
Favorite Moment #8: Fake Horsies in the Museums
Canterbury Museum, Christchurch
What is with the fake horses in the New Zealand museums? This guy is located in a mock up of Christchurch in the olden days. Next to the horse — an admonishment to adults. The kids can climb up on the pony, but not the rest of us. At least the fake horse in this exhibit had a better life than the one up in the Auckland Museum. That model was in a display about horses during World War II where the riders ended up having to shoot their faithful friends when their unit was demobilized. Now, that’s just so wrong.
#9: Harbour Swimming
2011
01.26
01.26
Favorite Moment #9: The Harbour Swimmers
Wellington, New Zealand
On my last day in Wellington, I took a walk along the waterfront and came across these kids swimming in the Harbour. I can’t really explain why this was one of my favorite moments. Maybe it’s because the kids looked like they were having a blast? Maybe it’s because you’d never see anyone diving into a harbor in the United States? Who knows?
#10: Welcome to Christchurch
2011
01.25
01.25
Favorite Moment #10: Welcome to Christchurch
The Cathedral
Christchurch is literally the farthest south I have been in my entire life. For that reason alone, it made my list of memorable New Zealand moments. For the record, Christchurch is also my overall winner for best city in New Zealand. I loved this place, even if it was a little too touristy at times. But, the stores were open past 6 p.m., there was a nice-sized cultural district with lots of free museums, and the weather was amazing.
Favorite NZ Moments: A Countdown
2011
01.24
01.24
Honorable Mention: Free Concerts on Friday Afternoons
Cathedral Square, Christchurch, New Zealand
Over the next 10 days, I will be posting pictures from my top 10 moments in New Zealand. These may not be the best pictures from my collection, but they illustrated the moments that made me happy, puzzled, or frustrated. Have fun!
The Tale of my Travelin’ Bra
2011
01.24
01.24
Subtitle: PSA about the TSA
The Transportation Security Administration wants you to know
that your bra could be a weapon of mass destruction.
I consider myself to be a savvy traveler. I have flown a fair amount since 11 September 2001 and I know the drill. I leave my good shampoo at home and deal with the fact that my hair turns into a giant ball of frizz from using the hotel freebies. I have resigned myself to the fact that my legs will be hippie-hairy by the time my trip is over because the TSA thinks I might shave someone to death with my Venus razor if I’m allowed to have it on a plane. I wear clogs to the airport so I can breeze through security. Hell, I have even given up wearing blue jeans through security because the grommets set off the metal detector.
But now, the TSA wants me to give up my underwire bra.
You see, the amount of wire used in a Bali bra is enough to set off the metal detector in Terminal 4 of the Los Angeles Airport — but only on Thursday mornings in January. I wore the same damned bra through the same damned metal detector in Terminal 4 of the Los Angeles Airport on Sunday, January 2, and was waived right through. That same bra has also been through metal detectors in New Orleans, Evansville, Auckland, and Christchurch with no problems at all. Geez, talk about inconsistency.
If your bra sets off the metal detector, be prepared for the full body pat-down. My pat-down artist was a perfectly nice, cheerful lady. She gave the required spiel and offered me a private room. Now, I’m too old to be embarrassed so I let her feel me up in public – and yes, those TSA agents get mighty personal. She probably could have given me a pap smear while she was down there. At the very least, she should have offered me dinner and a cigarette.
Oh well. I guess that’s the price of living in reactionary America, but that doesn’t mean I have to be complacent about it. Next time I go through security at LAX, I’m wearing short shorts and a tank top, growing out my leg and armpit hair, and leaving the deodorant at home.
Auckland: A Boatin’ Kinda’ Place
2011
01.23
01.23
January 19, 2011 – Well, today was my last full day in New Zealand. Time flies, I guess, when you’re working your behind off, eh? In some ways, I’m a little sad to be going home – there’s that pesky little thing called winter going on back home and we’re expecting 3-5” of the white stuff on the day I get back. Plus, I’m a more than a little worried about the pile of work that is most assuredly waiting for me back at the University.
On the other hand, I am more than a little glad to be going home. After I pay for my hotel (including breakfast buffet and late checkout), the shuttle to the airport, and the exit taxes to get out of this country, I’ll be down to my last NZ $20. Phew! Plus, I miss The Coach, my critters and my own bed, even though I really need to buy a new mattress. I am sick of all the clothes I’ve brought with me and if I watch one more stupid movie (Road Trip: Beer Pong, anyone?) my brain is going to explode. I just hope that The Coach remembered to tape Big Bang Theory for me.
And, if I don’t get home to my good shampoo, my brush, and my own blow dryer, I am going to have to cut all of my hair off. Auckland humidity isn’t like Florida humidity – it just makes my hair frizzy, not cute.
But, anyways … I went to bed last night wondering what the weather would be like today. Fortunately for me, the leftover cyclone passed through last night. When I work up this morning, it was still pretty windy – the tree outside the window was bent at a 45 degree angle – but the sky was crystal clear. So, I loaded up my computer while watching the news (and learned that beer byproducts are used to make marmite) and headed down to the train station. By 9:30, I was in my seat at the library, working on my research.
I worked hard, let me tell you, because I wanted to take in one last museum before I left the country. I wrapped up my work around 2 p.m., bought a bento box at the Japanese place in the mall across from the Britomart, and walked over to the New Zealand Maritime Museum.
This was a museum that The Coach would have loved – yachts, yachts, and more yachts.
Of course, I didn’t allow myself enough time to get through the whole museum. Sure, I watched the video about the arrival of the Maori people and wandered through the section on marine species. But then, I walked into the “Blue Water, Black Magic” display. I got distracted by all the cool freakin’ boats and ended up spending the rest of my time reading about the Kiwis’ rich racing history. Yeah, I took lots and lots of pictures.
In other news: A smallish earthquake last night in the northern part of the island. Apparently could be felt all the way in Wellington, but I didn’t feel a thing here in Auckland.