NZ meetup

[Talitha]

Come between 31 December 2009 and 14 January 2010 if you want to hang out with Groza or Primate.

Attendance list!

A = I am definitely coming: live in NZ or have a ticket to get there

Amb (GL)
Talitha
groza528 (GL)

(In NZ from 31 December to 14 January)

petroleumjelly

(In NZ from 30 December to 7 January)

Primate

(In NZ from 31 December to 22 January, probably doing some independent travel during some of it)

B = I am very likely, almost definitely coming, just haven't sorted out the details yet

Jeep
Oman
Pookythemagicalbear

C = I'm hoping to come and it's looking possible.

Kairyuu
MatthewV (GL)
oEJo

D+/C-

Courk (GL)

D = I'm hoping to come but it's a slim chance.

al_kohaulec
Ameliaslay
Battousai
Glork
Jesus_saves (GL)
Mastermind of Sin
mith
nonny
OhGodMyLife
Porochaz
Thesp / kristocker
Thestatusquo
wordcross (GL)
Zag (GL)


I hope to be a generous host like those scum meetup hosts before me. My aim is that people coming from overseas for Kiwiesta will only need to pay for their plane ticket to get here

(edit: and back)

, and bring a little spending money. You can make my house your home while you're here. I will transport you if we go places, and feed you. (You might need to buy your own meal a couple times if we eat out...)

From Original Opening Post:
For now I would appreciate those who are interested in Kiwiesta to answer the following:
1) Which of these dates do you prefer for Kiwiesta: January 2009 / April 2009 / October 2009 / January 2010 / April 2010?
(bear in mind January is summer over here.. April is autumn.. October is windy, and plane tickets are likely to be dearest in January..)
2) On a scale of 0% to 100%, how likely do you rate you being able to come?
3) "Kiwiesta" - Lame name?? Is there a better option?
4) Any other questions/comments/ideas/suggestions...?

[Talitha]

Two years is a long time for me to see in the future.

Yeah, it is a long time. I could conceivably do this in 2009 (January / April / October) but thought it might not give enough planning/saving time. I think I'll add 2009 to the date options out of interest.

[Talitha]

As MoS alluded to, June, July and August is our winter... NZ just isn't much fun in winter, it's cold, grey, wet, but doesn't snow. But if enough people thought the weather didn't matter, I could consider having it in July. Do you really wanna leave your summer and come over here for winter though? And it would likely clash with other meetups at that time.

Heh, I have to do it sometime when

I'm

not in school, too...

[Talitha]

From the feedback so far I'm thinking Dec 30th-ish 2009 to January 10th-ish 2010. Ki-newyears-wiesta.

[Talitha]

Not official yet - I'm still very interested in people's opinions on when it should be held.

I'm still trying to decide between January 2010 and enjoying NZ at its best or July 2010 with cold, yucky weather but easier for some people to get the time off. Heck I'd even put it off another year if it meant the Dirge/MeMe household might be able to come.

[Talitha]

1st choice: Palmerston North (PMR)
2nd choice: Wellington (WLG)

3rd choice: Auckland (AKL) (we'd have to figure out how to get you here from there, but getting to Auckland would be a good start).

[Talitha]

Correct that Los Angeles is the most common gateway to NZ (Although Air NZ does also have direct flights from San Francisco now too).

I can get a big people-mover and pick people from Auckland if they are all arriving within the same day or two. Otherwise you'd need to fly to Palmerston North or Wellington. (Can get some pretty cheap flights between Auckland and Palmerston North when they are on special, so you can book this leg of the journey separately if you are flying with an airline that doesn't fly to Palmerston North or Wellington.) My feeling is that if you can find a good price ticket to get you to Auckland, take it and book the final leg later once you know whether/when I'm doing pickups from Auckland.) If it's not much more cost to get to Wellington, you should take that, and I'll certainly pick you up. If your long haul flight happens to be with Air New Zealand, you should investigate flying to Palmerston North as part of the fare).

Give me a day or so and I'll put some thought into this, and hopefully set some firm dates.

[Talitha]

ZORBing! Only if we end up in Rotorua... It's possible I guess!

[Talitha]

You can request a quote for group travel from Air New Zealand:
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airfares ... efault.htm
I assume other airlines would have similar things.

[Talitha]

I have added a poll about the name of this gig.

[Talitha]

Also I have been over the thread and made note of everyone's date preferences. It seems that early January 2010 is the outright winner. I hereby announce that it will be so!

I know nonny can't make it for New Years (not even if you give 18 months notice, non?) and I know that MoS is really keen for new years, so I'd appreciate if others could weigh in on the issue.

So if you consider yourself at 40% or better likelihood of coming, please state which of these options you like better:

Option 1: Wed 30 December 2009 - Fri 8 January 2010
or
Option 2: Sun 3 January 2010 - Tues 12 January 2010

[Talitha]

And also, while I was going over the thread I noticed a couple of questions that I missed..

Re: board. If you are coming from overseas I will organise a roof over your head and most of your food. But be warned that this won't be a hotel. It will be in the style of previous meetups... E.g. you might have to fight someone for a couch or a bed, you might have to wait 6 hours for the shower. You'll have to be understanding and communally minded. This all adds to the fun, though.

Re: money. No we don't accept any other currencies over here. Only the NZ dollar. You can exchange money before you come, or once you get here. You'll just need enough for whatever souvenirs or personal items you might want to buy, and possibly a bought meal or two if we are out doing/seeing stuff and need to eat.

If I missed any other questions feel free to repeat them.

[Talitha]

Well heck... Alky, you could come earlier if you wanted. There might be others in the same boat as you and needing to get back for school.

For anyone I have met before (or if you are a well-established mafiascum member), consider my hospitality available from 22 December to 22 January. I will still pick a 10 day period for the actual official meet, but there can be mini-meets either side if people want to.

[Talitha]

I have been thinking a lot about the beach/lake house idea, and realising that it will be so much easier to keep us somewhere close to where I live.

So, I am seriously considering booking this lodge for 3 or 4 nights: http://www.sixtuslodge.co.nz/

It would be wonderful to have New Years Eve there, I reckon. Nonny brings up a good point about people arriving late or needing to leave early though... I'd be able to pick-up or drop-off at Palmerston North airport only during the time we were at this lodge.

[Talitha]

Heh, luckily we don't have any snakes in NZ. And only one poisonous spider, that is so rare it's on the endangered list. You'll be safe here

(And heh, I like the fact that vegemite on toast is in the video in between all the poisonous and dangerous animals.)

[Talitha]

Oman, I know, but I had already budgeted some money for accommodation. I might be able to negotiate a discounted rate too.

[Talitha]

Thanks guys but don't even worry about it. All you need to do is get here

[Talitha]

Heh, that's like one wheat for 3 diamonds and a pig.

[Talitha]

Kiwiblat will run from 26 December to 30 December
Kiwiesta commences on 31 December until 2 January
Mafikiwi will occur on 3 January from 12.01am to 3am
Tallypalooza is the 7 day period immediately after Mafikiwi
Tallython encompasses all of the other events

Good, that's sorted.

[Talitha]

Hey Yoko!

[Talitha]

Primate: of course!! It would be a long way for you to travel though.

[Talitha]

And might I just say that you people have been a fat lot of help with picking the name for this, heh.

[Talitha]

Seeing as the poll was so inconclusive, let's go with TW.

[Talitha]

Aw .. that makes me sad alky.


What is torchwood? I think my meetup is suffering from an identity crisis.

[Talitha]

This is definitely on my list to catch up with and plan some more.

(It's on the short list, but not on the short, short list. Yet.)

[Talitha]

This is my house.
(Big tree has been cut down now.
Note the nuclear power plant next door.)

[Talitha]

That's sad MeMe.

I know there's not the incentive of a meetup, but I'd love to host you at a later date if the financial situation changes. Bear in mind that the value of the NZ peso is in freefall so you'd be squillionaires over here


Here's hoping the day job goes well, Dour!

[Talitha]

Well, it was tentatively set for New Year through early January 2010. If it's not in January, it would have to be April 1st to 18th 2010, for me to be able to have the time off work.

[Talitha]

1st choice: PMR (Palmerston North)
2nd choice: WLG (Wellington)
3rd choice: AKL (Auckland)

If it's significantly cheaper to fly only to Auckland, just get a ticket to there. Flying between AKL and PMR (my town) or AKL and WLG is cheap if you shop around, or we can come pick you up if there's a carload of folk needing picking up.

DATES

I am thinking of moving the date further into January for a few reasons, including availability of Sixtus lodge... Something like 5-12 January, with New Years optional. Is there anyone who is serious about coming who would be adversely affected by that? I realise I need to settle on firm dates very soon so people can start making arrangements to get here.

[Talitha]

the 1st of which month jeep, January or March?

Kids are very welcome as long as accompanied by a parent!

[Talitha]

Does someone wanna compare say 6 - 13 with 28 dec - 4 jan out of interest? I have no doubt that 6-13 will be much cheaper if people wait until later to buy tickets. That's one of the reasons I'm worried about the new years dates - it may make the cost of travel prohibitive, especially for those who are saving or unsure of plans and can't get tickets until closer to the time.

[Talitha]

OK, I guess the

official week

should be 6-13 January 2010, with the week prior (~30th-5th) optional for all, and the week after (14st-21st) optional by special arrangement.

Any further opinions? Locking it in in 5 days....

[Talitha]

What's the weather like, out of interest?

January is summer here... which means mostly sun, mild to warm temperatures... I'm sure I can figure out average temp and convert it to Farenheit for those who don't understand the superior celsius scale. Will do that later.

[Talitha]

What are IS standards?

[Talitha]

This is just guessing (I did look for some NZ January weather stats but couldn't find what I wanted) but I'd expect the average daytime temperature to be between 22-28 C (72-83F). Night time is usually between 12-19 (54-66F). You shouldn't need to bring many warm clothes, but maybe bring one warm thing in case we go out on a cool night.

I hereby officially set the Kiwiesta dates, as discussed above.

[Talitha]

Zindy & Nonny:
Cool, keep me informed how things are looking for you.

[Talitha]

For what it's worth, I've never regretted the money I've spent travelling and going to scum meets. And it's been lots

[Talitha]

I have booked Sixtus Lodge for 8-10 January.

The farm across the road offers horse riding if anyone would like to do that.

[Talitha]

OGML, yes and I'm happy to book a ticket for you if needed. There are also trains but I think buses are cheaper. Also there are often cheap flights between Auckland and Palmerston North. Right now on airnewzealand.co.nz it costs NZ$168 to fly Auckland to Palmy and back to Auckland on the 5th & 15th January. That is less than US$100. The cheap flights won't be available when it gets closer to the time though.

[Talitha]

You should. Happy to help you organise it, if you like.

[Talitha]

I will start one of dem fandangled 'attendance lists' that all the other meets have, at some point.

[Talitha]

!

To all who are serious about coming: if you possibly can, try and organise plane tickets early. January is high season for travel to NZ and I am worried that prices will get a lot more expensive close to the time.

[Talitha]

But you're the main drawcard. If you confirm, scummers will flock from all around the world just to see you.

[Talitha]

Attendance list time!

[Edit: I've edited the attendance list into the first post in this thread.]

Let me know if you're a definite 'no' so I can take you off the list.

Dates reminder: The official week is 6-13 January 2010. The week prior (~30th-5th) is optional for all, and the week after (14st-21st) is optional by arrangement.

[Talitha]

Oman, can you have a look at flying into Wellington? (airport code WLG i think).. it's a lot closer to where I live than Auckland is. Usually it's only a few dollars more to fly to Wellington than to Auckland, if there's any difference at all. If you can get to Welly, I can come pick you up, or it's a 2 hour bus/train ride.

Re arrival/leaving: 6th to 13th is the official dates, with the weeks either side of that as optional. I don't think anyone else has fixed their dates yet so you can pretty much decide what suits you.

[Talitha]

BTW the closest domestic airport is Palmerston North, PMR.


Sorry to hear, Andy

[Talitha]

@Battousai: woot!

@Oman: No probs.

@All: Make extra sure you include the whole of 8-10th January if possible (which is 7-9th January in US time) 'cause the long weekend at Sixtus Lodge is gonna be primo.

[Talitha]

Or go to the travel agent and buy a ticket for Pooky, another good plan!

Or check this out: http://www.newzealand.com/thegreatkiwiinvite/ Anyone who wants to enter a draw for free flights to NZ, PM me your email address. The winners are drawn on 27th August.

[Talitha]

Also PM me your real name, unless I know it already.

[Talitha]

Sure - I've edited the attendance list into the first post.

[Talitha]

Yay, PJ!

Number of kiwis in New Zealand:

tens of millions (fruit variety)
4,000,000 (homo sapien variety)
75,000 (feathered variety)

[Talitha]

I'm in the Manawatu (go Turbos!).

More in the future? You never know.

In other news, Pooky said he'll come to Kiwiesta as long as there are free huggles from random kiwi girls. I'm sure that can be arranged, so I'm putting him on the attendance list.

[Talitha]

Heh, allowed to go out? As much as I'd like to tie both of you up in my basement, I don't actually have a basement.

Note to self: get a basement

[Talitha]

Sorry to hear, K-scope.

[Talitha]

Great, I'll put you on the list!

[Talitha]

FYI

Incidentally, for anyone that comes there could be an optional trip to visit an Alpaca farm. Not strictly a standard kiwi tourism thing, but hey it is available...

[Talitha]

What happens when the NZ prime minister goes on Letterman:

Top 10 reasons to visit New Zealand

[Talitha]

ANNOUNCING FIRST OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED NON-NATIVE ATTENDEE

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groza!!!! (From the greylabyrinth)

[Talitha]

I live in Palmerston North and Amb lives in Feilding, so we'll be hanging around the Manawatu a bit. For the 8th to 10th of January I have booked Sixtus Lodge. Depending on what our international visitor(s) want(s) to do or see, we might do a trip to Wellington, and/or trip to Taupo/Rotorua geothermal area. Suggestions are welcome.

MOS: Sorry to hear things aren't going to work out for you to come.

[Talitha]

Just wanted to say that it would be good if any Kiwi scummers can make it to PN in early Jan. I know there's el simo, but i think there's a couple of other newish Kiwis too? Even if you don't know me and I don't know you, you'd still be very welcome. Groza is a great guy from USA and he used to play mafia when he and mith were still in nappies. He is going to be here from 31 December to 14 January 2010. You should come and meet him.

And I'm hanging out to play some face to face mafia so please come visit me!

Jeep, Primate, Pooky, PJ & Oman -- don't tell me you're flaking on me!

[Talitha]

Breaking News........


WE HAVE PRIMATE! He'll be in NZ 31 Dec to 22 Jan.

First official non-NZ, non-GL scummer. Woohoo!!



[Got my fingers, toes and eyes crossed for PJ to work something out...!]

[Talitha]

Hi Katsuball

I live in Palmerston North, so we'll be based here when we're not doing other stuff in other places.

Groza is coming from 31st December to 14th January. Primate is probably going to be here for the 6th to the 13th of Jan, but he's in NZ for longer than that and is flexible.

So far we've got planned:
- From 8th to 10th January we're going to Sixtus Lodge (an hour from PN - out in the middle of nowhere, near Ruahine State Forest Park).
- Watching a 20-20 cricket match at Pukekura Park, New Plymouth either on the 3rd or the 6th of January.

Where abouts are you, Katsuball?

[Talitha]

If you want PJ I can help you search for affordable flights.. prices change all the time - (just let me know your prefered dates (is it a return trip from seattle?))

[Talitha]

Yeah, it is a bunch of money

Pity you can't go direct back to Jackson as it would mean you could stay longer (but is probably more expensive).

I'll do some fare searches and keep an eye on prices. Hopefully something will work out!

[Talitha]

What Primate said, but I was looking at flights to Auckland yesterday and they were still expensive.

Flying to WLG is another option, I can definitely pick you up from there.

[Talitha]

[Edit: Attention PJ]

OK here's a crazy idea but might be worth looking at.

Check out www.airpacific.com

Currently you can fly from Los Angeles to Auckland on Air Pacific and back for US$1447 (includes all taxes) on a few different dates.. I was looking at coming on Dec 27th and leaving on Jan 12th.

(Remember that NZ is a day ahead of USA, so you could leave NZ on the 12th and still get back to Mississippi on the 12th with a one way flight from LAX. )

So it's be $1447 + separate one way flights from Seattle to LAX and one way from LAX to JAN.

Looks like you can get Seattle to LAX for US$250 on 27th December (Alaska airlines)

LAX to JAN for US$220ish on the 12th Jan (continental, american, delta)

The probelm is that some of your flights aren't linked so you'd need to allow plenty of time between arriving in LAX and getting on the plane to NZ/Mississippi in case there are any delays. (I havent checked the whether the times work, as I'm unsure whether this idea will seem like a good one or not!)

[/Just an idea from someone who really wants you to come visit ]

[Talitha]

How's it looking PJ? Think there's any chance?

Seem to still be some ~$1450 lax-akl flights on airpacific.com (28/29 Dec to 11/12 Jan) in case that option might work.

[Talitha]

Wow! That's so cool!!!

Such a short visit though!

Now we need to work out (with you and Primate arriving in Auckland within a day of each other) whether I come and pick you both up, or what. Slight complication is that Groza is arriving in PN on the 31st. (he flies via Auckland too though).

[Talitha]

Hmmm, I don't know if you can get Louisiana Gem hot sauce? Failing that, some Reeses peanut butter cups or Girl Scout peanut butter patties.

But you don't need to bring anything

Just be aware that NZ has very strict border control and it's not drugs they're most serious about, it's plant & animal products. If you try and smuggle in an apple you'll get a $200 fine. Processed packaged food is OK.

[Talitha]

Last person who tried that is now serving a life sentence in Paremoremo Prison.

[Talitha]

Did you ever get my postcard from Brasil? I struggled to learn a whole sentence in portuspanglish so I could buy the stamps.

[Talitha]

Yay, you get to celebrate New Years collecting your luggage and going through customs!!

A chat sounds like a good idea.

[Talitha]

Since you're here for only a week PJ, you should let us know what you want to spend that time doing. Any things you particularly want to see or do while you're here?

[Talitha]

Good idea. I'll send them all a PM and see where they're at.

Oh no, you want to go narfling? Gah. Ah well what PJ wants, PJ gets. I have to warn you that garthoks are

very

rare, as well as being extremely timid and nocturnal. We are going to have to camp out somewhere remote for several nights to have even a chance.

[Talitha]

Jeep, Oman & Pooky have been harrassed.

[Talitha]

Sorry. I'm having low-key freak outs myself and it seems to want to express itself in title form.

[Talitha]

Just heard from Jeep that he can't make it.

I'm currently thinking the best plan might be if I come to Auckland... pick up PJ on the 30th, kidnap Groza before he can board his flight to P.N. on the 31st, celebrate New Years somewhere in Auckland then immediately go to airport to pick up Primate. Then drive back to P.N. either that night or next day.

If people like that idea I'll email my cousin who lives up in Auckland and see if she knows any empty houses or available accommodation at that time.

[Talitha]

On the way back we could go to Waitomo caves (2.5 hours drive from Auckland)

It's a bit pricey at NZ$60-$100 (depending which tour you choose... and lots more if you do the abseiling or rafting), but it is one of NZ's best attractions (so I'm told.. never been there). Would you be interested, PJ/Primate?

[Talitha]

Another option is to go via Rotorua and visit the geothermal area. Whakarewarewa is a good attraction. (Also costs money though.)

[Talitha]

Thanks PJ. It's fine if something doesn't appeal.. but I just want to make sure you actually see more than the inside of a house while you are here.

For Waitomo, there's a boat ride included. I understand your point of view that one pretty cave is as good as the next, but I'd be quite surprised if this one wasn't worth the price. Waitomo is one of NZ's most famous places and in a country like NZ (known for it's outdoors and scenery, etc) that's saying something. (Remember its $NZ not $US too).

I tend to agree with you about cultural performances, although Maori are one culture where performing just comes naturally. It's part of who they are. I don't think it would be anywhere near as awkward as you imagine (e.g. they wouldn't come up to you and perform). But if I visited Whakarewarewa it'd be to see the amazing geysers and bubbling mud pools, and to have a hangi. (I love hangi and hardly ever get to have it... hot meal cooked in the ground with hot rocks). There's another geothermal place in Rotorua aptly named "Hell's Gate". I don't think they do shows there.

[Talitha]

Thanks for the tip, imaginality. Any other cool places you can think of that I'm overlooking?

And hey, why aren't you coming up to meet us?

[Talitha]

imaginality - aw, that's a shame. I hope you have a great trip though. If I'm ever in Christchurch I'll try to send you a PM and we could have coffee or something.

Still working on the pick-up pickle. I checked with the airline, and if I kidnap groza so he can't fly to PN, they will cancel his return trip. Bastards. He could contact them and change his ticket... for a fee of course.

[Talitha]

Hmm, according to my own googling it is made by ACADIANA PEPPER CO.

ACADIANA PEPPER CO INC is in SAINT MARTINVILLE, LA. This company currently has approximately 1 to 5 employees and annual sales of Under $500,000. Might not be easy to get... (Any genu-ine southern hot sauce would be fine!)


In other news my cousin said we can probably stay at her place in Auckland while she's away, yay!

So tentative plans are...

New Years in Auckland, drive on 1st Jan to Rotorua. Visit to Whakarewarewa optional. Wai-o-tapu the next morning. Then head home to PN, driving via Huka Falls, Lake Taupo and the mountain district. Should be fun!

Then stay at my place in PN for a fews days, then a day trip to Wellington on the 7th. In Wellington we go to Te Papa, or Mt Victoria, or the Weta Workshop cave, or the cable car (or all of the above)... in the middle of that we put PJ on the plane back to Auckland.

Then it's back to PN and off to Sixtus Lodge from the 8th to the 11th.

Opinions? Thoughts? Suggestions?

I'm really looking forward to it!

[Talitha]

That indeed sounds like the stuff! Yay! I'm not sure what brand to suggest if it proves too hard to get hold of, as I'm not familiar with any others. (I only know Louisiana Gem because a couchsurfer I hosted gave me a bottle of the stuff a few years ago). ANY would be good. There is next-to-no selection of hot sauce available here.

Thanks mithy! If I'm still hankering for some in the future, I will let you know.

[Talitha]

So, we found out if groza "accidentally" missed his flight from Auckland to PN they would cancel his whole ticket. That's kinda unfair we thought, but no problem, we'll just change the ticket to stop at Auckland and pay the change fee. Apparently this is not possible. We must view the ticket as a whole, not as the sum of its parts. We cannot, no matter what we do, decline one minor connecting flight.

Groza is a trooper and a sport. He is going to take that flight to Palmerston North and (before I could talk him out of it) he purchased an immediately returning flight to Auckland (for less than the change fee would have been if we were allowed to do it).

In conclusion airlines are dumb (air new zealand for your reference), air ticketing places are pathetic (cheaptickets.com for your reference), and Groza is awesome.


I think because we have free accommo and groza's big effort to be there we should stay an extra night in Auckland and travel to Rotorua on the 2nd, then to Palmy on the 3rd. Does anyone mind if I book a backpackers or something like that for the night of the 2nd in Rotorua?

[Talitha]

Nope, no hiking required. It's just budget accommodation for those who don't want to pay megabucks for a hotel.

Found this one:
http://www.crashpalace.co.nz/

If we get our own room I think we could survive it for 1 night...

[Talitha]

I'm going to be away for the next few days, but here's my tentative plans and dates and things. Feedback or ideas welcomed.

30th December
PJ arrives Auckland

31st December
Groza arrives - Auckland (arrives 7.05am) – PN (arrives 10.40am) – Auckland (arrive 1pm)

Primate arrives Auckland 11.40pm

1st January
Sightseeing around Auckland

2nd January
Travel to Rotorua
Text Amb while driving through Hamilton, possible meet.
Stay one night at “Crash Palace” 1271 Hinemaru St, (Cnr Hinemaru & Eruera St)

3rd January
Wai-o-tapu
Drive back to PN via Huka Falls

4th January
GL Amb is back from holiday.

5th January
Do stuff in Palmy or nearby

6th January
Do stuff in Palmy or nearby

7th January
Day trip to Wellington. Te Papa, Beehive, Cable Car + Mt Vic if nice day. Te Papa & Weta cave if bad day.
Take PJ to the airport. Flight is at 1.45pm.

8th to 11th January
Sixtus Lodge. Take food, indoor/outdoor games, etc.

[Talitha]

From: Amb
To: Talitha
Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:54 am
Subject: Weta Wellington?
IF YOU GO:

Weta Cave: Corner of Camperdown Rd and Weka St, Miramar, Wellington. Admission is free.

Hours: Open seven days a week, 9am to 5.30pm. Closed New Year's Day, ANZAC Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Call: (04) 380-9361.

Email: wetacavewetanz.co.nz.

Website: www.wetaNZ.com.

Groups need to call in advance to make bookings.

[Talitha]

For arrivals in Auckland I have
30 Dec - PJ - 11.50am
31 Dec - Groza - 7.05am (International - Air New Zealand) to collect his luggage
- Groza - 1.00pm (Domestic - Air New Zealand) to collect him
- Primate - 11.40pm

PJ & Primate, can you double check your arrival times before you leave and let me know airlines and flight numbers in case there is a delay or schedule change? I've recently been to Auckland airport to pick up my brother from an international flight and even though his plane touched down at 10.15am, he didn't emerge from customs, etc, until about 11.15am. So I'll aim to arrive at airport about 45 minutes after your scheduled arrival time.

PJ: I will be driving from Palmerston North on the morning that you arrive. It's about a 7 hour drive and I'll leave about 6am... just so you know that if I'm not there when you arrive I won't be too far away!

Primate: Likewise we'll probably see in the New Year then zoom to airport to meet you. If we're not there when you emerge it'll just be because of traffic or something.

[Talitha]

I can't speak for the others Prim, but I'm perfectly happy to countdown to the new year, then come pick you up. I'm excited to meet you, and I don't drink a lot anyway, so I'll be fine to drive. I can check online for any delays and adjust the airport run accordingly.

I can't wait to see PJ arrive wearing his Fiji tapa cloth skirt, coconut drink in hand!

[Talitha]

Hmm, I will have no problem recognising the other 2 having met them before, but for you I may need to hold up a sign or something. Maybe a stick figure mafioso picture? Idk.

I am leaving myself in about 6 hours... I better get some sleep first I guess.

Have a good trip!

[Talitha]

I'm sure there are people out there who have been terribly worried, so I had better post that I found PJ, Groza & Primate!

[Talitha]

I think the most exciting event so far was probably the 'black water rafting'.
Imagine the four of us in an underground cave... wearing wetsuits and gumboots... floating in inner tubes along a deep river in the pitch black... only the ceiling illuminated by glow worms that looked like tiny stars in distant galaxies. We had to hold on to each other's feet while floating so we wouldnt get separated!

The cave was enough excitement for the scummers, but groza also did the zorb.

Today I made them go shopping, ride on a miniature train, and have bridge lessons for several hours. Poor guys. While shopping we bought some games, and just christened 'Ticket to Ride'. (PJ won the first game, Groza the 2nd).

[Talitha]

For a more thorough round up of day-by-day events, Groza's Kiwifest write-ups start here:
http://www.greylabyrinth.com/discussion ... 250#474250

[Talitha]

We miss you too PJ! Not sure if Sixtus Lodge would have been your scene, but we did have quite a few fun games including mafia, and wished you were with us.

[Talitha]

I would be so there if only it weren't a 10 hour drive