Orientation Day 01/06

This morning started out early with orientation at 8am.  Red bus best bus started with a lecture from a global links representative.  We learned some history, native slang, and went over a few rules.  Next Dr. Garton took us on a tour of Victoria University where we would be taking our classes.  Luckily my classes are being held at Weir House so I won't have to make the treck up another hill to the lecture hall and biology labs.  Once the tour was over, several of us went up to the botanical gardens where there is a viewing platform that looks over all of wellington.  This has been the best views of the landscape so far.  Next we had lunch then headed to the computer room to plan our trip to Abel Tasman National Park this upcoming weekend.  This entailed booking vans, ferrys, hostels, and sea kayacks!

After all the trip was organized, most of the group headed down to the beach.   (yes another walk down the steep hill).  It was a beautiful day and despite putting on sunscreen, I still managed to turn a little red.  At least I'm starting to get my Chaco tan lines back from last summer and its only day two.  The beach was amazing and looked out into the Wellington Bay.  This day seems to have gone quicker but I am also more tired which is probably a combination of sitting outside in the sun for 3 hours and jet lag.

Tomorrow is the first day of classes and of course I would get an 8am.  Luckily I am finished by 1pm and will be able to head to the brewery early tomorrow afternoon!

Here are a few pictures from day 2:

View from the top of the botanical gardens.

John, Steph, and I.

Weir House

The Beach.

Pacific 2014 takes over the beach.

Traveling to NZ and the First Day 01/03 - 01/05

It took me approximately 20 hours on a plane to fly from Houston to Wellington, New Zealand.  First I flew from Houston to Los Angeles with a quick stop in San Antonio.  I was delayed about an hour but this wasn't an issue because I was scheduled to arrive in LA seven hours before I was supposed to fly out to NZ.  When I got to LA, I met up with Adam, Jennica, and Sumeet for a quick lunch.  We went to Rock and Brews for a quick lunch before I had to head out.  It was so good to see friends who I hadn't seen for several months!

The flight to Auckland wasn't as bad I thought it would be.  It was about 13 hours total and then we took a domestic flight to Wellington.  Once in Wellington, we took a bus to Weir House where we would be living for the next six weeks.  We were shown our rooms and then set free to explore.  First we went down to the town and explored the bay area.  We went into the free museum which was awesome and hit up the grocery store for some basic essentials.  A few people in the group decided to jump into the bay from the pier which I am sure I'll end up doing before my time in New Zealand is up.

We then headed back up the hill for dinner, a shower and to sort out our internet connection.  Finally managed to have some actual contact with the parental units to put their minds at rest (well mums...).  As it was the first night, naturally a few of decided to go out.  It turned out to be an early night due to jet lag and how expensive the bars were but it was still great to see some of the nightlife in Wellington.  The walk up the hill isn't getting any easier but i'm by the end of the six weeks we'll make it look as easier as the locals do. (ha not.).  Here are a few pictures from the first day:

Rock & Brews, Los Angeles

10497 km from Los Angeles to Auckland, NZ. 

View from Weir House

Wellington Bay

Te Papa Free Museum

First Night Out in Wellington