Kayak Between Classes. Casual.

Our Two Kayaks  

Living on the water has its perks. Have a two hour break between classes? Sounds like a perfect time to kayak Wellington Harbor :)

Erin With the Boats 

I Love Tramps!

Tramping is the best way to see New Zealand. And for those of you thinking of the "Sexy Tramp" image most Americans associate with the word, that is not what I am talking about. Tramping in New Zealand means hiking and backpacking. So I will say it again, Tramping is the best way to see New Zealand.

Roots

I recently joined the Tramping Club on Vic Uni's campus. The club is one of the oldest tramping clubs in the Nation, which just had it's 90th anniversary last year. It's a fun group of people who like to combine hiking, backpacking, climbing, drinking, dancing, parties, exploring, tacos (yes tacos), and socializing into one hell of a club.

Enjoying the Campfire 

One Person Limit Swing Bridge 

Over the weekend of March 16th through the 18th, I went on my first Tramping Club trip, an annual event called Freshers. We headed North to Tararua National Park. Here we spent two days backpacking through the beautiful landscape. Since the trip was over St. Patrick's Day, some of the members even celebrated by dressing like leprechauns and constantly drinking whiskey during the walk.

On the Walk 

Attending Vic Uni.

Let me begin by saying I'm in Wellington attending Victoria University, not going to college. (college here means high school). Very rarely is it called University either, but usually always Uni. Vic Uni. To farther clarify, I am not taking classes at Uni, but instead they are called papers. I am also a third year here not a junior.  New Zealand sentence: "She's acting like a first year on uni and can't find her papers."

View from the library windows

Aside from the technical terms, attending Victoria University at Wellington is very similar to CU Boulder. I have four lectures and four tutorials (recitations), and have similar piles of reading and essays (not papers) to write. The classes are awesomely interesting and the campus is easy to get involved in! Did I mention the view....

Wine? Yes Please.

Us in the Tasting Room 

On Saturday a group of us made a day trip Northeast to a region famous for producing Pinot Noir, Martinborough. A short hour and a half train ride landed us in the town square, lined with shops and outdoor patios. The town itself is settled among dozens of vineyards all with wineries open for tasting. The 70 degree and sunny weather welcomed us to walk around the main dirt road leading to the wine. The first, (and my favorite of the day) was a little place called Cambridge Road. This place really is a one man show. The owner harvests the grapes, produces the wine, and runs the cellar door. He was extremely passionate about his work, and even offered to take us back to the barrel room. My favorite taste of the day came from Cambridge Bridge, a blend of Pinot Noir and Syrah called Dovetail. The name "Dovetail" appeals to the owner's family's roots in carpentry, a dovetail being a type of joint.

Vineyards 

Cambridge Road

2 Weeks

Today I have officially been in New Zealand for two weeks and the "I'm here on vacation" feeling is starting to dwindle and the "I get to live this life for 5 more months"feeling is coming on strong. The first two weeks were packed with traveling, exploring, more exploring, and discovering New Zealand. I traveled from Auckland to Rotorua down to Wellington with about forty other American students getting acquainted with NZ life. We went caving, mountain biked, hiked, swam in mountain lakes, played rugby and even attended a Maori banquet. (All of these events were rain or shine... mostly rain).

Some of my Fellow American Students

View from Campus

Now those American students are my unofficial family in the unfamiliar city of Wellington, and one of them is even my flatmate! The two of us and a Kiwi (native New Zealander) share a three bedroom apartment about 20 minutes walk from campus and a 5 minute walk from the harbor. It might be the smallest space I've ever lived in, but our collection of mismatched dishes and walls covered in pinned up maps is making it feel more like a home.

Evening at the Harbor 

Wellington is the cultural capital (and actual capital) of New Zealand. It is full of modern sculptures and every face of every building boasts colorful murals. The downtown area hosts galleries, hole in the wall concert venues, and cafes with outdoor seating serving long blacks (black coffees). Wellington is also the hilliest place I've ever been. Trust me when I say I will have one toned butt by July.
Yesterday, at 20 degrees celsius, was the warmest day in Wellington I've experienced yet. I spent the whole day next to the water soaking up the sun. Looking out into the Harbor, my friend Sarah and I just kept saying, "I wish we could live here.... Wait, we do!"

I can't wait to explore more of the city and the country and keep you all updated as I do! Love you guys!

T'was the Night Before Departure...

I spent my last day hanging with my family (bro pictured here)

It's hard to believe that tomorrow is the Day. THE DAY. I've been waiting for it to come for the past six months and it is finally here!! My suitcase is sorta packed, (that is sprawled out on my bed waiting to be packed)... Only 15 hours left...