Give it some Welly!

Long time, no blog. Blame Fiji.

There's perhaps one photo from my Hollywood tour because I own the worst camera in the world (I've spied a few shops that look like they may be able to help and if they still can't then it's time to put it in a box and send it back to Fuji - I found the receipt too.)

Fiji was interesting. My arrival in to the country was somewhat unexpected, being escorted by police wasn't what I was planning. Most of you who read this already know what happened. If you don't, then just ask and I will tell. I did however meet a very nice girl named Christina on the flight. She is from Washington state, about an hour and a half from Seattle.

Here's a general rundown of what I did:

Tuesday: Arrived, showered, napped, went for a full body massage.

Wednesday: Went to Southsea Island. Went on a sub-boat-thing, learned to snorkel (where I met Hannah & Jonathan) and got stung by sea-lice (baby jellyfish to normal people), exchanged contacts with Hannah & Jonathan (forgot to say, they're Aussies) over lunch and then went kayaking, which didn't go very well and resulted in me getting very burned and cutting my foot open when the tide slammed the kayak into it. Went home, had an allergic reaction (most likely the mosquito cream. I got bitten a lot.)

Thursday: Went to Robinson Crusoe Island, met Corina (another Aussie), watched the traditional dancing, tried fresh coconut, had a traditional lovo meal (cooked in the ground) and did the pamper package - massage, manicure & pedicure for $60 (or about £20!)

Friday: Went to Port Denarau and met Christina for lunch. After she caught her transfer, I tried to find Hannah & Jonathan (and Paul & Jillian who I didn't know they were with). They weren't in so I left them a note.

Saturday: Went to the temple in Nadi. On the way bumped in to Hannah, Jillian & Paul, had lunch with them and then went to Denarau with them and played volleyball in the pool at their resort.

Sunday: Spent the day at Chedly & Ellen's house (the hostel owners) as nothing was open on Sunday because A) It's a Sunday B) The Monday was a public holiday C) The country was in mourning because the old president had just died. We were going to go up to the mud-hot-springs thing but the weather was too bad so we stayed in and watched films and the USA sevens with their friends and family.

I arrived in NZ yesterday. The flight was fine and Auckland airport is officially my favourite one. My shampoo and shower jelly exploded all over my case. Got to Wellington and found out that I could move in that day so once we got there, I went and explained things to the hostel I was booked in to. I live in a shared room so I should be meeting my room mate, Michelle, on Sunday aka moving day. I've met a few people so far, including my RA Nicole, and they all seem nice. I just hope I can shift my flu-y-ness before Sunday. I hope Michelle is nice.

Today I set up an account with the National Bank, I should hopefully get my card on Friday. I've not paid my fees yet and my cards don't like the chip & pin machines here :S I bought a few bits and bobs (new shower gel, air freshener, a mirror because I couldn't locate where it was, a notepad, some plastic glasses and some lens cleaner.) I can't buy a fresher's pass (or O week as they call it here) because I don't have a Vic. ID and I can't get that until I enrol, which is Friday (grr.) Hopefully I will make it to some stuff, there is a neon toga party which sounds fun. I bought some Zubrowka at the Fiji duty free but I will have to hide it as it's against the rules to have any alcohol in rez during orientation, study, and exam weeks.

I will have uber legs by the time I return home. I live on a hill. To get to uni you go up it, to get to town you go down it. Wellington is very hilly but apart from that, it reminds me a lot of Norwich. I really like it here so far, it feels like home. We'll see how things go over the next little while :)

I forgot to say, according to the inflight magazine, cider is becoming the cool drink in NZ ;-) they also have the BEST money over here. The $10 note has Kate Sheppard on one side and the blue duck on the other :D :D :D