Festivity Overload
Trip Start
Sep 09, 2004
1
69
393
Trip End
Ongoing
Christchurch,
New Zealand
Monday, December 27, 2004
Sinead and the girls joined us on the 22nd, Igno and the others on the 23rd, so by the time Christmas Eve came the excitable re-unions had taken place and everyone was in high spirits.
For many of us, Christmas this year was away from family and loved ones but fortunately, we were also in a group that were mutually compassionate and supportive so we kind of became our own 'family'. So although Christmas was a strange one it was also a good one. Christmas Eve saw us all pile on to the roof of Base Backpackers with a few beers following a delightful curry in the Indian restaurant next door. All fifteen of us! A lot of laughs and ridiculous photos later and it was Christmas day. For the few of us that were able to surface before noon, we were able to get stuck in to one of the mammoth breakfasts in the Warners restaurant next door for our Christmas brekky. And what a mighty one it was, with what seemed like a bottomless cup of tea. When we finished we really were 'finished', just like a proper Christmas - bloated for the rest of the day, even throughout the duration of the 'Base Christmas Barbecue' on the roof where the whole hostel had gathered to sink more jars and stuff their faces. Most of us managed to attend and carry on but it was hard. It took around three hours to battle through the pain barrier where we eventually ended up on the fourth floor roof in an even smaller group with beers, tortilla chips and the ever faithful guitar. So as I say, it was a strange one but a good one nonetheless.
It's now the day after Boxing day and I'm sitting in the private grounds of a beautiful luxurious motel under the sweltering heat of sunny Christchurch. Yesterday, I took the first day of my vacation as a backpacker and took up my new temporary role of 'family tour guide'. So for the next two and a half weeks I have the privilege of motel accommodation with all the privacy and freedom that comes with it. No more locking up bags and backpacks, padlocking guitar cases to bedposts, or enduring the endless slamming of doors and fanfare of snores in the desperate attempt to catch a few hours kip. This will be bliss. More importantly I get to spend it with my folks. It's been nearly four months since I've seen them and there is so much to catch up on, for all of us. This will be the last entry for a while as I get stuck in to some serious quality time with Ma and Pa. They're currently chugging away the jetlag in the peaceful land of snooze while I make a few last minute notes and plans for their coming adventure.
This happens to be the busiest time in New Zealand. Apart from the natural festivities that Christmas brings, it's also the height of the summer, the kids are off school, it's the summer holidays and Kiwi's all up and down the country are scurrying to all the best spots. So for some time now I've had to ensure that the first half of this experience was booked, otherwise I wouldn't have stood a chance of getting in anywhere. Seriously. The general plan is that the hire car sitting outside will get us around adequately and to the various motels that I have already booked. Tomorrow we're off inland through Hanmer Springs and the Lewis Pass and right up to Nelson - the hottest part of New Zealand and where many of the Kiwi's go for their summer holidays. According to a few Kiwi's I spoke with beforehand, the three best places to go over the Christmas and New Year period are Nelson, in the South Island, and Bay of Islands or the Coromandel in the North. Bearing in mind when I booked this I hadn't seen the South Island so just took a good measure of chance and advice. Luckily, having just gone round and 'done the South' myself just in time for their arrival, I know they'll love it. Good, so its Nelson for the New Year then back down to Akaroa in the Banks Peninsula for three nights before returning the hire car. It is then that we'll pick up the big, beautiful campervan before heading out in to the unknown. Nothing planned really, apart from fun, adventure and quality time. We'll just go wherever our hearts take us. Pure adventure, can't wait, and I just know they will absolutely love it.
So the whole Christmas experience was quite intense really as there were lots of emotional re-unions and goodbyes. Last night I returned in to town for one last night with the guys and to say lots of goodbyes. Igno in particular is leaving tonight so last night was the only real opportunity for a farewell beer. The bonus was that the olduns were in high spirits and up for anything, so came along to meet everyone. It was great for them to meet some of these fantastic people I've been travelling with and also to share in the sadness of the many goodbyes. To their credit, the whole thing must have been so overwhelming considering they've just flown from the other side of the world for a magical re-union and experience, and to be met by such wonderful people in an immensely magnificent country at a highly emotional time while battling through the jetlag is not that easy, especially as they're approaching their sixties. So the night ended up a good one and a very emotional one that will stay with us all forever. Nuff said.
I'm still buzzing myself from all the emotion over the last couple of days so thought this as a perfect time to make some last minute notes. Tomorrow is the first day of the 'Travellin' Trio Adventure' and we all can't wait. They have no idea what to expect and they really wont know what's hit 'em. I can't wait to see their faces!
This is a private blog 
