New Zealand - Day One

Tuesday, March 30th...Air New Zealand is number one! No really, it is. I had three seats to myself, which for a thirteen hour flight is a lottery win. I created a nest, and actually slept. They served me veggie meals and were so sweet and polite.

Suzy was waiting at the gate at Wellington for me. She helped lug my stuff to her little white Suzuki, and we were off! The day was gorgeous, sunny, breezy, and not even cold. She took me to the two main surf breaks right off, and told me I could surf if I wanted. How cool is that?

Llyal Bay was the first stop. I could see surfers out as we went around the bend. Once we were in the parking lot, I could see it was small, about waist high. It was a peeling left, but the wind was making it look not worth it. We watched for a bit, while some longboarders caught a couple. Not too inviting. Everyone was in full suits, some guys were wearing boots. It looked cold. No thanks.

We drove on to Houghton Bay, where I was actually tempted. It was bigger, and was breaking more chunky. A nice left would wedge up now and then, in between the close-outs, and one guy actually got tubed. Some of the waves were head high. I almost went for it, but I hated to make Suzy sit up there and wait. Plus, the rocks were really sketchy, popping up in random spots. I would have liked to have a local's insight first. Then I saw a guy paddle out with a helmet. Nah, I will wait for Dunedin. Plus, the wind was blowing everyone back off the waves when they paddled.

We took a scenic drive all around the outskirts of Wellington. It was a gorgeous drive, hills and mountains everywhere, the bay with all the cottages lining the shore and dotting the hillsides. We stopped at a little cafe by the water, and I had a hot chocolate and we shared a fat cookie, a "Yo-Yo," that was her favorite.

We finally ended up downtown, where we stopped for lunch at a sleek, modern cafe that was near her work. Afterwards, we drove around town, ending up at "The Mermaid," where I was to stay for two nights. I met Francesca, the owner, and her mom, a cute little old lady with a searing sense of humor. She told me where everything was, and I lugged my stuff up the million steps to my room while Suzy went off to pick up her son, Wilson. There were a few cafes, and a bakery on the same street, also a little store right next door. It was like staying in an old mansion, cozy yet spacious.

Suzy returned, and we headed back to her house. Oh, her house! What a dream Hobbit house on the top of a steep hill. Everything about it is quaint. The kitchen had wall to wall windows overlooking the garden. Every window in the entire house seems to look on yet another astounding view of the city and harbour below. Wooden plank floors, all glossy and smooth, run through the house. They still have that leopard print couch where Michael and I sat together once.

It is time to pick up ZiZi from school. ZiZi is living with George and Suzy for a year, going to school here, and is from Vero Beach. What a great experience for a fourteen year old! She bounds up to the car in her school uniform. All the kids go to same sex school here, and most wear uniforms. ZiZi is full of personality, not shy one bit. She talks to us as she knits in the back seat. She texts someone every now and then. George calls, and we are off to pick him up from work. He tells us he is making falafel for dinner! While he cooks, he tells me stories of his childhood in Cincinnati. It is all suddenly so apparent to me why I love to travel. It is for the moments just like this. Wilson, their son, sits on the couch and talks to us every now and then. Zizi adds her comments, too. I love all this. I notice how Wilson has a New Zealand accent now. We sit around the table, eating falafel and salad, and all is right with the world.

Then it is off to watch practice for the play that Suzy is directing. What fun this was, watching the two girls play their parts and watch as Suzy tells them to do this and that. Then the star. Norman, and an older woman practice their parts, and they are even better. I can't believe I can stay up this late. At home, it is nearly dawn. When I got back to my room, a nice hot bath was the perfect ending to the day.