Pigalina's Palace: Travel

Turning 25 and The Big Day Out

Fri, 02 Feb 2007 23:46:25 GMT

I have finally got the photos from our trip to Auckland up on the computer. There are not as many of bands as I would like, mainly as it was either too dark or we were dancing too much. While we were there I turned 25 which we celebrated by going into Auckland and watching Open Season in 3D on the Imax screen. Mr Pigalina and I then had tea together and the insistance of Libby and Shaun and then we met up for pool, pinball and boogieing (6 songs for $2 on the video jukebox!) before heading back to our motel. This trip took about 3 hours as we accidentally drove in a giant circle but it was one of the most entertaining car journeys I have been on. We bought a chocolately birthday cake at about 1am, it was great. Alas we had to be up for 5.15am so we were a bit worse for wear the next day. As I sat half awake on the sofa the next day, feeling ill from a lingering snot riddled head cold and lack of sleep, Mr Pigalina's mum arrived and asked me if I was hungover. How rude! I was the model of sobriety (apart from 3 drinks on my birthday) all weekend despite my appearance in a lot of the photos. It is amazing how a bit of humidity can play havoc with your hair.

(I will put a few photos here, the rest will be in my album called "Big Day Out"):

Muse were fantastic as expected, The Streets were a suprise, they were awesome! It was so much fun jumping about in a boiling hot tent with thousands of other people while they were playing. There were so many fantastic outfits that I wish I had taken more photos. Shaun and Mr Pigalina even saw an emo girl wearing a gasmask. I alas was in the t-shirt queue and missed it. I don't care who is playing next year I want to go, it was a big AWESOME day out. A great weekend all round actually.

The Big (Expensive) Day Out

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 06:18:04 GMT

Woot! After wanting to go to The Big Day Out (an Australiasian rock festival) for the past 10 years or so we are finally going in January. It is being held the day before my 25th birthday and, having decided that 25 is the new 21, what better way to celebrate?

It has turned, however, into a very expensive venture. Almost as much, if not more, than a trip to Australia. Libby, Shaun, Mr Pigalina and I live in Dunedin which is in the South Island of New Zealand (next to the little hand sticking out of the sea):

The Big Day Out is held every year in Auckland which can be found at the top of the North Island on the long thin bit. Believe it or not, it is cheaper to fly across to Australia than it is for us to fly to the top of the country we live in. This is all thanks to only having one airline. Curses Also, thanks to only having one airline we had a bit of a mission booking flights last night. We had decided to take the earliest flight up and the latest flight back so as to get as much holiday as possible. However, there were only 3 flights left each way and only 1 each way had 4 seats left! Alas, we have to fly home at 7.15am which kind of rules out and late night birthday revelry. The price was also $100 more than when we had checked them a few days before. Mr Pigalina just about had a heart attack. Don't even get me started on the price of accomodation and the unhelpful Motelliers that have only just replied to me (luckily in the negative) a week and a half after I booked us into somewhere more expensive. It must be quite amusing to people from larger countries to think that it is such a mission for us to get around. We have no train service and to drive would take 2 days and we would have to pay $400+ to get acoss Cook Strait on the ferry.

Anyway, it is all booked and we shall all be going to Auckland for the very first time! Shaun is most excited about seeing New Zealand bands Scribe and Steriogram so he really could save himself the money and wait until they come and play at the local pub for $10. I am looking forward to Muse and The Killers. Yay!

Snowboards, Sleeping Bags, Sore Shoulders and Sun

Tue, 29 Aug 2006 09:18:44 GMT

As mentioned in my previous entry we went snow boarding at the weekend. On this journey was Mr Pigalina, Mr Pigalina's brother Steven, me and our friend Sarah. It was a bit of a squeeze trying to pack everything into the car. Everybody must have adopted my policy of packing two sets of clothing for each day (you never know when you will fall in the sea, spill food down yourself, or (heaven forbid) wee your pants!). Due to the car being a bit full we had to put two of the snowboard onto the roof racks. Mr Pigalina and Steven secured the boards as best they could with 3 bungy cords and we set off.

Tootling down the road with the sun visor open to keep an eye on the boards all was well. Somebody just commented that maybe we should pull over and tie some rope around them when they disappeared from view! They had flown off and were in the middle of the road about 500 metres away. A large vehicle loomed on the horizon. We started to reverse but it wasn't quick enough so I ran down the road arms a-flailing. the bus screeched to halt, along with about 5 cars behind it and we retrieved the boards. Who should be driving the bus but Mr Pigalina's uncle. That was lucky, as anybody else may have just decided to run them over to teach us a lesson. (Let me also point out that no motorists were harmed in the making of this Pigalina adventure, though some did learn that there is a recommended travelling distance between cars for a reason).

An offending bunjy cord, last Friday.

We were horrified to see how much the bunjy cords had stretched out of shape. Anyway so on we travelled. We dropped Sarah off in Wanaka and Rodders, her gentleman friend, helped her with her bags. Little did we know but he accidentally also took the suitcase of the Pigalinas. We recieved a text later that night informing us that they had our suitcase (and thus all of our clothes). No clean undies and socks for us the next moring, no jammies for bedtime! Not only that, my sleeping bag was not to be found either. Luckliy for me there was a baggy tartan sack thing that I could sleep in. So, I slept in all of the clothes that I had worked and travelled in that day, in a tartan sack with a pillow 1 inch thick. It did not make for my best nights sleep, I was rather cold. (Did anybody notice that in my story there was no mention of Mr Pigalina saying he would sleep in the tartan sack? I think you will find it is because no such offer was made). My sleeping bag was located the next day. In the car.

When we finally made it up to Treble Cone the next day it was lovely and sunny. It was too hot for the 6 layers that I was wearing. After just about quitting after falling off the stupid pommer thing (a machine that you must cling to and be dragged up the learners slope) on my first two attempts I got underway. It must be said that if you are new to a relationship never attempt to teach, or be taught by the other person, such things as snowboarding. You can add driving to that list. Mr Pigalina has been snowboarding for years so my floundering around trying to even get into a standing position did not amuse him after the 20th attempt. Nor did I appreciate his advice. By lunchtime I could stand up with ease and was feeling confident enough to go on the ski-lift. I KNOW! Brave me. But then my little dreams were dashed when I was informed that heelside down the whole mountain simply will not do. You must be able to go down the mountain toeside too. Poos and wees. Thus the afternoon was dominated by me trying to learn to ride down the mountain this way. I could do it but alas like Zoolander I could not turn left (from heel to toe). Everytime I did I fell and at one point I hit my head and made myself cry.

That night we were all too tired, and stiff to consider going back up the next day. Plus another night with the world's thinnest pillow just about finished me off so that I could hardly move my head without pain the next day. Instead we strolled to the lake and enjoyed a leisurely drive home. So, I did not conquer my fear of heights but there is always next year. That is if I can become an ambi-turner by then.

Absolutely Positively Wellington

Sun, 21 May 2006 05:42:29 GMT

I have just returned from Wellington (capital city of NZ) with Mr Pigalina. He had to go up there for work and, due to mutual co-dependancy issues, I tagged along. It was our first time in the North Island. New Zealand is imaginatively named, there are two main islands, one in the north (guess what it is called) and another in the south, where we live.
I had three days to entertain myself and then on Saturday Mr Pigalina had a whirlwind tour of Wellington. On my first day I decided to do look at the things Mr Pigalina probably wouldn't be interested in. Mainly that was the National War Memorial and the art gallery. At the art gallery there was a big black plastic bin. I naturally thought it was for rubbish, then I noticed five beer cans floating in some water at the bottom. I was annoyed to see that there was a plaque on the wall next to the bin. It was an exhibit. There was also, by the same great artist, a canvas painted entirely black. What vision. Alas, I wasn't allowed to take my camera into the gallery (probably so I don't steal such great ideas) so I am unable to share the greatness with you.
I had planned on going second hand clothes shopping. It is great fun, especially in Dunedin where I have aquired many great things for a very, very, nice price. To my horror it seems you have to be rich to dress like a poor student in our nation's capital. They were selling old t-shirts for $7 (I do not pay more than $2 unless it is a must have) and, worse still, I spotted a second hand handbag for $85!
Saturday, Mr Pigalina and I went to see The Beehive, New Zealand's ugly parliament building (it looks like a bee hive, see for yourself):

We also went to Te Papa, the national museum. It was a bit of a disappointment though, apart from the Lord of the Rings exhibition. It was great. We saw Treebeard! You could also have your photo taken with a friend where one of you looks Hobbit sized. Later that day we rode on the famous Wellington cable car. It is kind of like a tram, but it runs on a train track and is pulled up the hill by a cable at the bottom. That night we broadened our horizons by being taken to a Mexican restaurant by our friends Nick and Jenny who live in Wellington and were full of tips on where to visit. (Yes, we have never had Mexican, we live in Dunedin, it is not the most exotic town). We also went to the Embassy Cinema, the one that was used for the King Kong premiere. It was a fun few days but my feet and legs are killing me! Wellington is so hilly. We will be going back in January for Nick and Jenny's wedding, yay!

Tags - Travel, Wellington, New Zealand, North Island, Te Papa, Beehive, Art, Cable Car

Things To Do In The Catlins When You're Dead (Or On A Budget)

Sun, 16 Apr 2006 03:42:55 GMT

This weekend we went on a little expedition to the Catlins, a region about an hour and a half from Dunedin. Pretty much all that is there are villages and holiday homes, however we found plenty to do.

We rented kayaks for a rather nice price. $5 an hour! You can rent them in Pounawea from the first house on the left. Excellent value. Our amateur status meant that the 3 kilometre return trip left everybody with aching arms. (Mine still hurt, I held a baby for 5 minutes and my muscle cramped up. Weiner).

We also had our very own March of the Penguins, we saw 10 Yellow Eyed Penguins (or Hoiho as nobody calls them). The most I have ever seen in one go is 3 I think. They were at Roaring Bay and it is the first time I have ever been there and it wasn't blowing a gale and freezing cold.

Suprisingly too at Nugget Point I was able to stand unaided for once, due to the lack of wind. A miracle!

Tags - New Zealand, The Catlins, Pounawea, Penguin, Yellow Eyed Penguin, Hoiho, Nugget Point, Kayak, Travel

In the holidays I...

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 10:18:45 GMT

I shan't bore you with every minute detail of what we did on our holiday. You don't care. What I will tell you though is that on holiday I did two things I am proud of. I went on a pirate ship and a roller-coaster, twice. Oh yeah that's right, you heard, twice!

Now to most people this is no big thing; but it has taken 23 years for me to go on a proper roller-coaster and not the weedy kind where you sit inside a catterpillar and weave in and out of an apple. Let me tell you a story about a girl of 12 (we could call her Pigletlina). She went to a theme park with her little sister who was 6 and her cousin who was 10. They all decided to go on the pirate ship. Pigletlina was terribly scared of heights so she decided to sit right in the very middle, the point which would go the least high. Her sister and cousin chose to sit right at the back and did not even hold on for much of the time. Well, the ride got going and hadn't even got properly swinging when Pigletlina's terrified crying and shrieks of terror meant that the ride had to be stopped so that she could get off. What is worse, it is all on video.

So you see it was very important that I go on the Pirate ship again. Once again I sat right in the middle. I had my eyes glued shut except for the very low swinging bits and one horrifying second when I opened them mid flight.

The Roller-Coaster was another story. I could see that it went very high and that it had a loop. As I tremblingly got myself secured into my seat, inwardly cursing myself and Mr Pigalina who had talked me into going on it, I was informed there was not one loop but two. Hurrah! I once again had my eyes firmly fixed shut the whole way - which must be worse because you have not idea what is coming next. However, I am petrified of heights so it is probably for the best. When it had finished I wanted to go on again. I was cured! After a drink to soothe my red raw throat (from screaming the entire time) and viewing the photo that was taken of us on the ride (all you could see of me was hair, I was in as close to a foetal position as it is possible to get in those large harnesses) we went on again. This time I managed to open my eyes AND hold my head up for the photo. I will scan it in as soon as possible so you can all praise me on how hard-core I look.

I now feel brave enough to go on more roller-coasters but the eyes closed policy will probably remain firmly in place.

If we took a holiday, took some time to celebrate..

Thu, 27 Oct 2005 02:04:09 GMT

On Monday it was Labour day, except for those of us in the retail and service industries where such breaks from labour do not exist. We stood forlornly in the sun patches coming through the shop window, desperately bored as everyone else was doing everything but shopping. (Poor us; we did make up for it though by going a bit crazy and playing with the remote control toys - car, hovercraft and my favourite - Roboraptor!)

I am in holiday mode right now, two more days of work and then I am off for two weeks. Hurrah! Mr Pigalina and I are going to Australia. It will be my first time out of the South Island in the 10 years since I moved here.

Today is a very rare day - a scorching Dunedin day. Usually there is a breeze to ruin the heat, but not today. I have had to come inside. I was outside reading all about the latest sagas of Paris Hilton, Jennifer Anniston and only-famous-for-being-Jude-Law's-girlfriend Sienna Miller (you can see my English Degree is regularly put to good use) and it was too hot, the blanket I was lying on was even too hot and I was becoming less than fragrant. According to the weather forcast it is 22 degrees. I saw that Coolangatta - where we are staying on holiday - is 29 today. How will I live? I'll return to Dunedin a burnt, dehydrated mess.

If you don't hear fom me for two weeks, try not to get too upset. No doubt you will hear all about my holiday when I get back. There, do you feel better now? You've got something to look forward to. Dry your eyes, chin up and I'll see you soon.

Ski (Sliding down the hill on plastic) trip

Tue, 23 Aug 2005 10:27:06 GMT

Well, the ski trip to Fox Peak was cancelled and we went to old faithful Queenstown instead. Usually Queenstown bores the life out of me, I am not rich, I do not have labelled clothing, therefore Queenstown is not for me. Everywhere I go it feels as if I am being scorned for my poorness. There is also nothing at all to do unless all you want to do is eat over-priced food (Fish and Chips was going to cost us $18!).

Anyway, I had a grand old time. Miss E-Boo and I entertained ourselves by sliding down the mountain, next to the car park, on a plastic board I purchased from Plastic Box, then we read a newspaper that somebody left behind and drank small $4.50 hot chocolates and $8 glasses of wine.

Photos can be found in the Photo Album under Ski Trip funnily enough

Fox Peak

Sat, 13 Aug 2005 04:58:20 GMT

Next weekend I am going to Fox Peak with church for a ski weekend. Or, in my case, a sliding down the mountain in a bin bag weekend. I'm so sophisticated.

It should be fun, I will have to find my sexy green waterproof trousers. And my wellies. Damn I'll look hot in my snow gear. In my bin bag.