2009 - No. 7 www.malecek.com |
DAVID DOWN UNDER IN DEC - Pt 2 | |
This year we had a group of enthusiasts who were keen to do the jump at midnight. Joining the Malleys were the White family, Smithers family, Russell and Ann.
Cricket outside until it got too dark, then it was indoor games.
We set a record with 14 jumpers (some were more like "divers"), leaving us with only a few photographers to capture the action.
After a bubbly toast and drying off, it was back inside for more games until 2AM.
(Sally's video) At the pump: $1.80/litre $6.93/gal |
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David wanted to attend the 5 day long cricket test match (NZ vs Pakistan) in Napier. Gail and I tagged along using the time to relax, check out retirement villages and do some tourist activities. We had been to the East Coast in 1991 and did not do everything that time.
We stopped on the way to view Waipunga Falls. Was a long drive from Matamata so we just had a swim in motel pool and rested the first day in town.
The most interesting activity for me was the guided tour to see gannets. We drove to Clifton where we joined 16 others for a 9 km tractor ride along the beach to the colonies at 5PM. Our driver, Rod, also stopped and pointed out geological things (e.g. volcanic ash from 9000,000 years ago) along the way. We met a Dutch couple (spending 3 months in NZ) while waiting and we hung out with them. There were also Swiss, Japanese and a Canadian but no one from Australia which is where the chicks fly to on their very first flight. We drove through the waves and one of my boots got soaked. We stopped at a spot with several rookeries and had time for photos. At the end of the line it was a hike up the plateau. Gail only made it half-ways. But I got there for more photos and videos. We also saw broad front terns in the terraces and a few rock pigeons tucked away for the night. PHOTOS and VIDEOS On the remaining days we would do something with David before dropping him off at the stadium. Miniature Golf, Bluff Hill, Botanical Gardens and Marine Parade. We liked two villages each at opposite ends of the spectrum. One, in Taradale, a small setup with few organized activities. The other at Ahuriri was like an exclusive resort, very flash and had facilities from independent living up to their own on-site hospital. Since we liked the dry weather of the area and put our name on the waiting lists. | |
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