The Wanaka Diaries

By that Thursday, I did have some work lined up. It was only for one day, but I decided that it would do until I could get something more permanent. I was going to spend the next day working in a vineyard. Of course to get the minibus I had to get up quite early. It was a shame that I was to spend that night working for accommodation in the house bar downstairs. I didn’t get to bed until after 2am, and so I was pretty tired the next morning as I dragged myself out of bed reluctantly and headed for a shower to try and wake up a bit. I arrived outside the job agency only to be told that somehow I wasn’t on the list for the minibus. I waited in case someone else didn’t turn up, and luckily there was room for me. It took about 2 hours to get to the orchard, so by the time we got there we were ready to go and so fired up for a day of hard labour. Yeah, right! The job was mind numbing, and the vineyard’s American owner was a right pain in the a**.  (No offence meant to Americans).  He was constantly breathing down all our necks, and we were aching by the time we got to the hut for lunch. By the end of the day I was glad that it was only a one day job, or else I would have considered quitting. 

The following day I didn’t do much until that night, when I was back toiling in the bar again. Don’t get any glamorous ideas of me being behind the bar pouring drinks though, as I was a glassie. That means it was my job to run around all night collecting glasses and putting them in the dishwasher, ensuring there were enough glasses behind the bar and cleaning up broken glasses and any other mess (yes, that does include sick!). I also had to do some security work, which involved standing at the door to the deck and stopping people taking their drinks outside. This was as easy as trying to explain the rules of chess to a dog. It just didn’t work. It was amazing how many people can’t understand a simple request just because they’ve had a few drinks.

 By the middle of the following week I had an interview for a job at New World, the local (and only) Supermarket. Not that the interview process was overly gruelling. The only question I was asked was “when can you start?” I was to go in on that Friday to get my uniform sorted out as well as my pay details and to put my fingerprint in the clock-in system. I was working late on Thursday night (again) in the bar, and I sort of slept in because my phone (and alarm clock) ran out of batteries in the night. Luckily Adrienne was pretty understanding when, although I’d said morning I turned up at 1pm looking like I’d just got out of bed (I had). We got all my details sorted out, and I was told to turn up ready for work at 9am the following morning. I made sure my phone was fully charged that night before I went to bed. The next morning I turned up on time and met the rest of the team. There was the manager Merv, his wife Bev, Trevor, Brent and Phillip, who was another new guy.  The job was simple enough. Pretty much I had to ensure that the fruit and veg bins were kept looking full and that the stock was rotated. It was even simpler than that, as each day I would only have to work on one side of the shop each day, either fruit or veg. By about midday the side was pretty full, and it was simply a task of keeping everything topped up and trying to look busy.  

By the middle of the third week, however, I really needed a break. Not from the supermarket, but from the bar. I was fed up of being down there, and I didn’t really like the manager, Amy, at all. She treated the WFA staff like shit, and she would say one thing and then do something completely different. I decided to talk to the housekeeping manager, Cecile, about possibly doing housekeeping for accommodation. The problem was that Amy was reluctant to give me up, because not only she would need to have the security staff work more rather than using me and saving money. Not that my job was ever meant to include security work. It wasn’t until the middle of the following week that Amy called me down to the bar to tell me that she had decided to move me to housekeeping, starting the following week. She said it as if it was her Idea in the first place. I decided just to hold my tongue and be thankful that I was getting out of there.

On my last night in the bar, I was working with the other security guard, Jason, and it was dead. We spent most of the night chatting and Jason told me that he might be able to get me some occasional security work at Shooters, one of the other bars in town. I said that would be great, and he told me he needed someone for the following Friday and Saturday. I said I would do it, and decided to talk to Cecile in at the morning about sorting the housekeeping roster out. The rest of that night was quite a doss and at the end Tom, the assistant manager, gave me a couple of shots, both of which were quite strong, especially the Chartreuse and Sambuca.

The work set for me in housekeeping seemed simple enough. Because I was working during the day every day except Thursday and Friday, and I was due to be working at night that Saturday and Sunday, I was to clean the kitchen from Monday to Friday, and make up rooms on Thursday and Friday, with Saturday and Sunday off. I started on the Saturday of the week before. I had worked 10 hours in the supermarket that day, after which I went up to the home of Cindy, one the assistant  Housekeeping Manager, who had invited all  of us up  to her house for a party, just for  the fun of it. Cindy was Malaysian, and she was lovely. She always had a smile, and could cheer you up no matter what. I had to leave early, of course, because I had to go and close up that kitchen and clean up. I got back late, about 11pm, and had to start straightaway as the kitchen was supposed to close at 10pm. I collected supplies and a list of things to do from the housekeeping room. I got into the kitchen and the first thing I noticed was a huge mound of unwashed dishes, and no-one there to clean them but me. About an hour later, when I had finished cleaning them, I was about ready for bed, but I still had the rest of the kitchen to clean. At 2.30am, when I had finished, I was exhausted, and by the following Tuesday I had decided to move out and find a flat or house-share.

I started my search the following day during my first break, by looking in the messenger, which was full of classifieds. I circled a few that seemed interesting, and arranged to go and see a couple that evening. The first place I went to was nice enough, but it was up the hill and so a bit out of the way I decided to leave it as a maybe. The next one was next door to Cindy’s house, but it was poky, there was neither phone nor internet, and I would have been there on my own most of the time. Plus it was still a bit out of the way.  The final place I saw that night was right next to the base of Mount Iron, but it was an annexe to a family home, and it was just a room, using the family kitchen in the main house. I decided that this would be a definite no, so I went home and contrived to look at more the next day.

The next day I got up early to do housekeeping. I had to make beds, and it was easy. I was paired up with Elianna, who was an Israeli American, and we took shortcuts as much as we could, like only changing the undersheets if they looked like they had been slept on, or were dirty. I also had to hoover, and I did that as quickly as possible to get it over with. After we finished, I headed straight out to look at the New World noticeboard, and I called a number and found myself talking to Kelly, the Beer and Wine manager. She said that she had a room, and I told her that I was going to look at some others that day and I’d get in touch with her if I hadn’t found something and wanted to have a look at her place. I walked up to another place on the hill, which was about a half hour’s walk, and met Stan, who was wanting someone to share his house with. He had two lovely dogs and a young daughter who came to visit every other week. The house was nice, but there was no internet or phone, and it was out of the way. I put it on the shortlist and headed back towards town, wondering. I walked back into town and decided to go and get myself a beer.  I headed for HQ, so I could check whether I would be working that week. Fish was on, and we got talking. She told me that she was going to be moving out of her room at a house-share just up the road, and they were looking for someone to move in. She gave me the number of her housemate, Torsten, and said that I could go and have a look later that day.  It took me a while to find the place, as I was still quite unsure of the geography of Wanaka, but I eventually got there. I met Max, the other housemate, and had a look at the place. The room was large, with a double bed, but the kitchen and bathroom were a little dated and possibly in need of a ‘spring clean’.  On the good side, tough, there was internet and a phone, with cheap international rates. There was also a TV, but it wasn’t connected as there had been Sky but Fish was taking it with her, but there was a DVD player and loads of DVDs. Headed back to the hostel, with a difficult choice to make, as it had boiled down to the last two places I had seen. I had to make a choice between the convenience of the house in town, and the desirability of the house on the hill, with the two cute dogs. I decided to consult with my Aunts, so I called them, and later that evening I called my parents as well. The following morning I had come to a decision, and called Torsten to tell him that I would take the flat. My decision had been influenced by the location, as I didn’t want to go too far to work each day, and also the internet access, as using the internet café in the hostel was costing me a fortune.  Torsten and I agreed that I would move in on Monday, and that he would bring his car down to help me with my stuff.

 That night, I was relaxing in the TV room after my second day off, and waiting for 10pm so that I could clean the kitchen, when my phone went off. It was Jason, wondering where I was, because I was meant to be at work at the bar. I got changed quickly and grabbed the housekeeping keys on my way out. I arrived at the bar about two minutes later and explained to Jason that I had got the days mixed up, and I had thought I was working on Saturday and Sunday. The work was pretty easy, anyhow. All I had to do was stand out the front and check IDs, and I spent most of the time chatting to the locals who were out there smoking. It was 2.30am by the time we got finished and cleaned up, so by the time I’d cleaned up the kitchen that night it was after 4am, and I had to get up at 8 for work. It took me several coffees and cans of energy drink to get through that day, and the following evening when I was back at the bar I was trying my hardest not to fall asleep where I stood. I was glad that I wasn’t cleaning the kitchen that night, because I wouldn’t have managed it. I got to bed as soon as I got finished at the bar, but I was still pretty tired the next morning. I got myself through Sunday with the help of an unhealthy amount of caffeine, and on Sunday evening I got most of my stuff packed up and ready to go, and I got hold of the keys to the housekeeping room under the pretext of changing the bedding and getting stuff ready for the next day, but I also used it as an opportunity to acquire some bedding for my new place. I also got some towels and some soaps, as well as a really handy washing bag. I hid this all at the bottom of a bin bag I had also acquired for the move, and I got my stuff all ready to go for the next day. The following evening I got moved into my new room and got my stuff arranged into a pile in the corner of the room, and my food packed away in the fridge and my food cupboard.

Two weeks later, I really felt at home in Wanaka, and I had worked out how much money I needed to earn, and that I wouldn’t be leaving Wanaka until sometime in April, and I decided to get my return travel organised.   This time I decided to be more organized, and actually budget for activities as well as food and accommodation. I also had to book my return flights, and I changed my plans slightly to allow for a repeat stop in Sydney. It took me a week to book all of the hostels, and to get the flights organised with BA, because there was a disagreement between offices. The UK office told me that there would be a difference in taxes, but no change fee, whilst the NZ office thought I would have to pay to change the flight. I also had to call Magic and get my buses changed.

For the following few weeks I worked hard at New World, and I decided to try and lose some of the weight I had gained on my travels. I increased the amount of Fruit and Veg I was eating until it made up about half of my weekly shop, and barely ate any meat as I couldn’t really afford it. I also tried to cut out some of the snacks I was eating and made sure I packed a nice healthy lunch (see, I’m quite good at diet tips too, maybe I should write a book called ‘The Flying Scotsman Diet’). The only problem I had was that between the produce department and the break room, there was a chiller cabinet filled with reduced to clear cakes and other treats, and it was really hard to resist them, especially the carrot cake. I also had trouble steering clear of the biscuit aisle. Saying that, it did work, and I lost a stone in about 4 weeks (no, I don’t do metric).  The only thing which wasn’t working out too well was the swimming, as it was getting a bit too cold in the evenings, and the days were getting shorter. It was quite strange, because during the day it would be really nice and sunny, almost sunbathing weather, and then at night it would get so cold you would be shivering. I had to put an extra blanket on my bed as well. I also joined the library and got through about 3 books a week. (I know this all seems a bit pedestrian, but I was here for three months).

The view from the end of my street!

Suzanne, Chiquie and Jackie

One of the things I did do was visit puzzling world with a few of the guys from the hostel. It was quite interesting, with a hall full of holograms, a room which was angled so that if you stood at one end you would seem very tall, and at the other very short. Of course I am so tall that I just looked normal at the short end, and a very difficult maze in which you had to get to each of the coloured towers in order. We made it a race, and I finished second. It was such a hot day that we were all exhausted after that, and we headed back into town. I also went disc golfing, which was quite unusual because it was in a forest and the targets were marked on trees. I loved little Wanaka, especially the view every morning on the way to work, with the mountains and the lake which looked (only the tiniest bit) clichéd. I also liked all the people I met, especially Cindy, who always cheered me up, and Nathan and Jason who were typical kiwi blokes and always up for a beer. I remember the morning (more like afternoon) after one particularly unmemorable bender, I met up with Jason down at HQ, and we had a bit of a session drinking beers on the terrace. I also remember one night getting quite drunk and partaking of some karaoke. I seemed to get better as the night wore on, and on the way home I swear that I met a guy with a live possum on his head. Some of the girls on the checkout were also a good laugh, including Jackie and Elise. During my last Week in Wanaka, I took a hike up Mount Iron and the views were amazing. I could see all of Wanaka, and right across to Arrowtown. It took me about 3 hours round trip, but it was worth it. I know that this isn’t a blow by blow account  of Wanaka, but why would you want that? It would be boring! So I think I’ll wrap this up for now and maybe touch it up if some more comes to me. 

Me and Cindy

Day 10 - Rotorua - Wasted Plans, A Pool and a Trip to the Cinema

I had planned to go for a walk on day 10. I was gonna explore some of the natural geothermal areas in Rotorua. The weather changed that, though. It was raining when I got up to go for a walk, and so I decided to go and find something else to do. First, I researched some more on the Tongariro Crossing at the I-site. Then I took a stroll through the town where I came upon an indoor shooting range. I took a few shots with an air rifle, and, upon hitting nothing, gave up. I then ambled about town until I came upon the cinema. Oh, well. Why not catch a movie? I watched Sherlock Holmes and I quite enjoyed it. I then headed back to the hostel and took a swim in the pool, as it had stopped raining. I the went back to the room, where I got chatting to one of the other guests, and we talked about our travels for quite a while. It's just a shame that I can't remember the guy's name. After that, It was yet another early night for me.

Day 7 - The Morning After

When I woke up on new Years Day, i definitely felt a bit rough. The sunlight was blinding, my mouth felt like sandpaper, and I had the grand union railroad's entire construction team working in my head. I staggered off to the toilet and then headed to the kitchen for a drink. I then found that sometime the previous evening I had misplaced my glasses, and remembered handing them to 'Jesus'. I decided to have a shower (I stunk) before heading back to the house of the party to find my glasses. I went over there and I searched everywhere I could remember going before admitting defeat and leaving the guy my phone number to get in touch if he found them. I then headed back to the hostel and decided to go to relax on the beach for a while. I took a short swim, but I still didn't feel quite right so I decided to head to the hostel's pool and hot spa, instead. I relaxed for at least an hour before I got a gall from the guy to tell me that he had found a pair of glasses. I headed over straight away, and there they were. Jesus must have put them on the edge of the guy's decking, out of the way. I headed back to the hostel and crashed in the TV lounge for a while, swam in the pool some more and just lazed about for the rest of the day, before getting my packing done for the next day. I went to bed quite early, to hopefully feel better the next day.

Day 4 - Ladies' Night

When I woke up on day 4, still on the boat, the first thing I did was go for a swim before breakfast. It still wasn't cold, but it really woke me up. Breakfast was a bowl of the traditional kiwi dish - porridge (okay, so it's Scottish, but it was still good). Shortly after, we anchored in another bay and we went snorkeling, to collect urchins with which to make the traditional Japanese sushi dish, uni (oo-knee). We then moved to another bay, near Robertson island, and we took a trip over to the beach, a few of us (including myself) kayaked over, and the rest took the tender across. We had a good few hours on the beach, and took a walk to the crest of one of the island hills and we got 360° views of the bay of islands. We then headed back towards Paihia, and I played pool on the boat with the American couple's two sons. It was great fun, because every time you got a shot lined up, the balls moved about the table from the rocking of the boat. Shortly before we were due to arrive in Paihia, we were called to the back of the boat to try some uni. This is prepared by sticking a knife straight into a live sea urchin, splitting it in two and scooping out the innards. The egg sacks are then collected and these are uni. it's actually not as gross as it sounds, and it don't taste too bad, either. It's slightly salty and creamy. Shortly after that, we arrived back in Paihia and we were dropped off on the wharf by the tender. I headed off to the base hostel to check in and pick up my bags. as soon as I was moved in, I jumped in what is claimed to be the smallest hostel pool in the world, certainly in New Zealand. Saying that, there was still room to swim. I had the hostel's barbecue for tea, because i couldn't be bothered cooking. I found out that it was going to be the hostel's ladies' night, and all the men had to dress as women. I thought 'why not?', and I decided to wear my kilt as a skirt, with my pink shirt tied to make a crop top. I stuffed it with my kilt socks, but I could have done with bigger boobs. When I arrived in the bar, I found out that there a was a 'Miss Pipi Patch' competition, with the prize being a free sky dive. I decided to go for it, and if I won, I would actually give skydiving a go. Thankfully, I didn't win, I got beaten by another guy in a dress. I got knocked out in the first round, limbo dancing. I was glad I didn't get to the final, as there were two blokes left, and it was a snog off between them. after the competition had finished, I headed to bed, to get a good night's sleep before the Cape Reinga day trip the next day.