Such a Busy Week!

The past few days have been truly AMAZING! To start the weekend off early, Jackie flew in from Auckland! We lived on the same floor freshman year at SMC and she is studying abroad here in NZed, just like me, in Auckland at AUT. So she arrived Thursday, and since we were both tired from being in classes and such all week, we decided to stay in. Friday was Claire's 21st birthday so we toasted her at midnight then stayed up talking and filling each other in about our lives. Waking up early on Friday for my last class in NZed I went off and when I was back, Jackie was up and ready to go. Around 10:00 we went for a looong stroll up to the Botanical Gardens, as I had no clue how to get there and we didn't bring a map. We got a little lost, but the walk was still nice because it was so sunny and warm. Walking through the gardens was really beautiful. All the tulips were up and colorful and there were super cute little ducklings in the pond. After our morning with the flowers we headed towards the waterfront and walked around the beehive parliament building. We got some lunch at Mac's Brewery, I had the fish and chips and I discovered my love of ginger beer! It was so tasty I decided to buy some from the grocery store the next time I went.

While we were in the gardens we saw a sign for a glow worm tour that happened each night, so we went back to the gardens later that night. When we got to the spot where the guide was supposed to meet us, we were greeted by no less than 50 tourists with camera's ready. I am not sure what they were all doing there on that Friday night, but we happily joined the group and got away without paying the $5 admission. The tour guide was not too informational, but since Jackie had seen glow worms before in Waitomo she told me all that I needed to know. 

When the tour was over we headed back to my flat for Claire's 21st birthday party. We had so many people over that it was great! After lots of ping-pong ball tossing and tequila shot taking we headed off into town for some dancing! I wasn't planning on too late of a night, as Jackie and I were exhausted, but we managed to stay out until about 3 I think. 

Saturday was a day for tramping, so Jackie and I headed up Mount Victoria, and I have to admit that the 4th time up is much easier than the first. We rode the rope swing, I had to convince Jackie for a few minutes, and got some great shots. After coming back down we walked through town and got yummy crepe's and smoothies =) It was the perfect treat after some hard work.

Jackie flew home Saturday night and I went to bed early since I was real tired.

Sunday was a day of rest, which I really needed, so I just went out to the market for some fruit and came home to relax the day away!