The Truth About Father Christmas
Trip Start
Sep 23, 2004
1
20
77
Trip End
Ongoing
Auckland, New Zealand
Monday, December 20, 2004
Of course, we also had to go out and celebrate my employment! We went up the Sky Tower, the winner in the Southern Hemisphere's 'Ours is bigger than yours' race (328 metres, which is apparently over 1000 feet). It features a revolving restaurant, which rotates at the leisurely pace of one full turn every hour. Slow enough not to cause motion sickness or cause you to spill your cocktail. The view was wonderful; we could see right out to the Waitakeries ranges (our favourite place for looking at waterfalls and getting muddy), and across to the bay where my school is. The food was also very enjoyable. I highly recommend the Toblerone cocktail... I challenge you to resist the temptation of licking the glass out with your finger. I proved unequal to this feat and my glass was very clean indeed! Classy chick aren't I?
Christmas is on its way. Which seems strange as the temperature is rising! This even confuses the children here. When asked what they are looking forward to at Christmas, a few of the little ones at St Heliers said 'playing in the snow!' Their teacher had to point out that unless they were intending to visit the Antarctic, the climate could prove uncooperative. Another girl was quite concerned for Santa's comfort, having registered that thick furry costumes and summertime don't go. Apparently he wears a red t-shirt under his coat for when in the southern hemisphere. So worry no longer!
More truths about Father Christmas were revealed last Saturday when we gathered in the Domain for Christmas in the Park. We sang Christmas carols, were forced to listen to the runner up of Australian Pop Idol (if he came second I dread to think how awful the rest were....), and were treated to the unusual sight of Father Christmas arriving in a pirate ship, complete with Jolly Roger and fairy lights. Now we know where he gets all the presents from- the elves are a myth! Santa, the scurge of the Seven Seas....
The previous weekend proved even more interesting. New Zealand Music Week culminated in a variety of events, including the K-road Karnival. K-road is the local equivalent of Soho- trendy clubs and dodgy massage parlours. The float with the rock band was entertaining, Rick enjoyed the marching band and Brazilian dancers (I'm sure short skirts and skimpy bikinis had nothing to do with it), I wanted to join in the display of sword fighting and the Animal Rescue people dressed up as cats and gave us lollipops, which kept my sweet tooth happy. The highlight, however, had to be the float put on by one of the local 'adult shops'. Drag queens, nurses, maids and lots and lots of leather... I shall leave the rest to your imagination! Certainly original!
I also visited Kelly Tarlton's with Rick. It's amazing I waited so long as it's our local aquarium! The highlight has to be the big underwater tunnel, with sharks and eagle rays gliding above us. The rays were particularly magnificent, and glided effortlessly through the water. The penguin enclosure was also wonderful. They produce real snow for them, and some of them had chicks! They also had a very large pool with glass panels so we could watch the birds racing round under water. I was unable to persuade Rick to let me have a giant cuddly squeaky shark. And apparently it's too big for Father Christmas to put in my stocking. But I do get to go to the Coromandel Peninsula for Christmas and mess about on the beach. Hope that the sun deceides to come and play!
