A Driving Update (with videos)

On a recent drive down to Wellington to watch some of Lauryn's soccer games, I had THE BEST KIWI DRIVING EXPERIENCE EVAH!

I had previously written about the ridiculous windy, tight roads here, but the route I took to Wellington this time took the cake.  Leaving the coastal town of Waikanae, about an hour north of Wellington, I wound up and over a pass in the Tararua mountain range for about 30 km on the Akatarawa Road, and dropped into the town of Upper Hutt, which is about 40 km north of Wellington.  This "road" was about as wide as a double lane bike path, and of course, was intended for two way traffic.  On either side was generally a steep hillside with overhanging bush, so it was not just "a little narrow", it was claustrophobically so.

As happy as I was to have Jen with me on the first trip to Wellington, I was equally glad that she was not on this particular trip with me. For multiple reasons.  First, she would have been gripping an imaginary steering wheel or braking an imaginary brake, all the while shouting at me to slow down, move over or be careful.  The whole time.  Second, she would have become ill and carsick.  Third, at times, I could not help myself and decided to videotape some of the drive.  Which would have made matters much worse.

OK, I realize it was not very safe.  But I had to. Also, I only saw about 5 cyclists, 3 or 4 motorcyclists (farmers in their gumboots and farm attire, not Harley riders or speedsters) and maybe two other cars on the entire road, so I felt pretty safe to come to a stop once, and then drive slowly while video recording.  So what happened?  Naturally, immediately after starting recording the first time, a sedan came around the corner and I almost dropped the camera to the floor as I made sure to get all the way to the side of the road, so he could sneak past.  Here is that video.

And the second time I found a particularly ridiculous section of "road" that was about 12 feet wide and took this section of video, without incident.  I also like the background music in this video...

I still am not sure this video does this justice.  This road can not be more than 12 feet wide for long sections, and with blind hairpin turns around steep hillsides, and often with a canopy overhead down to about ten feet or so.  I would have been slightly anxious driving this if it were ONE WAY.  Knowing that it was two way traffic made it all the more "thrilling."

I can't wait to go back and try this one again...I will scout ahead for Jen's sedation options if she is coming with me...or better yet, YOU drive the road and report back to me with your experience.  Fun times in the Wellington region!

  

The Prize-Giving Tradition

One of the greatest traditions in NZ is the "Prize-Giving".  It is done at the end of every school year, sports season or activity, and it is similar to a year end banquet or bbq in the States.  But the fact that Prizegiving is so sacred, similar in nature across activities, and is done without fail, makes it something special to note and blog about.

Lindsay's school Prizegiving was performed in mid-December, coinciding with the official last day of school for the year (NZ schools, being in the summer hemisphere, run from February to December).

The kids were feted with awards for excellence in areas of study, and there were numerous speeches given by teachers, administrators and Board members of the school.

And of course the graduating students performed.  Here is a video of her school's haka powhiri, as performed very well and very loudly by the graduating sixth years.  (I had to lower the resolution of the video in order to upload it, but hopefully it still looks as AWESOME on video as it was live!) Lindsay is not in this video since she was fifth year, but she is already prepping to help with next years!

What an awesome day for the kids!  Go Carlton School!