Dolphin Visit to Wellington

Surprise Dolphin Visit from Ro Tierney on Vimeo.

You Can't Beat Wellington on a Good Day!

Wellington & The FS700 from Ro Tierney on Vimeo.

Homeward Bound

Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.

- R. L. Stevenson

Kids Magical Day Out (on vimeo, by Ro Tierney)

This video makes me smile every time:

Kids Magical Day Out from Ro Tierney on Vimeo.

Snow? In Wellington!?!?!

I love this video... The tiny text at the beginning says, "12.17 PM Monday 15th August 2011 Passers-by on Cuba Mall in Wellington witness a rare event...".

Snow on Cuba Mall in central Wellington (HD) from Ro Tierney on Vimeo.

OMC - Land Of Plenty

I really do miss you, Aotearoa. 

Wellington Day video by Ro Tierney

Here's a video that captures much of what I miss about Wellington:
Wellington Day from Ro Tierney on Vimeo.

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white sandy beach Christmas in New Zealand or Samoa, but this year, I've got snow - lots of it. Here are photos from Washington DC, taken December 20th. Song = Frosti, by Bjork.

Still a Kiwi at Heart

Even though I am back in Washington DC, I still read the New Zealand Herald and the Dominion Post and I enjoy hearing stories of Kiwi innovation and inspiration. Here are two recent video clips from New Zealand. The first is from the "random acts" series of random singing performed by Pacific Islanders living in the Auckland area.

The second video is of a few mates that converted their van into an "amphibious van" and crossed the Cook Strait - one of the roughest crossings in the world!

Mel-bourne Again

I spent a few days in Melbourne to meet up with a friend, Jen (from Perth, Western Australia). It was great to see her after nearly 10 years (she taught in Samoa when I did). We picked things up right where we had left off without missing a beat (although it took a full night without sleep, just lots of talking). I also drove along Victoria's Great Ocean Road with a Kiwi (Kevin). Events like this make me realize how quickly life goes by, and the importance of enjoying every moment while keeping in touch with those friends and family I love. It's all a magnificent journey, and I have been lucky.

Click on the image below for a slideshow of photos to the tune "Walk in the Park" (played by the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra):

From Movies

24

You might be familiar with the TV series 24, although I'd be surprised if it is still running. Basically Agent Jack Bauer heads an anti-terrorism unit and regardless of the origin of the terrorists or the type of terrorist attack, he has but 24 hours to save the day.

My final 24 hours in New Zealand were not as action-packed, but were wonderful nonetheless. They included a walk through some of my favorite parts of Wellington, a visit to a couple music shops and the Te Papa museum, and a last flat white and piece of cake at Sweet Mother's Kitchen, among other special stops.

Every time I spend living in a new place, I adjust and it becomes home. Whether in Ecuador, Samoa or New Zealand, I have managed to meet solid people (each country's best, I'm sure) and I gain an appreciation for the place. As good as the experiences have been, it is always a bittersweet ending when it comes time to leave. It's never a good time to leave something beautiful. Thankfully, I have an equally beautiful family (with aunts and uncles, and 13 nieces and nephews!) waiting for me at home.

But, back to New Zealand for a moment. I will miss walking or biking along Wellington Harbour every day. I'll miss the corner dairies, the flat whites, the fish and chips and the Embassy Theatre. I'll miss Courtenay Place, Cuba Street, Oriental Parade and Manners Mall. I'll miss the Botanical Gardens and the hills surrounding the city, and I'll miss the endless expanse of beautiful mountains, forests and coastline. I'll miss New Zealand's "no-nuclear" stance and its support for same sex marriage equality. I'll even miss being outnumbered 15 to 1 by sheep! Perhaps most of all I will miss the interesting mix of people - Maori, Pasifika, and Pakeha - and the constant influx of Islamic, Asian and others coming to make a new beginning for themselves in what is generally a very peaceful and progressive place.

Niue? No Way!

After completing work at the Office of the Auditor-General, I took a most relaxing week-long vacation in the small island country of Niue (the world's smallest self-governing country, with just about 1000 permanent residents!). I was looking for a far away place to empty my mind of any thoughts of New Zealand Police or the Local Government sector's Water Supply Asset Management Plans. The chapter of my life as a government auditor in New Zealand was coming to an end, and it was nearly time to return home.

I traveled around the island of Niue by bicycle (my second cross-country bicycle trip) and I met many wonderful people among some beautiful scenery. Niue is famous for its sea arches and limestone caves (the island, nicknamed "the Rock", is a coral atoll which was raised several times out of the ocean). The deep sea and reef fishing was also spectacular (thanks to my host, Des Hipa, from Teresa's guest house). Here are some snapshots of what I saw:

Last Day of Work

Today was my 35th birthday and my last day of work for the New Zealand Office of the Auditor-General (OAG). I had a wonderful experience at the OAG and met many intelligent Kiwis doing good and meaningful work. It was an honor to work alongside them, and to share in everything from audit process to Friday Floors (drinks) and practical jokes. I know that work for the U.S. federal government in Washington will not offer the same breadth of experience (and I fear the high level of bureaucracy a little bit!).

New Zealand Music Month

May has been New Zealand Music Month (see website). Unfortunately I missed many of the live performances, but I managed to expand my CD collection by about 8 albums, including the likes of Sola Rosa, Salmonella Dub, Tiki Taane, Fat Freddy's Drop, the Black Seeds, and the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra.

Though I'm not usually a super-big hip-hop fan, I can't seem to get enough of Smashproof these days (LINK).



Here's another video for Smashproof's song, "Ordinary Life":

Travels with Flat Max

Over the past few weeks, I have been traveling with my "flat" nephew, Flat Max (see April 15 blog entry when Flat Max arrived in the mail).

Here is a slide show from our travels (NB: it's better to watch the You Tube version with music (on top), but if you cannot see it the photos are included below):

Sea Kayaking in Wellington Harbour

I had a great afternoon on the water today, with a kayak and camera. Wellington can be absolutely wonderful when the wind settles down, and it seems that everyone makes it a point to enjoy days like this.

  

Weta Studios

I visited the Weta Cave (link) this morning, a mini museum dedicated to promoting the work of the Weta Workshop (link). The Weta Workshop is a design and physical manufacturing facility in Wellington which services film makers like Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings) and others. The video clips below will give an indication of the types of costumes, special effects and digital animation services created at the Weta Workshop.

The visitors centre has some life-size models of Gollum (a.k.a. Smeagol) and other Weta workshop creations

ANZAC Day - April 25th

Today was Anzac Day (Anzac = Australia and New Zealand Army Corps), a day which commemorates the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces. This took place  during the first World War at Gallipoli in Turkey on 25 April 1915 under a plan of Winston Churchill. Today, ANZAC Day more broadly commemorates Australians and NewZealanders who have died and served in military operations. 

Each year, dawn services take place throughout New Zealand. I and thousands of others attended the dawn parade and services in Wellington at 5:30 this morning.

   

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

In 1887, the Paramount Chief of the Tuwharetoa people - Te Heuheu Tukino IV - donated the mountain peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu to the nation of New Zealand. This gift was the genesis of Tongariro National Park and the first of its kind ever made by an indigenous people.

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing crosses over steep volcanic terrain and through the culturally significant area known as the Ketetahi Hot Springs. In the photos below, you will see Mt Tongariro (1967 m), Mt Ngauruhoe (2287 m) - that's Mt Doom for any Lord of the Rings fans - and Mt Ruapehu. You will also see Red Crater (1886 m), the Emerald Lakes and Blue Lake (Te Wai-Whakaata-o-te Rangihiroa). The total trek is 19.4 km (approximately 24 km including the hike to Mt Tongariro summit).  

FLAT MAX

This afternoon we received the mail delivery at work and I was surprised to find a visitor! My nephew, Max, had flattened himself and posted himself in the mail from Hull, Massachusetts to Wellington, New Zealand! 

After three very long flights amounting to a full day of travel, Flat Max hopped out of his padded envelope looking ready for an adventure. Unfortunately, we had to spend the rest of the afternoon in the Auditor-General's Office. 

Flat Max also came with a handwritten note:

April 8, 2009

Dear Uncle John,

I'd like for you to meet Flat Max. Would you mind if Flat Max stays with you for a week or two? When Flat Max is ready to come home you can mail him back to me. I'd love to hear all about your adventures with Flat Max. I wanted to let you know that Flat Max loves to have his photograph taken. Thank you for helping me with my school project.

Yours Truly,

Max