This past week our hotel had a big party to celebrate being open for a full year.  They made a really big deal out of the anniversary and had the one year birthday party at a fancy bar in town and all the employees were invited.  The theme of the party was "Monte Carlo" and cocktail apparel was required - everyone was pretty pumped leading up to the event.



So on the night of the 14th Sean put on a tie and I put on the only dress I brought with me and we headed into town.  We were greeted at the door of the party by the HR boss who was holding a tray of champagne flutes filled with blue bubbly.  Why was it blue you ask? To celebrate the "blue energy" - our hotel's approach to "employee engagement" - that it prides itself on.

During the party we all got three free drink tokens and lots and lots of fancy good food.  They had people walking around with trays of appetizers like stuffed mushrooms, shrimp kabobs, little lamb steaks, chicken skewers and tables of cheeses, meats, fruits and crackers.  I was very glad that I hadn't eaten dinner beforehand.


It was fun to see everyone dressed up and out of uniform - especially the housekeepers - we killed it! 

Sean and I both took the day off to celebrate his birthday.  It was a beautiful day and we walked into town.  We spent the day hanging out getting coffee, window shopping and finished with mulled wine and a nice dinner at a restaurant in the old Queenstown courthouse.  We even got chocolate fondue for dessert! (I think I was more excited about that than Sean was). 



For his birthday, I bought Sean a pair of manly heavy-duty corduroy slippers since this house is so cold.  Now, I barely ever see him without them.  I also made cupcakes with a mix and frosting sent from the States - they were awesome and they definitely didn't last long in this house!  Birthdays are fun and we are starting to talk about what we are going to do for mine.  I know making brownies are on the agenda along with maybe trying to see a real Kiwi bird.  Actually, one of the biggest presents will be the fact that June 10 is my last scheduled day as a housekeeper - a very fitting gift!

I found out recently that after one written application and two interviews, I was offered a full-time position with NZSki on the Remarkables ski field.  I don't know if I can accurately convey how excited I am about this. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy that I was able to get a full-time job for my first few months here even if it involved a LOT of cleaning, but I feel very lucky to be able to experience a ski season on the mountains for the rest of my time in QT.

Half of my day will be spent in guest services selling tickets and the other half will be in the retail show shop selling accessories.  So far I have met my head of department and the other full-time person in the shop and they both seem very cool.  There are only three of us working in the store which is a pretty small team.  Some perks of the job include a free (or in my case reimbursed) pass to all the mountains around here, free lessons, reduced food and drinks and free transportation.  I gave my two weeks notice at the hotel today but am going to stay on as a casual worker in case they need extra help or I want additional hours.


Orientation begins on the 11th and the mountains open on the 16th - everyone here is obsessed with the weather and praying and hoping for snow.  It feels strange to be heading into winter when friends and family back home are writing about ninety degree summer days in May already.  One thing is for sure, the morning bicycle commute is getting significantly colder with each passing day but knowing that I only have to do it about ten more times makes it a little easier.

We spent our last night on the trail in the Routeburn Flatts hut.  We were the only people there and enjoyed the peace and quiet as well as mouse-less sleeping arrangements.  After a hot meal of cheesy pasta we retired to our respective bunks with mugs of hot chocolate.  The next day we only had a few hours of walking to reach our car and went slow, enjoying every moment before we would have to return to civilization.



A few final notes about the Routeburn Track:

-The track crosses into two different national parks, the Fiordland National Park and Mount Aspiring National Park

-The Routeburn Track was named one of the top 11 trails in the world by National Geographic magazine in 2005

-Filming for Lord of the Rings wasn't done directly on the trail but just before the track starts all of the shots of Isengard were shot.

Today was "Hug a Ginga Day" in New Zealand.  I had never heard of this holiday before but apparently Kiwis are all about celebrating redheads.  Today you are supposed to hug a red-headed person if you see them (you should ask first - there's actually a standard etiquiette to this).  If you don't feel comfortable hugging them, you could do something nice like get them a coffee, do the dishes, fill the water cooler etc.  Some gingers even get the day off today!



Why does New Zealand have a day set aside to embrace people with red hair?  "'Hug a Ginga Day’ was created to raise awareness of Ginga bullying and to give ‘Gingas’ everywhere a day of love and celebration.  It’s about showing Gingas some appreciation and making them feel proud of their flaming locks.”


Not everyone is fully supportive of 'Hug a Ginga Day' however and recently there has been suggestions to change the holiday to "Heart a Ginga Day" barbecue not everyone enjoyed being embraced by strangers.   Some find the label to be "racist," "offensive" and "humiliating."  Instead of hugging, the radio and news today offered the following advice:  "People are being encouraged to support red-haired people on Friday by giving them a "handshake, a card, baking a cake, or buying your redhead friends a coffee or a drink at the pub".  Or, at least if you decide to hug then to please "hug responsibly."

This is my red-headed flatmate, Andrew

 I participated in the day's festivities by giving my flatmate, Andrew, a hug after he came home from work.  Andrew is a flaming redhead and is a proud supporter of the holiday.  Interestingly, Kiwis pronounce the word "ginger" as "ging-ah" (with a hard 'g' - like as in the word "gingham").  Perhaps one day this holiday will catch on in the U.S. but until then happy "Hug a Ginga Day!"

In the New Zealand trail system you can stay in minimal huts or you can camp.  When we did the Routeburn Track Sean and I wanted to camp so we took along all of our backpacking gear.  When we reached the Mckenzie hut we saw a few people on the porch of the hut and after chatting for a bit we hiked ten minutes further until we reached the campsites.  Since it was the off season, we were the only people there and had the pick of whatever site we wanted.  After setting up camp and getting water we made dinner (cous cous with vegetables and sausage) and then got into bed as it was dark, cold and we were dead tired.



We were both looking forward to a peaceful night full of deep sleep but sadly this was not to be.  Literally seconds after we turned out the light we were invaded by vermin.  It was terrifying and reminded me of the experience with the giant crabs in the Philippines.  Normally I'm fine with camping - I like being outside and sleeping in a tent except when it involves a wild rodent invasion.  It felt like every possum, rat, ferret, and mouse was trying to get into our sleeping bags.  There were so many mice that they were not only running around and next to our tent but also on top of our tent as well.  We had taken precautions and put all of our food and kitchen supplies hanging under the picnic shelter but this didn't seem to matter.  My theory is that the wild animals had been conditioned over the summer by careless campers and knew where to find food.  While I watched the mice run in and around my backpack, boots and burrow in and under our tent I told Sean, "That's it - we're moving to the hut."  So we packed up all of our stuff and moved to the bunks in the hut.   Not a great start to the night.


The next morning we got up early and despite the incident with the mice the night before we felt decently refreshed and ready to go.  We hiked part of the way back and stayed another night on the trail. We decided to forgo the camping in exchange for another night in a different hut - the Routeburn Flats Hut.  We were the only ones there and it was nice to enjoy one last night alone out in the middle of nowhere before having to hike back to the car tomorrow.

Everybody knows that hiking is just all about looking good

Since we had taken four days off to do the Routeburn Track we were at the mercy of the weather which can be a little bit unpredictable in the fall in Queenstown.  When the alarm clock woke us up ridiculously early on our first day off, it was dark and pouring rain out.  We were tempted to hit snooze and stay in bed but instead dragged ourselves out of bed and put on our hiking boots.  After about an hour drive to Glenorchy plus another thirty minutes on unpaved road, we reached the trail head and started off.



Since the Routeburn Track is not a loop, most people pay for transportation from one end to the other (about 7-8 hours around the mountains).  Unfortunately, this transportation is extremely pricey and would have cost around $300 for the both of us.  To save the cash, we choose to drive ourselves to one end of the trail, hike as far as we could and then back track to the car.  Not a perfect option since it would be tiring and we probably wouldn't be able to see the entire trail, but it seemed like the best choice for us considering.



Our first day was to be the hardest and we had to make it from the Routeburn Shelter in the parking lot all the way to Mckenzie Hut on the other side of the Harris Saddle.  We estimated that it would be about 9 hours of hard hiking assuming that the weather held.  The trail started off in dense forest along a river which we crossed via many hanging bridges.  The trail slowly headed upwards and became steeper and steeper until we passed the Routeburn Flats Hut and reached the Routeburn Falls Hut in view of a pretty spectacular waterfall.



Everything about our experience in NOLS came flooding back to me: the heavy pack, slippery and steep footing, awesome views and getting short of breath.  It felt great to be back outside and backpacking again and it was also nice to be on an uncrowded trail since it was the off season.  For the most part, the weather cooperated and we just had a little fog, clouds and rain.  When we reached the highest point we had blue sky and sun which provided a panorama that was well-worth the walk up.



The last two hours of the day were by far the most difficult as we were both tired, hungry, cold and very eager to get to Mckenzie hut.  The final part of the day's hike involved steep switchbacks down a side of a mountain in order to descend to the hut and camp along the shores of a lake.  When we hit tree level we were enveloped in a completely different type of forest in which everything was covered in moss and ferns.  When the evening fog set in it cast an eerie green glow over everything and as darkness was falling fast we were only too happy to reach the hut and set up camp.


Truthfully, in my head I was thinking, "Oh my gosh, we have to do all this again backwards?"  Now I understand why everyone pays for the transportation! 

Happy Birthday Sean!

I could do the usual "I love you and you are the best husband in the world!" type of blog in celebration of Sean's 30th birthday, but that's not very fun or interesting to read (or write), is it?  Instead I thought I'd share with you a few little-known facts about the birthday boy with whom there is never a dull moment. Seriously.

-We have two bikes and two helmets.  One helmet is bright blue and girly and one is gray and very cool-looking. The female bike is purple and the gears don't work well and the male bike is black and works great.  Everyday, Sean rides the purple girly bike to work wearing the bright blue helmet so I don't have to.

-Speaking of being girly, for two years in China, Sean brought his morning coffee to class in a pastel blue very adorable Hello Kitty thermos every day.  He also regularly donned fuzzy teddy bear slippers in his apartment as there were no carpet or rugs.  This isn't that embarrassing though because in China, everything cutesy is cool even for manly men like Sean.

-At the hotel in Queenstown everyone adores him and he was recently made "Food and Beverage Safety Warden" which means that he gets to get paid to go to some first aid training classes.  He later told me that he didn't really want to do it but agreed to it after thinking that "Sarah would want me to do this" and he's right!  I'm totally jealous - I wish I could be the safety warden for housekeeping.

-He doesn't mind (too much) that for two nights every week our bedroom turns into a mini-school for people wanting to practice English or Spanish.


-One of Sean's favorite things to eat is Spam. We splurged and bought a can of it for his birthday.  Though he doesn't have a big sweet tooth, he goes crazy for sour candy, butterfinger bars, peanut butter cups and starburst jelly beans.

-He's a clean freak and a planner.  Though you might think I'm the one with the mad organizational skills since I love school so much this is, in fact, not the case.  Sean's the one who keeps things organized and who does most of the trip planning and booking.  It still continues to surprise me.

-When we bought one of our bikes used from the classifieds, it came with a lock locked on it and the seller didn't know the combination (suspicious, I know).  Instead of just clipping off the lock and buying a new one (like I wanted to do), Sean sat down and worked on the combination until he got it.  With about 1300 possibilities he was lucky that it was a low number and he got it in the first hundred or so tries.

-He spends most of his time thinking about/looking on the internet for what fun thing we should do tomorrow/next weekend/next month.  He spends the rest of his time thinking about camping or hiking. 


-He doesn't mind helping me chase my dreams as long as one day I will help him chase his.  I only hope I can support him as much as he has supported me. 


Happy birthday Sean!

Sean and I have the next four days off which we requested in order to backpack the Routeburn Track.  The Routeburn Track is one of New Zealand's "Great Walks" and usually takes three days and two nights.  It is a 32 km hike that links Mt. Aspiring and Fiordland National Park.  We are going in the off season for two reasons: 1) It's cheaper 2) It's the only time we both could get four consecutive days off work together.  The risk of going in the off season is that the weather is sketchy, the ice and snow on the highest pass sometimes requires crampons (which we don't have) and there is an increased probability of avalanches and flooding.



For the past two weeks we have been reading about the hike, talking to the the Department of Conservation about conditions, making pre-packaged meals and packing.  Sometimes I think the anticipation and preparation of an adventure is more fun than the actual trip itself.  The weather report looks rainy but we are going anyway and are prepared to turn around if the trail gets too hairy.  I am so ready and excited to be outside in any kind of weather instead of in a hotel room.


See you in a few days!

I love the Salvation army here.  There are so many people always coming/going in Queenstown that the loot on offer changes quickly and tends to be really good stuff.  In my hometown there are loads of thrift stores; on every corner in Holland you can find either a) a church or b) a thrift store.  It's awesome.  I never really appreciated all of the bargain locations until I left and realized that not every town can boast 20+ secondhand shops (that and 100+ churches . . . seriously).

In Queenstown there is only one and this past week it had its annual snowsports sale where they haul out all of the skis, poles, boots, snowboards etc. dropped off last year and sell them at amazing prices.  Sean and I both had the day off and took the opportunity to check it out.  After careful browsing, here's what we scored:

Sean
Snowboard boots $25
Snowboard helmet $20

Sarah
Ski poles$10
Hat $2
Scarf $3


Gearing up for winter and skiing and snowboarding has the potential to be really expensive.  We are buying used or borrowing as much as we can to keep the costs down. Our flatmates have been great in helping us out. Kathryn gave me her old ski jacket and is going to let me use her old goggles. Andrew sold Sean his old jacket and pants for cheap and might sell him his old snowboard as well.  I am planning on buying two year old used rentals from the Hilton with my sweet staff discount (it's not really that sweet - 10% - but it helps to remind myself of the perks when I'm scrubbing bathtubs).

Bring on the snow!

Lately, everyone has been super hyped over a recent press release about the Hilton.  Some 'secret' guests from Conde Nast stayed there and rated the Hilton in Queenstown one of the hottest new hotels of 2012.  Here's the short article that ran in the local paper:

Hilton Queenstown named one of world’s hottest new hotels

Friday, 20 April 2012, 5:17 pm
Press Release: Hilton Queenstown
Hilton Queenstown named one of the world’s hottest new hotels by Conde Nast Traveler

QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand – (Friday 20 April 2012) – Hilton Queenstown has been named one of the hottest new hotels in the world by Conde Nast Traveler’s 2012 Hot List. The luxury travel publication’s annual Hot List is widely regarded as the ultimate insider’s guide to the world’s best new hotels, spas and restaurants.  The Conde Nast Traveler Hot List issue, describes Hilton Queenstown as “the jewel” of the new Kawarau Village complex which opened in June 2011.
One of the Conde Nast editors visited the opulent 178-room Hilton Queenstown incognito, staying in one of the beautifully appointed Relaxation Rooms which feature hot tubs on private lakefront decks.
The review highlighted some of the exceptional facilities at the hotel, including the stunning eforea: spa at Hilton and the tranquil 25m indoor lap pool. It also mentioned the influence of local culture in the design of the beautifully constructed hotel, referring to the pieces of New Zealand art on display.


The range of dining options available in Kawarau Village were mentioned as favourable factors; from Stacks Pub and family-friendly fare at Me & Mee Noodle Bar, to high-end cuisine at waterfront restaurant Wakatipu Grill.  General manager Hilton Queenstown, Marlene Poynder, said “We are honored to be named on the Conde Nast Traveler 2012 Hot List. Hilton Queenstown combines an incredible location, exceptional style and the iconic Queenstown destination with our warm and friendly Hilton hospitality to set the standard for hotels in New Zealand.”  The stunning Queenstown hotel is positioned directly on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and delivers glorious views of the lake and surrounding mountains, including the landmark Remarkables Mountain Range.



Here's what the Conde Nast secret guest had to say:

No. of Units: 178
Best Room: Suite 103, one of the so-called relaxation rooms, for its hot tub, full lake views, and privacy

The specs: A 178-room hotel on Lake Wakatipu, five minutes by car from the nearest airport and ten minutes by water taxi from Queenstown, New Zealand’s buzzy adventure capital.

The look: Asian-inspired serenity with Maori touches.



The experience: Aimed at snow bunnies and adventure seekers—increasingly from Asia now that flight routes are opening up—this alpine hotel is one of two inside the new Kawarau Village complex. The lakefront Hilton is the jewel—near yet wonderfully far from the tourist magnet that is Queenstown, an epicenter of summertime adrenaline sports (bungee jumping, white-water rafting, jet boating) and raucous winter après-ski activity. Village dining options range from hearty pub grub to family-friendly fare at the noodle bar and high-end cuisine at the waterfront Wakatipu Grill—all of which can be charged straight to your room. And while the Hilton may be light on ultra-luxe touches, its lure is magnetic, thanks to such tranquil comforts as the high-ceilinged 82-foot indoor pool with access (via circular staircase) to a ten-room spa.

If only…the water view from the funky bar’s balcony weren’t partially blocked by the lakefront suites.