The Internal - Newsletter 7/04

TIME TO SAY GOODBYE

Gerrit will finish his internship on Wednesday and take off home on Thursday. He is always very enthusiastic talking about his work experience at the Bank of New Zealand, managing own projects and having the possibility to work in different departments. This must have been a great experience otherwise he would not have been at work at 7.30am till late voluntarily  There also was nothing to argue about his homestay in St Helias with seaview – just the bus connections in the evening ….

We wish him a good flight back home and all the best for the future!

We already said good bye to Torsten in the last Newsletter – this is the final call. He spent the last two weeks at the South Island enjoying beautiful weather and some adventurous activities in Queenstown. Yesterday the final good bye party took place and he is heading off home today. Take care and a safe journey!

Christine will leave Auckland soon, too. On Wednesday she is going to spoil the people at work with some tasty home made German cake.  She was multi - talent for Shine TV and the last weeks she managed the archive all by herself. Beyond all question, the company wants her back and offered a job in England, where a branch is just build up. Although it will be hard to leave people behind you became fond of – take care and good luck for you!

WHATS ON IN AND AROUND AUCKLAND

MONTANA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ AND BLUES FEST 04    

Easter 8 – 12 April

Over 30 international and 60 NZ musicians are going to perform on five days of Jazz and blues, at 15 venues Waiheke Island wide. Relax and soak up the atmosphere at vineyards, cafes and scenic outdoor places. Just 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland City. Concerts in the evening also take place in Auckland, e.g. Auckland Town Hall.

Check out www.waihekejazz.co.nz for more details and early bird specials!

PONSONBY FRINGE FESTIVAL 2004

Until 3 April 2004, noon – 6pm, Western Park Ponsonby

Celebrate the launch of a week of fashion with a relaxing day of music in the park with: guest DJ’s, artists in action and a sneak preview fashion show

NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2004 – THE BEST OF BRITISH

Until 22 May 2004

Featuring Ross Noble, Lee Mack, Russel Howard, Andy Parsons ....

The Classid, 321 Queen Street, Auckland

Check out www.comedy.co.nz

FESTIVAL OF INDIA

3 April 2004, 10am – 4pm, Aotea Square, Queen St

Cultural celebration, check out www.the-edge.co.nz

LATIN MUSIC AND DANCE FESTIVAL

Every week on Sunday from 4 April – 20 April, noon – 5pm, Princess Wharf, Quai St

Free dance lessons from noon, 3 latin bands performing each weekend

DEEP, HARD N FUNKY –

8 April 2004, 8pm, St James complex, Queen St

NZ’s favourite party night featuring Junior Jack & Kid Supreme (Belgium), Muguai (Germany), Declan Lee (Australia) and others – a diverse dance-floor selection of local and international talent ($46.90)

PROPECIA RALLY OF NEW ZEALAND

15 – 08 April 2004

Venue: Auckland City and Manukau City, Kaipara and Raglan

Rally New Zealand will open with a Super Special Stage in Manukau City on Thursday 15 April, with the first full day on Friday including five stages in the Kaipara region north of Auckland, with a total of 142km. It concludes with a second night of Super Special Stages at Manukau City. Saturday’s stages are again in Kaipara with eight special stages over 144.5km. The final day on Sunday sees a return to the Raglan region in Waikato with six special stages over 115km, finishing the event with the spectacular Whaanga Coast stage. The drivers return for a ceremonial finish at the Viaduct Harbour in downtown Auckland on Sunday 18 April at 5pm.

Website: www.rallynz.co.nz

WOX WEEKEND SUGGESTION

Do you already have any plans for the long Easter weekend? Get out of Auckland and enjoy the great places New Zealand has to offer! What about a three or four day trip to Coromandel Pensinsula? We have had a brilliant trip last weekend and can suggest the following:

Day 1:

It does only take about 3 hours to get to Coromandel town (a bit longer by bus) and already the scenery on the way there is very special. The rough landscape is totally different from other parts of New Zealand that you might have seen before. We went further north to Colville, then changed to the east coast and went further to Port Charles, Sandy Bay, Stony Bay – this does not only sound tempting! Besides some very tame ducks and other seabirds you have the chance of enjoying loneliness, quietness, great beaches, the sound of the ocean, awesome view ….. BUT remember, most of the streets up there are gravel roads! The night we id spent at Black Jack Backpackers in Kuaotunu. A cosy place with seaview, 2 minutes walking distance down to the beach and very friendly owners. They provide free sea kayaks for guests, mountain bikes for hire, fresh eggs for breakfast …. That is the place to stay for a day, do same kayaking and relax. Also visit Otama Beach and Opito Bay!

Day 2:

In the morning we drove back to Coromandel Town and visited Maiau Waterworks ($8), which is very close by. A playground (for adults!), with all kinds of fountains! Get on the swings, fight the ultimate “water pistol game”, enjoy high speed with the flying fox ….

On our way from Coromandel town to Whitianga (309 Road) we then stopped at Waiau Falls and Kauri Grove. Maybe the trees there are not as huge as the ones in the north, but there are less tourists!

Surely you do want to see Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cave – ONLY AT LOW TIDE (+ two hours before and after). Just north of Hahei is the impressive Cathedral Cove. A 35 minute walk from the Carpark will bring you to this gigantic arched cavern and former pa site (fortified Maori village).

To the south of Hahei is the famous Hot water Beach - do not forget your blade! Surrounded by tourists that search for the right spot for their very own spa you can have a go, too. At some places you can not even stand bare feet for 30 seconds because it is just too hot. After that very special experience we drove back to Coromandel Town and stayed at another nice, small hostel called The Lions Den.

Day 3:

This day was entirely dedicated to our 6 hour trip with ‘Te Kaihau’, Tom’s unique trimaran. If you are not getting sea sick this is a MUST! This is a fast, exhilarating and comfortable way of sailing and seeing the islands from the waterside. The trip starts between 9 and 10 in the morning and includes hands on sailing, lunch, tea, snorkelling, sightseeing & whatever it is the right weather for. On the way back to the harbour, the sea got a bit rough and people who were not hiding in the cabin got pretty wet – a lot of fun!

I think all of us pretty much enjoyed this weekend. Just remember to check the time for the low tide and book the backpacker in advance!

If you do have any questions – send an e-mail!

GET TOGETHER

Since there are a lot good new movies starting this Thursday, what do you think about going to the cinema together next Monday and maybe have a drink later on? I will send an e-mail later this week with the different possibilities – or can anybody already suggest a good movie?

MESSAGE FROM JONATHON

Hi everyone! Well, most of you probably know Auckland better than I do by this stage.  It’s a nice place to visit, but would you want to live here?  The truth is, when I first came to NZ from Canada, I loved NZ but hated Auckland.  Now I kinda like the place, but it is a slower pace of life than other major world cities.  Whenever I forget why I moved here though, I spend a bit of time outdoors or at the beach  and I remember what I liked about it!  It’s definitely a lifestyle city, not a Hong Kong or New York City.

So what do you like about Auckland?  Funnily enough, when you talk to Kiwis from other parts of the country, they will tell you that they don’t like Auckland because it’s too busy and hectic!  It’s all about what you are used to, I guess!

And speaking of Kiwis from other parts of the country, you will probably have guessed by now that there is a little bit of Auckland-envy happening in New Zealand.  Since Auckland is the biggest (over 1/3 of the population of NZ lives here) and busiest place in New Zealand, and aspires to be the capital of the Pacific, a lot of people from outside Auckland quite dislike the place. 

Of course it’s mostly a good-natured rivalry, but occasionally there is a little bit of bad feeling in the hinterlands of the country.  In fact, the ‘rest of NZ’has made up a name for people who live in Auckland.  If you here someone being referred to as a JAFA, you know they mean an Aucklander.  Jaffa’s are little orange candies, of course.  But JAFA stands for ‘Just Another F**** Aucklander.’

So if you get to travel around New Zealand, you might want to let people know that you are definitely just visiting.  Otherwise you might be known as a JAFA too!

JAFA Jonathon

GOOD TO KNOW

• At the moment friends telephone cards seem to be the cheapest way for calling to Germany (even cheaper than Kia Ora)

• We can provide information on where to look for a car, how to buy a car, how to open a bank account & what to do when you are loosing your passport – requests by e-mail!

• We are on our way to build up a partnership with the Travellers Contact Point New Zealand. So, whenever you want to rent a car, need an accomodation somewhere, looking for a car insurance, book a ferry or an inland flight – whatever – let us know, and we will get the best deal possible for you.

BLACKBOARD

If there is anything you want to make public (you look for a flatmate, want to sell your cellphone card, need a tent, a sleeping bag, sell your car) – that’s the place! Send us an e-mail and we can fill the blackboard of our newsletter.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!