THE INTERNAL - NEWSLETTER 25/04

Sadly, the weather this weekend behaved like a pregnant woman, emotional and undecided, changing her face in a split second. One minute she would be laughing down benignly on us, the next wetting us with her tears, or showing her disapproval in some other perverse way.

We did try to have as much fun as possible, exploring town, sitting at a café, we also rented some movies, and partied a little. On Friday we all went over to Lothar and Kristian’s for a house party. The view of the skyline from their window is simply breathtaking. It is a large and beautiful house, in a very quiet area, and with 6 bedrooms. Lothar and Kristian will be moving out soon, but their flat mates (2 guys and 2 girls), have so been smitten by the German charm, that they wish to have other Germans take over their rooms!

So guys, think about it, from middle of September, there will be 2 free rooms in one of the most spacious houses.

And now comes the bad news J, the house is somewhat out of the city. To live there, you would definitely have to own a car, or be a fanatical bicycle rider. It takes about 20 minutes during rush hour from the city there, and otherwise, just 10 minutes.

WELCOME TO MIDDLE EARTH

We are saying hi to two new interns!

Katja will be arriving on the 19th, on Thursday, and like Sophie she will be doing an internship at Silverscreen productions. Her internship goes till February next year, so she will be here a pretty long time.

Jan is arriving on Tuesday, the 24th, with his girlfriend. Yup, at least one person was clever enough to do that J.

He will travel around with her first until the 4th of September, when he will be called to duty.

WEEKEND TRIP SUGGESTION

RANGITOTO ISLAND

Rangitoto, the largest and youngest of Auckland’s volcanoes, emerged from the sea around 600 years ago in a series of fiery volcanic explosions. Further eruptions sent red-hot lava flows down the sides of the volcano forming the black basaltic rock that now makes up much of the island. Scientists do not expect the island to erupt again.
Early Maori occupation of Rangitoto appears to have been limited in comparison to neighbouring islands like Motutapu and Motukorea (Browns). Before the arrival of Europeans, Rangitoto was used by the Maori as a look-out and kaka (native parrot) reserve. There is also evidence of coastal fishing villages. In general, the fertile land of Motutapu was far preferable for settlement.

In 1854 the Crown purchased Rangitoto for fifteen pounds from its Maori owners. Since that time Rangitoto Island has remained crown land. The island was designated a Recreation Reserve in 1890 and control passed to the Rangitoto Island Domain Board who leased camping sites which later evolved into baches. In 1937 the Government ruled that the island was a public domain and private baches were inappropriate. Occupants were permitted a life time lease only. Today only 33 baches remain on Rangitoto.

Ferry boats were visiting Rangitoto Island as far back as the 1890s. Between 1987 and 1940, by arrangement with the Domain Board, the Devonport Steam Ferry Company allocated 1d per head from the passengers who landed on Rangitoto. This money was used to assist in maintenance of the island. Today Rangitoto is administered by the Department of Conservation, in partnership with the tangata whenua Ngai Tai and Ngati Paoa, and protected as a scenic reserve. Fullers Rangitoto ferry service and the Volcanic Explorer operate under a concession from the Department of Conservation.

Sitting majestically in the Hauraki Gulf, Rangitoto Island’s distinctive shape is visible from all over Auckland.

Commanding superb views of the city and surrounding islands from its summit, its terrain is a testament to the last volcanic eruption 600 years ago. Rugged lava crops, lush native bush and sandy coves: turn of the century holiday baches contrast with echoes of early Maori heritage.

Journey through Pohutukawa forest, lava trails and fern glens on board Fullers guided 4WD road train to the boardwalk for the last 900 metres to the summit. Or freedom walk, taking time to pause at lookouts along the way.

FULLERS RANGITOTO FERRY CRUISE
Departs Auckland: 9.15am, 12.15pm & 3.15pm
Departs Rangitoto: 9.45am, 12.45pm, 3.45pm
7 days a week.
ADULT $20.40 CHILD $10.40

RANGITOTO VOLCANIC EXPLORER TOUR
Monday to Friday on the 12.15pm
Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays on the 9.15am and 12.15pm
ADULT $49.40 CHILD $25.40
Includes Ferry and guided tour.
(Bookings essential, please call 09 367 9111 to make a reservation)

FUN STUFF TO DO

Enjoy some Standup comedy

Wednesday, 18th of August:

From 8pm it's BIG WEDNESDAY and that means 'fresh comedy' from the PRO's & new faces. Up to 10 comedians for just $10.
Awesome Value - Students 2 for 1!
120 minutes just $10

Friday, 20th of August:

From 8pm it's the COMEDY SHOWCASE featuring host ANDREW CLAY plus NZ's top stand-up comedians in a 2hr show.
Door Sales from 7pm
120 mins $18

From 10:30pm it's the FRIDAY LATE SHOW where our comedians target the issues and the idiots.
No promises but some content may offend
90 mins $10

(TIP: COMBO with 8pm show - 2 shows only $25)

Located at 321 Queen Street

Harbour Bridge bungy and Climbing

You will be picked up from the viaduct and transported to the base down in Westhaven marina, where you will be signed up for the activities you want to do. After this, you will be taken onto the bridge to do your requested activity. This will take approximately 1.5 hours. Following the jumps and climbs, everyone will gather back at base to watch the videos and photos. The BBQ will then be put on, and some games played in the park, or you can just relax by the water.

Prices: Bungy jump – NZ$69; Bridge Climb – NZ$65; Spectator – NZ$15 (taken off cost if you decide to bungy); BBQ – NZ$17.

For the beer lovers

This is not a traditional brewery tour, Lionzone offers an innovative, entertaining and educational beer experience where visitors will have the opportunity to see, touch, smell and taste the essence that is beer.

Lion Brewery – the home of Lion Red, new Zealand’s biggest beer brand, and Steinlager, Lion’s flagship international beer.

Tours: Monday to Saturday, 9:30am, 12:15pm and 3.00pm (Bookings recommended) Phone: 3588366.

Location: 380 Khyber Pass Rd, Newmarket.

Prices: NZ$15 per Adult; NZ$12 per adult for groups of 10 and more; NZ$10 for student groups of 10 and more.

WHATS ON IN AND AROUND AUCKLAND

AOTEA SQUARE MARKETS

Every Friday and Saturday from 10am – 6pm

This is when Aotea Square is taken over by the colourful and bustling Aotea Square Markets The Markets offer a range of stalls from Pasifika arts and crafts to pot plants, flowers, underground designer clothes, jewellery, vinyl and CDs. In addition there is a range of fine food stalls Every Saturday from midday to 2.00pm the Aotea Square Markets are "keeping real" with an ever-changing line-up of bands and DJs adding to the atmosphere

TAKAPUNA MARKETS

Every Sunday from 6am till noon

That is when Takapuna’s Central Carpark (corner Anzac Street & Lake Road) transforms into an eclectic market that offers fresh produce, flowers, crafts, furniture, foods, antiques and more.

OTARA MARKET

Saturdays from 6am till noon, Newsbury Street, Otara

For an excellent Pacific experience, definitely visit the Otara Market, which is a pretty large Polynesian market offering exotic foods and smells, wonderful tapa cloth, flax mats and baskets and bone carvings.

NEW LYNN ORGANIC MARKET

Every Saturday, 8am – 12pm, Todd Ave, New Lynn

ODD NEWS OF THE WEEK

Limbless Woman Sues Air France Over 'Torso' Snub

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A wheelchair-bound woman with no limbs sued Air France for discrimination on Friday, alleging she was kept off a flight by a gate agent who told her a "torso cannot possibly fly on its own."
Adele Price, 42, a British citizen, sued the airline in Manhattan federal court seeking unspecified damages.
Price, who was born without limbs because her mother took the drug thalidomide during pregnancy, said in the suit she is able to manipulate a wheelchair and has traveled by air many times.
The suit states that she had bought a ticket in 2000 for travel between Manchester, England and New York. After Price had checked her luggage, she alleged that she was stopped by an Air France agent who told her that "a head, one bottom and a torso cannot possibly fly on its own."
Price said in the suit that Air France let her take another flight to New York but only after she was able to get a companion to go with her. However, Price said she had to pay for the companion's airfare and lodging.
She said the airline also made it difficult for her to return from John F. Kennedy airport to Britain by requiring her to get opinions from four U.S. doctors certifying she was able to fly alone.
A spokeswoman for Air France had no immediate comment.

THAT’S IT FOR TODAY!
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