Pineapple Trek and BBQ!

This morning was a typical NW day. Gray skies and drizzling, with cloud breaks and patches of sun. I felt right at home. The plan was to go on a hike, but with the rain I wasn’t sure. We braved the elements and went anyway. JJ, Julie, Bay, Mike, Emily and I found some food to take, walked to the isite(information center) in the octagon to get a map and hopefully be pointed in the right direction. We ended up getting on a bus to go to the beginning of the trail, our bus driver was very helpful. The hike was gorgeous...wild flowers [a few foxglove, daisies, monkey flower, a few others I recognized and a bunch I had never set eyes on before]. There were ferns that were trees. Literally tree ferns. I love the bush here. The trees have very interesting branches that would be so good for climbing and/or a tree house.
Walking up was pretty hard, we made good time, and there were a few sun breaks. At the top we ate food and took group pictures...the view was really really good! The hike down was MUCH easier. It was really good to get to talk to the girls on the hike, I hadn’t hung out with them much before.
We walked all the way back to town in the pouring rain. We were soaked. When “Tramping” in NZ you need to be prepared for all four seasons each day. I’m not even kidding. Weather changes so fast here. I suppose that’s what you get when your entire country is made up of beaches and mountains! Awesome.
None of us had food so on our way back a few of us stopped by New World (the grocery store) to pick up a few things....I got stuff for pasta (white and pesto sauce), chicken, bread, milk, coke, cheerios, peanut butter and honey, apples, bananas, KIWIs, salt, pepper, zip locks and Italian salad dressing. (You know I wrote that out for mom...she’s probably the only one that cares what I got at the store) ... we had to carry it all back to our flats though. Not an easy task.
The day before, my flat mates told me that there was going to be a BBQ at the flat today at 7pm...bring your own meat and drink. We provided chips. So I got back, I helped clean up, let a few people know about the BBQ, showered, skyped ANNE!, and went down to see what was up.
NO one was there, so the four of us divided into two groups and went to remind the neighbors. That went relatively well for the activity itself. Slowly people started to come until we had about 25-30 people there. It was really fun. Most of the people were from IFSA and I knew them, but there were a few others and a few kiwis that Monique knows. I grilled my chicken and fish and peppers for Sarah and Jessie...it turned out well! Sarah and Jessie were really glad I invited so many people and they felt like it was a successful party. :) I thought it was too.

Though that and hanging out later, I think my flat mates and I are getting to know each other much better and I like them more and more. :)