If you desire your birthday to last for more than just 24 hours, all you need do is travel away from your family to the other side of the world, and perhaps bring a sibling to sort things for you.
Daniel stands on the precipice of perhaps one of the most beautiful coastlines we have ever beheld on the western edge of the south island
16-Jan-2011 The Pre-Birthday Celebration
Such was the case with Daniel for whom the celebration started on 16-January in anticipation of his turning the big 19 years old at midnight! Thus I went out early, originally intending to go for a run, but ended up in search of gifts for Daniel. Before that point I only had one gift: an apron and towel butcher set that I had bought in Australia. However after that day, the gift total ended up consisting in a volleyball, a garlic press, two tea infusers, a flashlight, and pens for journaling. These were given to him at strategic points over the next few birth-days.
Once everyone was up by the afternoon of the 16th, we made a trip to the beach for which Daniel received his volleyball, and along with Cindy – our friend from France – we had a ball playing on the beach, as well as trying out our newly acquired skim and boogie boards.
At an overlook high above the beach where we spent the afternoon of the 16th
Upon our return to the hostel that night, we arranged for a pasta feast including eggplant and garlic bread, for which Daniel received his garlic press to help prepare! We ate and chatted with our newly acquainted friends far into the night. The night of course culminated in a game of cribbage between Daniel and myself, and a card game similar to “Bang,” taught us by Cindy, that eventually captured all of our interest. It was a brilliant evening!
17-Jan-2011 The Proper Birthday Celebration
The next day was a Monday, and I was up early for the 8am mass. Afterwards I headed off for another shopping trip. From this issued the chocolate birthday cake that we would devour later that night, though the other dimension to my search was fruitless. I sought a claw-shaped tool that we had used at Colin and Heather’s a couple nights before, that enables the user to easily pick up olives, grapes, and other round objects difficult to spear with a traditional fork. I searched everywhere, eventually learning that Baku a cooking specialty store in nearby Richmond, would in fact be the best place to look.
I returned to the hostel, and Daniel having nothing else to where, received his new Puma sandals from Carrie. After this we headed out to get some tea for his infusers from a nearby specialty shop, and Mike and Carrie headed off to grab some groceries for an afternoon picnic. From there we headed to Baku, about 20 minutes away in Addie. Mike made the drive beautifully, and once there we not only acquired one slotted and one regular bamboo wood cooking spoons for Daniel, Carrie and Mike also found gifts for the entire Rudzinski clan, and the owners Linda and Lynn recommended I get my hearing checked out at a nearby clinic. Thus I made my way down and learned that my ailment is one more of listening than it is of hearing. Who knew?
Our return took us through Nelson and down Maitai road, where we had a nice picnic, watched dogs chase and attack one another, and learned what is meant by a Roktopus.
Our first experience on the Rok-topus at the nature reserve along the Maitai River outside Nelson after our picnic
Evening brought us back to the hostel to gather volleyball players, and we headed to the pitiful net set up just off a glorious playground. The game of 4 on 3 worked well and we ended up pretty much even for talent and sets won by the end of the night. Being a part of a game of volleyball between Brits, Swedes, and Americans was truly an experience not soon to be forgotten.
Afterward we enjoyed the swings that swung higher, the ziplines that moved faster, and merry-go-rounds that spun more violently than anything that one could ever find in the US. In a word: liability. But apparently not as big of a concern here in New Zealand, and I can honestly say that the same could be said for the US. Though the equipment was probably more “dangerous,” it was actually fun to play on, which is more than can be said of the plastic protective structures that are called “play”-grounds in the US today. What an experience.
Back to the market for the fixings for the second birthday dinner. This time chicken schnitzel with a pasta and penne mix, and a salad. Wine accompanied the meal, and cake and banana ice cream followed.
The crew prepares for the meal of a life-time – 19 years of it!
Friends include, starting from Mike’s left: Will (Britain), Cindy (France), Truls (Sweden), and Danielle (Jersey)
Daniel’s cake was decorated with candles that spelled “D-A-N” acquired earlier that day from Baku. Dessert was shared with almost everyone that entered, conversation was lively, and we were the hit of the hostel! The night was crowned with the viewing of the “Last of the Mohicans,” and Daniel and I finally got to bed after 3am.
Above: Daniel receives the cake celebrating his 19th birthday
Below: Daniel contemplates just what in the world he has just received
18-Jan-2011 The Post Birthday Celebration
The morning of the 18th brought an early rising and lots of rain. Hence we decided that instead of checking out by 10am, we would stay a fourth and final night and hit Abel Tasman the following morning. Skype dominated the day, and Daniel recounted our adventures of the days before to Mom and Dad, meanwhile they wished him a Happy Birthday for it was at that point only 17-Jan., and hence still his birthday. Thus Daniel lived his birthday for three days, and what a birthday it was!
He even got to celebrate later on 20-Jan. when Mike bestowed the glorious and luxuriant gift of cigars that the three of us men shared next to a beach-side bonfire outside of Punakaiki. Oh God how great thou art!
Interestingly enough, Mike (March), Carrie (February), Daniel (January), and I (December) will all have spent our birthdays abroad between the while on this trip. Carrie is next and is much looking forward to what is to come. Only time will tell.
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