Webjet's low fares = the opportunity to spend three days away with the deliciously sweet and funny Sarah!
Having saved my birthday day off for this very occasion, I spent a beautiful sunny Friday morning stressing about whether my carry on would meet the baggage requirements, and trying to come up with solutions to elaborate and stressful scenarios involving angry orange-clad Jetstar employees throwing my bags from the plane with cries of indignation and outrage.
Needless to say, my anxiety and plans were for nothing - as is so often the case! (You think I would learn ...)
As my darling sister had agreed to take me to the airport with one condition (that I come with her to her 11am class) I got the chance to catch up with a number of the teachers from my high school, and to take a trip down memory lane as I sat in on Level 3 Biology: Genetics. Gemma was mortified when I insisted on joining in with the set problems ... the phrase "You are such a nerd!" was used a number of times!
My flight left at 3pm, getting me into Wellington with enough time to catch the bus to the city, get lost, locate a map, get my bearings again, and find Sarah's building before joining in with after work drinks.
We then went and had delicious pizza at a hip and happening bar somewhere in downtown Welly (I was too distracted by my delightful and entertaining company to take note of where we actually were!) Two hours and tummies full of rocket, cherry tomato, garlic and parmesan pizza later we headed back home.
It is a ten minute downhill and twenty minute uphill (if you, like me, are unfit and insist on talking animatedly the whole way) walk from the centre ... but fortunately for me and my leggie-peggies, Justin picked us up! :)
The next morning involved the most delicious and most decadent hot chocolate I have ever experienced!
It is a heart attack waiting to happen - but is SO worth the potential health risk! Here is Sarah, attempting to portray the consistency of this incredible concoction, which is more viscous than it looks. It comes served with pouring cream and roughly grated chocolate. Oh my word.
Want to try for yourself? Get down to Scopa Caffé .. you will NOT regret it!
So while the hot chocolate lived up to and beyond all expectations, the brunch menu left us far from inspired (apparently their pizza is delicious though, I intend to find out next visit!) so we went for a wander in search of something slightly less sugar-laden to fill our rumbly tummies.
That place was Sweet Mother's Kitchen. It was brilliant! The food was divine, (the curly fries to die for!!) and it was obviously a very popular place, with customers from all walks of life. We shared the big breakfast and a pot of english breakfast - ordered purely for the tea cosy!
We hauled ourselves back up the hill mid-afternoon and Sarah showed me how to make my own lipbalm with cocoa butter and beeswax. It is amazing, and I am addicted! Sarah makes her own beautiful products, which you can find out more about here.
That afternoon I was introduced to Traffic Rush. By dinner time I was hooked, yet hadn't improved one bit!! >:( Nevermind, I keep telling myself I will have plenty of time to practice during my travels! :P
Sunday was beautiful, I still can't believe how lucky I was with the weather!! We went down to the fruit and vege market at Te Papa, then had a wander down along the waterfront.
I tried persimmon for the first time. I am a fan. It may have something to do with the fact that I can relate to its colouring ...
Our walk continued back into town where we stopped, as Justin had insisted when we left the house, at Mojo's for a coffee.
Mmmmmm ... coffeeeeeee!!! Look at the triangle sugar sachets - aren't they funky???
Some of us prefer to play with our coffee ...
Before I knew it, it was time to leave (!) and I was back on the plane to Chch where my family (and a delicious Beef Wellington and Chocolate Mousse dinner) were waiting for me. Such are the trials of my life!
So, to sum up, I had an absolutely fantastic time! While the company was always going to make the weekend fab, I was very grateful for the weather and the cafés for pulling out all the stops and for being the icing on the cake that was a truly memorable trip.
Thank you Wellington, Thank you Sarah! I will miss you so very much, and hope my next visit is not too far away!
xxox
