Surprise 30th party!!!

So.. the amazing people at work surprised me with a birthday bash!!! I know, right!?? It was so special!! We had lots of fun, drinks, laughs, and delicious food at Olivia's house, surrounded by "30th bday" poppers, confetti, balloons and streamers. It was a great night- Thanks guys!!

(from left to right: Lisa, S-Kate, Olivia, Charlotte and Juliet)

Sarah, Olivia, me and Hannah
the boys- Zane and Daniel
Juliet, me and Lisa
Olivia and Gamma with my incredible chocolate cake! (and no- the house didn't set on fire with all my candles...!)
Sarah and Zane
Mark and Gamma
Olivia and Hannah
Daniel and Hannah

Bday dinner with the girls!!

Went to dinner for my birthday with my flatmates Carole and Belinda and our friend Helen. Good times!!

Helen and I
Carole and Belinda

Christchurch...revisited

The big bday trip started out with a flight to Christchurch to enjoy the autumn delights and catch the train up the coast. We explored the art museum.. this first picture is looking out from inside, drank yummy coffee, and wandered the gardens that looked much different from the full bloom spring colors that were here back in december. It was awesome.

The art gallery
Hello gorgeousness...!!

lisa and the leaves...

From the train to the ferry..

From Christchurch we took the coastal train up the east coast of the south island to the tip top town of Picton where we caught the inter-island ferry to Wellington on the north island. The views were incredible!! Once again I spent most of my time freezing out in the open viewing car- well worth it!! On the right-hand side was the Pacific ocean, so close it could splash the train, and on the left were breath-taking views of autumn colors, snow-capped mountains, and gorgeous vineyards... priceless. :)

The ferry was the size of a cruiseship (it carries cars..) and takes 3 hours, first through the gorgeous Marlborough sounds, then across the notoriously rough inter-island channel, then around the point into the port of Wellington. It was great!

Wellington gardens

Gardens are definitely something that New Zealand does well, really well! Add Wellington to the list of NZ city botanical gardens that I've wandered and loved!!

This botanical garden included a really old graveyard.. it was beautiful!!

Wellington

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and was the final destination of my fun birthday trip. It was a fun artsy city full of cafes, art galleries, a cool waterfront area and amazing buildings. It was quite a contrast of old and new.. needless to say I have dozens of pictures of the buildings alone! ;) I will wait and inflict those on ya'll in person- here is a taste. :)

Lisa and I on the waterfront.

Took the cable car to the top of the hill, then wandered down through the botanical garden.

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is a big war memorial holiday in Australia and New Zealand... I joined the 20,000 people at the dawn ceremony at the park by my house. It was cool being a part of the masses gathering in darkness.. and it was the most gorgeous sunrise I have ever seen in my life!!