Friday, October 17th

Travel day.  Not much to report today.  No big hurrry as we don't leave for Wellington untl late this afternoon. So, as a thanks to ben, we do some cleaning around his appartment and remake the bed.  He has new guests coming in tonight, and we thought that we'd just help out a bit give all the extras he's done for us.  He'll get a very good review from us.

It turns out that we sold some 31 of the 41 T-shirts we took to New Zealand.  Still learning what sizes to have extra of and what sizes to limit.  David popped out and converted the NZ currency to dollars.  One little boost.  Someone paid with Aussie money.  Not to worry, the bank took care of that.  And... we ended up with a few more NZ dollars than we expected since the Aussie dollar is worth more.

Anyway, around mid-afternoon we headed down to Queen Street to catch the bus to the airport.  Just stopped at the first bus stop we came to.  When the bus came by, we signaled, but the driver wouldn't stop as we were not in an "airport" bus stop.  They do follow rules in this country.  Another fellow was waiting with us.  The driver indicated the next stop up, so we hustled up to that stop.  Fortunately, the traffic lights suck in Auckland, so we actually beat the bus to the stop.  Of course this didn't help Joy's leg much.  But we made it to the domestic terminal.

The flight was pretty much uneventful - about an hour.  Big surprise was that they served wine and beer on that flight at no extra charge.  A Boeing 737 that was essentially a big bus.  Just about all seats full.  The nice ride ended as we dipped into the clouds and turbulence as we landed.  Very windy with mist blowing. 

Our hosts, Tony and Lynnda, greeted us and took us to their home - high up on a hill overlooking the hills and valley below.  They had one of those million dollar views.  They were going to take us out for dinner, but the weather was so rough that we all decided to just stay in.  Time to get acquainted and relax.


Saturday, October 18th

The day dawns a bit rough and ragged, but the sun is beginning shine through.  After breakfast we pile into Tony and Lynnda's car and head for a meeting point.  Oh, I'd better describe Wellington a bit.  The city is on the bay (Wellington Bay, what else?).  Then it spreads up and around steep hills, flowing into several valleys like water into intersecting gullies.  The houses splash up the hillsides - any house with a view has lots of glass on that side.  Kind of feel sorry for those people in houses without a view.



Today we have a harborside tour to see the general area around Wellington Bay.  The wind is blowing hard, as usual.  I have a collapsing umbrella ("brolly") in my back pocket, just in case.  Don't know what the wind would do to it.  But no problem - it never rained.   Our first stop was Mt Victoria, which at one end of the bay.  There our Kiwi friends told us of the Maori creation stories of how the land came to be formed.  From the top of the hill we have great views of the city, the bay, and even the airport, reclaimed from the bay itself.  Tony discovers the altitude marker for Mt Victoria and is amused to realize that his house is higher, and not on a "mountain".  Yep, it's just a hill.  But the view is nice.









We continued along the harbor, twisting and turning with the shore line.  The water is clear and blue.  Sailboats were beginning to appear, along with kayaks as the wind diminished.  Lunch was at a beachside cafe.  Crowded and a bit noisy, but we managed just fine.  Jeanette, the Kiwi hostess in charge had developed a quize that we filled out as we toured.  She graded the papers and delivered the good or bad news at lunch to lots of laughter.  Nope, Joy and I didn't win.  Even with Tony's help (or was it help???).











After lunch we went separated ways.  Tony and Lynnda took us to a very interesting combination botanical garden and NZ plant "refuge".  The park was huge, so we only took in part of it. 

Can you say "hugely fat pigeon?"

Lots of steps and slopes.  Huge trees and palms.  Thick undergrowth as would have been found when NZ was discovered.  All along the way, Lynnda gave us a running commentary on the trees, their uses, and ecology.  That lady has some fantastic knowledge!  Not much wildlife, as we've become accustomed to.  A few Tia (parson birds) sightings and several rather plump tree pigeons.  These birds are about twice the size of our normal pigeons.  And they love to eat.  Lynnda says that she's seen times when they ate so much they simply fell off their perch.  We whiled away 2-3 hours in this delightful spot.











Finally, home again.  Time for dinner, some good conversation - they are very easy people to get to know.  Then it's bedtime again.

Thursday, October 16th

Last day of the conference. 


This morning starts with the "world bazaar", about a dozen tables - New Zealand, Iowa, FFI, Indonesia, Oregon, of course, our club, and others.  We came with 41 shirts, and had only 10 left at the end - mostly mediums and smalls, which are harder to fit on oldsters.  So we feel we did well. 





The only session was the wrap-up plenary session.  Mostly thanks to this person or another, and more recognitions.  Of course, a nice wrap-up from Joy Di Benedetto.








After a brief break, we head for optional tours. 


 Joy and I elect to go on a wine tour.  We stopped at one owned by a man whose family came from Croatia, so Joy had an immediate connection.  The wine was, unfortunately, only passable at best.  We had a delicious lunch there - some really good lamb, and salmon. 

On the way to the second stop we paused by a rugged beach area where we could look down on crashing waves, surfers and gannet nests. 

The last stop was the second winery.  Frankly, this one was a bust.  Never did taste a wine that we liked.  It seemed that the group mostly agreed with us, as they drifted off before tasting the last bottle.  Oh, well.  The grounds were nice and the trip had been pleasant.

We arrived back at the hotel late and had to hurry back to our AirBnB place to change and get back to the final dinner.  The food was very good, and we enjoyed the company at our table.  Even had Sue Lucy, our first exchange host.  That was nice.  She's great.  It was noisy and we found that we were pretty tired.  We left a bit early and headed back to our BnB, where we chatted with Ben, our host, a little and then headed to the good old bed.

Wednesday, October 15th

Day two of the conference.  By now, getting around has become pretty easy.  Of course, I have to notice something to comment upon.  This is what I put to a local Auklander: They drive on the left-hand side of the road.  Why is it, then that I notice that a large number of people WALK on the right side of the sidewalks.  One would think that they'd naturally stay to the left.  No scientific examination.  Just an observation.  Anything to have a little fun with locals at the conference.  Come to think of it, do many of OUR people walk on the left and not the right?  Dunno.

Main tent (they use the word "plenary", whatever that is) session.  The first speaker is a woman humorist who tries to explain and teach us "Kiwi" and shows the difference between "Kiwi" and "Strain" (Australian, mate).  Pretty much howling from the audience.

The next were two high school girls who presented their views of their country and culture, and their aspirations for themselves and their peer in the future.  So very eloquent.  And it was a pleasure to hear from someone who wasn't "an oldie".

 The next presentation was way too time-curtailed.  The speaker talked about technology and what he saw as it's possible future directions.  He encouraged everyone to become involved lest they by left behind.  He was our age, and I think that resonated with people.  As an add attraction, he had a 3D printer at work in the corner creating little plastic doo-dads. That attracted a crowd.

The final main presentation was from Joy Di Benedetto who presented the results of the FFI survey, nicely summarized.  She then continued with the results of the FFI strategic planning sessions to come up with new initiatives for the next 3 years.  We saw some very welcome directions, including NEXTGEN exchanges with mixed age groups, a consistent exchange fee structures, and new technology efforts, to name a few.  We will need to set discuss these efforts and how they pertain to our club.  Yes, there are issues, but the message was very positive.

All this time, we were supported by the very professional FFI staff.

After lunch, Joy went to a session on New Zealand flowers and flower arranging.  She was very impressed with the skill of the presenter. 



David went to the session on NEXTGEN.  It was exciting to him to hear of various exchanges or events that included Grandparents and grandchildren, youth groups, and such.  We saw that it is unlikely that a single club can put together enough young people for such exchanges, but a global exchange concept, or multiple local clubs could pull it off.  I came away with two thoughts:  (1)  don't exclude children or grandchildren when hosting - if it's natural, let it happen; and (2) including children and grandchildren could be one of the ways to ultimately grow a club.


We bagged out of the last session - just didn't see anything that called to us. Joy had a swag of the flower arrangement that we decided would look good in Ben's apartment.  Then we strolled a bit.  We watched several jumpers from the tower building - controlled by a set of guy wires.  Of course I forgot the camera, so we might just have to stake the place out in the next day or so.

Tuesday, 14 October

If it's Tuesday, it must be the FFI Conference.  Right you are!  300 some-odd souls (well,,, maybe some are odder than others, but on the odder hand...) - please excuse the lame joke - or don't - it is what it is - gather in the Renaissance Grand Hotel in beautiful downtown Auckland.  Yep.  First day.

It's nice this time to know some of the people at the conference other than our always dependable Des Moines and Lincoln members.  Quite a few of our hosts from Whanganui and Palmerston North host clubs are in attendance.  Along with old friends from other exchanges.  And, of course, most of our fellow ambassadors from the pre-conference exchanges.

The start was very cool as the entrance ceremony was a traditional Maori welcome as our leadership asked to be allowed to come onto their land and they greeted them and welcomed them.  All of this in the Maori language - not translated, but interpreted.  This was followed by Maori songs:  a love song, a song of peace using the poi (a small bag on a tether that was flung about rhythmically), and finally a haka (the threatening war chant - you know, the one with the performers bulging eyes and tongues thrust out - loved it).

 We get down to business.  A speech from Joy DiBenedetto, followed by a welcome from the Auckland City Deputy (and now acting) Mayor. 













This was followed by presentation of awards to outstanding members and naming of the club of the year.  You might recognize the member of the year - Dave Katalin from the Greater Milwaukee club.  The club of the year was the club from Taiwan, whose members were with us on the pre-conference exchanges.  We were very happy for them.  A great moment - an award recipient was named, but unfortunately there was a typo on the screen and they placed his club in Australia rather than New Zealand.  Of course there was an uproar from the Kiwis followed by hoots and laughter from the rest of us.  We used that several times during the day.







After lunch we began the real sessions.  Joy took in one on hosting methods and alternatives and one on photography.  David took in one on writing techniques and then one discussing club strategic planning.  The latter was not a new concept, but was one that has worked for many organizations in the past.  He does question whether the time commitment can work with a volunteer organization.  But we do need to look at what it can offer.

Work day over, and Joy and I went down to the harbor to stroll in the warm sunshine.  It's so nice to hear the gulls and to watch the small ferries move to and fro. 

We're finding that the public bus system in Auckland is very nice.  Our Air BnB host has thoughtfully provided us with bus passes that we can use all over the city.  Dinner was a simple affair at the apartment due to the huge lunch.  All that over and this blog entry completed and we're ready for bed.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday and Sunday...

Saturday is an extra day for us.  As we've been finding of late, it dawned bright and sunny.  All very laid back, thanks to Barry and Joyce.  We do some laundry, I help Barry clean out Joyce's car of the dirt and sand from the visit to the beach.  Just putter and relax.  Lunch out at a quaint former post office in a nearby park.  Everyone is enjoying the weather.  We even take a few minutes to watch a fierce croquette tournament and manage to stay awake for the whole ten minutes we watch.  Barry says that he believes the rules are that you must be over 90 to get into the croquette club.  Yuk.

Evening and we go over to our day hosts, Eileen and Grahame, home for dinner.  Lots of good talk, and an excellent meal.  So the clock ticks onward and it's time to close up shop for the day.

Sunday, again bright and sunny if not all that warm, and we rouse, breakfast, and finalize packing.  We load the car and take our leave from Joyce who couldn't join us.  Barry takes us to the railroad depot.  The scenic train pulls in, right on time, from Wellington.  It is ultra-modern with large viewing windows, headsets and even power outlets.  Our seats are at a small table.  The other type of seating is pretty much standard train/airplane types.

Off we go, smoothly and very quietly.  We watch Palmerston North disappear and the landscape of New Zealand unfold as we head toward Auckland, some eight hours away.  Our cameras are busy, as every turn seems to reveal another painting-quality scene.  Sheep dot the pastures, and of course, cattle.  Even farm-raised deer show up now and again.  We find that the time slides by easily.  Down a couple of cars is the lounge car with meals, drinks, and snacks for purchase.  Very nice lounge.  Sort of reminds us of the lounges in the fine trains of days gone by - just much more modern.  At the rear is the open viewing car.  Lots of fun, albeit just a bit chilly.  But you can easily move from side to side for that "best" picture.

Can I tell you what mountains or towns I was photographing?  Duh.  Most everything has a Maori name like Pakihiroa (I didn't make that up), and they don't stick in my brain.  Very majestic mountains.  Snow-clad peaks.  Vast vistas of rolling green hills and forests.  Many, many rivers and streams.  It's sad, kind of, to find out that until you get north of Auckland, the fishing isn't all that good.  Unless you like eel.  Oh, well, they're pretty to look at.

 

Another four Friendship Force ladies are with us on the train.  We just naturally gather as we come off the train.  I guess two weeks of being together has stuck with us.  The terminal is just off the waterfront in downtown Auckland.  At this point, we say our farewells (most of us will gather again at the conference.  One, a lady from Brazil is going home and is concerned about getting back out to the airport where her hotel for the night is located.  Fortunately, there is a city shuttle bus that she can take to the airport, and then call her hotel for their shuttle.  Joy and I repeatedly tell her how to make this happen - the bus stop is only a half block from the train terminal.  She continues to try to muddle the process.  Her English is not great, but very serviceable.  Finally, we lead her to the bus itself and talk with the driver.  If she will simply get on the bus, all will be fine.  We can now go our own way.  Good luck, Rosa.

Only a couple of blocks and we're at our Air BnB.  A neat older downtown building with a creaky but excellent 70-year-old elevator.  Ben, the owner, welcomes us.  He's very nice.  Just like Trevor at our first stay two weeks ago.  We should be very comfortable.  Tomorrow we scope out the conference site and all.  Right now, just a bite to eat and relax, then sleep.

Friday, October 10th

Last day of the exchange, but a busy one.  First stop was a farmers market plus a celebration of some sort as it happened just on this day, at Feilding.  First of all, this town is very much like any Central Plains farm town - except with lots of people.

Families all over the place.  Sort of a carnival atmosphere - geared in many ways to children.  There was an inflatable slide, pony rides, lots of animals to see and pet, sheep races.  Yes and a number of farm tractor and implement displays.We wandered around, got lost from one another, found each other, got lost again, and so on.  It's still a bit odd to be thinking "Spring" in October.  The farmers garden had some pretty nice plants and foods.  It was nice to think of planting and growing tomatoes or herbs or whatever and not raking leaves and preparing for winter.

Oh, yeah.  Only in a Brit country.  They had a "gumboot" race.  Gumboots are those rubber Wellington boots that the farmers around here like to wear.  We really saw the need at our next activity.  Anyway, the contestant pairs dress up in some goofy costume and then have a relay where the boots are the baton.  Not sure who actually won.  The first set seemed most determined.  The others just goofed off for the crowd.  Good for a laugh.

Our next stop was the livestock market - both sheep and cattle.  And this included the

auctions.  David didn't know if it smelled or not, being blessed with a reduced sense of smell.  But seeing folks with their noses covered may have been a clue.  And, of course, the demonstrated need for gumboots as we passed by the pens.  The sheep were auctioned off at the pens - reputedly the largest sale pens in New Zealand.  Typical auctioneer - spoke a word stream.  Tried to catch the buyers bidding, 
but it was not easy.  There are three guys assisting the auctioneer in catching the signals.  The cattle auction was pretty much the same except it was held in a large building where groups of cattle are sold at a time.  The same machine gun speaking auctioneer with his helpers.  Here, the spectators and buyers could sit in a gallery as the cattle passed through, and not be at the pens.  This has to do with the height needed for pen railings, I think.  Anyway, it was fun to listen and watch them manage the animals.  Along with some very smart dogs.

Early Carriage/Cart

Our last activity was a stop at what is called the "Coach House Museum".  Normally, I don't care much for museums, but this one was an exception.  Basically it tells the history of the settling of New Zealand in the Feilding area (oh, and yes, the name is spelled properly - took me a while to catch on) through their use of tools. 

Peddler's Wares and Wagon

All kinds of weird and strange farm machinery, lots of old and nasty-looking tools, including one-handled and two-handled buck saws plus very large axes. 

Probably a third of the exhibits were dedicated to good old John Deere.  Tractors, trucks, other devices all the familiar green and yellow, dating back to some very early days.  And, according to one of the volunteers, many could still operate!

Back home for a bit.  Now what's left is the farewell dinner - a potluck, which Joy and I always seem to enjoy.  This time it's at a newish home of one of the members.  Big house with lots of windows, and an even bigger yard complete with huge pond, running streams and a wide variety of flowering plants and decorative bridges.  The house looks over it, and it is spectacular.  Too bad David left his camera at home.  Great food - lots and lots of people.  The best part came at the end, after all the requisite speeches.  All of he homeowners children are musicians.  As we mingle before dinner, an older son entertains us on the piano - playing by ear - some really nice stuff that us oldies like.  Then, after dinner the real surprise.  The next oldest son - probably about 15 - sits down at the piano and performs a beautiful classical number for us.  Followed by his 13-year-old brother, who is equally talented.  When we say talented, we mean really, really good!  And just before we get ready to leave, the youngest - maybe 10 or so, comes up and shows what he can do on the violin (I was told that he started on the piano and then switched) - for huge and enthusiastic applause.  What a talented family!  And when not playing for us, they all acted like just your average boys and girl (only one in the group - these were grandchildren).  This was the best farewell dinner we've attended!