So the great day arrived and Dan was due to land at Wellington airport at 2.30pm, so i got there at 1pm...just to make sure i was on time! A bit keen but yes i was pretty much beside myself with excitement. It felt strange and nerve wracking - like a blind date or something.

As the automatic door swooshed over and over again letting streams of people into the Arrivals hall, the first view of New Zealand that every person had was of a crazed blonde bird sporting an inane grin and sweating profusely whilst trying to look cool and casual. Then Dan emerged with straight hair, which threw me a bit! But she looked amazing and not remotely as though she'd just spent 30 or so hours awake and in transit. We didn't cry but it was very emotional and a bit weird too. I'd spent so much time imagining and looking forward to that moment that it seemed normal and surreal all at once.

She'd chosen the perfect day to arrive in Wellington as it was gloriously sunny and autumnal and not windy. The flight/landing path changes day to day due to the wind and Dan had been luck enough to be on a flight that scooped past Wellington and came in from the south thus getting an AWESOME view of the snow-capped Southern Alps and Kaikoura Ranges on the South Island, something that she said she'll never forget. At good start!

We headed to Maple Lodge to settle her in but first went up Mount Vic so Dan could see the city from that great 360 degreee viewpoint. Lovely Ian and Laura also arrived back from their travels that day so it was all very celebratory.

The next fews days were spent wandering around Wellington, drinking coffee, window shopping, walking through the botannical gardens, going on the cable car, eating kebabs (of course), drinking boxed wine (of course), cooking, chatting and planning our road trip. Stu and Jo were kind enough to host a meal at their new pad in Miramar (v cool). Me and Dan also had an Italian meal and went for a few drinks which was a real treat. We did a great walk through Kaitoke National Park and Dan was in awe of the variety of palms and trees and moss and ferns. We even managed to fit in a visit to a glow worm dell.

On our last night we enjoyed a group Mexican meal with the Maple Lodgers. Welcome to NewZ Dan!

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