[Moonshadow]

2011 NEW ZEALAND GATHERING
Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

What: 2011 New Zealand Jedi Gathering

A real-life gathering together of Jedi and Force Followers from all parts of the world and online community to share and exchange knowledge, ideas, insights, applications, and enlightenment related to the Jedi path. In addition, this Gathering also serves as opportunity to meet other Jedi in real life.

Who: YOU!!!

No matter how much planning goes into this event, it will only be a success if there are Jedi there to share it and enjoy it. YOU are the ones who will make this Gathering great. To register or request more information, please submit a Jedi Gatherings Registration Form to be added to the notification list.

When: Wednesday January 5, 2011 – Sunday January 9, 2011

Arrival and departure time will be depend on attendees’ flight times. Depending on participant numbers and arrival/departure times, Inari will either pick people up from the airport or arrange an airport shuttle service (probably O'Brians shuttles starting at $30/person for 1 person. (Price may be cheaper with a larger group.)

Please note that all estimated prices are in NZD!

Location: Inari’s House - Dunedin, South Island, New Zealand

The setting for the Gathering will be at Inari’s house in Dunedin, which lies two-thirds of the way down the South Island of New Zealand.

Dunedin has a large number of parks, walking tracks, gardens, and otherwise 'public' land on which to arrange activities. Inari has a moderately sized backyard that can be used also, and for undercover activities there is a school hall available for hire which is about 5 minutes walk from Inari's house. Gathering activities will be a mixture of pre-arranged 'tourist' activities, workshops, outdoor excursions and activities, and 'free time' to explore Dunedin for those who desire it.

Accommodations: Inari’s House / Local Hotel/Motel

There are two options for accommodations:

1) Inari’s House

-Sleeping areas: There is a small spare bedroom that accommodate 1-2 people, either on two separate single beds or for a couple the two beds join together to make one big bed. Additionally, Inari's 'massage room' that she works from can sleep two people, and there is a sleep-out room that can accommodate 2-3 people.

Inari will undertake to provide bedding for those staying at her house. Participants who are coming from overseas will have first preference for the supplying of bedding. She has 5 sleeping bags, several quilts/comforters, and some blankets. Participants are advised to bring their own pillows.

-Bathrooms: There are three bathrooms, each with a toilet, two with showers and one with a bath. Participants staying at Inari's house will be supplied towels and face washers by Inari. Additional items that will be supplied by Inari are:

-Toothpaste
-Toilet paper
-Liquid soap for hand washing

Participants will need to supply their own soap and personal hygiene items. 'Normal' shampoo and conditioner will be made available in each bathroom, else participants can supply their own.

Participants staying at Inari's house will be placed into workgroups, which will take turns at meal preparation, clean up, and keeping the house and bathrooms clean and tidy for all.

There is a washing machine and clothes dryer (as well as outdoor clothes dryers) available.

2) Hotel / Motel

The other option is for participants to arrange and pay for their own accommodation at a local hotel or motel. Dunedin is a 'student' and tourism focused town and there is a wide array of quality accommodation, from backpackers hostels to motels to quality hotels.

Cost

Inari will be providing lodging and up to $400 worth of food for free for participants. Participant costs include the cost of flight and transportation in addition to any meals out or activities listed under the Daily Activities and Menu section.

Depending on what activities you wish to participate in, it is recommended that you bring at least an extra $100 - $300 NZD for extra costs.

Please note that all estimated prices are in NZD!

Food: Meals and Inari’s House / Eating Out

Most meals will be prepared at Inari's house, to keep costs down. Inari has undertaken to underwrite the cost of meals prepared at her house, up to a limit of $400 and dependent upon the menu items supplied. What this means is that Inari will set the menu and items that she will be paying for in order to maximize cost effectiveness, and participants may, at their own cost, purchase additional items for themselves or the group as they see fit. Should participant numbers cause food budget problems (i.e if we have so many people that $400 will not be sufficient) then participants will be asked to contribute to cover the shortfall.

Some activities and days have planned meals at shopping malls, restaurants etc. This will be clearly marked on the activities and participants will need to cover their own meal costs at those times.

Daily Activities and Menu

Theme: In the aim to keep this gathering as 'green' as possible, locally produced items will be used for the gathering whenever possible. Public transport will be being used.

Wednesday January 5th (for those who have arrived)

Breakfast: Cereal, fruit (fresh/canned), yogurt, toast (jam/jelly, honey, vegemite, peanut butter)

Morning Activities:

-Meet and greet, any airport pickups (Auckland plane usually arrives mid morning).
-Unpacking etc.
-Trip to central business district (CBD) via public transport.
-1 hr walk around CBD (self guided).

Lunch: At Meridian mall food court or other local shops. Participants to purchase own lunch/drinks etc.

-Free time for looking at shops, touristy activities

Mid-Afternoon Activities – Travel to Museum. Explore. Also additional Tropical Butterfly garden and Science activities if desired (additional cost). Museum entry by donation. Tropical Butterfly Garden admission as of Sept '09:

-Adult: $9.50
-Child (2 - 15 years): $4.50
-Students/Seniors (with valid ID): $8.50
-1 adult + 3 children: $20.00
-2 adults + 2 children: $24.00

Late Afternoon Activities: Travel back to Inari's house, prepare dinner and snacks for next day. One group will prepare dinner and snacks, one will clean up.

Dinner: Curried Chickpeas served with rice, pappadums, chappata's/naan bread etc. Pavlova with cream and fruit (pavlova is a large meringue dish popular in Australia and New Zealand).

Evening Activities: – Cultural studies workshop– European/Maori relationship, Treaty of Waitanga. Maori spirituality.

- Evening walk followed by meditation session.

Thursday January 6th

Breakfast: cereal, fruit (fresh/canned), yogurt, toast (jam/jelly, honey, vegemite, peanut butter)

Morning Activities: Tidy house, prepare packed lunches.

Mid Morning Activities: Travel to Dunedin Botanic Gardens

Exercise (jogging, walking), tai chi workshop. Bird Aviaries, probably playground session for kids, possible Force and nature spirits workshop. Meditation.

Lunch: Picnic lunch at Botanic Gardens – Cold frittata, with green salad, olives, crusty bread and Pesto Pasta Salad. Muffins for afters.

Afternoon Activities:

-Walk to central business district
-Tourist activity – Taieri Gorge Railway (for those who wish it). See http://www.taieri.co.nz/ for more information. Current summer price of trip to Middlemarch $87.00NZD return.
-Or food shopping, free time, or travel back to Inari's.
-Can also arrange a guided Permaculture garden tour possibly.
-Workshop TBD at Inari's, travel back down to town to meet train group

Dinner: At Great Taste buffet restaurant

http://www.brownbear.co.nz/indulge/l...gename=Dunedin
Buffet price $11 / adult plus and additional $3 if you wish all you can drink drinks (soft drink).

Evening Workshop: TBD or possible tourist activity Ghost Walk (or both).
http://www.hairraisertours.com/dunedin.html Tours currently $30/person

Friday January 7th

Breakfast: Pancakes/ cereal, toast

Morning Activities:

-Tidy up
-Martial arts morning workshops (including kendo, sword etc)

Lunch: BBQ – Sausages, mushrooms, salads, bread etc. No sweets at lunch due to Cadbury tour.

Early Afternoon Activities: Travel to Dunedin

-Tourist activities Octagon market (free)
-Art gallery (free or donation)
-Cadbury chocolate factory http://www.cadburyworld.co.nz/visit.html. Time: Approx. 75 minutes. Admission charges:

-$18.00 adult
-$16.00 student.senior citizen
-$12.00 child under 15 years
-$FREE child under 5 years
-$48.00 family pass - 2 adults, up to 4 children

Mid/Late Afternoon Activities: Tourist activity AND exercise travel to and walk Baldwin Street. OR scenic walks TBD.

Dinner: At Inari's – home made pizzas.

Evening Activities: Games night – board games, Wii games, lightsaber’s, Force games. Bring your robes!

Saturday January 8th

Morning: Travel to Otago farmers market, purchase breakfast there.

Early Morning Acitivities: Tourist activity and food activity. Purchase of fresh food for and by group.

Mid Morning to Late Afternoon Activities: Otago Peninsula activities. Several options to choose from: Larnach Castle, wildlife tours, scenic walks. Packaged tours are recommended for all except the scenic walks. This will give the group a chance to split up and have some time apart. Inari will be leading the scenic walk group, then will return to her house for dinner preparations.

http://www.otago-peninsula.co.nz/
http://www.otago-peninsula.co.nz/attractions.html

Please have a look at the tours and contact Inari regarding what interests you. She will enquire as to package deals on your behalf. Walk cost will depend on transport to venue (TBD).

[i]Dinner:/i] At Inari's house using local, seasonal food purchased at the Farmers market. We'll see what we've got and be adventuresome.

Evening Activities: Sustainable living workshop.

Sunday January 9th

Breakfast: Cereal, fruit, yogurt, toast

Morning Activities: Possible martial work again.

Lunch: Sandwiches, leftovers from Saturday.

[i]Afternoon Activities{/i] Chinese Garden (good spot for tai chi).

Entry fees:
-Adult $9.00
-Child (under 13 years with Adult) free
-Student/Beneficiary $6.00

Conducted tours of the Chinese Garden (approximately 1 hour) are available at 10.00 am and 2.00 pm and other times by arrangement. $20.00

-Workshop TBD
-Departures and goodbyes.

Dinner: For those who remain Fish and Chips from local shop.

Evening Activities: TBD.

Packing List

A packing list will be provided at a later time.

__________________________________________________ ___________

IMPORTANT: In order to register for this Gathering or ensure receiving updates for future Gatherings, you must fill out the Jedi Gatherings Registration Form. Even if you’re not yet positive that you can attend, submitting this form if you are at all interested helps us to get a better head count and assists us in planning events and notifying you of updates.

Please contact Inari at wheeles76@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.

I’ll continually update this thread as planning progresses.

--Moonshadow

[Moonshadow]

Btw, here's a link to a brochure version of the announcement that Inari created. Adam will also have the brochure link and info posted under the Gathering tab at the top of the forum by the end of the week.

--Moonshadow

[stancheung75]

Inari is your house near any major Rugby stadiums? I would like to catch a ALL BLACKS game if it's possible. I always wanted to watch them perform a HAKA live. If it happens to workout i would even be twice as excited to attend the NZ gathering.

[Inari]

No, it is not near a major rugby stadium, though there is one in Dunedin where the All Blacks play from time time. The thing is, it is also the wrong time of year for local rugby, being summer.

That does not mean that you may not be able to see a haka. I'll see what I can arrange/find. There is a group looking to do Maori performances in Dunedin and assuming they are still going next year you should be able to see some traditional displays.

Failing that, I'd suggest coming to Dunedin via the North Island (many more Maori live there) and going to a hangi/ hui display there.

[stancheung75]

that is wonderful. I'm a huge fan of warrior culture and love learning about the Haka. It would be even better to see group do it as well. I just figured if I can combine my love of sports and seeing something from the Maori tribes. a All Blacks game would do. Besides I might have to get a official jersey

BTW is summertime a good time for cricket?

[Inari]

BTW is summertime a good time for cricket?

Unfortunately, yes.

There is no problem getting All Blacks merchandise here, there are also two local teams, one rugby league, one rugby union (please do not ask me to explain the difference, it's all rugby to me and I'm not a fan).

Dunedin also hosts a great Sports Museum.

If you REALLY want to learn about Maori culture, I would recommend a stop in Wellington and a trip to the Te Papa museum. You can also go and stop by Weta Workshop. I haven't been there yet but will probably post a photo of myself and my husband in 'We're not worthy' mode outside our icon in the future.

If you like the warrior culture, you may enjoy the martial arts workshops. I am studying and practising kendo and can share with you about that.

[stancheung75]

Originally Posted by Inari

. You can also go and stop by Weta Workshop. I haven't been there yet but will probably post a photo of myself and my husband in 'We're not worthy' mode outside our icon in the future.

I'll join in "We're not worthy!!"

Hmm weta studio huh???? Sounds fun. Maybe we can get them to give us all a Hobbit makeover

This might sound strange. But I'm kinda looking forward to running into one (and only one) Weta bug just to see how it compares to the Cockroach here in the States.

[Inari]

You are very unlikely to see a Weta in urban Dunedin. The biggest ones are now rare and only found on some of the islands. You can see some at the museum though (dead of course). They are ruddy enormous.

[RyuJin]

ok after doing some research....i don't think i want to meet a weta.. 70 kilo crickets?....insane...almost as bad as the iraqi camel spider (10 inch long body)... i know they serve a role in the ecosystem....but i still don't like creepy crawlies and thus i avoid them as much as possible

[stancheung75]

“I've never been to New Zealand before. But one of my role models, Xena, the warrior princess, comes from there.”

Madeleine Albright
The first woman to become a United States Secretary of State. She was appointed by U.S. President Bill Clinton on December 5, 1996, and was unanimously confirmed by a U.S. Senate vote of 99-0. She was sworn in on January 23, 1997.)