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Day 1 of the International Simtropolis Gossip Roundup and Coffee Klatsch has been successful thus far. Here are some images captured by the various paparazzi.

The correct proceedure for ball throwing for the Ambassador has now been demonstrated.

1. Obtain 2 balls
2. Throw one ball.
3. The Ambassador will fetch first ball.
NB. You MUST have the second ball in your hand or the Ambassador WILL NOT drop the first ball.
4. When the Ambassador has dropped the first ball (and NOT before) throw the second ball.
5. While the Ambassador is fetching the second ball pick up the first ball and ensure ball is being held on his return so he can see it.
6. The Ambassador will then drop the second ball.
7. Throw first ball again...
8. Continue this procedure until one of the following happens..
a. The Ambassador gets tired of the game. (Yeah right!)
b. The balls become too slippery from slobber... you can tell this stage by the quality of the slobber on the balls.
c. The slobber trail from the ball when thrown starts to blow back in your face.
d. It is too cold outside and you don't have your coat on.
9. Repeat this game several times a day for the duration of the visit.
10. Wash hands on returning inside to avoid transmission of the 'dog flu'.

After dining on roast lamb for dinner and pavlova (a meringue cake with cream and kiwi fruit) for dessert, the delegation managed to make it to 9 pm before finally curling up in their baskets for the night... which is a pretty good effort considering that when they arrived at 5.35 am this morning, they had just completed around 20 hours travel. Also 9pm here is the equivalent of 5 am EST...

Tomorrow we head for the thermal wonderland of Rotorua, and Lake Tarawera.