Dec. 30
John woke early as he needed to get himself organized, packed and off to return the rental car before 9am. His flight to Auckland was scheduled to depart at 10:30.
After finding the place to drop off the car (Note: John only had to ask for directions twice!) he went into the terminal building and handed in his car keys. Next he went to the counter to ask if he could check in all the way to Melbourne and not have to see his suitcase until landing in Australia.
Well... he had forgotten that Canadians (probably everybody else too but Kiwis) need a visa to visit Australia that cannot be granted in Australia. Luckily he could pay for an electronic one on the spot but he had to go to the service desk. It was $30 but he could have got one for free online if he had known AND had a good Internet connection.
On the first leg from Christchurch to Auckland, he sat beside two young women from California. One was a furniture maker which John thought was very cool. He was lucky to be in row 2 and was amongst the first off the plane in Auckland.
Once landing in Auckland, John walked to the International Terminal. It felt kind of strange to John to be back in Auckland but not in Auckland as such. It was a good 10-minute walk in a very strong wind and even the 20 degree temperature felt chilly. The sky was partly cloudy and John could tell that a high pressure weather front was coming in.
After filling out John's New Zealand exit form and the Austraian entry form, we went through security again and waited for his flight to Melbourne.
The flight went well and the sky grew clearer the closer we got to Austalia.
We landed and John along with the others went though Australian Immigration, glad he had his electronic visa. Next he had to hand his form to a friendly Customs guy who stamped it saying, "Welcome to Australia, Mate!" However, John went the wrong way and had to come back past the same Customs guy who said could he see the form again and then put an X over the stamp. John thought, "Whew that stamp must have meant I would have been searched." But then he thought, "What would stop anyone putting an X over the stamp?" Sure enough the guy had in his very friendly way ordered that John's suitcase and me to be searched.
John was sent down his own lane and had to wait at the end to be allowed in, only to be sent down yet another lane where he again had to wait. All the other people sent down other lanes were having their suitcases opened while John was standing alone.
In a couple of minutes two guys came along and asked John if he had declared everything. He had not declared an apron as a present for Janice so he fessed up that he had it. They asked if it was made of wood (you cannot import wood into Australia)... but really who makes aprons out of wood? Then they asked of he had any drugs or syringes. John said, "Good Lord, no!" They then asked if they could XRay the luggage and me. John had no problem with that but I felt violated. Of course, the XRay showed nothing and they happily sent us on out way.
Luckily, when he walked out the door, Janice was waiting in the 38 degree Celsuis heat. We all went to her car and she drove us to her new home. She had only been there since Dec. 14. On the way, Janice picked up some groceries for supper. When they got to Janice's house, John said hello to Stewart while Janice prepared spaghetti sauce and spaghetti for supper. They all spent quite a while talking before John retired to his room for the night. His first day in Australia ahd come to an end.
TRB
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Culminating Day in Beautiful New Zealand
Dec. 29
John's last day on his self-drive trip was truly incredible. Despite his unhappiness with the motel owner, he set out at 8am looking for breakfast and Internet access. That meant he had to take me along!
We went to the buffet restaurant where he went the night before. It had a full breakfast for $17. He had Weetbix cereal, tea, a lamb sausage, back bacon, sunny side up eggs, hash browns and roast potatoes. He also had two glasses of sweet blackcurrent juice.
Then he set off to do his email. The Starbucks offered it for $3 an hour so he bought an hour. You don't need to buy a drink so in effect it was cheaper than getting the Internet for free but having to spend $4 plus on a cappucino, thought John.
At a little after 10 am he was finished and, putting me on his back, we went to the Curator's House restaurant to meet Peter. John was there at 10:25 and a minute later up came Peter. John put me in the trunk of Peter's car and they went and parked in the botanical gardens parking lot.
They went for a walk and saw a lot of wonderful flowers but John had forgotten the videocamera. That was ok, he was more interested in talking to and catching up with Peter. They talked academic philosophy - Peter is a philosopher - and found that yet again they had much common ground. At one point, John said that he felt validated by Peter's erudition. They agree on so much but Peter has the language to express it - anti globalization, anti corporatization, pro humanity, and in favour of all life on the planet.
They looked for coffee and went back to the Curator's House but were told they couldn't sit outside unless they were staying for lunch so they went to the Arts Centre's patio outside one of the old original buildings of Canterbury University. Peter said how he and his daughter run. He can run for 16k. The day before he had walked up the local mountain (round trip six hours) but it was foggy so he will go again.
After a tour of the new campus of Canterbury U, Peter dropped John off at the motel. Peter was going to pick up his children at the airport. Peter, his wife Linda, and their families are from Auckland and the children, both teenagers, had spent Christmas with their grandparents.
John changed into his shorts and left for the International Antarctic Centre - the base for New Zealand, USA and Italy's Antarctic expeditions. What the hec is Italy doing in the Antarctic? thought John. The Americans feel that they have to be everywhere, of course and New Zealand is only a few thousand miles from Antartica... but Italy???
The Centre was excellent. For the first time John saw little blue penguins. At first he was sad to see the poor little creatures in captivity but talking to their keeper found that they weren't In fact, the keeper said that if they had been captured for display he wouldn't be working there. It turns out that all their penguins have been rescued and are unable to live in the wild. Some have missing feet, or broken wings caused by fishing gear. Yes, those fish and chips may cost more than money.
John also saw and learned a lot about the Antarctic and saw updated photos from Ross Base, the NZ base (painted green to remind the Kiwis of home). However, he decided not to go into the blizzard room where they have a fake blizzard (with a minus 43 wind chill) every 15 minutes. John snickered at the people who went in wanting to know what cold is really like! The blizzard only lasts 3 minutes and before going in they have people put on parkas and boots over their clothes. Some people ran out part way through. hahaha
Next John went for a ride on one of their tracked vehicles for the Antarctic. They only go 15 k/hr but they take you across really rugged ground and up and down hills and into deep pools of water. Everyone had to hold on to the straps above to avoid getting thrown around inside. It was fun. A young couple had just gone on the ride before and the guy was telling us all what was coming next. After the first series of violent jostles he said. "That's just to get you prepared for the real ride!"
After an enjoyable 3 hours John came back to the motel and got ready for the culminating experience of his week - The Maori encounter. A shuttle picked John up and took him and a couple of other families from different motels out to the site, where they handed in their vouchers and waited. John met Trish and Wayne a nice couple from Cairns (in northern Queensland, Australia). She is a history movie aficionado and said that she had been looking for years for a Canadian film, 'Black Robe.' It is the story of the Jesuits among the Hurons. John had seen it but did not know where she could find it.
It is hard to describe the evening except to say that it was an historical reenactment in which we, the tourists, took part. We saw a chief from the north come down to the south and attack a pa (fortified village). We were herded to the centre (for our own safety they said) as the fighting took place all around us. We got to enter storehouses and were told how people lived. Every so often our narrator would stop everything and tell us what was going on and the historical basis. We were taken through the years, through the arrival of the settlers and the growth of NZ, even going on a tram car ride. It truly is a world class experience and, in fact, is the only reenactment of its type in the world. It is also a politically sensitive story of how NZ came into being. Unfortunately John's camera batteries died part way through the experience.
After the reenactment, we were treated to a hangi - a Maori feast. We had traditional Maori bread, fish chowder, lamb, chicken, fish, kumara, potatoes, salad, and coleslaw with custard, steam pudding and pavlova for dessert. John sat beside a large Aussie family from Tasmania, grandparents, parents and children. The son-in-law was Maori himself and had so much personality he kept us in stitches. John also at beside a woman and her grown granddaugher from Coventry in England visiting her son in Christchurch. We all had a great time.
Then it was time to head back, the end of a a fantastic and totally unforgettable week here in the South Island of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
TRB
John's last day on his self-drive trip was truly incredible. Despite his unhappiness with the motel owner, he set out at 8am looking for breakfast and Internet access. That meant he had to take me along!
We went to the buffet restaurant where he went the night before. It had a full breakfast for $17. He had Weetbix cereal, tea, a lamb sausage, back bacon, sunny side up eggs, hash browns and roast potatoes. He also had two glasses of sweet blackcurrent juice.
Then he set off to do his email. The Starbucks offered it for $3 an hour so he bought an hour. You don't need to buy a drink so in effect it was cheaper than getting the Internet for free but having to spend $4 plus on a cappucino, thought John.
At a little after 10 am he was finished and, putting me on his back, we went to the Curator's House restaurant to meet Peter. John was there at 10:25 and a minute later up came Peter. John put me in the trunk of Peter's car and they went and parked in the botanical gardens parking lot.
They went for a walk and saw a lot of wonderful flowers but John had forgotten the videocamera. That was ok, he was more interested in talking to and catching up with Peter. They talked academic philosophy - Peter is a philosopher - and found that yet again they had much common ground. At one point, John said that he felt validated by Peter's erudition. They agree on so much but Peter has the language to express it - anti globalization, anti corporatization, pro humanity, and in favour of all life on the planet.
They looked for coffee and went back to the Curator's House but were told they couldn't sit outside unless they were staying for lunch so they went to the Arts Centre's patio outside one of the old original buildings of Canterbury University. Peter said how he and his daughter run. He can run for 16k. The day before he had walked up the local mountain (round trip six hours) but it was foggy so he will go again.
After a tour of the new campus of Canterbury U, Peter dropped John off at the motel. Peter was going to pick up his children at the airport. Peter, his wife Linda, and their families are from Auckland and the children, both teenagers, had spent Christmas with their grandparents.
John changed into his shorts and left for the International Antarctic Centre - the base for New Zealand, USA and Italy's Antarctic expeditions. What the hec is Italy doing in the Antarctic? thought John. The Americans feel that they have to be everywhere, of course and New Zealand is only a few thousand miles from Antartica... but Italy???
The Centre was excellent. For the first time John saw little blue penguins. At first he was sad to see the poor little creatures in captivity but talking to their keeper found that they weren't In fact, the keeper said that if they had been captured for display he wouldn't be working there. It turns out that all their penguins have been rescued and are unable to live in the wild. Some have missing feet, or broken wings caused by fishing gear. Yes, those fish and chips may cost more than money.
John also saw and learned a lot about the Antarctic and saw updated photos from Ross Base, the NZ base (painted green to remind the Kiwis of home). However, he decided not to go into the blizzard room where they have a fake blizzard (with a minus 43 wind chill) every 15 minutes. John snickered at the people who went in wanting to know what cold is really like! The blizzard only lasts 3 minutes and before going in they have people put on parkas and boots over their clothes. Some people ran out part way through. hahaha
Next John went for a ride on one of their tracked vehicles for the Antarctic. They only go 15 k/hr but they take you across really rugged ground and up and down hills and into deep pools of water. Everyone had to hold on to the straps above to avoid getting thrown around inside. It was fun. A young couple had just gone on the ride before and the guy was telling us all what was coming next. After the first series of violent jostles he said. "That's just to get you prepared for the real ride!"
After an enjoyable 3 hours John came back to the motel and got ready for the culminating experience of his week - The Maori encounter. A shuttle picked John up and took him and a couple of other families from different motels out to the site, where they handed in their vouchers and waited. John met Trish and Wayne a nice couple from Cairns (in northern Queensland, Australia). She is a history movie aficionado and said that she had been looking for years for a Canadian film, 'Black Robe.' It is the story of the Jesuits among the Hurons. John had seen it but did not know where she could find it.
It is hard to describe the evening except to say that it was an historical reenactment in which we, the tourists, took part. We saw a chief from the north come down to the south and attack a pa (fortified village). We were herded to the centre (for our own safety they said) as the fighting took place all around us. We got to enter storehouses and were told how people lived. Every so often our narrator would stop everything and tell us what was going on and the historical basis. We were taken through the years, through the arrival of the settlers and the growth of NZ, even going on a tram car ride. It truly is a world class experience and, in fact, is the only reenactment of its type in the world. It is also a politically sensitive story of how NZ came into being. Unfortunately John's camera batteries died part way through the experience.
After the reenactment, we were treated to a hangi - a Maori feast. We had traditional Maori bread, fish chowder, lamb, chicken, fish, kumara, potatoes, salad, and coleslaw with custard, steam pudding and pavlova for dessert. John sat beside a large Aussie family from Tasmania, grandparents, parents and children. The son-in-law was Maori himself and had so much personality he kept us in stitches. John also at beside a woman and her grown granddaugher from Coventry in England visiting her son in Christchurch. We all had a great time.
Then it was time to head back, the end of a a fantastic and totally unforgettable week here in the South Island of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
TRB
Monday, December 28, 2009
Christchurch via Arthur's Pass
Dec. 28
John felt good as he came to for the day. It was just past 7am and he felt that he was about to experience something new. Looking out the window he thought he saw the light of... could it be... sunlight?
Yes, there was the promise of a beautiful day as the clouds descended but the light drizzle was gone. He packed up the car, had a last laugh with Jill and Bill the motel operators and headed off. All the motel people have been just great thought John.
He had gone this way before - just yesterday as he had gone up to Franz Josef glacier. At that time, he had stopped at a gas station and bought a 1.5L bottle of L&P pop (World Famous in New Zealand). When the young woman told him $4.50 he had said without thinking much, "Wow, that's quite a bit." She had just glared at him. A few minutes later when he was drinking out of the bottle in the car, the young woman and a friend went by and the friend was saying, "You shouldn't get that upset over a boy."
Today, he needed some gas to ensure he got to Hokitika so he stopped at the same station. After getting just $10 worth because the price for regular was $1.87 a litre he was served by the same young woman. As part of the transaction she said, "Press the green button," John fumbled trying to guess the button and she repeated again more forcibly, "Press the green button," John said, "But I'm green blind." She said, "You should have said that at the beginning" and punched the button herself. Without thinking of the day before, John said, "You should have said 'Press the button with the checkmark on it.'" She gave him another glare and muttered something under her breath. They completed the rest of the transaction in silence. John said, "Thanks", but she didn't reply. I guess she was still raging inside about her former boyfriend.
It was certainly time to hit the road.
The road after Franz Josef was the same twists and bends as before as the road climbed up the side of the next mountain. We climbed up into the cloud layer that must have only been 400-500 feet above sea level. It was a fairy tale world of fog and ferns, and little waterfalls raining down beside the road everywhere. Soon we were descending again.
As the road flattened, the sky got lighter and by the time we reached Hokitika, it was sunny. There were still clouds but the day was drawing hotter. John stopped for gas and also bought some toffees (he has not eaten candy since leaving Canada). We turned at Kumara Junction onto State Highway 73 towards Arthur's Pass, one of only three routes through the Southern Alps. It is called Arthur's Pass - not after Arthur - but after the Arthur Mountains who must have been named after... Arthur?
The clouds were like a gossamer crinoline around the mountains but as we ventured closer to the Otira Gorge in the Arthur's Pass National Park, they lifted entirely revealing a sky as blue as forever. John had to stop many times to take videos - the gorge, the viaduct, Arthur's Pass summit. Often he would come across a viewing site filled with people but often preferrred to go on a little further and take a video where he was more alone. Despite this almost every video has the sounds of cars and trucks passing; it is a busy highway.
We stopped at Park headquarters for a break and because the day was so warm John unzipped the bottoms of his long pants to make them into shorts.
The mountains that followed were in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains. They are dry, with tussock grasses, some flax and a lot of stony ground. John remembered the lessons he had taught about weather and geology in grade eight science and saw it now as living truth.
We also stopped at Cave Steam between the Broken River road bridge and Craigieburn Forest Park entrance. See the website There were lots of young families picnicking and going down to the river to swim. The river was a long, long way down and the rock formations were fascinating. But even more interesting was that the river had large deep caves along its banks and you could walk into the caves. Must be great on a hot day!
As we descended from the mountains onto the Canterbury Plain, the clouds once again formed an overcast canopy. John feeling itchy in the arms, realized that he had been bitten a number of times, probably while ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the scenery.
Then it was into Christchurch. He didn't get the instructions quite straight but for some reason picked another road and found his way promptly to the motel.
It turned out that Internet access at the motel was prohibitively expensive - $6 for 30 minutes. He asked the owner if it was a mistake and was told in no uncertain terms that that was the price, and there was no discussing it and he walked away. The motel guy was this 'try to get whatever you can without providing good service' businessman which may partly explain his brusque 'take it or leave it' attitude. Not only that but maybe many people have complained about the price (John estimates that the price is at least 45 times what it could possibly cost the owner) and it touched a nerve. John also reflected that the owner must think him poor because of his clothes and treated him accordingly. John thought sadly, "All this way meeting wonderful, friendly people and now two arguments in the same day!"
To do something positive, John went for a walk downtown and came across a Roast Beef restaurant and had a complete roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding. It was the best he had had since his Mum used to make them. Wandering around downtown he saw Cathedral Square, a unique sculpture that looks like a huge metal vase and found the restaurant where tomorrow he is to meet his old friend and colleague Peter from Auckland days.
Then it was back to the motel to watch some TV. We both wrote this post together as I didn't want to put words in John's mouth. He hopes to go to an internet cafe and do his email tomorrow (at $3 an hour).
John said that it does mean that he cannot upload a new post or do email tomorrow, and will have to connect next from lovely Australia.
TRB
PS update Dec. 29: John is at a Starbucks and has Internet access for $3 an hour which is reasonable. Today he is scheduled to meet his friend and former colleague from Auckland, Peter. Janice may remember meeting Peter when he visited London in 2005. Anyway, after their get together and walk through the Botanical Gardens John is off to the Antarctic Base (C'church is the jump off point for scientists to fly to Antarctica. The he ends his travel week with a Maori educational and cultural evening that includes a feast.
John felt good as he came to for the day. It was just past 7am and he felt that he was about to experience something new. Looking out the window he thought he saw the light of... could it be... sunlight?
Yes, there was the promise of a beautiful day as the clouds descended but the light drizzle was gone. He packed up the car, had a last laugh with Jill and Bill the motel operators and headed off. All the motel people have been just great thought John.
He had gone this way before - just yesterday as he had gone up to Franz Josef glacier. At that time, he had stopped at a gas station and bought a 1.5L bottle of L&P pop (World Famous in New Zealand). When the young woman told him $4.50 he had said without thinking much, "Wow, that's quite a bit." She had just glared at him. A few minutes later when he was drinking out of the bottle in the car, the young woman and a friend went by and the friend was saying, "You shouldn't get that upset over a boy."
Today, he needed some gas to ensure he got to Hokitika so he stopped at the same station. After getting just $10 worth because the price for regular was $1.87 a litre he was served by the same young woman. As part of the transaction she said, "Press the green button," John fumbled trying to guess the button and she repeated again more forcibly, "Press the green button," John said, "But I'm green blind." She said, "You should have said that at the beginning" and punched the button herself. Without thinking of the day before, John said, "You should have said 'Press the button with the checkmark on it.'" She gave him another glare and muttered something under her breath. They completed the rest of the transaction in silence. John said, "Thanks", but she didn't reply. I guess she was still raging inside about her former boyfriend.
It was certainly time to hit the road.
The road after Franz Josef was the same twists and bends as before as the road climbed up the side of the next mountain. We climbed up into the cloud layer that must have only been 400-500 feet above sea level. It was a fairy tale world of fog and ferns, and little waterfalls raining down beside the road everywhere. Soon we were descending again.
As the road flattened, the sky got lighter and by the time we reached Hokitika, it was sunny. There were still clouds but the day was drawing hotter. John stopped for gas and also bought some toffees (he has not eaten candy since leaving Canada). We turned at Kumara Junction onto State Highway 73 towards Arthur's Pass, one of only three routes through the Southern Alps. It is called Arthur's Pass - not after Arthur - but after the Arthur Mountains who must have been named after... Arthur?
The clouds were like a gossamer crinoline around the mountains but as we ventured closer to the Otira Gorge in the Arthur's Pass National Park, they lifted entirely revealing a sky as blue as forever. John had to stop many times to take videos - the gorge, the viaduct, Arthur's Pass summit. Often he would come across a viewing site filled with people but often preferrred to go on a little further and take a video where he was more alone. Despite this almost every video has the sounds of cars and trucks passing; it is a busy highway.
We stopped at Park headquarters for a break and because the day was so warm John unzipped the bottoms of his long pants to make them into shorts.
The mountains that followed were in the rain shadow of the coastal mountains. They are dry, with tussock grasses, some flax and a lot of stony ground. John remembered the lessons he had taught about weather and geology in grade eight science and saw it now as living truth.
We also stopped at Cave Steam between the Broken River road bridge and Craigieburn Forest Park entrance. See the website There were lots of young families picnicking and going down to the river to swim. The river was a long, long way down and the rock formations were fascinating. But even more interesting was that the river had large deep caves along its banks and you could walk into the caves. Must be great on a hot day!
As we descended from the mountains onto the Canterbury Plain, the clouds once again formed an overcast canopy. John feeling itchy in the arms, realized that he had been bitten a number of times, probably while ooh-ing and ahh-ing over the scenery.
Then it was into Christchurch. He didn't get the instructions quite straight but for some reason picked another road and found his way promptly to the motel.
It turned out that Internet access at the motel was prohibitively expensive - $6 for 30 minutes. He asked the owner if it was a mistake and was told in no uncertain terms that that was the price, and there was no discussing it and he walked away. The motel guy was this 'try to get whatever you can without providing good service' businessman which may partly explain his brusque 'take it or leave it' attitude. Not only that but maybe many people have complained about the price (John estimates that the price is at least 45 times what it could possibly cost the owner) and it touched a nerve. John also reflected that the owner must think him poor because of his clothes and treated him accordingly. John thought sadly, "All this way meeting wonderful, friendly people and now two arguments in the same day!"
To do something positive, John went for a walk downtown and came across a Roast Beef restaurant and had a complete roast beef dinner with Yorkshire pudding. It was the best he had had since his Mum used to make them. Wandering around downtown he saw Cathedral Square, a unique sculpture that looks like a huge metal vase and found the restaurant where tomorrow he is to meet his old friend and colleague Peter from Auckland days.
Then it was back to the motel to watch some TV. We both wrote this post together as I didn't want to put words in John's mouth. He hopes to go to an internet cafe and do his email tomorrow (at $3 an hour).
John said that it does mean that he cannot upload a new post or do email tomorrow, and will have to connect next from lovely Australia.
TRB
PS update Dec. 29: John is at a Starbucks and has Internet access for $3 an hour which is reasonable. Today he is scheduled to meet his friend and former colleague from Auckland, Peter. Janice may remember meeting Peter when he visited London in 2005. Anyway, after their get together and walk through the Botanical Gardens John is off to the Antarctic Base (C'church is the jump off point for scientists to fly to Antarctica. The he ends his travel week with a Maori educational and cultural evening that includes a feast.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Fox Glacier Village
Dec. 27
Throughout the night we heard the pounding of the rain outside. John snuggled deeper into his 1000-thread count pure cotton sheets and slept like a baby. The weather had made it impossible to call Janice in Australia as he had hoped because the lines were down. They have to connect in just three days at Melbourne's Airport.
Once John woke, he saw a day of mists begin. The air was humid and the road steamed. High alongside the mountains great clouds of vapour sat and hugged them. John went over to the glacier guiding place and got his money back. He had read that he needed moderate fitness, four layers of upper body clothing, pants not jeans, a day pack to carry, a warm hat and gloves - all available, apart from the fitness of course, in the glacier guide store. Not only that but he would have to walk at least 30 minutes in a physically demanding, steady-paced, uphill hike for 30 minutes as part of the four-hour hike. John said to me, "What the hec am I doing? I have escaped winter only to go walking on ice while doing exercise?" Since there is so much demand, the guides were happy to give John his money back - well they reversed his credit card purchase.
Now, feeling guilty John decided to go to Matheson's Lake. There is a photograph of Mount Cook from Matheson's Lake that is iconic of New Zealand. It appears on mmany tourist brochures. So, at about 8:30 he was on his way. The track was easy and within about 15 minutes he found the spot and took his video with a few other early bird tourists. But he noticed that the trail went on further and so did he. The other tourists were left behind as he walked through beech and tree fern forests, coming to one pristine spot after another. He saw ducks playing on the calm waters of the Lake while helicopters and planes reached high into the sky taking tourists up onto the glaciers.
Eventually he came to a sign that said "View of views." He climbed the steps and came out into a dazzling world of many hues of lake, mountains and clouds. To use the word magical would be a disservice. John felt at one with the Universe. He knew his fine camera would try but could not come close to capturing the moment. But John felt that was right. We all experience Nature but we cannot and perhaos should not try to capture it. So, knowing that the moment was his and that the video would not display it properly, he drunk in the scene while a deep peace descended onto him.
Coming down he had his choice to get back to his car - the way he had come or to continue walking around the lake. You know what he decided. Along the way he came across a bird and his mate sitting part way across a field. John stopped to say hello. The birds knew he was still sorry.
Coming back to the car park, John saw a restaurant and sat down to get a cappucino. It was woderful! Half of the foam on the top was covered with chocolate while the other half had a chocolate fern drawn on the foam. John pondered the prices here $4.50 for the cap, $7.50 for a toasted bagel, $22 for a burger and felt sad. It was almost like the tourist industry in Nova Scotia that depises tourists for coming to despoil their world. But with Nature here, this was a very small and transitory feeling.
Next John set off to see Fox Glacier. It was a long but very interesting drive then a long walk across the rugged, stony, glacial moraine to the glacial face. It took about 40 minutes one way. He met a couple from England (Yorkshire, actually) who asked him to take their picture which he happily did. Then he asked them to take some video of him which they, too, did enthsiastically. The path was wonderful, up and down, crossing wild streams with flat rocks placed strategically for people to walk on. You could see people on the trail ahead the size of ants. Once again, the awesomeness of Nature spoke to John and pretty soon he decided he didn't actually need breakfast but he wanted to continue exploring. So, he took the road to the Franz Josef glacier about 20 km up the road.
By the time he got there, a lot of people were already there and he was feeling tired. So he decided on the short 10 minute walk up to Sentinel Rock. No one told him it was uphill all the way! Once again, he said his thanks that he wasn't doing those 30 minutes uphill with a fit guide and young people demanding to go faster. He saw the glacier from the lookout and was satisfied when he arrived back at the car.
Coming home, he said that he had done a full day's hiking and here it was only 1:00pm. He got some coins and soap powder to do his laundry and started that. He was back in his room when the community siren started blaring. He went out to see. A lady from another room came out too and they started to talk. She was 80 and was as sharp as a razor. She is the leader of New Zealand's Euthenasia League, likes sky diving, and had gone off the road at 7:00am and broke her car. So she had to stay in the town overnight to catch a bus home tomorrow so had taken a room at the motel. She was feisty and she and John disagreed in jest on whether Canadian are Americans. John said we are North Americans not Americans while she said, no we are Americans... period. Both were right, of course.
Even though the weather was now magniificent, John decided to catch up on computer video stuff while watching the washer and dryer. That took a long time because John had not updated it since Auckland and there were 250 videos to upload, get registered on the database, and save to the external hard drive.
After that John decided to watch the DVD he had been given in Vancouver called "Zeitgeist Addendum." It took a full two hours and halfway through John went for dinner at the place next door, called the Plateau. His waitress was Canadian. In fact, two of them were - both from Quesnel, BC! They are travelling the world finding jobs along the way. NZ was their second stop, the first being southeast Asia. He also overhead people in the next table saying they were from Waterloo. So, he said hello to them, too - a nice family - and they had a friendly conversation. John had a $22 steak burger that was really quite good and washed it down with a Monteith's original beer.
Finally it was time to watch the rest of the video while I had to write this blog. Some things never change! (sigh)
TRB
Throughout the night we heard the pounding of the rain outside. John snuggled deeper into his 1000-thread count pure cotton sheets and slept like a baby. The weather had made it impossible to call Janice in Australia as he had hoped because the lines were down. They have to connect in just three days at Melbourne's Airport.
Once John woke, he saw a day of mists begin. The air was humid and the road steamed. High alongside the mountains great clouds of vapour sat and hugged them. John went over to the glacier guiding place and got his money back. He had read that he needed moderate fitness, four layers of upper body clothing, pants not jeans, a day pack to carry, a warm hat and gloves - all available, apart from the fitness of course, in the glacier guide store. Not only that but he would have to walk at least 30 minutes in a physically demanding, steady-paced, uphill hike for 30 minutes as part of the four-hour hike. John said to me, "What the hec am I doing? I have escaped winter only to go walking on ice while doing exercise?" Since there is so much demand, the guides were happy to give John his money back - well they reversed his credit card purchase.
Now, feeling guilty John decided to go to Matheson's Lake. There is a photograph of Mount Cook from Matheson's Lake that is iconic of New Zealand. It appears on mmany tourist brochures. So, at about 8:30 he was on his way. The track was easy and within about 15 minutes he found the spot and took his video with a few other early bird tourists. But he noticed that the trail went on further and so did he. The other tourists were left behind as he walked through beech and tree fern forests, coming to one pristine spot after another. He saw ducks playing on the calm waters of the Lake while helicopters and planes reached high into the sky taking tourists up onto the glaciers.
Eventually he came to a sign that said "View of views." He climbed the steps and came out into a dazzling world of many hues of lake, mountains and clouds. To use the word magical would be a disservice. John felt at one with the Universe. He knew his fine camera would try but could not come close to capturing the moment. But John felt that was right. We all experience Nature but we cannot and perhaos should not try to capture it. So, knowing that the moment was his and that the video would not display it properly, he drunk in the scene while a deep peace descended onto him.
Coming down he had his choice to get back to his car - the way he had come or to continue walking around the lake. You know what he decided. Along the way he came across a bird and his mate sitting part way across a field. John stopped to say hello. The birds knew he was still sorry.
Coming back to the car park, John saw a restaurant and sat down to get a cappucino. It was woderful! Half of the foam on the top was covered with chocolate while the other half had a chocolate fern drawn on the foam. John pondered the prices here $4.50 for the cap, $7.50 for a toasted bagel, $22 for a burger and felt sad. It was almost like the tourist industry in Nova Scotia that depises tourists for coming to despoil their world. But with Nature here, this was a very small and transitory feeling.
Next John set off to see Fox Glacier. It was a long but very interesting drive then a long walk across the rugged, stony, glacial moraine to the glacial face. It took about 40 minutes one way. He met a couple from England (Yorkshire, actually) who asked him to take their picture which he happily did. Then he asked them to take some video of him which they, too, did enthsiastically. The path was wonderful, up and down, crossing wild streams with flat rocks placed strategically for people to walk on. You could see people on the trail ahead the size of ants. Once again, the awesomeness of Nature spoke to John and pretty soon he decided he didn't actually need breakfast but he wanted to continue exploring. So, he took the road to the Franz Josef glacier about 20 km up the road.
By the time he got there, a lot of people were already there and he was feeling tired. So he decided on the short 10 minute walk up to Sentinel Rock. No one told him it was uphill all the way! Once again, he said his thanks that he wasn't doing those 30 minutes uphill with a fit guide and young people demanding to go faster. He saw the glacier from the lookout and was satisfied when he arrived back at the car.
Coming home, he said that he had done a full day's hiking and here it was only 1:00pm. He got some coins and soap powder to do his laundry and started that. He was back in his room when the community siren started blaring. He went out to see. A lady from another room came out too and they started to talk. She was 80 and was as sharp as a razor. She is the leader of New Zealand's Euthenasia League, likes sky diving, and had gone off the road at 7:00am and broke her car. So she had to stay in the town overnight to catch a bus home tomorrow so had taken a room at the motel. She was feisty and she and John disagreed in jest on whether Canadian are Americans. John said we are North Americans not Americans while she said, no we are Americans... period. Both were right, of course.
Even though the weather was now magniificent, John decided to catch up on computer video stuff while watching the washer and dryer. That took a long time because John had not updated it since Auckland and there were 250 videos to upload, get registered on the database, and save to the external hard drive.
After that John decided to watch the DVD he had been given in Vancouver called "Zeitgeist Addendum." It took a full two hours and halfway through John went for dinner at the place next door, called the Plateau. His waitress was Canadian. In fact, two of them were - both from Quesnel, BC! They are travelling the world finding jobs along the way. NZ was their second stop, the first being southeast Asia. He also overhead people in the next table saying they were from Waterloo. So, he said hello to them, too - a nice family - and they had a friendly conversation. John had a $22 steak burger that was really quite good and washed it down with a Monteith's original beer.
Finally it was time to watch the rest of the video while I had to write this blog. Some things never change! (sigh)
TRB
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Boxing Day
Dec. 26
Waking after a restful night, undisturbed by ghosts, John set about trying to use his phone card. It worked really well and John enjoyed his conversation because it was still Christmas Day in Canada but was already Boxing Day in NZ.
It was a bright day and John got his stuff together and went out to take some more video of the lovely surroundings. Peter saw him and asked if he'd like a continental breakfast. John never turns down an opportunity like that, of course. So, Peter laid out cereal, milk, fruit, yogurt and asked John if he would like some tea and toast. John said yes, of course. When it was time to settle up, Peter would take nothing for his kindness and would even have allowed John to keep the $10 in $2 coins he had lent him to try to use the Internet vending machine the night before. But since John had not used the coins he gave them back. John would never take liberties with somebody else's kindness.
Then he was off. First to Wanaka. He had not seen it the evening before because the resort was out of town on the side closest to Cardrona. So, he was awestruck by the beauty of the lake as the road snaked down towards the town. If anything, Wanaka is prettier than Queenstown. John needed gas and also had heard about Puzzling World - a unique attraction. He ponied up his $12.50 to go into the two storey maze and be lost.
The maze runs more than 1.5 km with bridges and crossovers but people walk on average 3 to 5 km in finding the goals. John was lost for a long time and kept bumping into the same people over and over. A friendly Aussie couple gave him some hints and he found the first goal - a tower to climb and look over the maze. Eventually he did find all four and then his way out. It took about 90 minutes. Long enough for it to be fun but not so long as to be frustrating.
Then it was off to see the hall of illusions and he went in rooms on angles where the water appears to flow uphill, rooms that look normal but are very short at one side and tall at the other. He saw 3-D faces that appear to follow you and a lot of holograms.
It was almost 11:30 when we set out. But John got his directions messed up and took me into some spectacular country in Mount Aspiring National Park. In fact, we ended up at Treble Cone ski resort about 30 minutes outside Wanaka before he realized he was going the wrong way. The hint: The road turned to dirt and had a warning that you needed a four wheel drive vehicle to proceed. So we had to turn back and go the way that Cath had told us.
Once again, the scenery of the day eclipsed that of the day before. How can people live in such a beautiful country and work at all? You could spend your entire life just being enraptured by Nature. John thinks the videos will be the best ever!
Slowly they climbed into the Southern Alps and as they crossed the Haast Pass, the weather changed. It got overcast, cooler and then started to rain... buckets. During this part of the trip from Haast to Fox Glacier, John knew that there were wild west coast beaches to his left and huge rugged mountains to his right but he could see neither in the low clouds and heavy mist. One time the road came very close to the ocean and the sign said to beware of detritus on the road after the seas have been rough. We also had to drive past a rock slide on the road - carefully.
And the traffic was thin. At one point, he came across a large Chinese family - maybe 9 people - who had lost control and slid their van into the ditch. He stopped to see if everyone was ok but they waved him on, saying all were fine. I think the Dad was embarrased. The other bad thing was that John hit a big bird, something like a pheasant on the road. Normally, birds fly sideways when a car approaches but this bird flew right in front of the car and before John had time to react, he heard a bump, looked in his rear view mirror and saw a cloud of feathers and a body tumbling end over end on the road. He was very sad.
It was a l-o-n-g way in the rain to Fox Glacier and when he got there he was tired and hungry. The motel he will be staying in is great though and he may be able to upload posts though not video! Darn! he paid $10 for 100Mb. That is the size of some of his videos. If he goes over they charge $25 more. Yikes!
Then he went to book a walk on the glacier for the next day. It was $95 for a fully guided four hour walking tour. Yikes squared! But he booked it in hopes that they would get to go into a crevasse. He must like being in tight situations! hahaha
After that he looked all over town and found that most of the restaurants were still closed for Xmas or weren't open for dinner yet. He found one, The Mountain Goat, I think he called it. He had an open face sandwich of lamb, salad and other stuff and washed it down with a Speight's beer (Pride of the South etc etc). As he finished his meal he noticed that the sky had opened up and it was raining large cats and dogs so he had walk back to the motel in his T-Shirt and jeans and was soaked to the skin. He felt that perhaps this paid him back for killing such a beautiful bird.
TRB
Waking after a restful night, undisturbed by ghosts, John set about trying to use his phone card. It worked really well and John enjoyed his conversation because it was still Christmas Day in Canada but was already Boxing Day in NZ.
It was a bright day and John got his stuff together and went out to take some more video of the lovely surroundings. Peter saw him and asked if he'd like a continental breakfast. John never turns down an opportunity like that, of course. So, Peter laid out cereal, milk, fruit, yogurt and asked John if he would like some tea and toast. John said yes, of course. When it was time to settle up, Peter would take nothing for his kindness and would even have allowed John to keep the $10 in $2 coins he had lent him to try to use the Internet vending machine the night before. But since John had not used the coins he gave them back. John would never take liberties with somebody else's kindness.
Then he was off. First to Wanaka. He had not seen it the evening before because the resort was out of town on the side closest to Cardrona. So, he was awestruck by the beauty of the lake as the road snaked down towards the town. If anything, Wanaka is prettier than Queenstown. John needed gas and also had heard about Puzzling World - a unique attraction. He ponied up his $12.50 to go into the two storey maze and be lost.
The maze runs more than 1.5 km with bridges and crossovers but people walk on average 3 to 5 km in finding the goals. John was lost for a long time and kept bumping into the same people over and over. A friendly Aussie couple gave him some hints and he found the first goal - a tower to climb and look over the maze. Eventually he did find all four and then his way out. It took about 90 minutes. Long enough for it to be fun but not so long as to be frustrating.
Then it was off to see the hall of illusions and he went in rooms on angles where the water appears to flow uphill, rooms that look normal but are very short at one side and tall at the other. He saw 3-D faces that appear to follow you and a lot of holograms.
It was almost 11:30 when we set out. But John got his directions messed up and took me into some spectacular country in Mount Aspiring National Park. In fact, we ended up at Treble Cone ski resort about 30 minutes outside Wanaka before he realized he was going the wrong way. The hint: The road turned to dirt and had a warning that you needed a four wheel drive vehicle to proceed. So we had to turn back and go the way that Cath had told us.
Once again, the scenery of the day eclipsed that of the day before. How can people live in such a beautiful country and work at all? You could spend your entire life just being enraptured by Nature. John thinks the videos will be the best ever!
Slowly they climbed into the Southern Alps and as they crossed the Haast Pass, the weather changed. It got overcast, cooler and then started to rain... buckets. During this part of the trip from Haast to Fox Glacier, John knew that there were wild west coast beaches to his left and huge rugged mountains to his right but he could see neither in the low clouds and heavy mist. One time the road came very close to the ocean and the sign said to beware of detritus on the road after the seas have been rough. We also had to drive past a rock slide on the road - carefully.
And the traffic was thin. At one point, he came across a large Chinese family - maybe 9 people - who had lost control and slid their van into the ditch. He stopped to see if everyone was ok but they waved him on, saying all were fine. I think the Dad was embarrased. The other bad thing was that John hit a big bird, something like a pheasant on the road. Normally, birds fly sideways when a car approaches but this bird flew right in front of the car and before John had time to react, he heard a bump, looked in his rear view mirror and saw a cloud of feathers and a body tumbling end over end on the road. He was very sad.
It was a l-o-n-g way in the rain to Fox Glacier and when he got there he was tired and hungry. The motel he will be staying in is great though and he may be able to upload posts though not video! Darn! he paid $10 for 100Mb. That is the size of some of his videos. If he goes over they charge $25 more. Yikes!
Then he went to book a walk on the glacier for the next day. It was $95 for a fully guided four hour walking tour. Yikes squared! But he booked it in hopes that they would get to go into a crevasse. He must like being in tight situations! hahaha
After that he looked all over town and found that most of the restaurants were still closed for Xmas or weren't open for dinner yet. He found one, The Mountain Goat, I think he called it. He had an open face sandwich of lamb, salad and other stuff and washed it down with a Speight's beer (Pride of the South etc etc). As he finished his meal he noticed that the sky had opened up and it was raining large cats and dogs so he had walk back to the motel in his T-Shirt and jeans and was soaked to the skin. He felt that perhaps this paid him back for killing such a beautiful bird.
TRB
Christmas day in Paradise
Dec. 25
This was only the second time that John had been alone at Xmas since 2003. However, it is different when it is summer. He awoke to a whole new day although he said his good wishes and sent his love across the miles to all those he cares about - every one.
He was packed and ready to go. The motel is operated by a couple, John and Robin. He saw Robin and she gave him a combined Merry Christmas/Farewell hug. People all over NZ but especially in the south of this country are so very nice.
He packed up the car and set out about 8:30am. Well, he couldn't find his way out of Dunedin! He first turned the wrong way on a one-way street - thank goodness there was no other traffic. He whippped his car around and went back the way he had come. Next, he turned down another street. This went across a bridge over the street he needed instead of making an intersection with it and he was off down the Otago Peninsula once again! Finally, he found his way onto the motorway and headed south, past the airport. He knew he was supposed to turn onto state highway 8 but he drove and drove. At one point he stopped, thinking he was like the teams on the Amazing Race who get lost. But no, he just hadn't reached the intersection yet.
When he found it he was treated to an incredible road. It was twisty and windey, with hills and flowers, trees and curves and dips and bends. Traffic slowly started to build up as the morning wore on, making it more difficult for John to go slower than the speed limit. He stopped whenever he could to get video but in many places that simply was not possible. However, he did get some nice shots from time to time.
Robin had told him that he would be going through a fruit growing area and to get some cherries. John thought that no places would be open being Xmas day. He was partly right and partly wrong. There were no people at the stands but there was fruit and travellers were left on their honour to pay the amount requested. John got 500g of fresh cherries and left his money.
He passed through towns like Alexandra and Cromwell before connecting to state highway 8 towards Queenstown - NZ's premier resort area. John had been there before and it brought back some memories of that trip even though much has changed. John got some good video. He also visited Arrowtown too, a gold mining town around the same time as the Klondike gold rush in Canada. As in Canada, NZ used Chinese labourers to do all the hard work.
One more step to go.... Crown Ridge Road. Spectacular, awesome, the most beautiful place John has ever seen. The road winds up the side of a mountain with hairpin turns rated at 15kph. And in NZ when they say a turn is rated at a certain speed it's not like in Canada where you can do 10, 15 or 20km/hr greater than the sign. No, here 15km/hr requires that the car be going no faster than 15 km/hr. Eventually the road reached the top of the mountain and you could look across at the summits of all the surrounding mountains across the narrow valleys.
John was also amazed to see a sign once we had reached the top that showed it was a steep descent. But under the picture were the words 'Next 40 km' Not 4km but 40 km!
As per Cath's instructions, John called Peter at the Cardrona Hotel. Perhaps I have taken him away from his Xmas dinner John thought sadly. John is one of only three guests at the hotel/resort because technically it is closed on Dec. 25. Cath had said the hotel is haunted but John was not s-s-s-scared! He did hear a mother talking to her children during the night even though there was no family staying here!
Cath had made a reservation at a resort restaurant about 20 minutes drive away. It was a wonderful meal - appetizer of marinated venison sliced very thinly with salad greens. The main course was turkey au jus (no, not gravy) with garlic mashed potatoes, green beans and crusty dressing. Dessert was a citrusy creme brulee. It was washed down with a nice glass of sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. It was great but so was the price $65.
John was going to try to upload these two posts but at $10 for 2 hours he thought he would wait to see how things went from his next overnight stop Fox Glacier village.
TRB
This was only the second time that John had been alone at Xmas since 2003. However, it is different when it is summer. He awoke to a whole new day although he said his good wishes and sent his love across the miles to all those he cares about - every one.
He was packed and ready to go. The motel is operated by a couple, John and Robin. He saw Robin and she gave him a combined Merry Christmas/Farewell hug. People all over NZ but especially in the south of this country are so very nice.
He packed up the car and set out about 8:30am. Well, he couldn't find his way out of Dunedin! He first turned the wrong way on a one-way street - thank goodness there was no other traffic. He whippped his car around and went back the way he had come. Next, he turned down another street. This went across a bridge over the street he needed instead of making an intersection with it and he was off down the Otago Peninsula once again! Finally, he found his way onto the motorway and headed south, past the airport. He knew he was supposed to turn onto state highway 8 but he drove and drove. At one point he stopped, thinking he was like the teams on the Amazing Race who get lost. But no, he just hadn't reached the intersection yet.
When he found it he was treated to an incredible road. It was twisty and windey, with hills and flowers, trees and curves and dips and bends. Traffic slowly started to build up as the morning wore on, making it more difficult for John to go slower than the speed limit. He stopped whenever he could to get video but in many places that simply was not possible. However, he did get some nice shots from time to time.
Robin had told him that he would be going through a fruit growing area and to get some cherries. John thought that no places would be open being Xmas day. He was partly right and partly wrong. There were no people at the stands but there was fruit and travellers were left on their honour to pay the amount requested. John got 500g of fresh cherries and left his money.
He passed through towns like Alexandra and Cromwell before connecting to state highway 8 towards Queenstown - NZ's premier resort area. John had been there before and it brought back some memories of that trip even though much has changed. John got some good video. He also visited Arrowtown too, a gold mining town around the same time as the Klondike gold rush in Canada. As in Canada, NZ used Chinese labourers to do all the hard work.
One more step to go.... Crown Ridge Road. Spectacular, awesome, the most beautiful place John has ever seen. The road winds up the side of a mountain with hairpin turns rated at 15kph. And in NZ when they say a turn is rated at a certain speed it's not like in Canada where you can do 10, 15 or 20km/hr greater than the sign. No, here 15km/hr requires that the car be going no faster than 15 km/hr. Eventually the road reached the top of the mountain and you could look across at the summits of all the surrounding mountains across the narrow valleys.
John was also amazed to see a sign once we had reached the top that showed it was a steep descent. But under the picture were the words 'Next 40 km' Not 4km but 40 km!
As per Cath's instructions, John called Peter at the Cardrona Hotel. Perhaps I have taken him away from his Xmas dinner John thought sadly. John is one of only three guests at the hotel/resort because technically it is closed on Dec. 25. Cath had said the hotel is haunted but John was not s-s-s-scared! He did hear a mother talking to her children during the night even though there was no family staying here!
Cath had made a reservation at a resort restaurant about 20 minutes drive away. It was a wonderful meal - appetizer of marinated venison sliced very thinly with salad greens. The main course was turkey au jus (no, not gravy) with garlic mashed potatoes, green beans and crusty dressing. Dessert was a citrusy creme brulee. It was washed down with a nice glass of sauvignon blanc from Marlborough. It was great but so was the price $65.
John was going to try to upload these two posts but at $10 for 2 hours he thought he would wait to see how things went from his next overnight stop Fox Glacier village.
TRB
Christmas Eve
Dec. 24
This was the very first day that John was on his very own in New Zealand in 2009. It started out cloudy but the day grew ever brighter and sunnier. The UV outlook was extreme (not just very high) so he put on sunblock until he looked very pale from the white material.
Then he set off in the car in his very first driving experience through the heart of Dunedin's packed shopping street - George St. He went passed the Octagon - the main square (except it has eight sides)! Then he followed Cath's directions to follow the signs to the Otago Peninsula. This part of NZ is called Otago and perhaps it is named after the peninsula.
Anyway, the drive on Portobello Road was spectacular, close alongside the bottoms of cliffs near the ocean. The direction that John was going the road hugs the water on the left and the rocks on the right. He soon got the hang of it as he followed a camper van along the road.
He stopped several times for video before getting eventually to the Royal Albatross Colony on the very tip of the peninsula called Tairoa. This is the only mainland colony of these huge sea birds who have wingspans up to three metres across (that's ten feet)! Once they have fledged they go out to sea for at least three to five years before again setting foot on land.
Derek had said to hope for a windy day in order to see them fly. Unlike other birds who have strong pectoral muscles, Albatross' weak muscles find it hard to take off in calm air. Albatross are gliders not flappers. But it was a lovely calm day. John paid an incredible $40 for a one-hour tour but it was well worth it. The talk was fascinating and the experience magical. He saw six birds sitting on their nests. He also saw a colony of very rare Stewart Island Shags (a species of cormorant) and also a New Zealand fur seal swimming in the water far below the colonies. These are all wild creatures, not in a zoo.
After the tour and a wee look at the little museum devoted to the Northern Royal Albatross, John had lunch at the cafe. He had a sandwich and a cup of green tea. John wasn't sure who was watching the other more intently - him or a cheeky little seagull.
The motel operator, also named John, had said not to pay to see the penguin colony because the birds would be out to sea during the day and to go and sit beside a beach on Sandfly Bay to see them come in during the afternoon.
John set out to cross the peninsula. He had this sense of freedom as he drove on dirt roads no wider than his little red Toyota Corolla up steep hills and ridge back roads with wide vistas of stunningly beautiful scenery. He also noted that NZ often uses wooden fences rather than guard rails alongside deep drops. But it was all part of the adventure. He found his way to Sandymount Recreation Reserve and took the walk along the cliff edges.
To say it was everything he had hoped for would be an understatement. First he travelled through a forest glade right out of Lord of the Rings, then he came to a fence with a closed gate. It was closed to keep the sheep in but John could see the trail marker ahead. He wandered through sheep grazing as he felt the strong, constant wind and looked below to see the ocean whitecaps. John had always hoped for this sort of walk - completely alone in NZ surrounded by the bah-h-h-ing of sheep. And he was alone. During the entire walk he saw no one else at all. Needless to say but he had to avoid stepping in sheep droppings as well as rabbit pellets all the way!
He eventually ended up at Lover's Leap. There was a wooden platform made as a viewing point and John could see the rock bridge over the small, deep, chasm inlet hundreds upon hundreds of feet below. He was at cloud height too although the clouds stayed offshore. He memorized the moment to keep it with him forever.
Then he found his way back to the car and drove on to Sandfly Bay. Again he left the car and walked part way down to the beach. He sat on sand amongst some scrub (beautiful yellow flowers actually) out of the wind far above the beach but far enough down that his heart was racing on the slow climb back up. He didn't have the time to wait for the penguins as it was Xmas eve and he wanted to get something for supper before everywhere closed. However, he enjoyed the view of this incredible white sand beach that forms a sand mountain.
Then it was back to the motel. However, John took a wrong turn somewhere near Dunedin and got completely lost. And he couldn't find the street names he was on. He could see the cross streets and after going miles and miles the wrong way out of Dunedin he found a cross street on the map and eventually found his way back.
To celebrate the Xmas season he had chicken at KFC! Then it was off to bed to watch 'The Santa Clause 3' while I wrote and somehow uploaded several posts to this blog. John's day tomorrow includes his trip across the South Island to Wanaka. He sent warm Happy Holidays thoughts to those reading his blog.
TRB
This was the very first day that John was on his very own in New Zealand in 2009. It started out cloudy but the day grew ever brighter and sunnier. The UV outlook was extreme (not just very high) so he put on sunblock until he looked very pale from the white material.
Then he set off in the car in his very first driving experience through the heart of Dunedin's packed shopping street - George St. He went passed the Octagon - the main square (except it has eight sides)! Then he followed Cath's directions to follow the signs to the Otago Peninsula. This part of NZ is called Otago and perhaps it is named after the peninsula.
Anyway, the drive on Portobello Road was spectacular, close alongside the bottoms of cliffs near the ocean. The direction that John was going the road hugs the water on the left and the rocks on the right. He soon got the hang of it as he followed a camper van along the road.
He stopped several times for video before getting eventually to the Royal Albatross Colony on the very tip of the peninsula called Tairoa. This is the only mainland colony of these huge sea birds who have wingspans up to three metres across (that's ten feet)! Once they have fledged they go out to sea for at least three to five years before again setting foot on land.
Derek had said to hope for a windy day in order to see them fly. Unlike other birds who have strong pectoral muscles, Albatross' weak muscles find it hard to take off in calm air. Albatross are gliders not flappers. But it was a lovely calm day. John paid an incredible $40 for a one-hour tour but it was well worth it. The talk was fascinating and the experience magical. He saw six birds sitting on their nests. He also saw a colony of very rare Stewart Island Shags (a species of cormorant) and also a New Zealand fur seal swimming in the water far below the colonies. These are all wild creatures, not in a zoo.
After the tour and a wee look at the little museum devoted to the Northern Royal Albatross, John had lunch at the cafe. He had a sandwich and a cup of green tea. John wasn't sure who was watching the other more intently - him or a cheeky little seagull.
The motel operator, also named John, had said not to pay to see the penguin colony because the birds would be out to sea during the day and to go and sit beside a beach on Sandfly Bay to see them come in during the afternoon.
John set out to cross the peninsula. He had this sense of freedom as he drove on dirt roads no wider than his little red Toyota Corolla up steep hills and ridge back roads with wide vistas of stunningly beautiful scenery. He also noted that NZ often uses wooden fences rather than guard rails alongside deep drops. But it was all part of the adventure. He found his way to Sandymount Recreation Reserve and took the walk along the cliff edges.
To say it was everything he had hoped for would be an understatement. First he travelled through a forest glade right out of Lord of the Rings, then he came to a fence with a closed gate. It was closed to keep the sheep in but John could see the trail marker ahead. He wandered through sheep grazing as he felt the strong, constant wind and looked below to see the ocean whitecaps. John had always hoped for this sort of walk - completely alone in NZ surrounded by the bah-h-h-ing of sheep. And he was alone. During the entire walk he saw no one else at all. Needless to say but he had to avoid stepping in sheep droppings as well as rabbit pellets all the way!
He eventually ended up at Lover's Leap. There was a wooden platform made as a viewing point and John could see the rock bridge over the small, deep, chasm inlet hundreds upon hundreds of feet below. He was at cloud height too although the clouds stayed offshore. He memorized the moment to keep it with him forever.
Then he found his way back to the car and drove on to Sandfly Bay. Again he left the car and walked part way down to the beach. He sat on sand amongst some scrub (beautiful yellow flowers actually) out of the wind far above the beach but far enough down that his heart was racing on the slow climb back up. He didn't have the time to wait for the penguins as it was Xmas eve and he wanted to get something for supper before everywhere closed. However, he enjoyed the view of this incredible white sand beach that forms a sand mountain.
Then it was back to the motel. However, John took a wrong turn somewhere near Dunedin and got completely lost. And he couldn't find the street names he was on. He could see the cross streets and after going miles and miles the wrong way out of Dunedin he found a cross street on the map and eventually found his way back.
To celebrate the Xmas season he had chicken at KFC! Then it was off to bed to watch 'The Santa Clause 3' while I wrote and somehow uploaded several posts to this blog. John's day tomorrow includes his trip across the South Island to Wanaka. He sent warm Happy Holidays thoughts to those reading his blog.
TRB
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Going to the South Island
Dec. 23
John was up early, ready to set out on his South Island adventure. The motel office had ordered a taxi for 6:45 but John was outside waiting at 6:30. The taxi was ahead of time and the driver had planned on doing some paperwork waiting for John. So, John waited while he finished the work and they set out for the airport. John had a great conversation with the driver, a highly educated man from Ethipia. It is the same for immigrants in both Canada and New Zealand that new immigrants, especially of colour, have to do jobs for which they are overqualified. The driver told John of the same problems that taxi drivers face everywhere, squeezed income from increasing costs while fares are held low.
At the airport, everything went tickety boo. The fight was on time. We landed in Wellington that had wind gusts up to 30 knots and they made the 737 shake a wee bit. It reminded John of bumping around in a little Cessna 152. However, the rest of the trip was glorious. They flew just off the east coast of the South Island and John swore he could see the west coast past the sparkling white Southern Alps. He did not take video of it because the crew didn't seem to like it. However, on the trip, John did get breakfast, muesli and yogurt, with tea. John had bought himself an Egg McMuffin at the airport in case Air New Zealand did not serve anything.
Air Canada, please take note - Air New Zealand knows how to bring customers back again and again with good service and good meals!
Upon landing he was met by Cath of NZ Impressions who took him to pick up his rental car and drove him into Dunedin, giving him a quick orientation tour of the place. They then went to get John checked into his motel, a very nice one that is part of a chain, Bella Vista. John was shown to his room - small but with all the conveniences. John was pleased with the room. Cath then went through all the components of his package, from how to use the cell phone, her suggestions for places to see and places to eat.
After she left, John decided to take a walk around the downtown to get oriented before he went out onto the road. He walked and walked and took some video. he also bought some muesli to make his own breakfast and some Sprite Zero to take on his trip. He tried to use the Internet and it took hours to find out how to get connected and when he finally did get connected, the speed was so slow that he had no hope of uploading videos. He thought that this might have to wait until, he gets home and that is just too late. He had high hopes that maybe in Australia....
After going to an Indian restaurnat down the road for supper, he took the car out for a spin when the traffic was light and so was the sky. He didn't have any trouble getting used to driving again.
He was so tired he fell off to sleep at 9pm.
TRB
John was up early, ready to set out on his South Island adventure. The motel office had ordered a taxi for 6:45 but John was outside waiting at 6:30. The taxi was ahead of time and the driver had planned on doing some paperwork waiting for John. So, John waited while he finished the work and they set out for the airport. John had a great conversation with the driver, a highly educated man from Ethipia. It is the same for immigrants in both Canada and New Zealand that new immigrants, especially of colour, have to do jobs for which they are overqualified. The driver told John of the same problems that taxi drivers face everywhere, squeezed income from increasing costs while fares are held low.
At the airport, everything went tickety boo. The fight was on time. We landed in Wellington that had wind gusts up to 30 knots and they made the 737 shake a wee bit. It reminded John of bumping around in a little Cessna 152. However, the rest of the trip was glorious. They flew just off the east coast of the South Island and John swore he could see the west coast past the sparkling white Southern Alps. He did not take video of it because the crew didn't seem to like it. However, on the trip, John did get breakfast, muesli and yogurt, with tea. John had bought himself an Egg McMuffin at the airport in case Air New Zealand did not serve anything.
Air Canada, please take note - Air New Zealand knows how to bring customers back again and again with good service and good meals!
Upon landing he was met by Cath of NZ Impressions who took him to pick up his rental car and drove him into Dunedin, giving him a quick orientation tour of the place. They then went to get John checked into his motel, a very nice one that is part of a chain, Bella Vista. John was shown to his room - small but with all the conveniences. John was pleased with the room. Cath then went through all the components of his package, from how to use the cell phone, her suggestions for places to see and places to eat.
After she left, John decided to take a walk around the downtown to get oriented before he went out onto the road. He walked and walked and took some video. he also bought some muesli to make his own breakfast and some Sprite Zero to take on his trip. He tried to use the Internet and it took hours to find out how to get connected and when he finally did get connected, the speed was so slow that he had no hope of uploading videos. He thought that this might have to wait until, he gets home and that is just too late. He had high hopes that maybe in Australia....
After going to an Indian restaurnat down the road for supper, he took the car out for a spin when the traffic was light and so was the sky. He didn't have any trouble getting used to driving again.
He was so tired he fell off to sleep at 9pm.
TRB
Ready for the South
Dec. 22
This was the day that Gareth, Jolie and the children were arriving. John had made a reservation to stay at a motel near the airport so that Sue could get the house organized to have their family stay. Besides, Gareth et al were coming in on a flight near midnight and John's flight to Dunedin was leaving at 8am on the 23rd.
So, John packed me and suitcase up, and took off the bedding to help Sue. John and Derek then set off, first to go to Lynley's again to pick up his hat and glasses. Lynley and Dave were painting a fence when John arrived so he got to say his farewells again.
Sue had suggested that Derek show John, Lake Pupuke. It is a small lake in Milford, right next to Takapuna and the school where Julie, Derek and Sue's daughter, teaches. John noticed a pattern. Hans and Pris had taken John to some of his most favourite places when he lived in Auckland. Derek and Sue had taken John to wonderful places he had missed while living here.
John also bought some souvenirs and a box from NZ Post to ship home the souvenirs and some extra clothes he did not need as well as a wonderful book on New Zealand history that Derek and Sue had wrapped as a Christmas gift to him. Sending them all home by parcel post, would make more space in his overloaded suitcase and poor old me! He bought Sue some flowers to thank her for her kindness.
When they got back, Sue prepared a delicious lunch - a gourmet sandwich with marinated red bell peppers and so much more. It was like a sandwich that they had had while travelling in China. After the lunch John packed the box and Derek took him down to mail it off. $100 for surface mail! Well they don't do the old surface mail anymore. It goes faster than that. Derek helped John to write on the customs declararion in a way that should help Canada Customs to understand that none of the stuff is subject to duty.
After posting that off, Derek and John walked down to Julie and Paul's house. Ben had asked John to come and see his toys on the first day so this was the right time for that visit. It is a super modern spacious home, with a high slanted ceiling overlooking large decks and a natural preserve. Derek, John and Ben went down to his playground (constructed by Paul) in the woods. It has a Thomas the Tank Engine, a big slide, and a rickety bridge - perfect for a small boy. Derek played an ogre while Ben and John ran. There was also a billy goat gruff at one point. Ben is such a delightful little boy - full of imagination and fun but very, very kind and good hearted.
Then after supper, it was time to go to the motel and the airport. John had never met Gareth but had known about him for decades, so he asked to tag along at the airport just to meet the last members of Derek and Sue's family.
They went first to John's motel. It was in Onehunga and turned out to be far away from the airport in a fairly desolate area. It was clean and functional but did not fill John with confidence. But it was only for one night and it was very cheap by comparison to the other motels. They then went off to the airport where they also met Jolie's Mum who was also there to welcome them home. It was lovely to see the family reunion when it happened. Gareth drove with Derek, Sue and John and they had a nice talk on the way to the motel.
As John got into bed he realized that the motel was on a major road for trucks who roared by all night, sometimes their brakes would hiss. The motel lights outside were bright enough to see the room as if it were daylight. But then John would only have time for about a 5 hour nap anyway and so it was a good choice.
TRB
This was the day that Gareth, Jolie and the children were arriving. John had made a reservation to stay at a motel near the airport so that Sue could get the house organized to have their family stay. Besides, Gareth et al were coming in on a flight near midnight and John's flight to Dunedin was leaving at 8am on the 23rd.
So, John packed me and suitcase up, and took off the bedding to help Sue. John and Derek then set off, first to go to Lynley's again to pick up his hat and glasses. Lynley and Dave were painting a fence when John arrived so he got to say his farewells again.
Sue had suggested that Derek show John, Lake Pupuke. It is a small lake in Milford, right next to Takapuna and the school where Julie, Derek and Sue's daughter, teaches. John noticed a pattern. Hans and Pris had taken John to some of his most favourite places when he lived in Auckland. Derek and Sue had taken John to wonderful places he had missed while living here.
John also bought some souvenirs and a box from NZ Post to ship home the souvenirs and some extra clothes he did not need as well as a wonderful book on New Zealand history that Derek and Sue had wrapped as a Christmas gift to him. Sending them all home by parcel post, would make more space in his overloaded suitcase and poor old me! He bought Sue some flowers to thank her for her kindness.
When they got back, Sue prepared a delicious lunch - a gourmet sandwich with marinated red bell peppers and so much more. It was like a sandwich that they had had while travelling in China. After the lunch John packed the box and Derek took him down to mail it off. $100 for surface mail! Well they don't do the old surface mail anymore. It goes faster than that. Derek helped John to write on the customs declararion in a way that should help Canada Customs to understand that none of the stuff is subject to duty.
After posting that off, Derek and John walked down to Julie and Paul's house. Ben had asked John to come and see his toys on the first day so this was the right time for that visit. It is a super modern spacious home, with a high slanted ceiling overlooking large decks and a natural preserve. Derek, John and Ben went down to his playground (constructed by Paul) in the woods. It has a Thomas the Tank Engine, a big slide, and a rickety bridge - perfect for a small boy. Derek played an ogre while Ben and John ran. There was also a billy goat gruff at one point. Ben is such a delightful little boy - full of imagination and fun but very, very kind and good hearted.
Then after supper, it was time to go to the motel and the airport. John had never met Gareth but had known about him for decades, so he asked to tag along at the airport just to meet the last members of Derek and Sue's family.
They went first to John's motel. It was in Onehunga and turned out to be far away from the airport in a fairly desolate area. It was clean and functional but did not fill John with confidence. But it was only for one night and it was very cheap by comparison to the other motels. They then went off to the airport where they also met Jolie's Mum who was also there to welcome them home. It was lovely to see the family reunion when it happened. Gareth drove with Derek, Sue and John and they had a nice talk on the way to the motel.
As John got into bed he realized that the motel was on a major road for trucks who roared by all night, sometimes their brakes would hiss. The motel lights outside were bright enough to see the room as if it were daylight. But then John would only have time for about a 5 hour nap anyway and so it was a good choice.
TRB
Dec. 21
Dec 21, 22
These were days for getting organized, eating wonderful meals, and getting ready for the next leg of the trip. As Xmas was approaching Derek and Sue were having to keep lists to make sure everything was ready for the holidays, Gareth (their son) and his wife Jolie and their two children were preparing to come home for the holidays and so meals had to be thought out, arrangements for presents organized and so on. John felt that he was in the way even though both Derek and Sue very graciously disagreed.
On the evening of the 21st John was scheduled to go and see the family that he had lived with (well, had the granny flat in their house). John had hoped to see Lynley, her partner Dave, and Lynley's adult children Kris and Kim. Too bad as it turned out that Kim and her fiance could not make it due to retail work this near to Christmas and Kris' girlfriend was off to Australia for the holiday so john did not get to see them.
Derek dropped John off at Lynley's new house in Takapuna. It was not the same house on Northboro Road where he had stayed. But it was very beautiful, stylish and in a great location. Like Derek and Sue's house, you can see a part of the ocean.
The first item on the agenda was to take Lynley's dog, Sam (short for Samantha) for a walk along the beach at Takapuna. They went to a beach where John had feared to tread. It was the nude beach, though in the evening with a brisk wind and a temperature of just 17 there was noone in the altogether. Lynely said something about it having something to do with the gay community, too and that was somethign else that john had not known before. They played throwing the ball and two year old Sam, who is about the size of a Jack Russell, loved runniing to get it.She also played with another dog being walked. Here in NZ, people expect their dogs to be social and get along.
When they got back Kris offered John a drink. He made a wonderful summer drink. It was Feijoa flavoured vodka mixed with old fashioned apple juice (you know the cyder type of apple juice not the clear stuff). It was so delicious John greedily asked for a second one. Like John's drink of choice at home, the Caesar, this instantly became his favourite drink -- for New Zealand.
They had a wonderful barbecue meal - lamb chops, lamb sausage, and chicken. Lynley, who is a marvellous cook (like all his friends in New Zealand it turns out) also prepared roast potatoes, salad and asparagus. The highlight of the meal though was the pavlova. Lynley had remembered that it was John's favourite. It is like a large, hard meringue though soft inside. Both Kiwis and Aussies claim it as their own. Lynley's had real whipped cream and strawberries to top it off! It was so large that the four (Lynley, Dave, Kris and John) did not even eat a quarter of it.
They had wonderful conversation about days gone by and current news and all helped do the dishes. Kris, it turned out had sailed for New Zealand! He had just finiashed his engineering degree (just waiting for convocation) and was working for the summer sailing tourists on those huge America's Cup yachts out of Auckland. It had been Lynley's last day at work before a long break (she goes back Jan.11) but she offered to drive John back to Derek and Sue's. As they were saying goodnight she said, "Do you have your hat and sunglasses? Of course, john had forgotten. he said he would find a way to come by the next morning to pick them up.
When John got in the house and said he had to go back, Derek and Sue immediately volunteered to run John over. John felt really touched that all his friends made such efforts for him at such a busy time of the year.
TRB
These were days for getting organized, eating wonderful meals, and getting ready for the next leg of the trip. As Xmas was approaching Derek and Sue were having to keep lists to make sure everything was ready for the holidays, Gareth (their son) and his wife Jolie and their two children were preparing to come home for the holidays and so meals had to be thought out, arrangements for presents organized and so on. John felt that he was in the way even though both Derek and Sue very graciously disagreed.
On the evening of the 21st John was scheduled to go and see the family that he had lived with (well, had the granny flat in their house). John had hoped to see Lynley, her partner Dave, and Lynley's adult children Kris and Kim. Too bad as it turned out that Kim and her fiance could not make it due to retail work this near to Christmas and Kris' girlfriend was off to Australia for the holiday so john did not get to see them.
Derek dropped John off at Lynley's new house in Takapuna. It was not the same house on Northboro Road where he had stayed. But it was very beautiful, stylish and in a great location. Like Derek and Sue's house, you can see a part of the ocean.
The first item on the agenda was to take Lynley's dog, Sam (short for Samantha) for a walk along the beach at Takapuna. They went to a beach where John had feared to tread. It was the nude beach, though in the evening with a brisk wind and a temperature of just 17 there was noone in the altogether. Lynely said something about it having something to do with the gay community, too and that was somethign else that john had not known before. They played throwing the ball and two year old Sam, who is about the size of a Jack Russell, loved runniing to get it.She also played with another dog being walked. Here in NZ, people expect their dogs to be social and get along.
When they got back Kris offered John a drink. He made a wonderful summer drink. It was Feijoa flavoured vodka mixed with old fashioned apple juice (you know the cyder type of apple juice not the clear stuff). It was so delicious John greedily asked for a second one. Like John's drink of choice at home, the Caesar, this instantly became his favourite drink -- for New Zealand.
They had a wonderful barbecue meal - lamb chops, lamb sausage, and chicken. Lynley, who is a marvellous cook (like all his friends in New Zealand it turns out) also prepared roast potatoes, salad and asparagus. The highlight of the meal though was the pavlova. Lynley had remembered that it was John's favourite. It is like a large, hard meringue though soft inside. Both Kiwis and Aussies claim it as their own. Lynley's had real whipped cream and strawberries to top it off! It was so large that the four (Lynley, Dave, Kris and John) did not even eat a quarter of it.
They had wonderful conversation about days gone by and current news and all helped do the dishes. Kris, it turned out had sailed for New Zealand! He had just finiashed his engineering degree (just waiting for convocation) and was working for the summer sailing tourists on those huge America's Cup yachts out of Auckland. It had been Lynley's last day at work before a long break (she goes back Jan.11) but she offered to drive John back to Derek and Sue's. As they were saying goodnight she said, "Do you have your hat and sunglasses? Of course, john had forgotten. he said he would find a way to come by the next morning to pick them up.
When John got in the house and said he had to go back, Derek and Sue immediately volunteered to run John over. John felt really touched that all his friends made such efforts for him at such a busy time of the year.
TRB
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Housewarming
Dec. 20
This was the day that Derek and Sue had long scheduled to celebrate, with their friends and family, the completion of their house renovations with a drop in. It has been two years that Derek and Sue have been living in their small rental apartment on the ground floor while having their house renovated. And the result is spectacular! Very stylish, with clean lines, great colors, the latest in kitchen and bathroom technology, and wonderfully coordinated furnishings.
John helped his hosts to set up for the get together, scheduled to start at 1:00pm. There was every kind of finger food you could imagine. Many kinds of dip, crackers, chips, snacks, fruit, chocolate to dip strawberries in and on and on. In fact, if you have seen a dip and something to dip into it, that combination made its appearance at this party. He also helped to carry up drinks from the basement - at least eight types of beer, every kind of wine, punch, ginger beer, soaft drinks, juices. For a moment John wondered if Queen Elizabeth was invited but then thought, no, none of them would have invited royalty!
In the end, including the three children, some thirty one people attended. The first to arrive were Derek and Sue's daughter, Julie, with her husband Paul and their delightful four-year old, Ben. He is a wonderful child. John had had quite a bit of fun with him the first day John had arrived at Derek and Sue's. Ben is usually shy with strangers but took to John, when John seemed very afraid of the monsters that turned out to be Ben in a Halloween mask. It was soo cute!
John met a lot of very nice people young and mature alike and all extremely friendly and outgoing. One of the nicest surprises of the day for John was seeing an old buddy that he had taught with at Auckland in 1998. David was one of the two science educators who welcomed John to the School. His parents have been friends of Derek and Sue since they came to NZ in the 80`s and they have literally seen him grow up to be the professor he is today. John and David spent a long time catching up on what has been happening to each other professionally since John left NZ in 2001.
It was evident that everyone was having a wonderful time!
The 'do' ended some time after 7:00pm when the last guests headed home and then John helped Derek and Sue clean up. They were done by something after 9:00pm. The three then had a drink and headed off to bed. I had to stay up and write this entry!
TRB
This was the day that Derek and Sue had long scheduled to celebrate, with their friends and family, the completion of their house renovations with a drop in. It has been two years that Derek and Sue have been living in their small rental apartment on the ground floor while having their house renovated. And the result is spectacular! Very stylish, with clean lines, great colors, the latest in kitchen and bathroom technology, and wonderfully coordinated furnishings.
John helped his hosts to set up for the get together, scheduled to start at 1:00pm. There was every kind of finger food you could imagine. Many kinds of dip, crackers, chips, snacks, fruit, chocolate to dip strawberries in and on and on. In fact, if you have seen a dip and something to dip into it, that combination made its appearance at this party. He also helped to carry up drinks from the basement - at least eight types of beer, every kind of wine, punch, ginger beer, soaft drinks, juices. For a moment John wondered if Queen Elizabeth was invited but then thought, no, none of them would have invited royalty!
In the end, including the three children, some thirty one people attended. The first to arrive were Derek and Sue's daughter, Julie, with her husband Paul and their delightful four-year old, Ben. He is a wonderful child. John had had quite a bit of fun with him the first day John had arrived at Derek and Sue's. Ben is usually shy with strangers but took to John, when John seemed very afraid of the monsters that turned out to be Ben in a Halloween mask. It was soo cute!
John met a lot of very nice people young and mature alike and all extremely friendly and outgoing. One of the nicest surprises of the day for John was seeing an old buddy that he had taught with at Auckland in 1998. David was one of the two science educators who welcomed John to the School. His parents have been friends of Derek and Sue since they came to NZ in the 80`s and they have literally seen him grow up to be the professor he is today. John and David spent a long time catching up on what has been happening to each other professionally since John left NZ in 2001.
It was evident that everyone was having a wonderful time!
The 'do' ended some time after 7:00pm when the last guests headed home and then John helped Derek and Sue clean up. They were done by something after 9:00pm. The three then had a drink and headed off to bed. I had to stay up and write this entry!
TRB
A Day of Rest avec un Repas Formidable
Dec 19
Saturday dawned clear and bright yet again. John slept in for the first time since he left London. He spent a lot of time (about three hours) creating videos of his three previous days - trying to get just the right scenes for this blog. He also tried to catch up with email and that took quite abit of time. He also worked on writing the blog. Unfortunately, the Internet was not cooperating.
He tried several times to upload a video but each time the YouTube website estimated that a roughly two minute segment would take over two and half hours to upload. Although John tells me he is a patient man, that seemed excessive. In fact, his computer cannot run for that length of time on battery power and it would be a major undertaking to unplug Derek's computer to plug his in, so he doesn't try. Besides, each of the segments should only take 30 minutes to upload. It is hard to believe that these little videos take such a long time to upload at low resolution.
John did a speed test on the Internet conenction and found that, although download speeds were something like 480 thousand bits per second the upload speeds were only 48 thousand bits per second. At home John reaches download speeds of 2 million bits per second or 4 times the speed. And that is 40 times the upload speed. It could have been the Internet Service provider's fault (NZ Telecom) or it could have been the start of the school summer vacation (more kids online)or it could have been more people connecting for Christmas. So, John decided to keep the videos and upload them when he gets some better upload speeds.
In the evening John took Derek and Sue to a French restuarnt in Mairangi Bay. It was called The Narrow Table. They received small bowls of something created by the chef. It was like the most delicate scrambled eggs you could imagine with truffles (not, not the chocolate kind but the special gourmet underground fungus). They then ordered an Australian shiraz, and appetizers. John had a pate made of chicken with Port wine and truffles along with crusty toasted French bread to spread it on and capers on the side. He forgot what Derek and Sue ordered (some kind of exquisite mushroom dish) but he noted that his was much bigger.
Then came the main course. Derek and Sue had ordered the rabbit pie. It came very hot in a shallow dish covered by puff pastry. John had coq au vin. There were two chicken breasts in the most amazing wine sauce. The mains were served with whole boiled potatoes and salad. Derek and John had a lemon creme brulee for dessert while Sue abstained, settling for a coffee. The meal had taken a couple of hours and the conversation had been very good. John was surprised that the bill was as low as it was (he had forgotten that the prices in NZ always include the tax and there is no tipping per se).
They arrived home about 10pm and all crashed because tomorrow was going to be a big day.
TRB
Saturday dawned clear and bright yet again. John slept in for the first time since he left London. He spent a lot of time (about three hours) creating videos of his three previous days - trying to get just the right scenes for this blog. He also tried to catch up with email and that took quite abit of time. He also worked on writing the blog. Unfortunately, the Internet was not cooperating.
He tried several times to upload a video but each time the YouTube website estimated that a roughly two minute segment would take over two and half hours to upload. Although John tells me he is a patient man, that seemed excessive. In fact, his computer cannot run for that length of time on battery power and it would be a major undertaking to unplug Derek's computer to plug his in, so he doesn't try. Besides, each of the segments should only take 30 minutes to upload. It is hard to believe that these little videos take such a long time to upload at low resolution.
John did a speed test on the Internet conenction and found that, although download speeds were something like 480 thousand bits per second the upload speeds were only 48 thousand bits per second. At home John reaches download speeds of 2 million bits per second or 4 times the speed. And that is 40 times the upload speed. It could have been the Internet Service provider's fault (NZ Telecom) or it could have been the start of the school summer vacation (more kids online)or it could have been more people connecting for Christmas. So, John decided to keep the videos and upload them when he gets some better upload speeds.
In the evening John took Derek and Sue to a French restuarnt in Mairangi Bay. It was called The Narrow Table. They received small bowls of something created by the chef. It was like the most delicate scrambled eggs you could imagine with truffles (not, not the chocolate kind but the special gourmet underground fungus). They then ordered an Australian shiraz, and appetizers. John had a pate made of chicken with Port wine and truffles along with crusty toasted French bread to spread it on and capers on the side. He forgot what Derek and Sue ordered (some kind of exquisite mushroom dish) but he noted that his was much bigger.
Then came the main course. Derek and Sue had ordered the rabbit pie. It came very hot in a shallow dish covered by puff pastry. John had coq au vin. There were two chicken breasts in the most amazing wine sauce. The mains were served with whole boiled potatoes and salad. Derek and John had a lemon creme brulee for dessert while Sue abstained, settling for a coffee. The meal had taken a couple of hours and the conversation had been very good. John was surprised that the bill was as low as it was (he had forgotten that the prices in NZ always include the tax and there is no tipping per se).
They arrived home about 10pm and all crashed because tomorrow was going to be a big day.
TRB
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Views of Waiheke
Dec. 18
Yet another day when the sun shone into a blue and white New Zealand sky. After the same incredible and healthy breakfast, Derek, Sue and John packed up the car and headed to Devonport to pick up the ferry to Waiheke Island. It is a famed island in the Hauraki Gulf outside Auckland's Waitmeta Harbour. It is a green, lush sanctuary outside Auckland's bustle of exquisite beauty, organic vineyards, white sand beaches and quaint villages. For some reason John had not been there either. Scott and Karen had visited when they visited John for a week in 1999 bu John had never gotten there.
The ferry trip took about 40 minutes. Derek rented a car after they arrived and they set out to see the island. They stopped at Charlie Farley's at Onetangi Beach for lunch. They shared three small baguettes filled with bacon, beef and veggies. Sue and John had a beer each while Derek declined as he was driving. They walked along the wide sand beach and talked to a woman who was out with some friends for a day trip.
Then it was on to Man 'o War Bay where Captain Cook had anchored many centuries before. All along the way at so many super scenic locations, John was asking Derek to stop or Derek was very considerately asking John if he wanted to try to capture the scene. So, all along the road, John was jumping out of the car to try to capture some of the breathtaking scenery. It was not pssible. The beauty of this country can simply never be adequately recorded in photographs, videos, or movies so John's effors, though beautiful, represent only about one-tenth of one-tenth of what it is really like.
The three friends then headed back to the ferry where Derek dropped off the rental and they travelled on the 5:35 ferry back to Auckland City, transferring to the Auckland-Devonport cross harbour ferry. On the long trip back they were able to talk to an interesting but very talkative lady who sat down beside them with her small bottle of wine. She gave John a guide book for Auckland that she had. He didn't have the heart to say he did not have room even for that.
The drive home along the motorway was interesting because Derek and Sue pointed out the changes that the landscape has undergone since they had moved to Auckland in the 1980's. John could remember the changes from the days he had first arrived some eleven years ago.
It was an end to a day filled with natural, impressive, indescribable beauty.
TRB
Please note: Video will be uploaded when possible.
Yet another day when the sun shone into a blue and white New Zealand sky. After the same incredible and healthy breakfast, Derek, Sue and John packed up the car and headed to Devonport to pick up the ferry to Waiheke Island. It is a famed island in the Hauraki Gulf outside Auckland's Waitmeta Harbour. It is a green, lush sanctuary outside Auckland's bustle of exquisite beauty, organic vineyards, white sand beaches and quaint villages. For some reason John had not been there either. Scott and Karen had visited when they visited John for a week in 1999 bu John had never gotten there.
The ferry trip took about 40 minutes. Derek rented a car after they arrived and they set out to see the island. They stopped at Charlie Farley's at Onetangi Beach for lunch. They shared three small baguettes filled with bacon, beef and veggies. Sue and John had a beer each while Derek declined as he was driving. They walked along the wide sand beach and talked to a woman who was out with some friends for a day trip.
Then it was on to Man 'o War Bay where Captain Cook had anchored many centuries before. All along the way at so many super scenic locations, John was asking Derek to stop or Derek was very considerately asking John if he wanted to try to capture the scene. So, all along the road, John was jumping out of the car to try to capture some of the breathtaking scenery. It was not pssible. The beauty of this country can simply never be adequately recorded in photographs, videos, or movies so John's effors, though beautiful, represent only about one-tenth of one-tenth of what it is really like.
The three friends then headed back to the ferry where Derek dropped off the rental and they travelled on the 5:35 ferry back to Auckland City, transferring to the Auckland-Devonport cross harbour ferry. On the long trip back they were able to talk to an interesting but very talkative lady who sat down beside them with her small bottle of wine. She gave John a guide book for Auckland that she had. He didn't have the heart to say he did not have room even for that.
The drive home along the motorway was interesting because Derek and Sue pointed out the changes that the landscape has undergone since they had moved to Auckland in the 1980's. John could remember the changes from the days he had first arrived some eleven years ago.
It was an end to a day filled with natural, impressive, indescribable beauty.
TRB
Please note: Video will be uploaded when possible.
Magnificent Muriwai
Dec. 17
After a restful night's sleep, John got up on another beautiful day. Sue made a breakfast of cereal with fruit while Derek got coffee. In the morning, John was able to take some time to have a look at Derek's new book and talk to Derek while Sue was having her hair done.
When Sue got back, it was tinme to see the gannet colony at Muruwai. In the three years that John had lived in Auckland he had never seen the shore birds at home. He had been to Piha with its Lion Rock and Whatipu with its enormous beach cave but not Muruwai. One of the reasons may have been that it is not as accessible as the other two places.
It was about an hour's drive and they stopped for sandwiches at a French patisserie and picked up healthy, whole grain, kettle fried chips at a supermarket on the way. On the road, they passed wineries, farms and small communities.
Upon arrival at the car park (parking lot) on the cliff overlooking the area, they ate their sandwiches and drank their water. John had avocado and bacon in a sesame seed bun. The wind was very strong and the sea was crashing spectacularly against the shore. In fact the cliff itself is the caldera of a volcano. At a distance you could see its circular shape.
The three then set out along the trail that overlooks the colony. Gannets are surprisingly big birds, attaining a wingspan of about to two metres. That is six feet or so. They were gliding effortlessly in the heavy onshore wind. Many birds were sitting on their nests while others had fluffy chicks they were tending. John couldn't help himself but keep his camera rolling and rolling at this scene of hundreds if not thousands of magnificent sea birds.
Ther are at least four different areas where they nest, a small cliff bound island, a rocky promonotory and two flattish areas. Derek said the colony has expanded over the years since he and Sue first saw them. In those days you followed a tricky fence line along the edge of the cliff whereas now there is a wide gravel path with wooden viewing points.
Derek then went back to take the car down to the beach car park while Sue and John took the path down the cliffs to the beach. Derek rejoined them as they reached the beach. They walked along some amazing flat and level bedrock. Nets to the place they were walking was another rock surrounded by water on which they had seen a car commercial being made. It must have looked very surprising to see a car on the rock with sea all around.
The three then walked along the beach. Derek and Sue told John that the once beautiful black (almost navy blue) volcanic beach sand was losing its colour due to a company that was extracting iron ore from black sand somewhere along the coast. The company dumps the leftover sand into the sea and this washes up all along the shore and discolours the original black sand. John saw signs that people had erected that said, "Leave our beach sand alone!"
They walked up to the car and after a short break at the beach facilities got in to the car. John thought he was saying goodbye to Muruwai but there was still one more treat to go. They stopped for ice cream. John had some of the most delicious boysenberry.
While there Derek and Sue got good family news about a new baby in the family - their niece Sara is going to have a baby boy. In the evening she came over and they had an enjoyable visit with her while her husband was at a work event. It was a very enjoyable end to a magical day.
TRB
Please note: There is video to accompany these posts but current upload speeds are too slow to make it practical. Please check these posts later for video.
After a restful night's sleep, John got up on another beautiful day. Sue made a breakfast of cereal with fruit while Derek got coffee. In the morning, John was able to take some time to have a look at Derek's new book and talk to Derek while Sue was having her hair done.
When Sue got back, it was tinme to see the gannet colony at Muruwai. In the three years that John had lived in Auckland he had never seen the shore birds at home. He had been to Piha with its Lion Rock and Whatipu with its enormous beach cave but not Muruwai. One of the reasons may have been that it is not as accessible as the other two places.
It was about an hour's drive and they stopped for sandwiches at a French patisserie and picked up healthy, whole grain, kettle fried chips at a supermarket on the way. On the road, they passed wineries, farms and small communities.
Upon arrival at the car park (parking lot) on the cliff overlooking the area, they ate their sandwiches and drank their water. John had avocado and bacon in a sesame seed bun. The wind was very strong and the sea was crashing spectacularly against the shore. In fact the cliff itself is the caldera of a volcano. At a distance you could see its circular shape.
The three then set out along the trail that overlooks the colony. Gannets are surprisingly big birds, attaining a wingspan of about to two metres. That is six feet or so. They were gliding effortlessly in the heavy onshore wind. Many birds were sitting on their nests while others had fluffy chicks they were tending. John couldn't help himself but keep his camera rolling and rolling at this scene of hundreds if not thousands of magnificent sea birds.
Ther are at least four different areas where they nest, a small cliff bound island, a rocky promonotory and two flattish areas. Derek said the colony has expanded over the years since he and Sue first saw them. In those days you followed a tricky fence line along the edge of the cliff whereas now there is a wide gravel path with wooden viewing points.
Derek then went back to take the car down to the beach car park while Sue and John took the path down the cliffs to the beach. Derek rejoined them as they reached the beach. They walked along some amazing flat and level bedrock. Nets to the place they were walking was another rock surrounded by water on which they had seen a car commercial being made. It must have looked very surprising to see a car on the rock with sea all around.
The three then walked along the beach. Derek and Sue told John that the once beautiful black (almost navy blue) volcanic beach sand was losing its colour due to a company that was extracting iron ore from black sand somewhere along the coast. The company dumps the leftover sand into the sea and this washes up all along the shore and discolours the original black sand. John saw signs that people had erected that said, "Leave our beach sand alone!"
They walked up to the car and after a short break at the beach facilities got in to the car. John thought he was saying goodbye to Muruwai but there was still one more treat to go. They stopped for ice cream. John had some of the most delicious boysenberry.
While there Derek and Sue got good family news about a new baby in the family - their niece Sara is going to have a baby boy. In the evening she came over and they had an enjoyable visit with her while her husband was at a work event. It was a very enjoyable end to a magical day.
TRB
Please note: There is video to accompany these posts but current upload speeds are too slow to make it practical. Please check these posts later for video.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Onward
Dec. 16
This was the day that John was scheduled to go to Derek and Sue's. It was yet another beautiful sunny day - there have been quite a few now and even when there has been rain, it has been only showers and you could generally see some blue sky and sun at other times.
Hans raised the Canadian flag on his flag holder on the house and it looked beautiful way against the deep blue New Zealand sky. John was deeply touched that Hans would fly the maple leaf in honour of his presence.
In the morning Pris took John to see Sullivan's Bay in Maharangi Regional Park. This was yet another part of the same coastline as Tawhranui and Wenderholme, yet once against distinct and unique. This beach has darker sand, lots of rocky outcrops and more Pohutukawa. There was the Spirit of Adventure, New Zealand's three masted sailing ship, used for training young sailors, pulling up anchor when they arrived. Soon, it was on its way out to sea.
John and Pris looked for filming or photographic opportunities. John saw some se kayakers coming in. There was also a fishing lesson going on just behind the beach. They looked for sea urchin shells and Pris found a few. She had also found a number at Wenderholme, a couple of days before. John could not see them even when they were right in front of his eyes.
The two went back for lunch and all three enjoyed the delicious leftovers from the previous night's meal.
After John had a chance to say his goodbyes to Harriet, pay his last respects at the resting place of Winston, Hans and Pris' wonderful dog who has not been gone very long, and take a last, long look across the manuka, pine and lancewood forest valleys it was tme to head To Derek and Sue's.
They arrived in the mid afternoon and it was a strange mix of feelings for John as, with sadness in his heart, he hugged Hans and Pris goodbye and thanks for a tremendous time, and happily hugged Derek and Sue hello. John had lost touch with Hans and Pris during the times of his divorce and he determined never to let that happen again.
Derek and Sue showed John around the newly renovated ultramodern home. It is nothign short of spectacular. He has a very comfortable room with much closet space and windows on two walls. In that respect it is like Hans and Pris' - light beaming in from many places.
Derek and Sue then took John down to the beach at Long Bay where he had once walked with them and their son Gareth's two beautiful golden labs, Josh and Chloe. They all lve now in Syndney Australia. Unfortunately Josh developed cancer and had to be put down a little while ago. They walked the sands of Long Bay and talked before heading off to a British pub in Brown's Bay. John had a dark British porter and Derek and Sue had their favourite beers. The pub had a great atmosphere.
Then it was back for dinner - a savoury medley of chicken and vegetables in a delicious sauce. After a week of gorging, John couldn't eat as much as he would have wanted but he did manage seconds. Sue then brought out a specail dessert, key lime pie, that she remembered was a favourite of John's. It was delicious and once again John started to despair of ever losing weight during the trip. hahaha
After dinner, the friends looked at photos of the many places that Derek and Sue have travelled from Greece, Thailand, China, Italy, and so on. Then they watched an hour of Coronation Street. The story is far behind in NZ. So, although John knew what was going to happen he kept his tongue from revealing what is to come.
Then it was time to say good night and drop into a deep slumber.
TRB
This was the day that John was scheduled to go to Derek and Sue's. It was yet another beautiful sunny day - there have been quite a few now and even when there has been rain, it has been only showers and you could generally see some blue sky and sun at other times.
Hans raised the Canadian flag on his flag holder on the house and it looked beautiful way against the deep blue New Zealand sky. John was deeply touched that Hans would fly the maple leaf in honour of his presence.
In the morning Pris took John to see Sullivan's Bay in Maharangi Regional Park. This was yet another part of the same coastline as Tawhranui and Wenderholme, yet once against distinct and unique. This beach has darker sand, lots of rocky outcrops and more Pohutukawa. There was the Spirit of Adventure, New Zealand's three masted sailing ship, used for training young sailors, pulling up anchor when they arrived. Soon, it was on its way out to sea.
John and Pris looked for filming or photographic opportunities. John saw some se kayakers coming in. There was also a fishing lesson going on just behind the beach. They looked for sea urchin shells and Pris found a few. She had also found a number at Wenderholme, a couple of days before. John could not see them even when they were right in front of his eyes.
The two went back for lunch and all three enjoyed the delicious leftovers from the previous night's meal.
After John had a chance to say his goodbyes to Harriet, pay his last respects at the resting place of Winston, Hans and Pris' wonderful dog who has not been gone very long, and take a last, long look across the manuka, pine and lancewood forest valleys it was tme to head To Derek and Sue's.
They arrived in the mid afternoon and it was a strange mix of feelings for John as, with sadness in his heart, he hugged Hans and Pris goodbye and thanks for a tremendous time, and happily hugged Derek and Sue hello. John had lost touch with Hans and Pris during the times of his divorce and he determined never to let that happen again.
Derek and Sue showed John around the newly renovated ultramodern home. It is nothign short of spectacular. He has a very comfortable room with much closet space and windows on two walls. In that respect it is like Hans and Pris' - light beaming in from many places.
Derek and Sue then took John down to the beach at Long Bay where he had once walked with them and their son Gareth's two beautiful golden labs, Josh and Chloe. They all lve now in Syndney Australia. Unfortunately Josh developed cancer and had to be put down a little while ago. They walked the sands of Long Bay and talked before heading off to a British pub in Brown's Bay. John had a dark British porter and Derek and Sue had their favourite beers. The pub had a great atmosphere.
Then it was back for dinner - a savoury medley of chicken and vegetables in a delicious sauce. After a week of gorging, John couldn't eat as much as he would have wanted but he did manage seconds. Sue then brought out a specail dessert, key lime pie, that she remembered was a favourite of John's. It was delicious and once again John started to despair of ever losing weight during the trip. hahaha
After dinner, the friends looked at photos of the many places that Derek and Sue have travelled from Greece, Thailand, China, Italy, and so on. Then they watched an hour of Coronation Street. The story is far behind in NZ. So, although John knew what was going to happen he kept his tongue from revealing what is to come.
Then it was time to say good night and drop into a deep slumber.
TRB
Pris' Birthday
Dec 15
This was Pris' birthday but Hans unfortunately had to work in town. Pris also wanted to go into the city to do some errands and some Christmas window shopping. Rather than go into town, John decided to again stay home, enjoy the wonderful scenery of Evergreen Heights and work on the videos to upload them.
Hans and Pris had shown John where all the food and dishes were so he could make his own lunch, have a cup of green tea and top up the sugar and water container in the tree where the Tuis come to visit and drink. It was a quiet and peaceful day. John decided that with space becoming a real issue in his luggage that he should start reading the novel given to him by Liz, his former doctoral student. So he gos a good start on it.
When Hans and Pris came home, it was time to dress for dinner out. Pris had chosen a beautiful Thai restaurant in Orewa for her birthday supper. The restaurant was beautiful, not in its location, in a kind of a strip mall, or in its abience but rather in its food and the brilliant authentic dress and wonderful service provided by the owner and her wait staff.
Pris nad Hans know the owner and it was hugs when we arrived. John told her quietly that it was Pris' birthday. Well, what a feast they had! They shared appetizers and main courses - of seafood, chicken, beef and pork with noodles, rice and vegetables though John did not remember the names of any of the dishes. One of them came to the table steaming and John got a video of it. The flavours were like melodies playing on the tongue. At the end of the meal the owner herslf with her son brought an unordered special dessert, a stack of little cakes with a candle burning on top. Pris seemed pleased because it was a recognition but not 'over the top'
There was enough left over, after all were filled to the brim, to make a full lunch the next day. By the time they got home, it was time for John's final spa pool and what a night! The heaven turned out their finest glory - the air so clear he could see thousands of stars in every direction under the black dome. Hans and John saw an incredible bright meteor that streaked halfway across the sky, a fitting end to an amazing week's stay.
TRB
This was Pris' birthday but Hans unfortunately had to work in town. Pris also wanted to go into the city to do some errands and some Christmas window shopping. Rather than go into town, John decided to again stay home, enjoy the wonderful scenery of Evergreen Heights and work on the videos to upload them.
Hans and Pris had shown John where all the food and dishes were so he could make his own lunch, have a cup of green tea and top up the sugar and water container in the tree where the Tuis come to visit and drink. It was a quiet and peaceful day. John decided that with space becoming a real issue in his luggage that he should start reading the novel given to him by Liz, his former doctoral student. So he gos a good start on it.
When Hans and Pris came home, it was time to dress for dinner out. Pris had chosen a beautiful Thai restaurant in Orewa for her birthday supper. The restaurant was beautiful, not in its location, in a kind of a strip mall, or in its abience but rather in its food and the brilliant authentic dress and wonderful service provided by the owner and her wait staff.
Pris nad Hans know the owner and it was hugs when we arrived. John told her quietly that it was Pris' birthday. Well, what a feast they had! They shared appetizers and main courses - of seafood, chicken, beef and pork with noodles, rice and vegetables though John did not remember the names of any of the dishes. One of them came to the table steaming and John got a video of it. The flavours were like melodies playing on the tongue. At the end of the meal the owner herslf with her son brought an unordered special dessert, a stack of little cakes with a candle burning on top. Pris seemed pleased because it was a recognition but not 'over the top'
There was enough left over, after all were filled to the brim, to make a full lunch the next day. By the time they got home, it was time for John's final spa pool and what a night! The heaven turned out their finest glory - the air so clear he could see thousands of stars in every direction under the black dome. Hans and John saw an incredible bright meteor that streaked halfway across the sky, a fitting end to an amazing week's stay.
TRB
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Entertaining
Dec 14
Monday was a day to spend more quietly. Pris had a friend coming for lunch and there was food to prepare and the many normal things to do around the house. Hans had to check the possum traps. Although both Hans and Pris are kind, caring, animal lovers, this is a job that HAS to be done. The opossum, brought from Australia many years ago wreaks havoc on the native plants, including people's gardens and flowers. In fact, for New Zealand, the introduction of the possum has been an ecological disaster. Hans has to set humane traps to discourage them from eating all the wonderful native plants at their place. The common brushtail possum See this link for more! can be a vicious little creature, unlike the Virginia opossums we have at home. And, unlike the ones in Canada these are not rare. In fact, they breed very quickly. John had helped Hans check the traps from time to time. Without humans conntrolling their population, they would destroy most if not all of New Zealand's native plants.
John spent the morning decorating the Christmas tree that Hans and Pris have set out in their main foyer. He took his time to try to make it a little artisitc and he was happy with his effort.
Pris' friend Barbara came and they all had a very pleasant lunch together. The lady is 86 but still drives her own car and looks as fit as a fiddle. After lunch John was able to do a little emailing and then spent some of the afternoon editing video. As the afternoon wore on Pris asked John if he would like to see her photographic work. It is marvellous. Pris has a real eye for colour, shade, design, and contrast. Many of her photographs are of flowers at very close range and they are visually stunning.
John then tried to help Pris learn about Photoshop but it was the newest full version and it did not work just the way that John's old 'Photoshop Elements' program works. So, Pris will have to learn more by working with the program herself.
The day ended with the spa pool after some hilarious Two Ronnies videos that had John rolling on the floor laughing holding his side. However, a shower came through and they left more quickly then usual. It is funny, but there you are in the pool, kind of floating in the warm water but cool rain falling on your head just doesn't feel good.
TRB
Monday was a day to spend more quietly. Pris had a friend coming for lunch and there was food to prepare and the many normal things to do around the house. Hans had to check the possum traps. Although both Hans and Pris are kind, caring, animal lovers, this is a job that HAS to be done. The opossum, brought from Australia many years ago wreaks havoc on the native plants, including people's gardens and flowers. In fact, for New Zealand, the introduction of the possum has been an ecological disaster. Hans has to set humane traps to discourage them from eating all the wonderful native plants at their place. The common brushtail possum See this link for more! can be a vicious little creature, unlike the Virginia opossums we have at home. And, unlike the ones in Canada these are not rare. In fact, they breed very quickly. John had helped Hans check the traps from time to time. Without humans conntrolling their population, they would destroy most if not all of New Zealand's native plants.
John spent the morning decorating the Christmas tree that Hans and Pris have set out in their main foyer. He took his time to try to make it a little artisitc and he was happy with his effort.
Pris' friend Barbara came and they all had a very pleasant lunch together. The lady is 86 but still drives her own car and looks as fit as a fiddle. After lunch John was able to do a little emailing and then spent some of the afternoon editing video. As the afternoon wore on Pris asked John if he would like to see her photographic work. It is marvellous. Pris has a real eye for colour, shade, design, and contrast. Many of her photographs are of flowers at very close range and they are visually stunning.
John then tried to help Pris learn about Photoshop but it was the newest full version and it did not work just the way that John's old 'Photoshop Elements' program works. So, Pris will have to learn more by working with the program herself.
The day ended with the spa pool after some hilarious Two Ronnies videos that had John rolling on the floor laughing holding his side. However, a shower came through and they left more quickly then usual. It is funny, but there you are in the pool, kind of floating in the warm water but cool rain falling on your head just doesn't feel good.
TRB
Monday, December 14, 2009
Wenderholme
Dec. 13
John woke up a little later this morning but as soon as he came out there was a cup of tea ready for him. He said how he was being treated like royalty but Pris disagreed. She said he was being treated like a member of the family.
In the morning Hans wondered if John might like to decorate the Christmas tree. John thought that it might be a lot of fun, so he did. It turned out pretty well and he didn't break any of the ornaments so he considered this a rousing success.
John also videoed the birds outside the kitchen using his tripod and the zoom lens. he fgot some nice shots for Jack. These were included in the video on yesterday's post.
After lunch everyone was a little tired, so they retired to their respective rooms and had a snooze, waking up a little after 3:00pm. Hans and Pris had told John that Wenderholme Park had one of the best stands of Pohutukawa in the area and wondered if he would like to go for a walk. He surely did.
It was not very far away from Puhoi, only about 5 kilometres, but the main part of the trip as far length of time was concerned was getting onto State Highway 1. There was a lot of traffic. Even so they were there within two shakes of a lamb's tail.
It is a very beautiful little park - again on a peninsula. The left hand side of the peninsula as you go in is grassy with many trees, parking lots, grassy areas and barbecue pits for people to use. It was quite busy with lots of families. Some were playing cricket, other just having picnics. Pris took her digital camera and took some shots of flowers with bees visiting them. John took more shots of the scenery.
At the end of the peninsula is a fairly narrow tidal channel that had warning signs about tidal currents but some people haad their children swimming in there. It didn't look dangerous but they don't put signs in places like that for nothing.
As you get to the end of the peninsula the land turns into a beach. There were people fishing and families playing in the ocean water. It must be fairly warm there because it is shallow. John shot video of oyster catchers, dotterels, and seagulls. He also tooks some nice shots of a cliff nearby and the house of the original owners that has been marvellously kept. In the garden was a magnolia tree with huge flowers. On the way home, Hans stopped at a stunning scenic lookoff and Pris shot video of John so he could remember his time here with him in the picture. The video here could not match the beauty of the landscape so I did not put it in the little video.
Then it was back home for dinner - leftovers (John's favourite meal) and something that John had never had before. They were like meatballs made of meat mixed with pineapple and topped by coconut. Delicious! Pris also made a scrumptious salad.
After dinner John and Hans solved a problem with Hans' email so he could send off greetings to friends. Then John joined Pris to watch a British 'made for TV' movie called The 39 Steps. John remembered that his Dad had thought the original 1939 movies was "cracking good." The 2008 version was very well done and well acted but the story was a bit dated and hard to believe. I guess it fitted the earlier times when the original book was written (1913).
As the movie ended, Hans said that he had finished his emails. So the three headed out once again for the spa pool to end another memorable day.
TRB
John woke up a little later this morning but as soon as he came out there was a cup of tea ready for him. He said how he was being treated like royalty but Pris disagreed. She said he was being treated like a member of the family.
In the morning Hans wondered if John might like to decorate the Christmas tree. John thought that it might be a lot of fun, so he did. It turned out pretty well and he didn't break any of the ornaments so he considered this a rousing success.
John also videoed the birds outside the kitchen using his tripod and the zoom lens. he fgot some nice shots for Jack. These were included in the video on yesterday's post.
After lunch everyone was a little tired, so they retired to their respective rooms and had a snooze, waking up a little after 3:00pm. Hans and Pris had told John that Wenderholme Park had one of the best stands of Pohutukawa in the area and wondered if he would like to go for a walk. He surely did.
It was not very far away from Puhoi, only about 5 kilometres, but the main part of the trip as far length of time was concerned was getting onto State Highway 1. There was a lot of traffic. Even so they were there within two shakes of a lamb's tail.
It is a very beautiful little park - again on a peninsula. The left hand side of the peninsula as you go in is grassy with many trees, parking lots, grassy areas and barbecue pits for people to use. It was quite busy with lots of families. Some were playing cricket, other just having picnics. Pris took her digital camera and took some shots of flowers with bees visiting them. John took more shots of the scenery.
At the end of the peninsula is a fairly narrow tidal channel that had warning signs about tidal currents but some people haad their children swimming in there. It didn't look dangerous but they don't put signs in places like that for nothing.
As you get to the end of the peninsula the land turns into a beach. There were people fishing and families playing in the ocean water. It must be fairly warm there because it is shallow. John shot video of oyster catchers, dotterels, and seagulls. He also tooks some nice shots of a cliff nearby and the house of the original owners that has been marvellously kept. In the garden was a magnolia tree with huge flowers. On the way home, Hans stopped at a stunning scenic lookoff and Pris shot video of John so he could remember his time here with him in the picture. The video here could not match the beauty of the landscape so I did not put it in the little video.
Then it was back home for dinner - leftovers (John's favourite meal) and something that John had never had before. They were like meatballs made of meat mixed with pineapple and topped by coconut. Delicious! Pris also made a scrumptious salad.
After dinner John and Hans solved a problem with Hans' email so he could send off greetings to friends. Then John joined Pris to watch a British 'made for TV' movie called The 39 Steps. John remembered that his Dad had thought the original 1939 movies was "cracking good." The 2008 version was very well done and well acted but the story was a bit dated and hard to believe. I guess it fitted the earlier times when the original book was written (1913).
As the movie ended, Hans said that he had finished his emails. So the three headed out once again for the spa pool to end another memorable day.
TRB
Lazy Days
Hans and Pris had a number of errands to do in town today and John thought it might be good to give them a little time alone as well as give them time to get some of the busy Christmas stuff done. So he elected to stay home and take care of the place. Besides, it gave him some time to laze around while I worked on the computer to upload and edit video, write the blogs up from the previous two days. I have to be fair and admiot he also took more video of this incredible house that will cause people to marvel when he gets back to Canada.
I included some video with bird sounds for Jack and John promised that the next time he was going out that he would take more.
Hans and Pris arrived home to find John asleep on the bed. Really taking care of the house, eh! They had a wonderful babrecue of really good pork sausages and chicken kebabs. I can see John is gaining back all the weight he lost in the firat two weeks of his trip. Pris said that she and Hans are 'foodies' so that is just the way it goes. Perhaps he will be able to cut back on his consumption when he visits Derek and Sue.
The three friends ended their day watching a DVD of the Two Ronnies, a British comedy team and the usual dip in the spa pool to end the day.
TRB
I included some video with bird sounds for Jack and John promised that the next time he was going out that he would take more.
Hans and Pris arrived home to find John asleep on the bed. Really taking care of the house, eh! They had a wonderful babrecue of really good pork sausages and chicken kebabs. I can see John is gaining back all the weight he lost in the firat two weeks of his trip. Pris said that she and Hans are 'foodies' so that is just the way it goes. Perhaps he will be able to cut back on his consumption when he visits Derek and Sue.
The three friends ended their day watching a DVD of the Two Ronnies, a British comedy team and the usual dip in the spa pool to end the day.
TRB
Saturday, December 12, 2009
A Day at Tawhranui
Friday the 11th dawned clear and sunny yet again. Hans, Pris and John were up early for a morning walk before Pris' cleaner came. Once a week she comes to clean their absolutely spotless home.
Then it was packing the car with a picnic lunch (sandwiches, feijoa wine, and a fruit loaf) and they were off to Tawhranui (pronounced TAFF-RAH-NEW-EE). It is one of Nature's many special places in Aotearoa. It is a place of great beauty, wonderful white sand beaches, rocky shores, and natural hillsides. Technically it is a part of the Auckland Parks system and on top of that it is a working farm. There is also a marine sanctuary there. For more see: Tawhranui
Tawhranui is at the end of a long peninsula so it takes some time to get there. The three friends passed through the gate in the predator fence. This fence runs across the entire peninsula and the authorities have taken out all of the invasive species of animals both predatory and introduced in hopes that the native birds and plants can come back.
Europeans, North Americans and even Maori and Pacific Islanders have, over the course of time, brought many harmful plants and animals to New Zealand. These invasive species have badly damaged the unique flora and fauna of this place; a piece of paradise that separated from the rest of the world 180 million years ago.
It is good to see that people are now trying to undo the damage. And Tawhranui is such a place - even though it still has cattle and sheep along with its wild places.
Hans found a great place on the beach for them - under a Pohutukawa tree, away from the sun and the brisk onshore breeze. They set down their beach blankets and were able to gaze out over the blue ocean to Little Barrier Island, one of the islands that guards the approach to Auckland Harbour and keeps it safe for sailors.
Their hearts went out to a seagull who had lost one foot and had to keep balance on the other. They threw plenty of scraps his way while they ate their delicious sandwiches and drank the feijoa wine.
As Hans and Pris laid down to enjoy the soft shade of the Pohutukawa tree under which they were sitting, John went off to take some video. He saw some sheep grazing and heard more bird song so he took it for Jack at home to enjoy.
Then it was back to Puhoi.
Later in the day, they all went down to the village for fish and chips and chilled Stella Artois that they bought at the general store. They sat down on the banks of the Puhoi River to eat. Neither John nor Hans could get the tops off the bottles as they were not the screw top type and Hans' tool did not seem to have a bottle opener. So Hans asked a guy who happened to be picnicing nearby if he had such a tool. He did and was happy to bring it over to open the bottles. John asked him if he'd like a beer but he said thanks but no; he was about to drive.
It was such a civilized way to eat dinner on a warm evening - on the banks of a river, eating delclious, delicately battered fresh fish, tasty home made chips (err fench fries), while washing it all down with a cool beer.
John took many deep breaths and realized once again why he had come to love this land when he lived here before.
TRB
Then it was packing the car with a picnic lunch (sandwiches, feijoa wine, and a fruit loaf) and they were off to Tawhranui (pronounced TAFF-RAH-NEW-EE). It is one of Nature's many special places in Aotearoa. It is a place of great beauty, wonderful white sand beaches, rocky shores, and natural hillsides. Technically it is a part of the Auckland Parks system and on top of that it is a working farm. There is also a marine sanctuary there. For more see: Tawhranui
Tawhranui is at the end of a long peninsula so it takes some time to get there. The three friends passed through the gate in the predator fence. This fence runs across the entire peninsula and the authorities have taken out all of the invasive species of animals both predatory and introduced in hopes that the native birds and plants can come back.
Europeans, North Americans and even Maori and Pacific Islanders have, over the course of time, brought many harmful plants and animals to New Zealand. These invasive species have badly damaged the unique flora and fauna of this place; a piece of paradise that separated from the rest of the world 180 million years ago.
It is good to see that people are now trying to undo the damage. And Tawhranui is such a place - even though it still has cattle and sheep along with its wild places.
Hans found a great place on the beach for them - under a Pohutukawa tree, away from the sun and the brisk onshore breeze. They set down their beach blankets and were able to gaze out over the blue ocean to Little Barrier Island, one of the islands that guards the approach to Auckland Harbour and keeps it safe for sailors.
Their hearts went out to a seagull who had lost one foot and had to keep balance on the other. They threw plenty of scraps his way while they ate their delicious sandwiches and drank the feijoa wine.
As Hans and Pris laid down to enjoy the soft shade of the Pohutukawa tree under which they were sitting, John went off to take some video. He saw some sheep grazing and heard more bird song so he took it for Jack at home to enjoy.
Then it was back to Puhoi.
Later in the day, they all went down to the village for fish and chips and chilled Stella Artois that they bought at the general store. They sat down on the banks of the Puhoi River to eat. Neither John nor Hans could get the tops off the bottles as they were not the screw top type and Hans' tool did not seem to have a bottle opener. So Hans asked a guy who happened to be picnicing nearby if he had such a tool. He did and was happy to bring it over to open the bottles. John asked him if he'd like a beer but he said thanks but no; he was about to drive.
It was such a civilized way to eat dinner on a warm evening - on the banks of a river, eating delclious, delicately battered fresh fish, tasty home made chips (err fench fries), while washing it all down with a cool beer.
John took many deep breaths and realized once again why he had come to love this land when he lived here before.
TRB
Mount Eden and the Museum
John woke early (6:00am) as he has been doing since arriving in Aotearoa/New Zealand It is the result of changing time zones that John has not quite switched but it works out nicely. Hans and Pris always go for a morning walk and John is up and able to join them.
Breakfast was great in the natural area where Hans and Pris have their home. It is high on a ridge, surrounded by native bush. The views are magnificent and the entire scene idyllic - quiet with nothing much more than the songs of the many birds who live or visit. Harriet, the cat, has been as friendly as she gets with strangers. She came around to gently sniff at me and I wondered if she could smell Jack.
Pris had a job to do in the big city so John, Hans, and Pris set out together along the motorway to Auckland. After getting a coffee at a little shop on the Great South Road, Hans and John let Pris off and went sightseeing.
They went to the Epsom Campus of the University where the Faculty of Education is now housed. It used to be the Auckland College of Education. After walking about a bit, they drove up Mount Eden, the highest point in the Auckland area. John saw the bronze plaque at the summit that shows the direction and distance to various places. He knew that Toronto was one of the places on the plaque. It is over 13,000 kilometres away. It made John think how things are so different there - short, cold, days, snow perhaps, people all bundled up, Christmas things fitting the weather. Here the days are long, the temperatures in the high 20's and Santa Claus looks distinctly out of place amongst the men and women in shorts and sandals.
John was overwhlemed by the beauty of the city, sitting like a carpet resting against the feet of the volcanic cone. He took a LOT of video, including a shot of Mount Victoria that he had visited and taken video of the harbour earlier in this blog. It looked so low from Mount Eden.
Next, they headed off to the Auckland Museum that is situated in the Domain, a vast green park in the centre of the city. The museum has classical architecture but inside you can find so many different things. John especially wanted to see the Maori exhibits - the long war canoes that can hold a hundred men, the marae (spiritual meeting house), the storehouses, the war clubs. He also enjoyed the exibits that feature New Zealand wildlife both present day and extinct - like the giant moa, a bird that would dwarf an ostrich.
John and Hans also visited a special exhibit on the rose. Yes, the flower. It was amazing. It was quite interactive. You could put your nose into a cone and press the button the smell the different varieties, or detect which perfume contains rose oil. There was a game for kids in which you had to pollinate enough flowers to keep the garden alive. Both John and Hans failed. There were so many other aaspects of roses from decoration on cups and clothing, through their history, to their characteristics and genetics that it is impossible to describe them all. Hans realized that this would be a perfect exhibit for Pris to see.
They then ate lunch in the museum cafe. John had a bowl of roasted vegetables that were delicious but it was such a big portion he couldn't finish. Hans had a quiche. Then it was back to pick up Pris and head for home.
On the way home they stopped at Silverdale to see a gift shop owned by a friend of Pris. John realized that, due to his own foolish packing, he had NO room to take souvenirs with him. His only choice would be to throw away clothes. He will probably buy souvenirs and send them home after the Christmas rush.
Hans cooked an amazing chicken stir fry, which they once again were able to eat at the table outdoors and afterwards watched a funny video while eating a dessert Pris had made - little round chocolate cakes topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries and chocolate chips. John said to himself that he won't be losing weight this week!
Once again they ended their day in perhaps the most civilized way possible - in the spa pool, listening to the silence and looking at the stars, planes, satellites. and shooting stars.
TRB
Breakfast was great in the natural area where Hans and Pris have their home. It is high on a ridge, surrounded by native bush. The views are magnificent and the entire scene idyllic - quiet with nothing much more than the songs of the many birds who live or visit. Harriet, the cat, has been as friendly as she gets with strangers. She came around to gently sniff at me and I wondered if she could smell Jack.
Pris had a job to do in the big city so John, Hans, and Pris set out together along the motorway to Auckland. After getting a coffee at a little shop on the Great South Road, Hans and John let Pris off and went sightseeing.
They went to the Epsom Campus of the University where the Faculty of Education is now housed. It used to be the Auckland College of Education. After walking about a bit, they drove up Mount Eden, the highest point in the Auckland area. John saw the bronze plaque at the summit that shows the direction and distance to various places. He knew that Toronto was one of the places on the plaque. It is over 13,000 kilometres away. It made John think how things are so different there - short, cold, days, snow perhaps, people all bundled up, Christmas things fitting the weather. Here the days are long, the temperatures in the high 20's and Santa Claus looks distinctly out of place amongst the men and women in shorts and sandals.
John was overwhlemed by the beauty of the city, sitting like a carpet resting against the feet of the volcanic cone. He took a LOT of video, including a shot of Mount Victoria that he had visited and taken video of the harbour earlier in this blog. It looked so low from Mount Eden.
Next, they headed off to the Auckland Museum that is situated in the Domain, a vast green park in the centre of the city. The museum has classical architecture but inside you can find so many different things. John especially wanted to see the Maori exhibits - the long war canoes that can hold a hundred men, the marae (spiritual meeting house), the storehouses, the war clubs. He also enjoyed the exibits that feature New Zealand wildlife both present day and extinct - like the giant moa, a bird that would dwarf an ostrich.
John and Hans also visited a special exhibit on the rose. Yes, the flower. It was amazing. It was quite interactive. You could put your nose into a cone and press the button the smell the different varieties, or detect which perfume contains rose oil. There was a game for kids in which you had to pollinate enough flowers to keep the garden alive. Both John and Hans failed. There were so many other aaspects of roses from decoration on cups and clothing, through their history, to their characteristics and genetics that it is impossible to describe them all. Hans realized that this would be a perfect exhibit for Pris to see.
They then ate lunch in the museum cafe. John had a bowl of roasted vegetables that were delicious but it was such a big portion he couldn't finish. Hans had a quiche. Then it was back to pick up Pris and head for home.
On the way home they stopped at Silverdale to see a gift shop owned by a friend of Pris. John realized that, due to his own foolish packing, he had NO room to take souvenirs with him. His only choice would be to throw away clothes. He will probably buy souvenirs and send them home after the Christmas rush.
Hans cooked an amazing chicken stir fry, which they once again were able to eat at the table outdoors and afterwards watched a funny video while eating a dessert Pris had made - little round chocolate cakes topped with whipped cream and fresh raspberries and chocolate chips. John said to himself that he won't be losing weight this week!
Once again they ended their day in perhaps the most civilized way possible - in the spa pool, listening to the silence and looking at the stars, planes, satellites. and shooting stars.
TRB
Thursday, December 10, 2009
From Puhoi
Wed December 9
John was up early in preparation for his presentation. He was not sure of a number of things: how many people would be up after the conference dinner and party of the night before, how many would make it to his session, and how it would go over.
He needn't have worried. About 30 people showed up and that was after a prior 15 minute keynote session. In fact, the other session was late starting and ending but John's session chair delayed the start so that John and the other four groups presneting would have ther regular time lengths to present. John was extremely happy that Tony, a tech ed guy he had met when he was working in Auckland was the chair.
John started out by saying that he wanted to hear what the audience thought of the meaning he had made of his story of his 17 years involved with online education. Then he told his story as an early adopter of technology and explained his DRAGS model. That took abut half his 25 minutes. Then he asked what people thought. Some thought that early adopters ended up doing three things while John's model only had two. There was discussion, all of it constructive and helpful. One person even said that John's model was similar to a grief process and that grief and change might very well be connected. What an insight!
Two of the next presenters mentioned John or his paper. The presenter in the session just following said that John's paper segued into theirs perfectly. They were very kind. The last paper had to go into the morning break because we had started late. Some people had to have their break and missed it. It was done by Don, a Canadian academic at Auckland Uni, who created and has been working on Auckland's LMS (online platform) called CECIL. It was the first platform John used to teach online as a teacher. He talked about how they are reinventing it to match their competition and make it better. How cool it that!
After John's session, he decided to talk to exhibitors for advice on some things he might do when he gets home. The exhibitors were very friendly even though they knew they couldn't sell John anything; they only deal with Australia/New Zealand. Then it was time for lunch. Many types of chicken kebabs. John had one of each type and sat down.
A young wamn came to talk. She said how much she appreciated John's talk. Then she said how the history was so important because many of the technologies John had mentioned were not even in use when she was born! hahahaha However, it was good to know that his talk had given her an historical perspective. She got up and a young man from Nigeria sat down.
John had met him the day before. He had seemed to know no one and he and John had had a talk. He found New Zealand's winter too cold. He also seemed homesick so John had spent some time trying to give him a laugh and listening to what he had to say. He said that he was sorry he had missed John's talk. John said he should come and see a Canadian winter but he said if it was worse than NZ's he couldn't survive it. John said that we had the clothes for it and that Toronto was a place where many Nigerians lived and if they could do it so could he. Then it was time for the last session, a keynote.
It was a man fron Britain and he talked about Web 2.0 technologies. And he used them. He used twitter as he talked and the twitter feed of his, and those who were following the feed, appeared in real time behind him. It was very impressive and John took good notes. The man ended with pictures and videos he had taken while at the conference set to music. Extraordinary feeling to see some of the people John had met up there on the big screen.
John left the conference, happy that he had come. He said goodbye to Cathy and thanked her for her kindness and generosity and headed to the ferry where he was to meet Hans and Pris at the other side. It was a beautiful day.
John saw Hans in the crowd when the ferry arrived and they greeted each other with hugs and handshakes. It was so good to see his old friend. They had almost lost contact when John was back in Canada. Pris had stayed home to do some things. Hans took John to Cathy's place to pick me and the rest of his luggage up. John said goodbye to Michael, with good wishes all around and then Hans and John were off to Puhoi. Cathy's cats, Minnie and Scarlet, were not around to say goodbye.
John remembered many of the places they drove by on the way to Puhoi. But Hans stopped in at Waiwera, a place John had driven past many times but had not stopped in to see. It was just a tiny place on the ocean. Hans said why don't we stop for a few minutes just to breathe? Like so many places in NZ, it was simply spectacular. After a few silent minutes they were on their way again.
They arrived at Puhoi where John and Pris hugged a big hello. John realized he had not remembered just how beautiful a spot it is. The octagonal house could be in a home magazine, the views from the top of the ridge where the house is located are almost other worldy in their beauty. They showed John to his room where he got out of his conference formal wear within seconds and was in to his shorts and shirt.
They had home made bruschetta before a barbeque'd meal with sausages, chicken, asparagus and mashed potato and the most novel and impressive pickled kiwi fruit. John was reminded of another thing - how well Pris can cook!
After taking a night soak in their hot tub (spa pool in NZ), looking up at the brilliant night sky with their tgousands of stars it was time for bed. John fell asleep before I did.
Sorry but no videos until John can get sufficient bandwidth. Tomorrow John and Hans are off to see the Auckland Museum and other sights.
TRB
John was up early in preparation for his presentation. He was not sure of a number of things: how many people would be up after the conference dinner and party of the night before, how many would make it to his session, and how it would go over.
He needn't have worried. About 30 people showed up and that was after a prior 15 minute keynote session. In fact, the other session was late starting and ending but John's session chair delayed the start so that John and the other four groups presneting would have ther regular time lengths to present. John was extremely happy that Tony, a tech ed guy he had met when he was working in Auckland was the chair.
John started out by saying that he wanted to hear what the audience thought of the meaning he had made of his story of his 17 years involved with online education. Then he told his story as an early adopter of technology and explained his DRAGS model. That took abut half his 25 minutes. Then he asked what people thought. Some thought that early adopters ended up doing three things while John's model only had two. There was discussion, all of it constructive and helpful. One person even said that John's model was similar to a grief process and that grief and change might very well be connected. What an insight!
Two of the next presenters mentioned John or his paper. The presenter in the session just following said that John's paper segued into theirs perfectly. They were very kind. The last paper had to go into the morning break because we had started late. Some people had to have their break and missed it. It was done by Don, a Canadian academic at Auckland Uni, who created and has been working on Auckland's LMS (online platform) called CECIL. It was the first platform John used to teach online as a teacher. He talked about how they are reinventing it to match their competition and make it better. How cool it that!
After John's session, he decided to talk to exhibitors for advice on some things he might do when he gets home. The exhibitors were very friendly even though they knew they couldn't sell John anything; they only deal with Australia/New Zealand. Then it was time for lunch. Many types of chicken kebabs. John had one of each type and sat down.
A young wamn came to talk. She said how much she appreciated John's talk. Then she said how the history was so important because many of the technologies John had mentioned were not even in use when she was born! hahahaha However, it was good to know that his talk had given her an historical perspective. She got up and a young man from Nigeria sat down.
John had met him the day before. He had seemed to know no one and he and John had had a talk. He found New Zealand's winter too cold. He also seemed homesick so John had spent some time trying to give him a laugh and listening to what he had to say. He said that he was sorry he had missed John's talk. John said he should come and see a Canadian winter but he said if it was worse than NZ's he couldn't survive it. John said that we had the clothes for it and that Toronto was a place where many Nigerians lived and if they could do it so could he. Then it was time for the last session, a keynote.
It was a man fron Britain and he talked about Web 2.0 technologies. And he used them. He used twitter as he talked and the twitter feed of his, and those who were following the feed, appeared in real time behind him. It was very impressive and John took good notes. The man ended with pictures and videos he had taken while at the conference set to music. Extraordinary feeling to see some of the people John had met up there on the big screen.
John left the conference, happy that he had come. He said goodbye to Cathy and thanked her for her kindness and generosity and headed to the ferry where he was to meet Hans and Pris at the other side. It was a beautiful day.
John saw Hans in the crowd when the ferry arrived and they greeted each other with hugs and handshakes. It was so good to see his old friend. They had almost lost contact when John was back in Canada. Pris had stayed home to do some things. Hans took John to Cathy's place to pick me and the rest of his luggage up. John said goodbye to Michael, with good wishes all around and then Hans and John were off to Puhoi. Cathy's cats, Minnie and Scarlet, were not around to say goodbye.
John remembered many of the places they drove by on the way to Puhoi. But Hans stopped in at Waiwera, a place John had driven past many times but had not stopped in to see. It was just a tiny place on the ocean. Hans said why don't we stop for a few minutes just to breathe? Like so many places in NZ, it was simply spectacular. After a few silent minutes they were on their way again.
They arrived at Puhoi where John and Pris hugged a big hello. John realized he had not remembered just how beautiful a spot it is. The octagonal house could be in a home magazine, the views from the top of the ridge where the house is located are almost other worldy in their beauty. They showed John to his room where he got out of his conference formal wear within seconds and was in to his shorts and shirt.
They had home made bruschetta before a barbeque'd meal with sausages, chicken, asparagus and mashed potato and the most novel and impressive pickled kiwi fruit. John was reminded of another thing - how well Pris can cook!
After taking a night soak in their hot tub (spa pool in NZ), looking up at the brilliant night sky with their tgousands of stars it was time for bed. John fell asleep before I did.
Sorry but no videos until John can get sufficient bandwidth. Tomorrow John and Hans are off to see the Auckland Museum and other sights.
TRB
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Conference Day Two
John left early today, took the ferry determined to take some video of Albert Park before heading to the conference. It was another lovely day and he got some great video. It was a special day for some students who were convocating so he got a few shots of them and their parents. A lot of people go to the park to take pictures on memorable occasions.
He arrived a little late for the first keynote speaker - a guy extolling the virtues of Balcboard, an online software platform that is a major sponsor of the conference. However, there were two real presenters afterwards and they were very good.
This conference is short by North American standards but people go to sessions from 9:00am to 5:00pm and that is very tiring. John did take some video of some cool ASCILITE people. One of them, the convenor rings a big cow bell to tell people it is time to go their next session. And this is at an educational technology conference!!!! Sometimes the old technologies are the best!
After lunch John presented with Josie and Cathy. They did a session that asked people about the state of e-learning at their institutions. Forty four people showed up. It was originally designed for 90 minutes but they only had 45. No worries!
Josie started with a warm up, asking participants to put up their hands to answer three questions. Of course, the questions were designed ot make the partiicpants smille but at the same time realize that things are not perfect at ther uuniversities. then John talked to the group, saying that common practices tell you a lot about policies and planning and aksed people to say what the practices were at their places.
They divided the group up into three and each took a group. because it would have bee too noisy for three big groups in the same room, John took his group out into the wide coridor. The group appreciated that. After only 10 minutes it was time to go back in and John, Josie and Cathy said what their groups had talked about. The three groups had done the quesion differently but there were a lot of nodding heads. then cath intorduced her question. What next steps need to be taken? John again took his group outside. This was an even better discussion this time as was to be expected. Again ten minutes wasn't enough time. however, it seemed to John that there was lots of agreement and that the participants enjoyed knowing other had many of the same ideas and the same problems.
Josie then did the wrapup. people seemd pleased with the session and Josie collected the notes and stuff and is going to send it out to all the participants.
After the seesion, John did some email while waiting to go to the big conference dinner. There is a prize for the best costume. John is going as a stuffy old Canadian! hahahah I told him he should have taken me to look hip!
TRB
He arrived a little late for the first keynote speaker - a guy extolling the virtues of Balcboard, an online software platform that is a major sponsor of the conference. However, there were two real presenters afterwards and they were very good.
This conference is short by North American standards but people go to sessions from 9:00am to 5:00pm and that is very tiring. John did take some video of some cool ASCILITE people. One of them, the convenor rings a big cow bell to tell people it is time to go their next session. And this is at an educational technology conference!!!! Sometimes the old technologies are the best!
After lunch John presented with Josie and Cathy. They did a session that asked people about the state of e-learning at their institutions. Forty four people showed up. It was originally designed for 90 minutes but they only had 45. No worries!
Josie started with a warm up, asking participants to put up their hands to answer three questions. Of course, the questions were designed ot make the partiicpants smille but at the same time realize that things are not perfect at ther uuniversities. then John talked to the group, saying that common practices tell you a lot about policies and planning and aksed people to say what the practices were at their places.
They divided the group up into three and each took a group. because it would have bee too noisy for three big groups in the same room, John took his group out into the wide coridor. The group appreciated that. After only 10 minutes it was time to go back in and John, Josie and Cathy said what their groups had talked about. The three groups had done the quesion differently but there were a lot of nodding heads. then cath intorduced her question. What next steps need to be taken? John again took his group outside. This was an even better discussion this time as was to be expected. Again ten minutes wasn't enough time. however, it seemed to John that there was lots of agreement and that the participants enjoyed knowing other had many of the same ideas and the same problems.
Josie then did the wrapup. people seemd pleased with the session and Josie collected the notes and stuff and is going to send it out to all the participants.
After the seesion, John did some email while waiting to go to the big conference dinner. There is a prize for the best costume. John is going as a stuffy old Canadian! hahahah I told him he should have taken me to look hip!
TRB
Monday, December 7, 2009
Conference Day One
The day was beautiful as predicted. Cathy left early to go do some organizing at the conference. John left about an hour later. He walked down to the ferry, crossed and then walked up to the building. It was a good half hour walk, much of it steeply uphill. John took his jacket off as he walked up the hill to Albert Park.
It is an amazing park. It has stately, huge old trees, manicured lawns, large flower beds, and winding walkways. If there ever was a place to stop and smell the flowers on this Earth, Albert Park is the place to do it. John decided he might take his videocamera tomorrow if the weather stays fine to show you this magnificent park in the middle of downtown Auckland.
John found the place to register in the business building and yes, like every other university it is the best building on campus. I heard it cost $225M to build. Once registered, John had a coffee and talked to some exhibitors, one of which is a company headquartered in Kitchener and their Aussie representative was at the conference. You never know who you might meet, eh? As a result John made a good contact for when he comes back home.
Then he went to presentations that lasted all day. In between each session there was a break of about 20 minutes for tea, coffee, water and food. The food was at lunch was like top notch hors d'oeuvres. Mmmm. You could have veggie or meat, deep fried or not, and things John had no idea about but that tasted incredible! That is one of many things that NZ and Oz are good for -- great food!
People at the conference are without exception friendly and outgoing. There are over 400 at this one and it is the biggest or one of the biggest that ASCILITE has had.
John is getting a head cold and, as always for John, with that comes runny eyes. So he bought some nasal spray on his way back to the ferry and that will fix the problem.
Tonight he is taking Cathy and her flatmate, Michael, out to dinner. Three others from the conference are coming along and, in NZ style, are paying their own way. he says he needs to go now and doesn't trust me with the computer so I have sign off.
I hear you have a snowstorm coming, Southern Ontario. Canada will once again become a winter wonderland. Be safe!
TRB
It is an amazing park. It has stately, huge old trees, manicured lawns, large flower beds, and winding walkways. If there ever was a place to stop and smell the flowers on this Earth, Albert Park is the place to do it. John decided he might take his videocamera tomorrow if the weather stays fine to show you this magnificent park in the middle of downtown Auckland.
John found the place to register in the business building and yes, like every other university it is the best building on campus. I heard it cost $225M to build. Once registered, John had a coffee and talked to some exhibitors, one of which is a company headquartered in Kitchener and their Aussie representative was at the conference. You never know who you might meet, eh? As a result John made a good contact for when he comes back home.
Then he went to presentations that lasted all day. In between each session there was a break of about 20 minutes for tea, coffee, water and food. The food was at lunch was like top notch hors d'oeuvres. Mmmm. You could have veggie or meat, deep fried or not, and things John had no idea about but that tasted incredible! That is one of many things that NZ and Oz are good for -- great food!
People at the conference are without exception friendly and outgoing. There are over 400 at this one and it is the biggest or one of the biggest that ASCILITE has had.
John is getting a head cold and, as always for John, with that comes runny eyes. So he bought some nasal spray on his way back to the ferry and that will fix the problem.
Tonight he is taking Cathy and her flatmate, Michael, out to dinner. Three others from the conference are coming along and, in NZ style, are paying their own way. he says he needs to go now and doesn't trust me with the computer so I have sign off.
I hear you have a snowstorm coming, Southern Ontario. Canada will once again become a winter wonderland. Be safe!
TRB
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Video from Auckland
John took a short walk to Mt Wellington and took some video. A little sample is here. The weather is becoming lovely and you can see it in the video.
The ASCILITE conference started officially this evening. The welcome was down by a traditional Pacific Island group with their drums, guitars, and men and women dancers. The men were very many and had the woman conferees all a tizzer and the women dancers with their long black hair, grass skirts, coconut bikini tops danced the hula from Hawaii and other dances from Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji etc. It was a jaw dropping and sometimes ear splitting extravaganza to start a conference off.
This was followed by awards. Cathy received one of the two top ones, for long term service to the organization. She has free membership for life. It turns out that she got the New Zealand branch of the organization going.
It was well deserved.
After it was over, a woman offered to take us all back to our places in Devonport. She teaches at a college and her husband is a high school teacher. Jhn and he had a great conversation on the way home as the three women wanted to sit together in the back seat. The drive saved us $5.00 on the ferry.
The ASCILITE conference started officially this evening. The welcome was down by a traditional Pacific Island group with their drums, guitars, and men and women dancers. The men were very many and had the woman conferees all a tizzer and the women dancers with their long black hair, grass skirts, coconut bikini tops danced the hula from Hawaii and other dances from Tahiti, Samoa, Fiji etc. It was a jaw dropping and sometimes ear splitting extravaganza to start a conference off.
This was followed by awards. Cathy received one of the two top ones, for long term service to the organization. She has free membership for life. It turns out that she got the New Zealand branch of the organization going.
It was well deserved.
After it was over, a woman offered to take us all back to our places in Devonport. She teaches at a college and her husband is a high school teacher. Jhn and he had a great conversation on the way home as the three women wanted to sit together in the back seat. The drive saved us $5.00 on the ferry.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sunday Dec. 6
Well, after having a rough night, John decided not to go on the trip to Waiheke Island after all. You pronounce Waiheke, WHY-HE-KEY.
Anyway, Cathy said that she could drop John off at a medical clinic in Westlake before she went to pick up the rest of the group. John happily agreed. He seems to have a fever at night which drops off and becomes during the day. He saw a doctor who said he didn't have the flu but rather a chest cold with bronchitis. Rest, lots of fluids, and vitamin C is all he needs.
John took the bus back to Devonport, happy to know that his condition is temporary. He had to change busses at Takapuna where he used to live but had 40 minutes to kill. The link below gives the schedule.
Bus schedule
Since it is Sunday there was a huge farmer's market going on. John bought himself freshly squeezed orange juice that was more like real oranges than any other OJ he has had.
The day is sunny - the second one in a row! He may go for a walk with his camera. Today it's Devonport's Santa Claus parade, which seems weird because te temp is going up to 20, the plants are growing, and the flowers are blossoming.
Anyway, Cathy said that she could drop John off at a medical clinic in Westlake before she went to pick up the rest of the group. John happily agreed. He seems to have a fever at night which drops off and becomes during the day. He saw a doctor who said he didn't have the flu but rather a chest cold with bronchitis. Rest, lots of fluids, and vitamin C is all he needs.
John took the bus back to Devonport, happy to know that his condition is temporary. He had to change busses at Takapuna where he used to live but had 40 minutes to kill. The link below gives the schedule.
Bus schedule
Since it is Sunday there was a huge farmer's market going on. John bought himself freshly squeezed orange juice that was more like real oranges than any other OJ he has had.
The day is sunny - the second one in a row! He may go for a walk with his camera. Today it's Devonport's Santa Claus parade, which seems weird because te temp is going up to 20, the plants are growing, and the flowers are blossoming.
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