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This year, the month of March is going to start early - on February 11th. I figured I might as well put all our pictures and blog about our holiday in March since February is just about over. So here we go.....February 11th....
Thursday, 11th February 2010
The weather is only going to get worse so we're going to drive to Shanghai today. It's taken Michael over almost 2 hours to get to our house, which usually takes about 20 minutes. I think we're in for a long drive….
Later….Michael seems to be some sort of whizz when it comes to computers and electronics. He managed to crack the code for the onboard GPS unit in our van! He's selling it to all the other drivers! Quite the entrepreneur!
The roads to Shanghai were terrible. We passed so many accidents along the way. We almost became one of the many…our van spun out on the ice. Luckily Michael managed to control the spin, and we came to a stop just before landing in the ditch on the side of the road! That definitely added some excitement to the trip!
We stayed the night in a hotel near the airport so there wasn't a whole lot to do. But, Maxine figured out how to get around paying for the Wi-fi connection at the hotel so the pair of them sat on their lap-tops all evening, chatting with friends all over the world.
Friday, 12th February 2010
We'd planned on only waking up at 9am since we had nothing to do in the hotel till our flight left later in the day. Maxine's had thought she's set her alarm for 9am, but hadn't in fact changed it from the 6 O'clock setting for school. So, when it went off she got up, showered, blow-dried her hair, got ready, and then realized it was so early, and went back to bed! Teenage braincells, what can I say???
Uuugh, another long flight…11 hours 15 minutes to be exact! It was made to feel even longer though by annoying people! Maxine had a little girl behind her, about 10 years old, that kept on banging on her seat. She would pull down the tray on the back of Maxine's seat, and bang on it, not quite in tune to the excessively loud music she was listening to on her earphones, which was just loud enough to be completely irritating to everyone around her! Then, a few rows behind her was a very loud Chinese man who talked the whole flight. If he wasn't talking he was hoking up lugies! Just delightful! I think all Chinese travelers need lessons in flight etiquette - just like we expats have to go through "cultural training"……
It is NOT okay to congregate around the toilets, blocking any access and talking at the top of your voice while the rest of the passengers are trying to sleep! It is NOT okay to stand next to your seat, in the middle of the aisle, and pick your nose for all to see. It is NOT okay to choose mealtime blow your nose, very productively I might add. And NO, you can't choose to re-pack your entire family's carry-on luggage - all 8 suitcases - during the flight! And lastly, NO you can't consume your entire purchase of duty-free liquor during the flight! On the other hand…it would be nice if you apologized to fellow passengers if you knock their drinks off their table, or their books out their hands. It would also be nice to sit on a dry loo-seat! It is not a Chinese squatty-potty - you don't have to stand either side, hovering over it while clinging onto the basin while you pee! And please, if you have small children the magic word is B*E*N*A*D*R*Y*L - use it in copious amount for the benefit of all passengers and flight attendants! At the very least bring something to keep your precious precocious darlings to do for the 11 hours they're cooped up on a plane!!!
Yes, it was a VERY LONG FLIGHT!
Saturday, 13th February, 2010
After arriving in Auckland on the north Island, we caught a connecting flight to Christchurch, on the south island of New Zealand. We hired a car and made our way to our hotel which was smack bang in the center of town! If we'd been any more central we'd have been in the cathedral! We had a wonderful room, so big that we cancelled the other one we'd booked for the kids and all just stayed in the one room! We were all pretty pooped after our flight and after talking a short walk around the immediate surrounds and having lunch (the first of many plates of "fish 'n chips") we spent a few hours catching up on some sleep.
So far Christchurch seems to be a beautiful place….everything's so clean, in English, everyone's friendly, and the weather is great….cool, but not cold. A light jacket was all that was needed later in the day, if at all. The longer days took some getting used to - it only got dark at about 9pm - we're used to nighttime setting in at 5:30!
We saw so many houses with beautiful gardens…perfect emerald green lawns and flowers beds an explosion of color - just beautiful. The agapanthus, dahlias, roses and hydrangeas were all in full bloom. I'm ready to move here!
We passed numerous funny signs, this being just two of them…..
We even saw an "Ely" street!
Sunday, 14th February, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!
The day of indulgence! We'd decided yesterday that today, being the day of love and chocolate, that anyone could eat anything they wanted without having to defend their choice, or feel guilty!
Today we drove to Banks Peninsula, full of rocky volcanic outcrops, deep valleys and sheer bluffs. In hindsight we should have planned it better, but we were eager to get going and start seeing some of the countryside. On the map, it looks a short distance, maybe 50km's tops, but it was all tiny little country roads with thousands of bends and turns that took forever to get around. We figured we'd stop somewhere en-route for a nibble along the way…uuuuh, there was nothing along the way…. We eventually got to Akaroa, a small town with a beautiful harbor-front location and many arts and crafts shops and galleries. Unfortunately, we got there right between lunchtime and dinnertime and all the restaurant kitchens were closed! We ended up nibbling on fudge that we'd bought at one of the shops as part of our day of indulgence treat! On the way home we stopped to pet and feed some very sweet horses and donkeys.
Monday, 15th February, 2010
Seeing that there were THREE Starbucks within walking distance of our hotel we thought it appropriate that we help each one fulfill their daily quota. I think they exceeded all expectations the few days we were there! We started the morning with a yummy vanilla latte, checked out the hotel and went to get our campervan! Yippeee! Let the road-trip begin!
Rory had already laid out a few ground rules for the camper, the most important being no P&P. No pee or poo in the loo! I think he had horrible visions of the movie, RV, with Robin Williams. We got a 6-berth camper for the extra space and I'm glad we did! We had a double bed above the driver seats, which the kids shared, and then a single/small double opposite the door, which I took, and then a double at the back of the camper, which Rory used. It worked out great. The kids beds stayed made up the whole time, as well as Rory's and we just put away my bedding so we could use the table.
Tuesday, 16th February, 2010
Dunedin, a beautiful college town, was one of my favorite places. The beautiful architecture, gardens and general layout of the town was so refreshing. In the center of town is an octagonal shaped park from which all the roads radiate. There's a strong Scottish influence in the architecture as well as street names and traditions. The railway station is a stunning limestone, bluestone and granite structure with magnificent flower gardens in front. A perfect spot to relax on a bench and enjoy the sunshine.
I really don't think I want to live in that sub-division...can you imagine writing your name & address on a form....especially when it's Mrs Butt - as if Stalker Road wasn't bad enough!
After returning to Christchurch we wandered around town a bit and enjoyed the scenery. Our room overlooked the cathedral and to the side, the downtown market and open plaza area….perfect for people watching and listening to the church bells.
Our day of indulgence was hardly indulgent - we might have to carry it over till another day!
Our first stop was a grocery store to get some supplies - oh my!
It was wonderful to walk around and see familiar British food items
- a lot we can't even get in the USA. Needless to say a bunch of
them made their way back to our camper!
The start of our expedition was a long one - a 360km drive from Christchurch to Dunedin, along the east coast but we broke it up by stopping in at all the quaint little towns along the way. I found a quilt store, where I picked up a few supplies. J Rory got a haircut in one town, and got to listen to all the local gossip! Apparently the one lady had been late showing up to work so the other was on her own in the salon earlier in the morning. She was rushed off her feet with three clients all arriving at the same time! She darted between them, seated in each of the only two chairs in the salon, and made the third customer sweep up the hair off the floor! Maxine bought a little box Brownie camera in an antique store and Sydney bought some imprint stamps for toast! All is good!
One of the first things we noticed on our drive was the abundance of huge hedges about 3-stories high, all perfectly trimmed, apparently used for protection from the wind.
A little way past Oamaru we stopped to see the Moeraki Boulders. It was freezing cold on the beach. It was late in the afternoon and an icy wind was blowing pretty hard. Although you could park near the beach, you still had to walk a good 20 minutes to the actual boulders. We got there as fast as we could, took photo's, and got back to the van as fast as possible. Like real tourists! The boulders, although a lot smaller than we expected, were strangely picturesque.
In Oamaru we called in to visit theBlue Penguin Colony center. They had a little viewing area with cameras in the nests so you could see all the little chicks and their mama's. You could walk around the small sanctuary and peek inside the nests and also see them but most were tucked well inside. Outside of the sanctuary you can take a short walk around the cliff. Sometimes, if you're lucky you can see penguins and seals.
About 50km's out of Dunedin we passed a sign for Shag Point - I half expected Austin Powers to coming swaggering around the corner! Unfortunately we couldn't stop to get a picture - but I promise you, it's there!
As we neared Dunedin the sun was beginning to set over the mountains layering them in varying shades of gold, copper, and bronze. Breathtaking!
First things first though…a visit to the Cadbury's chocolate Factory! We donned our silly white hair nets (thank heavens no cameras were allowed), removed all our jewelry, and took a walk through the factory. We got to see them making chocolate drops, and since they'd just installed a new marshmallow system, they were concentrating on making all those type chocolates. We also got to see the latest Easter Eggs that were to hit the stores the next day. Along the way we got to taste a few different types of chocolate in little shot-glasses. Maxine had 3 doubles! It was really good chocolate though - the stuff they supply to fine chocolatiers and bakeries! Yum Yum!
The last stop on the tour, at the top of the giant purple silo, was to watch the chocolate pour - a whole ton of chocolate! Of course we had to stop in the Cadbury Store before leaving. And, sadly, we bought waaay to much chocolate. But we just couldn't decide which ones to get, and we all like something different!
After the chocolate tour we were ready for lunch - delicious chicken, brie and cranberry sauce Paninis all round. Since we were in the middle of downtown we decided to talk a walk through the streets to visit all the little stores. I came across, purely by chance I might add, a bead store J and yes, I did buy just a few little trinkets.
We also visited Baldwin Street - the world's steepest street. It's steep! I decided to not to walk up, but rather stay at the base and wander around taking a look at all the beautiful gardens. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!
Later in the day we took a drive around the Otago Peninsula. I knew the road was going to be along the waterfront but I had no idea it would be so narrow! It was pretty tight driving with the camper! On the way back we decided to take the center road, which turned out to be even narrower and terribly steep with as many bends and turns!
For supper we had Chinese Take-outs - I know, I know, Chinese. But, hey, we had to compare!
Our first night in Dunedin was really cold, but I think that was because Rory had the camper windows open! The camper park we stayed at, although very crowded, was very nicely kept, with beautiful flower gardens, and super-clean facilities, much to my relief! A good start.
Wednesday, 17th February, 2010
We'd noticed a grinding noise in our brakes and since we were going to be driving up mountains we figured it would be in our best interest to get them seen to. We took the camper into the dealership and it turned out to be a fairly simple fix - a small stone had become lodged in the brake. While we were waiting we met up with a British couple who were also travelling around in a camper. They had taken four weeks and were doing both the north and south islands. We chatted for quite a while about our various trips, about England, and about our children (theirs were grown and in university).
The drive to Cromwell was even more beautiful, if that was even possible! Being in a valley the area was filled with vineyards and orchards, and farm-stalls were dotted all along the road. We stopped and bought a mixed box of plums, apricots and peaches. The plums were divine - we all enjoyed those the most.
We lunched on chicken pies and slices of cake, picnicking in a field clover and daisies.
Continuing our journey to Cromwell, we stopped in to see the hydro-electric dam.
Queenstown is about a 45 minute drive from Cromwell and is known as the hub of sporting activity on the south island. We rushed to Queenstown to try and make the last ride on the Jetboat. We made it in time, just, but they said that there weren't enough passengers and wouldn't run the boat L Poopers! Queenstown is very picturesque, at the foot of a mountain, with a beach in the middle of the town! A hub of activity with restaurants lining the cobbled streets, boats coming in and out of the small harbor, a cable-car going up and down the mountain, and even hand-gliders sailing down from the top of the mountain over the town!
We had supper at an outdoor restaurant called Avanti. I had the most delicious soup - pumpkin with coconut and cilantro. It sounded a bit strange but since I like all those flavors I though I would give it a try and I'm glad I did…I'm now on the hunt for a similar recipe! While we were waiting for our food we took bets on which Asian tourist would come out of the adjacent Louis Vuitton store having bought something. None did - they all know they can get the knock-offs at a fraction of the cost I suppose.
There really is a beach in the middle of town. A couple of people had dogs and were throwing balls into the water for them to fetch. It was a lot of fun watching them interact, trying to get to the ball first and get it back to their specific owner. Once again, the sunset on the drive back to Cromwell was amazing, giving the mountains a surreal golden glow about them.
It rained all night, and I mean ALL night. It started drizzling just as we pulled in to the camper park, and hadn't stopped by the time we left the next morning! It was quite soothing listening to the light pitter patter of the rain on the roof of the camper though.
Beats Chinese crackers any day!
The next morning Rory had an ice-cold shower, even after we'd discussed how they worked the night before! Each cubicle had a door with a small switch. You press the switch when you enter and it gives you one minute to change, seven minutes to shower, and then a blast of icy-water lets you know you have one minute left before the water stops. (I made sure I didn't get to that point - brrr!) Well, Rory didn't see the button, and forgot all about it, so stepped into the shower turned the water on, waiting for it to get hot….and waited……and waited….all the time shivering under the icy-cold mountain water!
Thursday, 18th February, 2010
The drive to Franz Josef Glacier was probably one of the most varied as far as scenery is concerned. Starting inland, we saw mountains and gorges, dozens of rivers and streams, flatlands, waterfalls, and beaches. Unfortunately it was really cloudy and overcast as we drove through the mountains and lakes so visibility was not so good, especially for picture taking L.
As we were driving along the coast just a while past the town of Haast, we came across a pebbled beach which was littered with tree limbs all sorts of "natural debris". Along the side of the road people had stacked the rocks and pebbles into towers and used the driftwood to create strange looking "I was here" signs. We found a good size white rock and wrote our names on it in Sharpie. The beach truly was the strangest sight.
Our camper park, in Franz Josef, was once again very nice, and well kept. The scenery was beautiful - I know, I'm starting to sounds like a broken record! We're really enjoying the crisp fresh air and blue skies though.
It rained during the night again, but the next morning was beautifully clear and we made our way to the glacier before the clouds returned.
But, before we even got going, Rory almost burned the camper to the ground! We had toast for breakfast and each time a pair of slices went in they got browner and browner. Well, when our late riser, Sydney, eventually got out of bed and made her toast, they were significantly brown. We were sitting at the table waiting for the toast to pop and I saw smoke behind Rory's head. Maxine and Sydney started squealing, I started flapping my arms trying to attract Rory's attention while having a mouth full of food! And then the smoke-alarm went off! Rory unplugged the toaster as the cinder-black toast popped up, ready to be eaten - NOT! He opened up the doors and the smoke filtered through the camp site - for all our neighbors to see and smell. Just wonderful. I couldn't get out of there fast enough!
There are numerous walks and hikes up to the glacier - we chose the shortest! They didn't mention that for 30 minutes you'd have to climb up a hill at a 45° angle! Uuugh! The view was definitely worth it though. Rory commented that if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes he would never had believed there was a glacier there….really, it wasn't cold at all, so it seemed very out of place. From a distance it looks big, but only when you see the people that took the 3-hour walk J standing next to the face, do you realize just how big it is - those people looked like ants!
So far we've put over 1100km's on the camper. Rory's thighs are sore from driving - too many hills and bends and changing of gears! The girls have learned how to smell a wi-fi connection from 10 miles away! I think Rory's dreading the wi-fi bill more than anything.
Friday, 19th February, 2010
We continue on our expedition, to Greymouth on the west coast. We're back in farming country - the fields look like they're "poxed" with sheep! We had to stop along the road to wait for a farmer and sheepdog herding his fluffy white sheep into an adjacent field. We passed many, many hand-written signs about 1080. Only later when we got to the camp site were we able to look up what 1080 actually is….it's a pesticide they use to kills the possums which have become a huge pest.
We stopped in at Hokitika for lunch and to visit some stores. We went to the jade factory but didn't buy anything. I'm not a big jade fan at all. We also went to a glass-blowing showroom where we did see some things we liked! We bought a trio of green glass ornaments. Maxine bought her boyfriend, and friend, a pet rock. This guy had an entire shop full of painted rocks, all the same - weird!
We got to Greymouth, parked our camper at the beachside camper park, the kids got their swim-suits on, and sun-screen, and were ready to hit the beach…only it was rocky - huge pebbly rocks - uuugh! No mention of that in the brochure. So, everyone was very disappointed. Rory and Sydney headed to the beach to take pictures of the sunset. Sydney built a stone "bridge", probably disruptin the entire eco-system of Greymouth! It was soooo cold. When I joined them later I wasn't shivering - I was shaking! It was worth it though - we got some awesome pictures! We scuttled back to the camper, the second that sun slipped below the horizon, to get warm!
Almost all the bridges are one-way - on the national highway, which itself is only a single lane road!
Saturday, 20th February, 2010
We had a late rise this morning - it was 10:15 before we got out of the park. We took a drive to Punakaiki, about 30 miles north of Greymouth to see the pancake rocks. On the way back we stopped along the beach so the kids could play while I sat and did my crosswords in silence….it was nice to get some peace and quite after a week in the camper.
That night we went to a restaurant for supper where Rory got to cook his own steak on a hot skillet. They still charged a chunk of change for it, which I thought was a rip-off since we were the ones cooking it! Oh, well, he must have done a good job because he really enjoyed it! Maxine and I had spare ribs, and they were okay - just not as good as anything we've had in Texas J.
Sunday, 21st February, 2010
Up early this morning - on our homeward trek across country to Christchurch, over Arthur's Pass. I had visions of 45° hills and steep gorges but it wasn't like that at all, and the trip was actually really quick.
The difference between the east and west side of the mountain range is quite noticeable. On the west coast, where they get more rain, the fauna is more rainforest-like, very dense, and moist, while on the east side it's very dry and rugged. At Arthur's Pass Village we stopped to take in the scenery and there were a bunch of ugly looking Keas - a type of parrot. They looked really mean. Not my idea of a parrot!
We returned our camper and all was in good order, hired a car and headed back to the same hotel we'd stayed in when we first arrived. Unfortunately, this time we didn't get as good a room, but it sufficed for the one night we were there. We spent the afternoon driving around gathering all the bits and bobs we'd wanted to shop for before returning to China….quilting supplies, Mac cases for the kids computers, some food items.
This is what happens when you're building a road and come across a waterfall!
Monday, 22nd February, 2010
Happy Anniversary to us!
We checked out of the hotel but our flight was only late in the day so we had some time to kill - where else but at the mall - the girls just had to get in some shopping!
We got our flight from Christchurch to Auckland with no problems, but then found that our main flight from Auckland to Shanghai was delayed two hours due to foggy weather in Shanghai. After waiting the two hours we boarded and flew to Shanghai, only to find out that the airport was still experiencing foggy conditions and was closed. After circling for another two hours waiting for the fog to clear and the airport to open, we were diverted to Beijing. Not long after that, we got re-diverted to Hong Kong because the Beijing airport was too busy! So, we get to spend the night in Hong Kong at a very nice hotel!
This is what we missed while we were away!
Wednesday, 24th February, 2010
I'm really not convinced it's Wednesday! I've lost track of the days! We got back tonight - around 9:30pm. Maybe I'll feel more "together" tomorrow....
Monday, March 1st, 2010
It's freezing - inside and outside! We have no heat - AGAIN! I'm getting really tired of this! We came home last week to no heat downstairs but it was still working upstairs. The weather was mild so we could still cope. A guy worked on it for three days, and now neither systems are working! It's supposed to drop to -7°C by the weekend! Yikes! I'll be a popsicle! We've bought (or rather the landlord has bought - he just doesn't know it yet) some oil heaters. They've helped to take the chill off the air, but I don't think they're going to be able to keep up if it drops any cooler.
This last weekend we had a neighborhood/Celanese family barbeque at our neighbors. We had yummy burgers, and just about everyone brought a dessert! One person brought lettuce, tomato & onions to put on the burgers! Ooops. It was a fun evening - the ladies just sat around chatting and I think the men played some board-game. No kids were allowed so it was nice to not have to be watching over them, or chasing them around. Not that we do that anymore, but it seems everyone else has young kids so they always end up having to watch them.
Yesterday afternoon we went to the Plum Blossom Festival held at the Ming Tombs, about 10 minutes away from our house. It was a lovely day - very festive, with lots of bright colors, music, food, displays, stalls and activities. And of course the beautiful plum blossoms. We walked around for a couple of hours and then went for coffee at "fake Starbucks"…tasted just like the real thing though!
Even though we had no heat today I still hosted the Hopeful Hearts Committee meeting here this morning. We've got so many things on our agenda for the next few months. We're frantically trying to raise funds for small children who need heart operations - now! It's so frustrating not being able to help them when you know how far American dollars go - most operations cost between US$1,000 and $5 000. Last year we helped around 12 children, this year we've already got 15 children on our list and it's only the beginning of March!
Hmmm, quail eggs on a stick...first time I've seen that....
Yum, yum.... still wriggling octopus legs on a stick too....
When she flipped this "crepe" over it had rings of beautiful colors in it.
Gotta pee! Gotta pee! Gott pee!
We found this loo along the way...after entering it gave you seven minutes to take care of business, after which the toilet stall would self-clean, ie. a shower of water would rain down upon you, and the door would automatically open....errr, no hovering here, mate! What I want to know is, who came up with the seven minute time limit? What scientific data is this based upon, and just how did they do their research???
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
What a crazy week! Meeting after meeting! Yesterday I had the PTA meeting which lasted from 8am till 10am because we've got so many big events coming up that needed discussing. Then, straight after that I had a meeting to discuss the new PTA store. Then I had to do grocery shopping so we had something in the house to eat! After that I had to get Sydney back to the dentist to have her bands changed - twice in as many days!
This morning I had a meeting with the other South African lady at the school to discuss what we're doing for the school EXPO. From there I went straight to another lunch meeting, and then to the restaurant supply store and printers to price various things for the EXPO! Phew! I can't believe I got it all done! This afternoon I worked a bit on the recipe book, and this evening I worked on the quilt for 3 hours, baked muffins for tomorrows Pins and Needles meeting that I'm hosting and prepared the ingredients for the quiche that I'll put in the oven in the morning. After I've chased everyone home at noon, I've got to schelp off to a meeting with the recipe book printer at 1pm...and then I'm freeeeee! But right now I'm exhausted and I'm going to bed. Rory has been on calls every evening this week, and is now in Shanghai - it feels like we haven't seen each other in days!
It's been raining for days now, and will continue through Monday, if it doesn't turn to snow on the weekend. Uugh. There's still mud everywhere because the hole they dug for the pipes had not been concreted over yet. So you have to walk through inches of mud to get to your car. Walking down the road is virtually impossible in this weather with all the mud. We still don't have any heat downstairs. That's the best part about sewing on the quilt - I get to snuggle under it while I'm sewing!
Maxine is coming down with either flu or a cold. She's not got a fever yet, but is looking and feeling grotty. I'm crossing fingers and toes, hoping it's just a cold, and dosing her up with meds and vitamins.
Oooh, C*R*A*Z*Y* *D*A*Y*S !!!!! And I need to start page 2 for March!
