Christchurch quake update:
Some pieces were written before the quakes, check for up-to-date info: www.christchurchnz.com
Happy New Year 2012! Gung hay fat choi!
Gung hay fat choi from New Zealand
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Small group tour to Turkey – May 2012 for 20-days
Safranbolu - home of the best Turkish delight in Turkey!
Like all travellers who have been to Turkey, I too loved the beauty, history, and people of Turkey – and now I’m expecting to be part of the 50Plus travel team in May 2012 and will be in Turkey again – for 20 days!
with well-traveled Kiwi escort – and local guide - plus bus driver
So, want to join me in fabulous Turkey? I’m amazed it’s only about $NZ350 a day and that includes the fare to and from New Zealand. If you don’t need the ex-NZ plane trip, and want to meet us in Istanbul, the tour will cost NZ$4,005. (Single supplement add $880.)
In a recent newsletter Anna (Director of 50Plus) says “When I rave about this tour people ask me what I liked most: I think I exhaust them with so many highlights. Here are some:
Our tour (and yours to if you are able join us) started in Istanbul, the only city in the world spread over two continents – Europe and Asia. We crossed the Bosphorus Suspension Bridge to see Topkapi Palace the centre of the Ottoman Empire for nearly four centuries and had a good insight into the life of the Sultans and their many wives. I can’t wait to get back in May 2012”
Add the Blue Mosque, the impressive six-minaret building that is a focal point of the city; the Basilica Cistern which was used as a reservoir to store water for and the Great Palace.
And, of course, you can’t leave Istanbul and not see the Haghia Sophia, the Church of Holy Wisdom with its 1500 year history - I am sure it hasn’t changed since my trip there in the mid-1990s but I’m still really excited to be seeing it again – and to indulge in a Turkish Bath experience – a ‘must do! I am also looking forward to seeing the Gallipoli peninsula which I haven’t seen – yet.
So, if you think Turkey is the place for you, or someone you know – with a very small group – and would enjoy being with a travel writer too (I’m happy to give you tips along the way!) get over to the 50Plustravel website, check the details, and give Anna phone call – I hope to see you in May 201
Discover Turkey Tour
Istanbul, Gallipoli, Selcuk, Kusadasi, Kas, Antalya, Cappadocia, Ankara, Bursa
20 outstanding days – departing from New Zealand 20 May 2012
Originally $6,975 now $6,775 SAVE $200
- Safranbolu – home of the best Turkish delight in Turkey
Just two of the many meals I have loved!
- Asam Pedas for breakfast: Parit Jawa, Malaysia
- Pad Thai: Indigo Pearl Resort, Phuket, Thailand
Secrets of happiness: LonelyPlanet lessons from around the world
I’ve read one of Lonely Planets recent books “Happy” recently and have been fascinated to read the ways others find happiness. From riding yourself of physical or mental clutter to get your life back under control through to giving away things you value, this book covers it all. Suggestions for mind, body and spirit are here. As I blog about some places, I will tell you their secret. In this first, mention of the book, here is a quote from it: it’s about Ramadan which is says is in Egypt – of course it’s celebrated around the world, more particularly in Islamic countries. The only country I have been in during the month-long period is Malaysia and I was happy to be involved in their time of reflection – it has its own chapter in my book Naked In Budapest: travels with passionate nomad.
Happy - a Lonely Planet publication
Lonely Planet says here is their secret:
DISCIPLINE IS NOT A DIRTY WORD SECRET: Go without to appreciate what you have
Tradition: Ramadan
Date: September, October or November
Celebrated in: Egypt
Wouldn’t it be good to stop and take stock? For one month every year, Muslims in Egypt and across the world do just that, turning the tables on the pursuit of more and being prepared to go without. From dawn to dusk during the holy month of Ramadan, not a morsel of food or a drop of water will pass the lips of Egyptian Muslims as a reminder of how lucky they are to possess what they have.
It is a time of deep reflection on the blessings of life, where all – rich and poor, young and old – become equal.
You don’t need to be a Muslim to carry out a fast. But if it all seems too extreme, why not deny yourself that extra cappuccino or muffin for a month, and put the money saved towards a favourite good cause. You’ll soon find yourself smiling at the multitude of blessings you actually have.
These are edited extracts from Happy: Secrets to Happiness from the Cultures of the World © Lonely Planet 2011. RRP: $25. lonelyplanet.com.
Before the September 2010 quake, just around the corner from my place stood Johnson’s Grocery where locals loved to step back in time: and where I loved to buy freshly cut ham from Colin Johnson in his traditional white apron and delightful manners.
Opened in 1911 as Leigh and Co. it was bought by Colin’s father in 1949 and he has worked there since 1957: this is shopping as it used to be with lollies (sweets) in jars on the counter and cheese sliced from the block with a wire. What I love is how Colin always seems to know exactly where everything is and he climbs up and down a ladder to retrieve whatever it is I’ve asked for.
What do you want? Swiss chocolate; truffles from France; English biscuits or cheese; haggis from Scotland, this shop has them all. Colin doesn’t need to search for stock, people from around the world ask him to carry their special goods.
Colin also enjoys welcoming tourists into the shop telling me “They don’t have to buy anything. They are always welcome to take photographs.” It’s certainly photogenic – the old delivery bicycle on the footpath must feature in many photo albums, blogs and travel articles world-wide.
Then Christchurch was hit by a 7.1 quake at 4:35am. I clung to the bed in my 3rd floor apartment. I heard a few things fall but stayed in bed – thinking if the building collapsed I’d land on something soft, but also worried about being found in the state of my dress – or rather undress! Vanity rules.
Soon up and with warm clothes on, I’d checked out the window and apart from a little concrete block fence that had fallen over, all seemed well in my inner city street despite the aftershocks. I texted this to the National Radio station which was broadcasting reports of this major event in the city of my birth and coffee in hand was also tweeting and posting on Facebook.
By 7am, as the day lightened, I went out exploring my neighbourhood. (See some pics from that walk here)
I take a photo of Johnsons shop window 
- it doesn’t look too bad
Thirty minutes later I’m going past again – the door is open and a man I hadn’t seen before was standing there.
“Do you have permission to be in there’ I challenge him. It seems Colin is inside and he’s his son-in-law.
"Who are you? Are allowed to be here' I ask
Lots on the floor, but many items still perfectly stacked!
- The buildings, including Johnsons, are demolished: ChCh Town Hall. Kilmore St, is in background
And now, Johnsons Grocery has reopened, (November 2011) and is busier than ever. The temporary shop is now in the new container shopping precinct, all bright colours with Colin still in his apron and pencil behind his ear. I visit the day before he re-opens in Cashel Mall re-start project the shelves are half-full – and put my foot in the wet concrete as I enter! Workmen quickly repair the damage. (See photos from that day here)
Whoops!
- Shelves wait to be stocked .. the bike no longer delivers!
I visited a month later and the shop is buzzing, Colin and his wife are busy and happy, and although the shelves are no longer bowed, they are still stocked with goodies from many parts of the world, so, next time you are in Christchurch make sure this grocery shop is on your must-visit list.
This is the first of my Christchurch earthquake heroes’ award blogs: a shout-out to all business who have re-opened (or stayed open) in my city – sometimes under extremely difficult conditions.
Where is this statue?
Where is this statue? Post your answers in the comments below. I will post the place and details next Friday 13th January 2012.
Where am I?
Lyall Bay, Wellington, New Zealand: this was given to New Zealand in 2004 to comemorate the visit
to NZ by the President of Chile
I am a cute cat–my name is Mista
I have lots of enrichments like this dogs tennis ball … but mostly I really just like to sit on my humans knee – especially when she’s writing. I have taught her to use the keys on her laptop even when I’m sitting on her arms .. she’s a fast learner!
As inner city apartment cat, Mista has a very good view, day and night.
Windy Wellington – New Zealands capital celebrates the elements
“Windy Wellington’ is one of my new city’s nicknames. And, in keeping with this, it celebrates the wind. One of the ways it does this is through its public art – I applaud that.
These four kinetic pieces – have two of them producing electricity and / or neon colour, follow the edge of the sea, leading us by road or walkway to the Wellington International Airport.
A couple of years ago I wrote an opinion piece for the arts section, in the Christchurch Press, about one of the new sculptures which I believed did not fit it’s setting. In part I said, of a piece about wheat, installed in an area that had been a swamp . . .
“According to Wikipedia ‘the term public art refers to works of art (in any media) that have been planned and executed with the specific intention of being sited or staged in the public domain, usually outside and accessible to all. The term is especially significant within the art world, amongst curators, commissioning bodies and practitioners of public art, to whom it signifies a particular working practice, often with implications of site specificity, community involvement and collaboration.’ See more here
Here are photos of the four sculptures. Below is a map showing where they are and a video of them in action and each artist talking about his work.
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- See this video of sculptures in action and each artist discussing his work
Boxing Day in the summer sun – down-under in New Zealand
New Zealand’s Boxing Day in the summer sun: not all of us do the sales for dubious bargains, the weathers too great.
While I’d said ‘no more blogs for a while’ as I wrote the suicide grief book, I took time out to re-charge my creative batteries and these photos are evidence of that. The other good news (for me) is that I have finished the first draft of the 20, 000-word book so there will be a few blogs while I wait before starting the editing process. Enjoy the summer holiday sun in these pics: the gardens will be happy it’s raining as I write – but not the campers in tents!
Aren’t I lucky to live in NZ’s capital city with all this just a 10-min walk from my inner city apartment?
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My last travel piece (for a while) and plans for a road trip!
This is my last travel piece for a little while. During this ‘time off’ I’m completing an e-book about grief and suicide (Remember, I used to be a therapist before I reinvented myself as a travel writer some years ago)
But to whet your appetite for what’s to come in 2012, and with the help of Destination Northland (New Zealand) and friends, here are just some of the places I will be visiting, or staying at, or things I’ll be doing during my Northland road trip in February 2012, in a car from Rental Cars New Zealand . So check the list of links out and let me know if there is something specific you want ME to check out too.
I have to say, I’m both exhausted and excited just contemplating it all – mark this spot as this is where the stories will be.
- Clapham’s National Clock Museum www.claphamsclocks.com
- Fudge Farm Café. www.nzfudgefarm.co.nz
- Whangarei Quarry Gardens www.whangareiquarrygardens.org.nz
- AH Reed Park Canopy Walkway http://www.wdc.govt.nz/FacilitiesandRecreation/WalksTrails/Documents/Whangarei-City-Walks-Brochure.pdf
- A Perfect Day www.aperfectday.co.nz
- Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands www.copthornebayofislands.co.nz
- Swim with Dolphins – www.dolphincruises.co.nz .
- Flying Kiwi Parasail www.parasail-nz.co.nz
- The Rock Overnight Cruise. www.rocktheboat.co.nz
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds. www.waitangi.net.nz
- Taiamai Tours Heritage Journeys http://www.taiamaitours.co.nz/
- Fullers Great Sights www.fullers.co.nz
- Russell Mini Tours www.dolphincruises.co.nz/russell-mini-tour
- Pompallier Mission. www.historicplaces.org.nz/placesToVisit/northland/PompallierMission.aspx
- Living Nature – www.livingnature.com
- Wharepuke Print Studio www.nontoxic-printmaking.co.nz
- Wharepuke food www.foodatwharepuke.co.nz
- The Stone Store www.kerikeri.co/kerikeri-stone-store-basin
- Rewa’s Village www.kerikeri.co/kerikeri-stone-store-basin
- Adventure Puketi www.forestwalks.com
- Kahoe Farms Hostel http://www.kahoefarms.co.nz
- Mangonui Fish Shop & Heritage Trail http://www.doubtlessbay.co.nz/heritagetrail.htm
- Gumdiggers Park www.gumdiggerspark.co.nz
- Sand Safaris www.sandsafaris.co.nz
- Ahipara –http://www.northlandnz.com/destinations/top_of_the_north/ahipara/
- Victorian village of Kohukohu http://www.kohukohu.com/
- Clendon House http://www.historicplaces.org.nz/placestovisit/northland/clendonhouse.aspx
- Footprints Waipoua www.footprintswaipoua.co.nz
- Sandtrails Hokianga. www.sandtrailshokianga.co.nz
- Astronomy Adventures www.skydome.org.nz
- Woodturners Kauri Gallery and Studio www.thewoodturnersstudio.co.nz
- The Kumara Box www.kumarabox.co.nz/ernie.html
- Zizania Paper Products www.zizania.co.nz
- The Kauri Museum www.kaurimuseum.com
- Rental Cars New Zealand http://www.rentalcarnz.com/
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One more comandment from a church in Wellington
