Here are  few photos for you – more to follow after I’ve had my road trip in Northland

Click to view slideshow.

 Click to view slideshow.

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

Asam Pedas for breakfast: Parit Jawa, Malaysia

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.

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 3^rd 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!

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!

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.

See more heroes here

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

]]> http://kiwitravelwriter.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/where-is-this-statue/feed/ 5 kiwitravelwriter where is this web easter island DSCF2109 web easter island DSCF2108 web easter island DSCF2107 where is this http://kiwitravelwriter.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/i-am-a-cute-catmy-name-is-mista/ http://kiwitravelwriter.wordpress.com/2012/01/05/i-am-a-cute-catmy-name-is-mista/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2012 03:55:00 +0000 Heather - the kiwi travel writer https://kiwitravelwriter.wordpress.com/?p=5108 ]]> 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’ 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.

• Map of Cobham Drive

• See this video of sculptures in action and each artist discussing his work