New Zealand Narnia

After landing at midnight NZ time (so like 1pm SA time), I stupidly decided to admit to visiting a farm in the last month (really, I don’t know why I did it! It’s not like I was playing in manure when I visited the Greenhoughs, Craighead, or Glynton!). So I got separated into the Quarantine section at immigration (you know that show, Border Patrol, on Discovery? No jokes but they had signs saying ‘filming in progress’?) Lucky not at midnight though. So I got given the third degree about why I was here – why for the third time, who’s wedding I was going to etc – was the old man going to know Amber Gill? Anyhoo after much unnecessary stress (I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be a drug mule) I came through arrivals where Ant and Ryan were waiting.

The next two days were spent sight seeing around Auckland with the cousins and then Robs (the other bridesmaid – and more fondly known as Bowles) arrived at midnight.

Bowles and I with Coromandel beauty behind us

It was then road trippin time and we headed to the Coromandel – a beautiful holiday destination in the North Island with beautiful turquoise water, white sandy bays etc. We spent the afternoon at Hot Water Beach – a magical place where you dig in the sand around a hot spring with a spade, create a pool and sit in it while you look at the ocean. No jokes – there was even someone boiling an egg in there! Awesome!

The boners

After a night at a backpackers (SO much nicer than the Singapore one!), we were then treated to a bone carving experience. Ant ‘shouted’ us (it was on him!) and it was a really cool morning filing, sanding and shaping our own little koro necklaces. We had tea at jandel café (yes, that’s what they call slops – weirdos!) and then headed to Tauranga to Tina and Rob’s house. It was so lovely to see them in their home and a big bonus to see Mom and Granne as well. I shared a room with Mom so got to have good chats with lots of tea!

Wedding – wowaweewa!

We arrived in Whangarei (pronounced Fungaray) in time for Amber’s Hen’s Party > lots of drinks, plastic pink things and champagne! We even had a limo ride!

The next week was full up of wedding stuff – I am so glad we were there to help Amz with lots of admin but I’ve definitely learnt a few things not to leave til the last minute – like finding bride’s shoes 3 days before wedding :) …..or getting dress maker in SA to screw up your dress (which turned out stunning by end of many hours extra work by her mom’s friend!)

Good lessons for when I get there one day.

Bowles did all our hair and make up and our dresses were really really pretty! The wedding was so wonderful and everything came together perfectly…well except for when the organist played the wrong tune to ‘As the deer’ and no-one sang!

The happy couple, Amber and Warren

We then all hopped onto a ferry (there were about 60 of us) and sailed to our island for the reception weekend. We all had bunk bed cabins, there was a bar, awesome music and delicious food. The night seriously couldn’t have gone better! Although I should now admit that my camera battery had died so I’m relying on FB for photos! We spent the rest of the weekend recovering, chilling by the blue blue sea, kayaking and eating (way too much eating!).

It was so amazing that we got to be there to see my dear Amberly (who’s gone through so much in last few years) to marry the man of her dreams. Warren really is such a sweet and awesome guy (they’re on honeymoon now in Cook Islands!)

After getting back to land it was then time to pack up properly and head back to Auckand. We ended up staying with Nix (other bridesmaid) on the yacht she works on – and going out for dinner and drinks with her first mate captain – which we named Black Beard, coz he really has one (and quite amusing that the boat is called Black Pearl). The dodgy bar we went to had a pole so some amusing attempts at pole dancing took place! Oh my word – alcohol is so expensive in NZ! Coz we were staying on the yacht, Bowles and I felt we needed to buy everyone drinks – 1 long island Ice tea = $20 (yes R140) and one shot = $10 (R70 for one shot!!)

Anyway, we were there on holiday and had stopped counting our pennies (and how much food we stuffed into our faces) days ago!

Extreme cyclists

Our last day we spent on the island Waiheke, where we rented bicycles, cycled around, nearly died from the million hills + slight hangover combination, swam in perfect blue bays, ate amazing food and loved it all (except about half way up every hill!)

Our last night we spent at Ant’s again (he really was so amazingly kind and generous throughout!) – after he took us to the local Pak n Save to stock up on Tim Tams and Easiyo (the most amazing invention ever!!)

And then it was time to fly back! We had an 8 hour lay over in Singapore airport but free massage chairs, free internet, yum sushi and a snooze on the floor (classy) got us through it fine. We were each lucky enough to have 3 seats to ourselves on the last flight – so kinda got to sleep properly – so we weren’t completely shell shocked when we arrived back.

So in brief (or maybe not so brief after all!), it really was wonderful! New Zealand is so very beautiful and family and friends just made it into one of my most memorable holidays yet! (Although Aunty T, I’m afraid I’m really never going to come live there!)

Slumming it in Singapore

In January I was privileged enough to go to New Zealand to be a part of my friend, Amber's wedding. I decided to make the most of my flight there on Singapore airlines and chose the longest layover (51 hours) to get to explore Singapore city!

So let me tell you bout my time in Singapore.

Firstly, you would have died in the hostel I was staying at. I don’t know why I get surprised at every hostel I stay at but the InnCrowd Backpackers did have some surprises in store for me:

·      Check in was only at noon, I arrived at 8am – which turned out not to be a problem coz had an amazing snoozelroo on the bean bags in the chill area.

·      I was a little worried bout leaving my bags in the designated spot behind the reception and away from me, but I eventually settled into sleep, thinking that the whirring fan was monsoon rains outside!

·      You pay extra for a towel – understandable – but they give you this disposable thing that looks like a square of guaze or thin bandage > turns out it is not too bad in terms of soaking up water.

The shoe orgy

·      And then the nail in the coffin for you – you have to leave your shoes downstairs. There is a funny sign next to the shoe cubby hole that says ‘No shoes and cats are allowed upstairs’. Random!

So after I got myself showered and clean (you just feel so siff after a flight!!), I set out to explore. Turns out I was staying in Little India, one of the 4 main districts in Singapore. It’s obviously where the original Indians lived years ago and is still very Charro – with fruit stalls, vegetarian restaurants and lots of dark-faced Indians everywhere. There are one or two Hindu temples around for some religious vibes and the Indian Arcade seems to be a popular tourist destination with henna tattoos and garlands being draped around burnt European skin.

I decided to make my way to China Town where I would be guaranteed some cheap and delicious food. I was trying to get my body clock adjusted to being six hours ahead – so I figured the long walk there would help me convince myself that noodles for breakfast was a good idea (they also served those on the plane actually but I went for the egg option!).

I crossed through Fort Canning Park to get in some history along the way. Government Hill as it was known, was the centre of Raffles and later governors’ power. On top of the hill is the official residence – now restored – and you can see why an Englishman would like the positioning, overlooking Singapore’s spoils. It was pretty weird though, that I travelled up an escalator to halfway up the hill. There’s also the flag pole just below the residence, which was used to signal which ships were in port and whether they had some disease or ammunition on board.

With history done for the day, and a very sweaty face after walking up and down hills in the stuffy Singaporean air, I finally reached China Town. It was awash with red and gold as it is the two weeks running up to Chinese New Year. Red is a symbol for good luck and I chose various lucky charms to give to my colleagues when I get back. I wandered the street markets for ages until finally settling on a stall for my lunch. Dumplings and noodles – absolutely delicious! It also came with some funny seafood soup but that was pretty gross!

Chinese New Year decorations for the Year of the Dragon

Yummy street food!

I decided it was time for some more culture and went into the Sri M….. temple, which is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva I think. We also had to leave our shoes outside the temple and tourists who brought them in were chased out – so yes, Cheeks, you wouldn’t have been happy. There seemed to be some sort of ceremony taking place while I was in there – with much banging of drums and sounding of horns. Even though we had to give a donation to take photos, it still felt disrespectful to be snapping away like in an incensed-filled zoo!

More exploring and I bought a packet of sugared fruit to snack on as I wandered the stalls until a reached a Buddhist temple. Beautiful gold statues had me standing in awe and I snapped a pic of the deity I should be praying for as I am born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Incidentally, this year is the Year of the Dragon so there were dragons everywhere, with a huge fire breathing monster lit up at the entrance to China Town.

After getting as much Chinese goods, food and culture for one day, I started the trek back to my Indian world. I had supper at a Vegetarian restaurant where I ordered the Briyani meal. Really couldn’t see too many vegetables in the rice but the combination of all the little bits and pieces. Note: I don’t try use the correct words coz I did not know them at the time and certainly didn’t know how they all came together. But I did have a chuckle to myself after I realised I was eating the ‘sweet of the day’ mixed in with all the curry! Woops!

It was then time for me to ditch my shoes for the night and enjoy another amazing shower with my bandage and then bed.

Day two I had great ambitions to wake up at 6.30am and do a little work as Michel had sent me some of his articles to go through. I finally summoned the energy to get out of bed at 8am and did just that, accompanied by a mug of tea (couldn’t seem to find any communal milk) and some toast with strawberry jam that had been squeezed from a giant tomato sauce bottle. I could have also had boiled eggs but just didn’t appeal.

My plan for the day was Sentosa Island so I walked my way to Raffles Hotel, where I took some time exploring the white terraced buildings and reading through the museum to learn a bit more about the most famous place on the island. I’d be back later for a Slinger!

Got some butterfly beauties - can't wait to print them on canvas for my room!

For $8 I caught the Sentosa Rider to the island, where I hopped off at Universal Studios. I took a look round, had my pic taken under the spinning globe and then got on the sky train. I walked up past the Merlion and got to the Butterfly Park where I spent a happy few hours stalking and snapping butterflies. After a walk along the beach, I decided the most budget friendly lunch option was McDonalds and my spicy McChicken was the bamb! Then I found a spot on the beach to lie down, as one does, which didn’t end too well as I got knocked on the head by a rogue soccer ball (stop laughing, it wasn’t funny at the time) and the fine sand clung on ferociously to my sun creamed back. After a McDonalds sundae (yes, the full McD’s 2012), I caught the Sentosa Rider back into the city to Orchard Road.

Relaxing on Sentosa island

Famous for its shopping malls, I walked along Orchard Road along with hundreds of tourists and Singaporeans on their way home or out to enjoy their Saturday nights. There were a few street performers to keep us entertained – the most enthralling being two children in leopard print leotards doing contortions.

Note the awkwardness....

After the long walk was over, I was thirsty for my Singapore Slinger > the drink concocted in Raffles Hotel years ago by a now famous barman. Despite my eyes nearly popping out of my head when I opened the menu (Original Slinger = $26), I ordered and got stuck into the free peanuts on the table to get my money’s worth. I finally had some proper time to read a bit more of the history of Singapore in my guidebook and sipped away into the Singaporean night. I finally got over feeling awkward and asked someone in the table next door to take a pic of me (I mean, seriously, I need to capture the moment when I drank my most expensive cocktail ever!) and I have the red face to match the pink drink.

I gulped down the final bill and slowly made my way back to the hostel, stopping off at the ATM to draw money as I would have to take a taxi to the airport. Nothing like a taxi ride costing more than a night’s stay!!

And now I’m here, sitting at Changi airport. I decided a change of shoes was in order for the next leg of my journey!