Mapua and Showhomes

First we drove to Mapua, about thirty minutes away.  It was once the home of fruit cool stores for the surrounding orchards, but now the home of two cafes, a smoked fish outlet, and a few shops.  There is a large rebuilding project beside the old cool stores, with the aim of opening up more shops.  

A very picturesque place on a lovely sunny day, and luckily it was today.

The Jellyfish Cafe.

Looking out to sea.  The tide was coming in, very fast, when we arrived.

Rabbit Island (Moturoa), is the largest of a group of sandy islands lying in the Waimea Estuary, twenty kilometres west of Nelson.   It is the home to a variety of seabirds plus it is a popular area for picnics, cycling and walking.   The cycleway from Richmond to Motueka runs through the island.  There is a causeway west of the island and a ferry service which connects the island to Mapua.

As the tides flow quickly the ferry needs to go for a short distance against the tide so that it can cross over with the tidal flow.

A view over the water towards the mountains.

Fish and chips, bought from the smoked fish outlet, which also serves takeaway fish.  And accompanied with Watties tomato sauce for Margaret and me.  Perfectly cooked, fresh, and totally delicious.  All eaten straight from the paper wrapping, while sitting in the sunshine at a picnic table.  And surrounded by seagulls.  Perfect.

Next stop was a cafe a few metres away, for a cup of coffee, plus a large slice of ricotta and apple cake, shared between three of us.  Eating all this excellent food is fatal for the waistline.  But oh so delicious and scrumptious.

The view from our table at the cafe.

After all the lovely food, and with full stomachs, we set off to visit the show homes at Richmond.  Always high on our list when visiting Australia and New Zealand.  One can but dream when visiting these wonders, looking large and perfect, with wonderous entertaining spaces, and filled with smart furniture.  Not at all like our first home bought on a visit to a show home.  It was tiny, with a garden that was difficult to establish.  All that we could afford.   Not quite the showhome we viewed. Realism.

One of the houses, set against the green hills, and surrounded by a landscaped garden.

I found this sunny window seat, a perfect place to spend a few hours.  Love it.

An interesting piece of art.   Narrow ribbons rolled up and glued onto a board.  A colourful 3D effect.

An open plan living area, pristine and no mess.

An interesting green bed cover to keep the bedlinen clean, and provide a little colour to the room.

And more delicious food for dinner, fresh asparagus, new potatoes and strawberries, straight from the hot house.  

Contentment.

An enjoyable walk around Nelson

Today we went for a circular walk around central Nelson, with the main focus on the Maitai River.   

The Mahitahi or Maitai River as it is now known, flows from the hills and through the centre of Nelson.  Maori have lived here for centuries and the river and surrounding countryside was a very special place for them.   

When the first English settlers came here in the 1830s, they built Nelson upon the swampy river flats, before spreading out into the surrounding countryside.

Now the river, with its accompanying paths, is a popular walking/cycling and picnic area.   We parked beside the river and started walking towards the mouth of the river, keeping an eye out for cyclists who also use the narrow path.

The river is also popular for whitebait enthusiasts, who patiently wait with their nets, in order to catch the tiny fish as they come in on the tide.  The fish are hopeful of bypassing the nets, so that they can make their way up river.

There were men with nets on both sides of the river in the photograph below, but it would appear that the sun, or trees or long grass obliterated them.

A kingfisher, I think, also waiting for the shoals of whitebait to come up river.  Dinner time.

A statue of a lady holding a native bird.

The river changed into a wide tidal estuary as we came nearer to the mouth, which is called Nelson Haven.

Walter and Margaret standing on the newly developed board walks.  This area has been replanted with native plants and trees.

Lunch at the River Cafe, included the usual delicious New Zealand fare.  Walter and Margaret ordered giant sausage roles, and I ordered a sour dough roll filled with marinated vegetables and cottage cheese.  All washed down with plain cold water, which is always available in restaurants and cafes here.

From the look of my fat stomach, in the photograph below, I think I have perhaps done a little too much eating of delicious food in the week that we have been here.

After lunch we walked back up the main street, Trafalgar Street, stopping to look in the tourist centre, and Farmers department store, plus indulging in a very large ice cream each, Hokey Pokey for me, and Salted Caramel for Walter and Margaret.

The view up Trafalgar Street, looking towards Christchurch Cathedral, hidden behind the trees.

We turned into a side street for the walk back to the car.

The wooden Trinity Church, built in a typical New Zealand style, with its carved roofline and doorway.   It has been sold and is no longer a church.  It is currently being used for concerts and plays.  The accoustics are excellent.

Nelson Central Primary School, a beautiful wooden building, painted light blue and white.

Our final stop was at the hand made soap shop, where I bought more organic soap, having spent time and money there previously.  Such luxury.

And so that completed our walking tour of central Nelson.  Very enjoyable in the spring sunshine.

Passport problems, again.

Passport problems.   First I left my handbag, with passports in it, in a taxi in Singapore.  Luckily it was returned to me.  Sigh of relief.  

But then more passport problems occurred.   Walter left both his passports in his cloth manbag when he gave it to me to put in the washing machine.  

So the bag and passports have been washed in Surf washing powder, thoroughly.  The bag was hung on the line to dry.  Luckily Walter decided to change back to his cloth bag, after using the smaller leather bag for a couple of days.  When he opened the front pocket, he found the wallet holding two passports plus Dutch birth certificate and Australian change of name certificate.   All soaked with water.  Sodden, in other words.  But very clean.

He put the passports and papers on a table to dry, which they have done so.  The Dutch passport, and papers still look okay, but the Australian passport is definitely warped and wrinkled.  

A moment of panic, as it states quite clearly on the Australian passport that immersion in water may cause the electronic device in the passport to malfunction, similar to dropping a mobile phone in the water. Therefore rendering the passport null and void. A reassuring person at the Australian said that the passport should be okay.  But he did need to get another passport when he got to Australia.

And it all could have been worse.  Walter may not have found the passports for another three weeks, just before we were due to fly to Australia, and then they would have been very mouldy.   Or even worse, he may have packed the cloth bag into his luggage, and then panicked because he could not find his passports.  

Of course we hope the person at the embassy is correct, otherwise Walter could end up in immigration, featuring prominately on the Australian show,  'Nothing to Declare'.

Spring in sunny Nelson

Sunny Nelson, the place where everyone aspires to live, great weather, laid back lifestyle, good beaches, known for its art and craft, fishing, forestry and horticultural activities, and expensive houses.  

It is lovely to be here, staying with Margaret and Gordon, and getting very spoilt.

No, the house below is not Margaret and Gordon's house, a little too large and public.   But they do live near this beautiful house and park, and it is a pleasure go for a walk around there every day.

Isel House, with a beautiful display of poppies in front.

The bluebells have nearly finished.

A bright purple azalea.

Walter and Margaret posing on a bridge over a small stream.

A bright red azalea glowing brightly against the green trees.

A shadowy wooded area.

Back in Margaret and Gordon's garden, where the garden is in full Spring bloom.  A beautiful old German rose flowering profusely in the corner of the garden.

A large and very healthy succulent flowering in a sunny corner.

And a very sunny and relaxing patio, with the most comfortable lounger on it. Time for a rest, partially shaded under the roller blind, and loving the warmth and sunny weather.  My one complaint, it is difficult to see the screen on my tablet.  But I am not complaining at all.  Oh no,

it is all wonderful, and exciting.  I love spring.

An evening out

An evening out, but still back at our motel by 8 pm.  Country living, I guess.   First we went to a bar, a wine for me and a ginger beer for Walter, the only non alcoholic beer available.  Non alcohol beer appears to be non existent in New Zealand.  Furrowed brows and puzzled looks have been the responses that Walter has received so far. For me, there is plenty of choice in the red wine department.

Then off to a restaurant, which was once the post office. It was there Walter found that non alcoholic beer is beer classed as low alcohol less than 0.5% alcohol.  Semantics I guess.  Now he is a very happy man.   And I am still a very happy woman with lots of lovely good red wine available.

The food is very good, but always comes in huge quantities.  Big eaters here I think.  Tonight Walter ordered his favourite, a hamburger, a double one at that.  I ordered fish, grilled as I need to watch the waistline.  The fish was Hoki, which we quickly looked up on the internet to make sure it was not some dodgy import, and thank goodness it was an Australasian cold water fish. Quite a coarse fish though but very tasty. A large fresh and varied salad accompanied my fish, plus chips of course.  

Walter looking very happy with his double hamburger.

We walked home, in the fresh moutain air.  The birds were still twittering, and the sun was setting behind the moutains.  Very beautiful.

 Another photograph of a flowering cherry tree.  They are in abundance here.

It is very strange being back in the country of my birth.  I have not really lost my NZ accent, but at the monent I am having trouble understanding what people are saying unless they are looking at me.  The intonations and syllable separations (forgot what the correct term is) are so different.

We have also talked to quite a few people who ask where we are from.  New Zealanders are extremely friendly, and they always greet each other, even when getting in and out of the pool. So to be asked where you are from, is not an unusual request here.  But we do not know how to answer this question.  Technically we have come directly from the UK, but how does one then give a short answer to the long explanation of our complicated past.

We are loving it all though, even though we have only been here one and a half days.  It is great to be back.

I will be supporting the All Blacks at their next game, early on Sunday morning NZ time.  4 am!  Even the pubs are open too.

At heart, always a kiwi.

Rest and Relaxation - Hanmer Springs

Rest and relaxation in Hanmer Springs.  At the thermal pools.   Altogether very pleasant.

We arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, yesterday and collected our rental car, after reading the instructions about safe driving in New Zealand.   Many tourists have difficulty with driving on the left side of the road.   Mind you, we have found many New Zealanders also need to adhere to the rules, especially about cutting corners and tailgating.     But one must not start off on a negative note.

The drive to Hanmer Springs, about two hours north west of Christchurch, was relatively easy, with two stops, one for lunch and one for an ice cream.   Giant ice creams in this country.   We love the hokey, pokey ice cream (honeycomb). 

Walter took the photograph below, of the New Zealand mountains.  The views were amazing as we came over the snow covered peaks.  The Canterbury Plains, however, were covered in heavy cloud.

Hanmer Springs, a small resort set in the lower mountains, and home to thermal pools.  And no doubt plenty of thermal activity underneath the ground too, with fault lines running through the mountains.

The weather is a trifle chilly, low to mid teens I think.  After all it is mid spring.

 It is so strange to come from autumn, with leaves turning many colours and falling, to spring, with its bright green colours and spring blossom.  

Flowering cherry trees in full bloom.

We have spent many hours, yesterday and today, languishing in the many thermal pools at the resort.   So much choice in temperature and style, everything from 30 degrees to 41 degrees, to water jets, bubbles and hydrotherapy, and still warm water.  No heads under water though, due to bacteria loving the warm conditions, and the danger of it getting up people's noses.  Most of the pools do have a small amount of chlorine in them.

The three small sulphur pools, with temperatures ranging from 40 to 41 degreees, accompanied by a smell of rotting eggs.  The absolute ultimate in relaxation, although I do find I can only sit in them for 10 minutes at a time.  Very hot.

I also love the pool in the photograph below, pleasantly warm at about 36 degrees, and to sit on the concrete benches, fully submerged in water, is just bliss.

On one side of the complex there is a normal swimming pool, with water slides. An area that is a favourite with children.

There is also a restaurant and cafe, with great food.  Plus sun loungers, not in use today though.  A little too chilly.

We booked a motel on line, months ago, which has turned out to be very substandard, although the website showed quite a different angle.  Larchwood Motel.  Avoid it.

We have a narrow apartment with the bed on a mezzanine floor, and a seventies decor.  Walter is sitting on a couch with springs that have disappeared some years ago I think.

Despite the poor quality of accommodation, we are enjoying our stay in Hanmer Springs.  A great place to unwind, with beautiful scenery, warm thermal pools, delicious food and a friendly atmosphere.

Goodbye Singapore

Goodbye Singapore until we return at the end of January.   However, we nearly had an extended stay this time,  in that lovely city.  Not our intentions, and it would have messed up our travel plans, plus cost us plenty of money.

All was going well, too well really.  Then I left my handbag in the taxi.  And realised it within minutes of being dropped off outside the departures hall at Changi Airport.  My new ultra thin travel bag, bought specially because it would hold my passports easily.  So that I would always have them at hand.  Plus all the cards, bank and others.  My whole life.  Gone.

The obvious action, in hindsight would have been for Walter to ring my mobile number and the ring would have alerted the taxi driver.  But instead he dashed downstairs to arrivals in case the driver headed that way to collect more passengers.  I stood on the footpath, in case the the driver came back.

And he did, twenty nail biting minutes later.  Due to Walter trying to ring me to let me know that he had rung the taxi company, and then realised my mobile was in the handbag.  Of course the taxi driver heard it, and found my handbag on the rear floor of his taxi.  There was much shaking of hands, and profuse thank yous.  We paid him another fare, although he did not really want it.

The relief at having my handbag back was almost overwhelming.  We continued on our way to the departures counter, very shakily, I might add.  What a close call.

We had had a really lovely morning, visiting the huge Raffles shopping mall.   We walked from our hotel, through the Bugis Street market, along Victoria Street, past the Grand Pacific Hotel where we stayed a few times previously, turned left at the Chijmes complex, which was once a convent and school, until we arrived at the shopping mall.  A very pleasant thirty minute walk.

The blue and white Catholic church on Victoria Street.

The side entrance to Raffles Hotel.   Not a place that we can afford these days, not that we would want to really, too glitzy and expensive.   We frequented the hotel often in the early 1970s when the hotel was a comfortable colonial place, with overhead fans, and plenty of charm.   And not surrounded with high rise buildings either.  Beach Road was just that, a line of buildings on the other side of the road, and then the sea.  Although the government had started with its reclamation of the coast.

Downstairs in the shopping mall, there was a very comfortable area with many cafes, restaurants and small food shops.  We, of course, headed there for our morning coffee.  It was excellent.

Walter standing in front of a patisserie.  Such an assortment of delicious looking cakes.

We walked around the mall for a while, and Walter nearly bought some shirts from Marks and Spencers but realised that was a little silly,  as he had bought shirts from Marks and Spencers before we left England.   They were the same type of shirts but cheaper in England.

Robinsons.  Every time we see this shop in Singapore we immediately remind each other about the fate of the shop in Raffles Place, by Collyers Quay.  It burnt down, very quickly, one Monday morning in 1972, killing a few people who were caught in the lifts when the fire started.  Horrifying.   Of course we reckoned that the fire was started deliberately so that Raffles Place could be redeveloped, as setting fire to certain areas of Singapore appeared to be the usual method of moving people out.    Robinsons, the only English type department store in Singapore at that time, was moved to a new building in Orchard Road, which was fast becoming the shopping place in Singapore.

We walked back through Bugis Street, stopping for an ice cream for Walter and the most delicious mango smoothie for me.  The smoothie was topped with mango pieces.
And then we caught a taxi to Changi, and our adventure with the handbag began.

Little India

Yesterday we visited Little India, one of the last remaining traditional settlements in Singapore.  

Little India was behind the hotel, but first we had to cross Bukit Timah Road, and the Rochor Canal, now covered over.  Plenty of building work around, as I think that is where they are building the new metro line.  

Now I wonder how long this old building will last, on the wrong side of the tracks I think.

The entrance to Little India on Serangoon Road, a wide one way street which ran through the area.

The Deepavali (Diwali) sign above the road.   Deepavali, a five day Hindu Festival of Light, starts on the 10th November.

Little India dates back to the 1800s.   Tamil workers settled in this area, and opened up shops and restaurants.   Over time some Chinese settlers also moved into the area and opened up shops as well.

The small shops, and cluttered footpaths, plus narrow uneven walkways, were once commonplace in Singapore, but now only evident in the really old areas.  Even Chinatown has been beautified, with level bricked pavements.

A street of colourful Chinese goods for sale.

Walter walking along the uneven pavement, and keeping an eye out for any sudden drops in height.

A colourful row of shops.   I managed to find a gap in the traffic in order to take the photograph.

Now what will we have for lunch?  Goat bone, goat intestine or goat brain.   Not today, thank you.

A very large bronze idol, Ganesha, for sale, for about $12,500.

We arrived at the enormous Mustafa Shopping Centre, about six stories high, and full of merchandise.  This shopping centre is really a huge department store rather than a shopping centre.  The place appeared to have no real order to it, within each department.   Just masses of racks and racks of goods, piled this way and that.  Amazing.

After perusing the electronic accessories department, Walter bought a new lens cap for his camera and I bought two new cables plus a memory card.

By then we were feeling hot, tired, thirsty and a little hungry.  We noticed a sign which said that there was a curry restaurant on the roof.  Perfect.

And it was too, in an airconditioned dome.  Plenty of choice too.

Walter looking very happy as he waited on his food, Chicken Korma, quite different from the dishes available in the UK, spicy and not full of cream.

My dish was vegetarian, extremely hot and spicy.  And it left a great after taste, once the heat went away.  I managed to use many tissues throughout the meal.  It certainly cleared the sinuses.

A view of the surrounding area from the roof top.  Little India surrounded by high rise buildings.   The skyline is extremely hazy, due to the fires in Indonesia.   The slash and burn of native timber in order to make way for palm oil plantations.

A little part of Litle India.  Old Singapore.

And the new highrise urban buildings that seem to be getting closer and closer to Little India.

Brightly coloured apartment blocks.

Such an interesting day.