West Coast

With sis and bro-in-law around (the Aussies), we decided to take them to the West Coast to see the glacier and the pancakes. Dad, G, BgMn, SmMn, C and J took 2 cars and set off to Hokitika.

Checked into the Jade Factory backpackers (good deal thanks to MF). It was shitting rain when we arrived but happily, it cleared up after we checked in, and we moved on to Franz Josef for the 1 and half hr return trek to the glaciers. It was a long walk indeed especially in the inconsistent weather and the fact that it seems so near yet so far .. all the time... The glaciers itself was erm.. ok...as expected I guess. I was more interested in the colours the moss and the 'oxidised' rocks contrasted against each other. Another 30 mins return to Peter's Pool which was quite serene.

After dinner at the Stumpers bar, we went to the glow-worm den (it is free) and enjoyed a good 15 mins there mesmorised by the glowy things. Off to bed with dad taking a whole room to himself due to his snoring. ;p

The next day saw us heading to Hokitika Gorge. We nearly decided to forego this destination but thank goodness we stuck to it. We had a great time trekking down to the gorge - we walked down this long pinewood bridge-like thing which made me feel as though I am in a bird-house. The swingbridge was so cool and the colour of the water is similar to that of Lake Tekapo's. Turquoise but somewhat chalky framed by white cliff rocks.

Pancake rocks in Punakaiki was next. Dad turned back half way through as the weather turned from fine to blastery piss. Pancakes are just pancakes to me as I have been there before, and somehow this time round, it was not as spectacular as I thought I remembered them to be.. hmm.. weather might be the factor.

We heard the chopper on our way out, as a motorist crashed himself onto a power pole and all the hoo hah...finally the roads were cleared again, and we were off once more. Stopping by at the cafe in Arthur's Pass, wondering at how come The Knobbly Kea cafe across the road (albeit being the more sunnier cafe) attracts less than 1/6 of the patrons of the cafe we were in. Business tactics? Most probably.

Saw some mischievous but slow Keas wobbling around and trying to peck on car aeriels, cell phones etc.. they have beautiful orange underwings and funny feet. No wonder they can only survive in NZ with no other predators apart from perhaps...possums?

All in all, a fantastic trip which covered what we wanted to cover. Home sweet home.

Bob the lamb and co.

'Tis the Christmas season, the slaughtering of our lambs, good Christmas bread and ham, old friend, the BBQ and the Christchurch man name Stan.

It was our first time owning lambs, and have them slaughtered by T a few days before Christmas. Dad, Boi and I helped round them up (with one actually tackled rubgy-style by Boi) and T efficiently slaughtered, gutted, hung and skinned them for us. Trust a West Coast Maori to be able to do that for us.

Then the BBQ - the weather was not fantastic as forecasted so the atmosphere was not as great. Plus, there ain't beer/cheese mussels so that took the joy away a little bit. Vowed to do this better next time. However, the gathering of the family was good and Zion enjoyed the bones.

YL was in town for the night last Sunday and boy, we haven't really seen each other for 9 years since I first came to NZ. The night was great catching up with good stories of when we were 14 and young and being school prefects etc.. I think we didn't change much which is good :) Core Assuntarians will always be loud, jovial and straight-to-the-point. These are much missed traits here in ChCh, so thanks YL for the reminder that sincere friendship still exist!

We visited Stan and chatted with him for awhile. A lively old man indeed with a strong love for his wife. Am sure many of the hundreds that has visited his home and lights really appreciated the joy Stan created.

Let us leave the presents, the West Coast trip to the next time round, eh?

In preparation for Christmas...

Featuring food from Auckland - yups, all the Asian food which most of them we can't seem to find in Christchurch PLUS the great snowy durian, first introduced to it by Yean. The soft cold durian with cream are wrapped in powdery rice flour and it just melts in the mouth. Mmmmmm...

Then the preparation, or rather trial for Christmas cookies. Dad got some nice second-hand cookie cutters from the Sunday market, and I baked away. I tried out 3 recipes and decided the first was the best. Anyway, mom and I managed to sneak in a shortbread tranny onto the baking tray and baked that poor thing which turned out yummy.

Then the cockle-picking in Dunedin turned out well. Was there right at the very middle of low tide, hence managed to rummage into the black sand for huge cockles. Thanks to DA and AB for the trip. :) At least this time, it was not as cold as when we went in May.