Mr Buddha's Birthday

Back in the big smoke, got my hi speed wireless internet back, 2 extra flatmates and my bug free home, I'm able to update my blog again.

Apparently, its Mr Big Man Buddha's birthday today. We were wondering why Cathedral Square was jam packed with people at 9am on a Saturday morning after we returned the rental car. As always, I had to drag everyone else out of the car and go check out what the excitement was all about.

When we got there, there were people dressed in all sorts of different national costumes, praying to Buddha...

Then there were masters/monks dress in their robes...praying to Buddha....

Then there were girls dressed up in traditional costumes....dacing and singing.....I think I was more interested in the food stalls rather than all the hoohaa that was going on around me. So I checked them all out. Being a buddist event, everything was vegetarian of course. However, I did find some interesting items of food on offer.

A 'VEGETARIAN' Beijing Duck Wrap?!?! I'd like to see a non-meat duck to believe it .....

3x Little Cakes for $2.00 :S ....... hmmmm explains a lot doesn't it

Stuffed buns anyone? I'll leave that to your imagination .....

There were also some games that were on offer if you are keen enough.......Anyone like to play with a Chinese Yoyo? Personally, I'd prefer a European one.....

The Big Move

The day has finally come for me to steal Salome and Charlie forever from the Portage. Last night we made a nice dinner at my old 'home' and pretty much just sat around and chatted with a few old friends that are ALSO moving to Christchurch in a month's time.



I woke up early this moring to the sunrise and decided to get a coffee from David (because he is the only one there that knows how to make a good one), then walked the around the resort, took time to take in the scenery and headed up Torea road to visit Torea Bay.

I also walked a bit of the Queen Charlotte Track. I was tempted to hire out a bike to do a bit of mountain biking but I figure that it's probably not a good idea seeing as I have LOTS of moving to do and also another 7 hour drive back because Salome will want to stop at every single photo stop.

The beach today was not much of a beach as it was high tide and the wind was had a slight chill in it anyway. It was nice just to walk around and enjoy the place rather than having to work at it.

I also filled up the car at the only petrol station in the Kenepuru Sounds ..NOT! .... Look at the prices!!! $1.95 for Unleaded 91 and $1.45 for Diesel.....

Now Kenny, seeing as you haven't found any spiders in while you are in NZ, I've managed to find LOTS for you. When I was walking over the sadle over to Torea Bay, there were all these white things in the prickly bushes....they looked like fluffy cotton wool stuck within some tree but if you take a closer look, you may find some nasty creppy 8 legged friend living inside them. I took a few snaps, ran away before they had the chance to jump on me.

When I got back from my few hours of self touring, I was thinking that everything should all be packed up and ready to go into the car when I arrived.....I thought wrong. After 5 years of knowing Salome, I should've known that 'HER' I'm ready to go is in fact (give me another day) and I only have 2 bags and 2 boxes is also not true. Good job we did not take Satish as well because we would've had to tie one of them up on the roof rack. The station wagon was packed to the max, leaving Charlie all squished up in the back. I also hid my CD's so well that I could not find them in the car so we all had to listen to the 6 CD's that I put in yesterday....again....

After a few clicks on the camera and a few goodbyes, we headed off to the metropolis PICTON.

Salome had to have her apple before leaving because I wasn't going to let her do her hurling and chucking business in my nice car again.

On the way to Picton, we were all wonderting why I did not hire this van instead of my nice station wagon. Perhaps next time.....

A sign for Mr and Mrs Moo Cow

"The Hills are (not so alive) .... perhaps Fräulein Maria haven't had time to sing on them and giving them the sound of music. There were lots of logging around the Marlborough Sounds area. Not very 'Green' for NZ??!?

The Interislander ferry that jouneys across the Cook Strait was just docking in Picton

We drove to Blenheim for a late lunch and then went off to search for a lotto shop in a small town, hoping to win $18 million on Saturday night and never have to work again. We ended up buying one in Kaikoura after stopping by the seal colony.

Parked across the road was another van that we wondered why we didn't hire. As jucy as it sounds, may be its because we didn't have a baby and we didn't really need a sink. (It reads 'This Jucy crib comes with everything and the kitchen sink')

Have A Magic Day

I've finally arrived at Portage and so far, no one have chased me with a knife or a gun yet. Most people are happy to see me apart from the newbies who don't know me....they just had the 'who the f**k is this person and why is he wondering around the hotel' face on with them.

Initially I was planning to leave work early and drive up so I can have the afternoon to take a bike or a kayak out to explore the place. THAT like always .... did not happen and I ended up staying at work for 2 hours extra in the end. By the time I picked up the Subi Station Wagon rental car, had breakfast and got ready, it was 09:30am (usually I'd be asleep by that time). I have prepared myself for the 5 hour drive by popping 2 No-Doz (caffine pills) and had a couple of espresso before leaving work just to make sure I don't fall asleep on the wheel. I might've had just a wee bit too much of it thus I am still rather awake with my bloodshot eyes after 26 hours of no sleep. MAD.....

The 5 hour drive also turned out to be a 7.5 hour journey as I have decided that I should take time and enjoy the things along the way this time rather than just rushing to get to the place like in the past. I had no set time that I need to be at the resort and it was a nice sunny day anyway.

So I started off looking at a few wineries just north of Christchurch in Waipara ..... Plenty on the way

For those drivers that needs reviving......hopefully not from death!

I also took a short stroll along the water front on

Kaikoura....what a perfect day

I'd hate to think what the people staying there looks like....beach whales perhaps? eeee...

Um...because I don't want to....

Now Steve, did you get your pie from this place???

A couple of giant crayfishes (lobsters) ... what Kaikoura is famous for apart from whales

Then I drove past a salt farm on the coast.....rather interesting....the lakes had all sorts of different colours....red, blue, white.....

It was time to refill the car and I was feeling slightly peckish so I got a MEAT PIE as well! Good old travelling food.

I got my meat pie, sat by the road and enjoyed the views of Marlborough

I wonder what else this 'shed' sells with a name like that .......

They are No1. What number we are?

Time to head into the magical Marlborough Sounds..... This is at Pelorus Sounds....Pretty isn't it?

The 30km of continious 1.5 lane winding road starts

One of the many gorgeous bays at Kenepuru Sounds

FINALLY.....arrived at Portage Resort Hotel

Discovered that no one is going to kill me so.... Te Mahia was cancelled :( .... I ended up staying over at the my old house that I was living in ... Free accommodation is always good.

Watched the sunset

Had a few drinks, ate an ice cream .... and now its time for bed after being awake for 30 hours @o@zzzz Crazy!

Until tomorrow.....

Portage Here I Come

Well, not really seeing as I am not staying there. We've decided to stay at Te Mahia Resort, 15 minutes down the road just for my life's sake.....I've much rather stay at a place knowing that someone will not give me the evils when I walk pass them or try to kill me for stealing two of their staff member LOL .... On the bright side, it will be good with catch up with a few old, non-murderous friends that are still there.


Work has not been overly exciting over the last 3 nights as you can see ....



The hotel is less than half full and I have not seen a soul or a fly between the hours of 12am and 4am. BOOORIIING..... I tried to draaaaag my work and not work too fast but still managed to finish up everything at 3am, leaving me 4 hours to twiddle my thumbs and try not to die of boredom.


I did get a visit by the police (AGAIN) .... tonight because someone got beaten up .... one reason why I don't go out alone at night in Christchurch .... I also had to be mean and not let a very strange man bring his cat to stay in the hotel.....WHO BRINGS A CAT TO A HOTEL!! He had to lock the cat up in his car with a container of water which I gave him in the end..... silly man! He did ask whether he could let her run loose in my office though ..... apparently she'll just go to sleep ..... errr...yea right! Knowing my luck she will poop and pee everywhere and I'll have to spend my precious time cleaning it up.


Hmm... I shall try and update this later tonight if I get internet at all. Can you believe it??? They only have dial up internet there....AND ITS NOT EVEN FULL SPEED!! One reason why I will not live in isolated places again...... I'm looking forward to driving my new rental station wagon and pretend to be a big tough macho mover man for Salome and Charlie.... They haven't realised that I will just be supervising and not touching those heavy boxes of theirs hehehe. I'm hoping to beat all the rush hour traffic after work and hopefully won't be too tired for the 5 hour drive. I'll definately be taking those nasty nasty caffine pills that apparently is equivilent to 5 Reb Bull drinks so that I don't fall asleep.... Might just have to stop at every single cafe on the way :p ... Wish me luck =)