Our first day in Bangkok we were pretty weary. We met up with Eiam and Peter at our hotel for breakfast and enjoyed scrambled eggs and toast with a stiff brew of coffee. After much discussion, we decided to take a taxi to the markets where (wait for it) Colin was measured up for a suit for the wedding. He (we) chose a nice cashmere fabric and shirt which we will pick up when we arrive back in Bangkok in a few weeks time.

I had the choice of shopping with Lee, Lorraine and Eiam or going to the computer shop. Hard choice… but the computer shop won. I was so overshelmed by the centre I bought nothing! After lunch, we returned to our rooms on a ‘Tok Tok’ which is similar to an amusement ride at Luna Park. For just a few small dollars we were able to spin through the polluted traffic with the greatest of ease.

After freshening up at the room, which took quite a bit of effort as we had to be careful what we wore, we took a more civilised taxi accross to the Oriental hotel. The code of dress here was complex as we had already sent most of our luggage away to Tha Phon, where Peter and Eiam live. My taxi had Peter, Bruce and Lorraine and myself in it. We arrived to the beautiful hotel, managed to pass the scrutiny of the doorman and sat looking at the exquisite cakes and decor while we waited for the other group. After over an hour of this, the other group ‘spilled into the room with stories of getting lost and having to walk for several 100 kilometres.

It was then discovered that high tea (which is what we came for) was now over. We decided to catch a water taxi along the river. At this stage I discovered I had no SD card in my camera so had to resort to photographing with the ‘Hipstamatic’ app on my iphone.

Our next stop was home again and the groups in the taxis were the same as before. My group won the Amazing race yet again and arrived considerably earlier than the less skilled one.

The most difficult part of that day was having our ‘foot massage’ (calves and thighs with added shoulders and kneck) for an hour. Apart from the sound of Colin squeeling everytime they hit a sore spot in his feet, the experience was more than pleasant!!

The day finished off at a restaurant, where we dined outside in the cool air sipping Thai beer.

I don’t recall going to sleep or being asleep but I’m sure I did!

Our trip from Queenscliff to Christchurch was a relatively uneventful 6 hour drive through small towns and beautiful scenery. A stop at ‘Fairlie’ produced many quips:
It was a ‘Fairlie nice town’
It had a ‘Fairlie nice bakery with Fairlie nice meat pies’
and so on…
In actual fact, Dad announced that the pie was in his top 5 pies and that is really saying something!
Colin and Dad have travelled NZ sampling meat pies, vanilla slice (custard squares in NZ language) and chocolate icecreams. Dad has hunted high and low for Charcoal chicken and is seriously hoping to open his own business in the future, introducing NZ to the novelty.

We arrived at Christchurch feeling pretty weary but went out expoloring the city nonetheless.
The next day was met with an early start as we had pre-booked a much anticipated train journey from Christchurch to Greymouth. Dad being a train lover, was really looking forward to the trip and after getting up early and following the instructions of the hotel staff in the wrong direction, we arrived at the station. Our arrival was met with some disappointment as there had been a train derailment and we were told we could only go part way and would have to take a coach for the remainder.

The train journey lived up to expectation, with spectacular scenery and a great commentary on the way. I hung out in the open carriage for quite a while and got wind swept and bruised ribs from leaning on the bar trying to steady myself while taking photos. Dad, of course, was in his element and Col wore a path to the buffet cart. Dad discovered several railways for sale, as well as very cheap accommodation out in the middle of nowhere. If they had charcoal chicken he would definitely move there.

The coach section of the journey was fine… on the way THERE… but our return journey was most uncomfortable. We were travelling on an old school bus with poor suspension  and no air con. Dad almost passed out from the heat and had to move from his seat. We were glad to get back on the train after that! The journey finished at 6.30pm. Col and I purchased burgers for dinner (good healthy stuff) and fell into bed after 2 very hectic days.

We had decided for our last day, that we would try to find the seaside in Christchurch. While asking directions at reception upon checkout, we were also informed that there was a tsunami warning for NZ. Colin was not to be put off and it was decided that we would still go. Both of the blokes were making jokes about it. As per usual, the directions were vague and incorrect but Tomtom did his usual good job of getting us there without getting flustered or frustrated with us. We arrived at ‘New Brighton’ beach to observe the surfers out on the waves, parents taking small children onto the sand to play and TV film crew waiting to film themselves being swept away by the big one. All this and the lifesaving crew warning people to get off the beach and blocking the pier so no-one could get on.
We observed the goings on from afar, keeping a close eye on the sea and planning how far we could run if we saw a big wave coming. We escaped within an inch of our lives, dry, unharmed and unruffled. Whew!

We drove from here straight to the airport (I am typing this on the plane) ready for our first class (not) journey with ‘Jet’. What a contrast from Emirites, who we travelled with on our journey to NZ. Still… it seems to be getting us there unscathed and that’s what counts. After surviving a Tsunami, we can cope with anything.

Travelling with Dad was such a joy. We have been thrilled to share the joy of such a beautiful country and great experiences with such a special person. I know it has been tiring for him at times and our little quirks have worn thin but it really was a pleaurable experience which we will never forget. We love you Dad!

Once, there was a black cardigan. It had travelled Europe, Egypt and much of Melbourne. It reached New Zealand with trepidation. Would it live up to expectations and be warm and fashionable in a spectacular country such as this?

Today, it was warm and sunny, but it accompanied Jenny on her journey with Colin and Doug, toArrowtown where it saw a Chinese village and a quaint township from it’s view slung over Jenny’s bag. After experiencing stunning views and witnessing shocking ‘Shotover’ jetboats’ zooming through a canyon… it continued on to Glenorchy.

It was stunned to see the view along the windy roads on the way. When it reached the township, it found a long wooden pier which ended along the steamy lake, surrounded by huge snow capped mountains. The wind was blowing so hard that people could barely walk and the cardigan met it’s fate (drum roll here).

Whilst Jenny was being careless and taking photos, the Weary Black Cardigan flew in the air and landed with a plop in the lake. The three people looked with dispair but no-one, including Colin, was prepared to swim out to retrieve it. It floated elegantly on the surface until it was out of sight. Last seen, heading to a new owner in a far away land.

More pics from today on this link…

On our first day in Queenstown we walked into town and looked around the shops and gorgeous scenery. It reminded us of the French Alps very much, with it’s stone and wood shops and French steeples on the churches. To celebrate the similarity we bought a fresh French baguette and ate it for lunch. Hmmmm. We told Dad it was a bread roll so he didn’t get too much of a culture shock. Shhhhh!

In the afternoon we braved the gondola up the mountain to the most spectacular views you could ever imagine. Colin managed the heights without any squirmishness or panic. Is he cured?

The lake seemed an unatural colour and the mountains were just magnificant. It’s a struggle not to sound repetitive but the views are just overwhelming. Dad and I are filling our SD cards and running out of camera batteries regularly.

Unfortunately, when we arrived back at the unit we got some bad news. Colins friend, Dave, who he has been mates with for almost 40 years (he was best man at his wedding and he was groomsman at ours) committed suicide last week. This has been quite sobering for us, particularly for Colin, understandably.

We have decided to stay in NZ and pay his family and kids a visit when we return. Our thoughts and prayers are with Connie and the family.

What can I say… he is out of control.