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The land of the long white cloud
Entry 9 of 29 | show all | print this entry |
Leaving Hai Phong, I caught the bus to Hanoi and was suprised to be told that my hotel booking had not been processed and that the hotel was full. After making it clear that I did not expect to pay extra at the other hotel in the chain, the concierge took me to another hotel around the corner, where much to their suprise I asked to see the room before paying for two nights. The room was absolutely filthy, despite the lady's repeated assurances to the contrary, so I left the woman shouting after me and went and got a taxi back to my trusty hotel on Tin Street, where I checked back into my usual room 302, with its welcoming bathtub and balcony.
Having spent some time in Hanoi meeting people and buying presents for family, I caught an early morning taxi to the airport and took off for New Zealand. There is nothing quite like flying into Christchurch airport, sandwiched as it is by the Southern Alps to the West and the Ocean to the East. Having successfully navigated the numerous immigration queues, I was greeted by my mum, step-father, brother and an abundance of ocean air. My sinuses were also attacked by a combination of humidity and pollen and I was thankful that my brother, Chris, had had the common sense to bring two inhalers with him. Outside of New Zealand, I no longer suffer from asthma, but within hours of returning to NZ, I was once again puffing on a ventolin.
One of the first days in Christchurch, Chris and I went and rented surfboards and wetsuits and went for a surf at New Brighton pier. I wasn't that keen to go out, as there was line after line of white water and little else, but beggars can't be chosers. It was impossible to get out the back, as the "back" was past the horizon, but a couple of moments of actual surfing made it all worthwhile.
Most of the holiday was spent in Waikouaiti (a small township about 40 minutes drive from Dunedin) and the surrounding areas of Warrington, Waitati, Doctor's Point, Long Beach, Purakanui, and Seacliff, the village I grew up in. It was fun wandering around the same areas we had spent our youth and was great to spend some time with my mum and grandparents whom I hadn't seen for nearly 5 years. We played a few rounds of golf, obviously just to assure grandad that he is still king, and collected cockles at Warrington at low tide. My mum, Chris, Lucy and I also drove through the Catlins (a massive nature reserve south of Dunedin), and saw waterfalls, secluded beaches with lines of perfect surf, yellow eyed penguins, seals, birds of varying colour and size, rainforests, petrified forests and bays.
My brother bought me a nice skateboard for Christmas, and a few days later was having a ride out on the path. Shocked that he was actually standing on it, having witnessed numerous previous attempts throughout my youth, I rushed outside with my camera. Just as I arrived, he spun off, sending the board across the, thankfully empty, road, and him tumbling across the grass verge. Finding it very amusing, I asked him to try the trick again. Happy to oblige, he proceeded to try the trick with me taking photos, only to find himself hurtling through the air once again. Unfortunately for him, this time he landed on his left wrist on the concrete driveway. I almost had an asthma attack laughing, not helped by him asking me to make him a cup of tea. My laughter slowly turned to mild guilt for the part I played in what turned out to be quite a nasty break and dislocation. After 8 hours at A & E, we returned home with him in a cast. A few days later I gave him some revenge when I took a tumble at the bottom of the big concrete skate bowl in Mornington. Thankfully I came away with only a bruised knee and gashed hand.
On New Years Eve I went into Dunedin and relived my youth getting drunk with my best friends in New Zealand, and laughing when one of them did me proud by throwing up two hours before midnight. Just like old times! :) I had a great time catching up with friends I hadn't seen in years, including a mate I went to school with and a girl I used to live next door to. One of my closest friends, Willy, took me, my brother and grandfather out fishing on his boat for the day off the coast of Moeraki. It was an amazing day, and a highlight of the trip. Between us we caught innumerous blue cod, two sea perch, and the catch of the day, a shark. I baited the hook for Chris, Chris caught the shark, and Willy reeled it in, as it appeared to be quite difficult for Chris, fishing as he was with one hand. Part of the time we were parked/drifting out by a large reef, which had an enticing wave breaking over it. Oh for a surfboard!! I hope Willy has put a marker out there now, as next time I go out it will be with a wetsuit and board.
I am now in Christchurch again spending time with my mum and tomorrow morning I am airport bound once more. I am flying to Vietnam via Singapore, where I have an 18 hour stop at the airport. At least if I have to spend 18 hours in an airport, there are few better than Singapore.
Happy New Year to everyone.
Latest Comments (2)
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Travel blog in NZ (reply)
Feb 18, 2008 09:50 EST by k.horton4
Hi Paul, I enjoyed your tale about the hotels and then your return to NZ, it sounded wonderfull to meet all your old friends again, give my best wishes to your Mother and grandparents tell Gordon that I'm still struggling around the golf course (just) it's a long time since we communicated with them Your description of the stay in NZ made me quite envious apart from the fishing which I am afraid I... show all
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Hi PAul! (reply)
Jan 9, 2008 05:15 EST by filomenamenna
It seems like you had fun in NZ!
This holidays I was in USA spending time working and having fun!
Now I'm back in Florence try to start all up again.....it's hard!
I send you a big hug and hear you soon!
Filomena
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