christchurch oh chch

the long day enable us  sightseeing around  christchurch again

we went on a guided tram ride stopping at 7 stations

along the Hagley Park;  the last station is Armagh Street

the city was a mixture of modern and historic architechture

wearing all blacks complete with sunnies

we joined other tourist strolled in the city

window shopping and stopping for memorabilia

the tram was decorated with red  X'mas trimmings

we spotted one tram with Air Asia banner

my heart jolted and wished to be here again on Air Asia

along the streets were baskers showing their talents

we heard foreign languanges bargaining in the market square

it is  a  popular destination for tourists all over the world

noral is a big rugby fan,  proudly posing for 2011 rugby promotion

rugby here is unique full with tradition and their most popular sport 

even Air New Zealand invite the players to make a video

showing the airplane insructions and promote rugby at the same time

the video were witty showing young and old admiring the stars

the green areas were preserved as a garden city

At the Victoria Park we watched idyllic punting in River Avon

the weeping willow align the river bank was romantic

a nice and peaceful place for honeymooners

next to the flower bed of colourful blooms 

we enjoyed our pack sandwiches on the garden benches

while exchanging  historical views of British Empire

the statue of  Queen Victoria was the attraction here

the Kiwi treated  the royal family as their monarch

Our lodging was  the same Abalone  in Bealey Avenue

the landlord was so nice giving us two apartments though we paid for one

a gift for coming again and to counter shortcomings of  former apartment

the avenue were aligned with trees as it is part of the  Hagley Park

The atmosphere was so pleasant and healthy

nice place for nature lovers to get inspiration

The city  lies in pacific ring of fire where the tectonic plates

below the sea can slide and cause earthquakes or tsunamis

we saw the aftermath of last earthquake in September

the church  spires that toppled and still under constructions

this year (2011) alone  they were 2 more quakes

in February where rockfalls damaged  Lylleton

and the pride of the city cathedral  collapsed

and last December airports has to be evacuated 

The already frazzle city face another rattles

the nerves of the Canteburians were shattered

and some of them  flee to safer place

they are afraid that the city is tremor plague

The city is so peaceful yet unlucky

more towns to discover around Canterbury Plains

before it diminished under the volcanic belts

if not it will be like the lost city of  atlantis

bye dunny - day 6

time to say bye-bye to this cosy lodge
399B Leith Street, an apartment with 2 bedrooms.
dhuha's the cosy one and another larger room
rent by Yani who was not here but noral and I slept on her bed
under electric blankets, the nights were warm
Amin and Nuha lay parked in the lounge supplied with heater
good meals at this generous kitchen
our laundry were  complete with dryer
it was a wonderful stay, thanks to dhuha
as lovely as all the roses in her garden

we could not please every whim when travel in group
Amin was upset that we did not understand
his interests to capture more wildlife photos
one is the  royal albatross at Portobello
so we let him enjoyed the way up north
by stopping at any interesting spot
so he can gather his photo collections

i also love nature so might as well joined the fun
the panoramic view along the coastal drive
bring back all the memories of my adventure
in Cornwall with my dear sister Bibi
small town by the sea like Clacton-on-sea,
Exeter near Exmouth, St Ives, St Austell, Torquay
Newquay, Redruth ,Camborne,Truro,
Falmouth, Penzance  and The Lizard

Dhuha can't bear being alone in Dunedin so we brought her along
and showed her Moeracki Boulders caused by sea erosion
the beautiful sunrise during early morning was graceful
looking for the lighthouse somewhere in St Andrews
watch the waves washed the shores at Hampden Beach

Oamaru meaning a place of Maru after the early Maori settlers
where streets were name after rivers in England
like Thames street, the Severn, the Tyne
and the buildings are white washed limestones
Unlucky again we could not catch even a glimpse
neither little blue penguin as the smallest penguin
nor the endangered yellow- eyed penguin

Timaru a city port  and the central railway
that connect it to other eastern cities
and the buildings are made of bluestones
tragic history of the founder were engraved
beside the statue at the centre of  the park
Timaru in Maori meaning a place of shelter
is a whaling station and sheep station
Caroline Bay is an open space by the sea
where live perfomances  and carnival were held
as celebrations during boxing day till new year

we watched the clouds moving majestically
at the beach the sky was stunningly clear
this is the land of the long white clouds
as the Maori called it Aeatorua
though it was safe to swim no one was interested

rock garden by the sea was a great attraction
sand dunes were kept well with the slogan
'no dunes no plants' so we treaded on planks
arranged as boardwalks to the sea
the pingao roots grasp the sand and
the coastline was conserved from erosion

we got to move on and be in Christchurch
to go punting on Avon River
and ride the tram around the city
we munched on cookies as we were super hungry
at the end of the day we treated ourselves with Nandos
been a week and we were missing M'sian food already

day 5 - graduation,congratulation and jubilation

The day we have been waiting
nearly 10 years Nuha was away to study
umi and abah had always been praying for her success
all the hurdles had been overcome
and it's graduation day, alhamdullillah
though abah missed the special day
but he will always be proud of Nuha

Just like Hari Raya, another meaningful day
cheerfully getting Nuha  ready with her make-up
put on her new dress, specially for the ocassion
borrowed Melor's court shoes, Yani's matching shawl
loyal to her old handbag and blue puau shell pendant
so something new and blue, old and borrowed
lucks  that's going to kickstart her future
serving the patients in hospital at home

She attended the oath ceremony with peer group
then a small party with their  lecturers
so we were left with our chores
went shopping at Briscoes and Spotlight
stores for home improvements like IKEA

picked up roses from Dhuha's garden
and walla! our flower bouquet for Nuha
After lunch we met Nuha at the Dentistry Department
where the processions will start
Met a few Malaysians and congratulations were exchanged
Nuha and friends were beaming and congratulations 
were in the air, loud and proud

thanks from Nuha to
umi, abah and families for the motivation
friends and lecturers for the inspiration
friends who shares all the hardships
and become part of family who cheer up
the loneliness and  the challenging life
credit goes for her strength and determination
while doing her internship as the only Malay
learning their skills in a foreign hospital

the day was at its glorious and grandeur

the band with typical scottish kilt

lead the parade along the streets

the music from the bagpipes so nostalgic

the crowds cheered all the graduates

the families happily joined the parade 

we felt honoured as much as the graduates

the ceremony went smoothly ocassinally interrupted by the Maoris 

who performed hakka dance  when their family received the scroll

The dean's speech was welcoming 

at the same time emotional like a farewell 

All the long hours, the struggle and the tears

diminished and become history

were synonym to the life of undergraduates

At this moment Nuha cried out, recalling her ups and downs

Being honoured by the university and the presence of family

was comforting and gave solace to her sacrifices

the ocassion was a jubilation for the priceless efforts

the mayor invited everyone for tea and biscuits

was looking for Nuha amidst the people of many races

before it gets dark we have to snap graduation pose

walked back to the campus and found  the spot

that will remind Nuha of those days in Otago Uni

the scene of graduates walking in their robes

around the city that day was like a  local event

so that every citizens can join the pride of the city