save the fling

oh i slept like a rock
end the tour having a fever
sleep from dusk till dawn
toss over till the sun was high

after 10 wonderful days in new zealand
time to fly home sweet home
leaving Nuha for another week
before she will be leaving for good as well
save the flings with your friends
you might not see them again
in New Zealand like the days you shared
oh i hate good byes

Nuha send us to Palmerston airport
small but modern
another airflight to Auckland
In Auckland we were on our own
it was drizzling when we arrived
from the domestic arrival
to the international departure
we have to face the rain and the wind
aah! Auckland called City of  Sails

Auckland, an urban environment
where everyone lives within half an hour of beuatiful beaches
hiking trails and a dozen of enchanted holiday islands
the city stretches from one side of the country to the other
from the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean
meaning you are never far from the water!

Nuha was on her way back to welly
reunited with friends for a farewell
we have to bade farewell to NZ as well
the custom checkup and waiting
and the postphoned flights
can't wait to be home

nuha's north palmy

Palmy a quiet, sleepy town. no wonder...

Nuha commute back to Wellington

for a weekend retreat with friends

The trip back is just like a therapy

to a weary and lonely intern

Luckily Nuha has a foster family here

where she came home for company

Laila's family of  5 welcome us for lunch

the customs are typical m'sians

though they have migrated from home

to start their life here amongst many immigrants

that's something challenging!

Both husband and wife are lecturers

their teenage children are Nuha's pals.

their home was decorated English style

she was keen collectors of  vantage porcelain

and they had been living in uk for years

the garden was neat and cottage-like

heard azan from nearby surau

the neighboorhood are mostly migrants from somalia

and they have islamic community here

Nuha showed us her bedsitter

next to the hospital compound

stopped at the groceries for stuff

Nuha's favorite spot is somewhere serene

can hear the chirping of birds and the rustles of leaves

the sound of water trickled alongside us

the leaping salmon brought ripples to the surface

making soothing, splashing sounds in the river

the sun shone through the leaves of dominant oak

sprinkling  light on our faces like gold dust

the park  just like my favorite in Northampton

check-in at a motel and refreshed

The last place to see was the windfarm

they call it windmill in Holland

a drive to small village in the woods

bring us uphill to a winding road

At the top we were amazed

to see 55  modern windmills along the range

to hear the turbines rotate furiously in the wind

A windfarm no wonder; its huge and many

At the lookout a stunning view

feeling on top of the world

Standing beneath one of the mighty wind turbine

the sheer size and height real amaze you

on this clear day we can see far and wide 

towards the horizon along the Ruahine ranges

day 9- Lindale farm

another glorious day

what a shame; we have to pack

last place to see; Nuha's niche

in Nuha's old Ford

leaving uptown to the cottage charm

we started the day to Weta Cave

a studio where LOTR props were designed

inspiring to know how it started from simple craft workshop 

transformed to a mega star project overnight

hobbies plus creativity can make you rich

no souveniers or snaps this time 

as everything in the studio were expensive

and camera's not allowed 

i'm not LOTR fan anyway

we enjoyed the drive down the narrow cliff road

leaving Wellington to North Palmerston

a place where she practice her internship
the rising sun warms our faces and moods

we have to stop for ice cream at Lindale farm
a popular spot  for honey and folk art
i should learn to paint the landscape
a dash of blue sky, an island and waves
another skill that can make money

spoilt for choices over honey to buy
rewarewa the flavour of honeysuckle,
nectar collected from manuka
also pohukutawa plant
nicknamed the  NZ christmas tree
for its rich flowering in December
the most recognized plant in North Island
it is amazingly adaptable to the sea drenched cliffs
in the distance is a shimmering smudge of red
as we get closer the smudge blossoms into crimson

from here we viewed Kapiti Island
a spot for nature and bird lovers
if only we have many more days to stay
we can sail on a dinghy to the island
but we have to move on along the coastline
the scenery spills over around us
in rich green flourishing tumbles of nature
the neat flat road winds through the landscape
another perfect day to travel in NZ
Kia Ora!