wilderness in Otago Peninsular

in an adventure mood we continued our drive
to watch the sunset at the Peninsular
we followed the road trail in a cliff to the highest peak
it was getting dark and windy
and the bay where penguins suppose to show up
became so cold, creepy and lonely

Noral, Dhuha and Nuha braved the wind walked down the shores
Amin and I watched from the cliff
the wind was like howling, bringing gusts of cold air
i was shivering while Amin can't even focus his camera

it's dusk and it's no time to linger
the threesome have to struggle back
fighting against the wind
i was frantic waiting
yes it's a safe country
but there's no one to track if we're lost

amin was ever ready in the car with the engine on
until everyone was inside
to drive down along the dark trail
depending on the headlights from the car
carefully he turned the narrow and steep road

all were silent in their own thoughts
i was like an old granny
spilling aloud all my fear
watching Dunedin at night is no more thrill
after reaching the gas station
they were back to normal selves

they were relieved to climb back
as the winds were pulling them to the bay
they were out of breathe and freezing
and my fear make them even scared
is Sandfly Bay a haunted place?

Luckily we didn't see any creatures
penguins, seals, albatross even whales
or they can turn out to be a monster from the sea
out of our freaky imagination

it was late but we have to stop
for groceries at the Pack n Save
we hurried side by side with the boy
on his way to close the store
and we were the last customer he send off

phew! what a day...and its only day 2
we have roast potato and chicken for supper
before we snuggled into slumberland
glad noral did not get asthma that night

3rd city Dunedin = Edinburgh in Scotland

Arrived to the smell of freshly bake

Dhuha welcomed us with tea and brownies

later we had rice with grilled tandoori chicken

food was splendid but weather was unpredictable

Better wrap up 

as we may face 4 seasons in a day

it will be horrible if it snow

with mittens, socks and bubble jacket

we were off to the botanical garden

blessed with long days

it was still bright at 5 pm

can you know the difference between

oregano, thyme, terragon or sweet marjoram?

At the herb garden we tried to figure it out

mint and basil have thick leaves like pudina

dill has yellow flowers, while rosemary bears white

all these are culinaries in our kitchen

daisy like flower is chemomille tea

purple is obviously lavender

both are popular in aromatheraphy

roses are special

there were varieties of colours and species here

grandiflora  like Arabella, Queen E2,   

floribunda like Kristin and French Lace,
hybrid type in Black Magic, St Patrick
shrub type in Ballerina
white rose call Fairy Snow
red one is My Valentine also Pride of England
Cleopatra the mauve rose
 Birthday Girl the yellow rose

sizes are large in temperate condition

colourful  lupins  are abundance

lotus and hyacinth so graceful

blue bells and violets easily spotted
hydrangea in lilac
between begonia or petunia
geranium or fuschia
i can also get confused
bulbs like daffodils or  tulips are nowhere
as they were out during spring

trail of two cities- day 2

Woke up to a new day 8th Dec 2010
dreamt of my childhood in Jerulong
the motel is nearby a road with many cars passed by
that reminded me of my grand's house
rise and shine after a warm bath

2nd City Christchurch = Cambridge, UK
Most  names of the road were familiar
Oxford Tce, Cambridge Tce, Worcester, Gloucester, Hereford....
The city enjoys the reputation as the most English of the NZ cities
I like its gracious parks and the tree-lined Avon River
first place to check is I-site at the Church Square
in front the popular cathedral that was damage during the earthquake

In Cambridge there's River Cam that flows through the city
and punting is popular in summer
also green city with several parks and nature walk within the city ring road.
Here in Chch it has all these plus commercial and historic buildings
and trams for comfortable sightseeing in cold weather
Sun is out but the wind is cold that we have to buy woolen gloves

The people are friendly and loves art
At the amphitheater in the square
children were playing musical instruments
the locals playing the giant chess
There are many art galleries,museums and theatre

we were hunting for paua shells for souveniers
Nora bought pendants and bracelet for her daughters
have passion for rings, i bought severals and a bangle to match
amin even buy a bracelet for the special girl.
enough shopping, still a long way to drive today

we drove south stopping by at
Salmon World in Rakaia for coffee and choc
Strawberry farm at Ashburton for sundae ice cream
by pass Temuka small town by the sea
small towns reminded me of Northampton,UK
where we go fruit picking  in the country
then caught and grilled  fresh trouts from River Nene

Along the way the landscape was flat land,
the panoramic moors with rolling hills
acres and acres of sheep and cow farm
windbreakers align  to slow down the strong gales
across the farm from the sea
amazed how farmers manage such prairies
automatic sprinkles are common sight
our car even got splashed along the meadows

frequent stops by to snap small cottages with blooms in the garden
also lavender farm and white herbs at certain spots
its such a beautiful countryside with colourful flowers
like kaleidoscope of my memories in England

Amin drove along the way but he complained
as he missed the chance to snap photo
A long stop at  Moeracki Boulders
stunned by the spherical boulders align the shores
with no mountain nearby, how come it's here
discarded the coats we enjoyed the sunshine
getting warmer in spite of going south
probably the warmth from the tides

Amin is unseparable to his camera
favorite pose-  feeding the tame red eyed seagulls
Nuha took the wheels and Amin went snap,snap,snap
took an early turn and lost somewhere in Pinehills Street
finally arrived in Dunedin  just around the corner
after more than 24 hours we just need a proper meal

trail of two cities- day 1

6th Dec 2010
Embarked on a journey to New Zealand-the new land full of zeals (or zests)
It was a trip back to memory lane after 26 years,
my first child born in UK will be graduating in New Zealand.
A trip to rejoice with her compared to the memorable trip home in 1984.
Nuha was just a month and I'm home for good with a degree, hubby and baby
a package of 3-in-1 for my beloved family but it was worthwhile.

No fun going for an adventure alone. Along came
my elder sister, Nora who loves travelling
and my second child, Amin who loves photography
so the group is complete;
a hostess, a travel guide, a photographer and a reporter.
Dear hubby had work commitments so he missed all the fun.

1st City Auckland = London
Touch down was a relief after 10 hours flight.
Looking forward to re-unite with Nuha
but the immigration was slow and pettish
anything organic is banned, even packed butter from MAS!
Luckily we were through without penalties.
Snapped photo, refreshed and performed prayers
Ironically the airport provide a secluded corner for Muslim.

Auckland is a modern airport but small compared to KLIA.
KLIA is more like Heathrow London.
It is not the capital but metropolitan like London
Similar to London because its the biggest city in NZ
Not so popular with historic building but many outdoor attractions.
The islands are paradise for the tourists.

Domestic flight is separated in another building
so we have to walk- a nice briskly walk in fresh NZ air
can feel the soft breeze on my face and made me puffed a bit
a nice early summer welcoming us
manage to sit for a quickie picnic, basking in the sun,
munching wholemeal sandwiches that Nuha prepared.

Another check- in that was srictly commercial
only one luggage though small per ticket
you have to pay for extra luggage or food
fly with Jetstar  equals to Air Asia
Nuha's picnic thermobag was carried as hand luggage
and all the cutleries have to be sorted out and not allowed onboard

Arrived in Christchurch after an hour flight
enough of three airports in a day
It was getting chilly outside
we were picked up by taxi rental courtesy Apex
Rent a blue Toyota Vios and check-in at Avalone Motel
an apartment with two bedrooms

we were cold and famished
took sometimes to heat the room
we have bread with spaghetti sauce for dinner
watched final episode cooking program NZ style
3 of us tucked ourselves warm and cosy in each bed
with lots of gossip to catch up with Nuha
Amin on his own dozed off in another room
Shh! we all slept like a log

lazy days

december...it's here again, reminding of another year coming to the end.
it has been work,work,work all the while...
finally submitted my yearly report, then plan for 2012 programme
not so fast...i need a break!

another oversea trip? oh no...got to save for Nuha's  wedding
why not plan a cuti-cuti Malaysia to Kulim
kill two birds with one stone; holiday and visiting family
Now got to persuade dear hubby to join our breakaway

my promise to write travel log on last year trip
yet to be done.. need ample time
need to go somewhere quiet and serene
relax at home can be peaceful

if the workload is kept away in the chest, just for december
unwind the stress and ready for a refreshing and lively new year.
i want spa like treatment, just pamper myself
after a hard challenging year

gift

WHAT'S YOUR BEST GIFT?

Turning 50,
I  was rewarded as my BIG family come together again,
after five of my children was away in college,
for the last few years- miss them dearly.
Our Eidul Fitri celebration is complete.

Nuha is back for good after six years in Wellington.
Amin graduated in 2008, remain loyal at home since then.Got a job in I-city.
Nadia graduated recently, got a job and commute to Sunway Pyramid.
Nasuha was home for whole Ramadhan, she missed last 3 Ramadhan at home.
Solihin studies in Sabak Bernam and manage to come home fortnightly.
Bie and Akim are my best chums who shares my day.

Though my dear hubbybie has to commute to Seremban,
our syukur and gratitude for the REZEKI from Allah.
Behold, what better gift for the coming years...

parents' day

29th June, its my parents' anniversary. my nieces was in KB so got the chance to celebrate with their grands. They're blessed with a harmonious marriage, 20 doting children ( anak 10, menantu10)  and batches of grandchildren. What a happy family.

I don't quite agree why they promote mother's day or father's day separately. They are 2 souls that can't be separated or discrimate. We love them both  ; their anniversary as the parents' day is a good day to rejoice.

Never mind late than never, these are dedicated to them.

Ayah seorang yang berwawasan. Paling bertuah rasanya bila ayah hantar kita adik beradik ke sekolah Inggeris. Masa tu ayah dah nampak English boleh membawa kita meneroka ilmu. Ayah sangat minat Ilmu Alam. Semasa tahun 60an ayah dah tahu segenap bandar2 didunia melalui atlas yang jadi rujukannya. Aspirasinya juga membuat  Che Ngah, Ateh, Achik dan Che Rah mencari ilmu ke negara maju. Masihku ingat semasa menerima surat tawaran melanjut pelajaran ke Nene College Northampton, ayah cepat2 keluarkan  atlasnya dan segala kerisauan Che Ngah hilang kerana ayah memberi aura positif. Semasa menandatangani perjanjian ayah dah pesan. "Ingat Aini ini adalah impian yang mu pilih,  jangan menyesal di kemudian hari." Che Ngah tak pernah menyesal pergi belajar jauh beribu batu, balik jadi guru biasa sahaja kerana itulah azam yamg telah disemat. Memang jiwa Che Ngah sesuai jadi guru. Sesungguhnya sesuatu tindakan itu bila direstui oleh ibu bapa, kejayaan sudah ada bersama kita. Wawasan ayah menjadikan kami adik beradik berjaya dalam pelajaran dan mempunyai personaliti yang positif. Semasa kecil , ayah adalah satu figure yang kita gerun. Kalau dia tidur jangan buat bising. hingga dia terjaga. Dia nampak tegas tetapi membimbing dengan bijaksana. Dia tidak pernah beri muka pada kita semua kerana fikiran dia begitu risau untuk membentuk 9 anak perempuan supaya boleh menandingi lelaki yang lebih menonjol pada zaman 70an. Untuk menaruh harapan pada Syam masa tu pun masih kecil. Jadi kami (mama, che ngah dan ateh) disemai supaya berani ke depan dan memberi contoh kepada adik2.

Ayah tidaklah begitu warak pada masa itu tapi pembesaran kami seimbang dengan didikan agama daripada wo(nenek)dan Chek sendiri. Chek adalah satu karakter yang sangat pemurah dan penyabar. Dengan arwah wo, chek selalu kena marah sebab lambat mengurus anak2 tapi chek tak pernah menjawab atau merajuk. Dia redha di atas semua  teguran wo dan belajar mendidik anak2 dengan kesabaran. Memang letih badan nak membesarkan kita 10 orang tapi che kuat berdoa dan kejayaan kita pun adalah dari doa yang tidak putus. Seingat Che Ngah chek tak pernah mengeluarkan maki hamun pada anak2 sebab itulah hidup kita berkat. Dia tidak pernah memperkecilkan kebolehan anak2. Chek adalah seorang yang mempunyai jiwa bersedekah. Dalam diam dia banyak membantu anak muridnya yang susah dengan membeli buku atau pensel supaya mereka belajar. Baginya pelajaran saja yang boleh mengubah ekonomi keluarga. Dia sanggup membantu orang lain dalam kesusahan. Dia pernah berpesan" muka kita mesti sentiasa senyum, walaupun dalam kesusahan."

Itulah sedikit coretan mengenai ayah dan chek yang sepatutny dikalungkan ibu bapa mithali.