In Napier...

I keep getting introduced to many people: relatives, friends... While in Napier during past weekend we had morning tea at the family's friends where I had a chance to get on a BMW motorcycle (1,100cc) and go around the neighbourhood (as a passenger ^^). It made me remember my bike in Korea of mere 125cc.. oh~~ Anyways, again this friends' house had a good view on the hills and sea on horizon.
After that we visited great uncle Arthur and aunty Margaret. Aunty Margaret, still a Londoner (as she likes to refer to herself) after over 60 years spent in New Zealand, is such a great story teller, full of fun, wit and that sense of humor that so many people lack, at her full 91. And uncle Arthur, a year junior, is a great cook (he made these really delicious cookies). She says that what keeps her that way is the double jin at 5 pm every day. And the day we met wasn't an exception. I kept her company and we had 4 double jins between the two of us... ha~ I promised to buy her a good bottle of jin (need not to forget this). The relationships between young and old are so diffirent over here in comparison with Korea and even Uzbekistan, so much more relaxed and casual. It really feels that the age plays no role and matters nothing. You could have any conversation and laugh at many things together. It's great.



Garry gives me a ride on his "beemer" around the block.







On the patio of Garry's house.






We stayed a night at this real mega million dollars farm (family friends) in Napier. The original house was 100 years old and got completely burnt about 10 years ago, so, they've rebuilt it almost the same as it was. On the farm they've got breeding horses, cows, sheep, deers and lots and lots of land.


This is the view on the house and surrounding valley from the hill.



House from the front. (Can you see Katy there with Ivanka?)






View on the house from behind.






On the hill next to the house.









This is where they shear sheep twice a year. And it smells like Tashkent Zoo....







Three different views from the hill.








Katy's grandpa and Bernice.









At great uncle Arthur (grandpa's brother) and aunty Margaret.

From Wellington to Napier

So, past Friday we took a bus from Wellington to Napier (see the map to find out where it is). The bus ride went well. Napier is a very windy small town along the coastline. We checked in into the backpackers' hotel in a double room for N$55. The bathroom and showers are shared, with the room in a kind of Spartan style but still quite adequate for the amount spent. After we arrived, we went to the Aquarium (of course I couldn't miss it), where we saw Kiwis (the birds ones not the people or fruits :)), and they actually were moving. See, most people who has seen Kiwi birds saw them sleeping, so, even Katy was surprised that they were walking around, eating, drinking water.. Very cute creatures. Unfortunately, I couldn't take pictures of them as it was very dark in there (they are nocturnal), and of course you couldn't use flash as it would scare the hell out of them.

Anyways, below some more pictures from Wellington and Napier. (Again no particular order ^^)



Feeding time at the Aquarium in Napier.






Funny looking fish, forgot their name. It moves on the ocean floor using its wiskers, which look like tiny legs.








Mind people behind me (they just wouldn't move for ages). This was a giant squid. Not the best looking thing out there..





Ocean in Napier is very rough because of the strong wind. Every year several people get washed away by sudden wave.





Wellington: Te Papa museum building.







Katy's brother Andrew with his girlfriend Marina minutes before we had to take off for the bus station. We stayed there for a week and didn't take any picture.




Wouldn't you like to have a plate like this one? (On the way to the bus station in Wellington)

A skeleton of the sperm whale (I think) in Te Papa museum.

Next to the stuffed Giant Albatros in Te Papa museum.

Kids in Wellington having a swim.

This view is so "ordinary" in Wellington that....

even some parking lots have it.. (Us in someone's parking lot).

Photos 2 (Wellington)

Finally, New Zealand's broadband allowed me to post some pictures. Never mind that it took me 1 hour and a half.. duh~



Went for a walk in the evening along the Oriental bay. Again, it's amazing how clean the water is, considering such proximity of the city, major cargo port, and just people.






And a few minutes later it was dark.

That fountain is using water from the sea.

Some of the old houses, which look very nice, but have one big disadvantage in my opinion: they are very cold.

Katy and her brother Andrew are talking to the Shaolin monks at Te Papa museum 10th anniversary. When asked what they become after graduating from Shaolin, they humbly said "We become stars!" haha~ literally...

This cute kid was also at the Te Papa museum with his father. Unfortunately when I took his photo, he almost chocked on something his father was feeding him with.

In the botanical garden. Don't these trees look exactly like in one of the scenes of the Lord of the rings?. (Of course I had to mention this movie at least ones, haha~)

A view on Wellington from the botanical garden.

Watch out! "Asian" is driving....

People who look Asian (FYI British call them (us) "oriental", because to them Asians would be Indians and Pakistanis I was told) have this reputation in New Zealand for being notoriously bad drivers. Now, I'm sure many Koreans would disagree with that, but this "reputation" would still be there, so, it really doesn't matter what the "Asians" in question think about it. Anyways, I think now I know why Kiwis think that way.
Yesterday Katy and I took Katy's brother car and drove around running some chores and just sightseeing. Because Katy hasn't driven for a while and was a bit nervous getting behind the wheel I offered to drive. Now, during my last visit 2 years ago I did drive a little bit here in New Zealand out in the mountains near Hooka falls (see picture in the previous post), so I wasn't nervous or anything like that at all. And we got to our destination safe and sound only with a few hickups on the way. The reason would be... yes.. damn right hand drive. So, yes, I did have windshield wipers accidentally just going nuts in front of me on a good sunny day when I just meant to turn on blinkers, and I did drove a couple of times on the wrong side of the road, thank God there were no cars, and yeah... I did have Katy say in a high-pitched tone a couple of times, "you're too close to the side..." Anyways, that was only for an hour or two, I think normally one would get used to driving on the other side within 3 days tops. And I think I did already...

Wellington, a city of about 300,000 people reminds me somewhat of Seoul, not because of the buildings or anything, but because it looks kind of chaotic (like Seoul) and it is very hilly. Half the city seem to sit on the side of the mountains with great views. Even some parking spots have a view to kill for. On our first day we went to the 10th anniversary of the Te Papa museum to see some free performances; we saw Shaolin monks martial art performance, Indian drum called tabala if I remember correctly, some transgender Indonesian dance performance with comic elements. It was interesting to watch not because it was particularly a lot of fun, but just because I haven't been into all this cultural stuff for so many years while living in Seoul, that it felt kind of refreshing to do it and pretend that I can appreciate it.
It's very surprising for me to see that the sea water in Wellington is so clean even within the city that we actually saw a sting ray coming very close to the shore in the city, so that we could see him lying on the bottom just 50cm away from us. Nature+City?.. Not kind of concept I got used to living in Seoul.

Photos 1

The photos below are posted without any consideration of the occurence order. I tried to put them in order as I took them but it was really hard to do, so I just gave up..

For those who didn't know, yesterday (Feb.14th) I got my first tattoo in a modern native maori design. We did this in Rotorua in the shop called Globus. The Globus is run by the cool couple Kelly and Elton. These guys travelled and lived in many countries and have been the proud owners of their shop in the central Rotorua for over 6 years. Elton free drawed the ornament on my shoulder and upper arm taking a few glances in between on the copy of the ornament that I actually liked. So, the kind of design I have is one and only in the world, made especially for me. haha~~ For those interested, I wouldn't say that the process itself is painless, because there're needles involved without any anestesia, so, figure on your own. But it's quite bearable, I must say. Even Katy's mom wanted to have one, she said, but she chickened out at the last moment. While we were choosing and looking at the designs, all sorts of people were coming in and making appointments. Older, younger, hippy looking and guys almost wearing suits. You would never ever see this kind of diverse crowd in Korea. Here everyone does think it is a kind of art.



Now all done we're just having last bits of fun together before I go and pay... Katy's mom said that "these things are addictive", and while by the time Elton was done with shadowing the last bits of my tattoo, I was really glad it was over (it took about 2 hours), looking in the mirror later, I did thought, hmm... now my left arm looks kind of bare... So, maybe I should get an arm band on my left arm.. haha~~



This picture was taken on the way from Rotorua to Wellington by bus, which we took today. Now we're in Wellington visiting Katy's brother Andrew, his partner Marina (from Brazil) and a few friends. I think on Monday we also will go to the Thai embassy and will apply for a visa for me. This waterfall is called "Hooka Falls" and it was absolutely beautiful.



On the way to Wellington we passed by so many scenic places, but I was either too late to pull out my camera or I was asleep. This one is just a shot of the ocean from the bus.







At Katy's brother's place where we're going to be staying till next Friday. Finally, I have access to broadband, which is such and ordinary thing in Korea, but not as much here in New Zealand.

Note my cool tattoo.. haha~ It's still healing, so, I have to apply some antiseptic cream on it.




Okay, this picture should've been up there with other tattoo shots, but anyways, here Elton is drawing a design on my arm. I'm all smiling here because I don't know what kind of pain it will be later, especially when he gets to punch my skin with 3 needles on my collar bone... Still I'm liking it.. ^^

And you can check out his artwork on his website http://www.globusgallery.co.nz


This is the backyard of Katy's parents house in Rotorua. Ivanka now is the Queen of that house. It was so good to see her and the fact that she still remembered us after all these months.. It's just priceless...





First family gathering with uncles, aunts, nephews, neices, etc..

Bus stop in Rotorua. Arrived around 8 o'clock at night, and streets were almost deserted. Just a few couples-tourists taking pictures... Waiting for a pick-up.

VACATION, VACATION...

Today is exactly 1 week since I am officially unemployed, but it feels like a month or even more, maybe because I've been in 3 countries since, traveled thousands of miles, ate all sorts of foods and met about 25 new people. And I'm so not getting tired of repeating how liberating it is and just plain nice to be free of work and worries about the money... Oh well, I guess I will be worrying about the money by the end of this year...

Anyways, after staying a couple of days in Auckland and taking care of some business matters there on Monday, we took a bus and arrived in Rotorua yesterday night. Rotorua is about 3 hours south from Auckland and is famous for having lots and lots of thermal waters and geizers and boiling mud of all sorts. That's why when you approach the city you notice that stinky sulphur smell in the air all around, which after a while you get accustomed to. Rotorua is also where Katy's parents live and where we will be staying our most of the time in New Zealand. I will later put up some pictures I took, when we get the broadband connection, because right now they're using dial up and you know how painful it is. So, now I'm sitting in the internet cafe, but hopefully tomorrow we will get broadband so, then I will uploac some pictures.

Today was very lazy day, as probably will be many more other days.. haha~ Okay, I guess I'll try to write something more interesting later. I'm sort of bummed at the moment and even a cup of espresso is not helping out a lot...

REUNITED AT LAST...

After about 30 hours all in all I finally made it to Auckland, safe and sound. Unlike last time nobody was suspicious of my weird passport, although in Singapore the lady at the boarding point did called me aside and looked at my passport with the UV lighter and a magnifying lens, asking why I am going to New Zealand. At that point I got kind of annoyed, but then I guess she was just doing her job. So, I let it go.. ha~ how kind of me...
Once in Auckland, I had a really nice Maori lady asked me a few questions and just let me in. Not that I wasn't qualified to get it, but you know with the Uzbeki passport... I think I would get all suspicious and ask lots of questions if I was in their shoes. Anyways, finally I met with Katy and her parents and Ivanka.. and Yes... she did remember me. It was so cute...

There's nothing like it to wake up in the morning because of the sunlight and birds singing outside, and smell of that early morning freshness and chilliness at the same time
with your dog that came to check up on you, with no worries about work haha~... Moments of happiness indeed...
After that you have a drive to the beach, walking by the shore and enjoying cool breeze, going out to the cafe to have espresso, come home, have a nap and later in the evening have an entire family to gather for dinner..

Off to bed now...

IN THE SPIRIT OF BACKPACKING

After staying for almost 2 weeks at the friends' house, (Thanks! Chad and Grace~)I finally had enough of consiousness to leave the house around 1 pm and get on the road.

As usual I've been thinking to get on the limousine airport bus (a comfortable ride), but then realized that this is actually the beginning of our travel without any income forseeable for this year, so, I've decided to get on the subway and go to the airport. The bags start feeling kind of heavy after 15 minutes carrying. But I'm glad they do, as I'm guessing they will serve as a substitute for my workout. Now 1 hour and a half later I made it here. And saved about $5, which is not much you might think, but on this journey it might mean a good meal for us somewhere on the beach....

Right in the subway station at the Incheon airport there's the Samsung lounge, which provides you with the free internet, fax service, all kinds of battery charge. Since I was the only one in it, the girls were kind enough to offer me a cup of tea. Which I gladly accepted. I'm seeing myself from now on accepting anything free that is out there for grabs and not be ashamed of it. ha~

I feel so at home being like this.. oh.. freedom and hapiness.. If anyone from my work reads that, don't be over jealous. Life is tough... hahaha~ (for you!)

THE LAST DAY.

A few hours left... Got up early today, despite the fact that I could sleep in as much as I wanted because... I could... Maybe I'm anxious... ha~ Did last packing today, so, currently I've got just 2 bags. One - the camera bag with my prized possessions worth, let's say a few million (Korean won of course). Two - all the other stuff, which is not much really. Flight to Singapore will take about 6 hours. Then I have to wait about 7 hours and take another flight to Auckland, which will last about 9 hours. So, by the time I arrive in Auckland it will be Friday midnight, and Katy, her parents and our (their now) dog Ivanka, will be waiting for me..

Can't wait...

P.S. The thing I'm debating now is whether I should buy kimchi and kim or not. I'm sure Katy will appreciate that, but the New Zealand authorities probably won't.. hmm...

The first post.

This is my second blog. The first blog I started when I got introduced to this whole blogging phenomena 4 years back by a friend of mine. I've never considered myself being a good and which is more important a witty writer, especially in my second language. If I'm to judge my writing it is very jumpy at best: from the point A to the point B and then back to the A... So, you might get bored and confused reading my ramblings. In this case you know what you have to do. No hard feelings on my side. (YOU WISH! HA~)

One day left in Korea for me. Actually a bit more than that, but I tend to dramatize things sometimes, so deal with it. Tomorrow will officially wrap up my roughly 10 years in this country (who counts anyways?). If you're interested, I don't regret coming in here and spending a third of my life here, in fact I'm thankful to this country and its people for all of the good things and opportunities that I've had, for meeting my wife, who is the best things ever happened to me (I must've done something good in my past life to deserve all of this... :) ).
Just to state it once and for all this last time, FRIENDS at work and otherwise are what I will cherish and always be thankful to Korea for. You realize how humble I'm trying to be here, not mentioning my ultimate charm and magnetism to which people around me are drawn... :)

As it always the case with the first posts, one never knows what really to write about (well, at least I don't), because really, the purpose of the first blog is to give one this sort of inspiration or something to keep it up throughout the entire trip or period of time we intend to blog for, while trying to keep it not only interesting and engaging, but also hopefully useful. The second reason for me is to just to test its looks.

After searching numerous travel blog websites, I've decided to stop here mainly because it has a very simple and clean layout.
Yesterday was my last day at work. And must I say... it feels GOOD to be free... That nagging idea in the back of your head that "being free also means being moneyless" (in my case), have subsided, so, right at this moment I feel good. Unexpectedly (well sort of), I got lots of presents especially from the girls. It was very touching. I always had this thing with the girls, which allowed me to be close with them. With the guys it is a bit different, but then I don't really care so...

Alright by now you must realize what I meant when I said that my writing is jumpy.. haha~ I also think that I should stop here because it's 2:30 am and I've just got nothing else to say...
So, those of you who enjoyed the first post... wait for more, as they will keep coming...