tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-132436522024-03-08T13:51:01.606+13:00New Zealand at last!The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-19564628911674069312013-06-16T15:26:00.001+12:002013-06-16T15:29:58.194+12:00Why can't kids fail?Ashwini brought back her test results over the weekend. I saw that and I thought of how my test results were. Mine was really simple. You either scored, passed or failed. And when you actually wrote rubbish, you failed. There is such a thing as failure and none of us wanted that. When I brought my results back home, and if there was a "F" in there, in red, I better get prepared for some really good smacking (actually smacking was far from good). Thankfully, there weren't many of those in my time.<br />
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But kids in New Zealand have four types of grading - "Developing", "Achieved", "Merit" or "Excellence". And Anil's college has a similar four scale result but the "Developing" is replaced by "Not Achieved". How weird is that? Why can't you fail? What does "Developing" actually mean? Isn't "Not Achieved" simply a fail? Why is it so difficult to say that you have failed?<br />
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We had that debate here once before and parents felt that saying a child has failed is not good for his or her morale and the use of "Developing" and "Not Achieved" is far less harmful. Parents need to face up to the fact that people WILL fail in life. There are no two ways about it. If they don't know what failure is like when they are a child, how would they be able to accept failure when they grow up? We need to prepare kids to face the real world out there. A world that has no mercy and will tell it like it is - no sugar coating.The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-25765397341309427642013-06-15T17:35:00.001+12:002013-06-16T15:05:47.635+12:00Has it been 3 years?I can't believe it has been three years since I wrote my last post on this blog. It just dawned on me how much has changed since then. For my children, both Anil and Ashwini have now gone to college. When I mean gone they have actually left the house. How strange it was when they left and the house suddenly felt so quiet. We always said the kids were noisy but when they have left is when you realise the noise was actually music. Anil still has about three and a half years of school left and wants to be a soldier when he grows up. Ashwini still has over four years of schooling and is not sure if she wants to be an interior designer, a chef or a lawyer.<br />
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As for Vera, the kids leaving have given her the time she deserves for herself. She has given all of her time minding the kids and not to mention the dog and now she finally has some time for herself. She has decided to go back to school and finish what she has always wanted.<br />
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I had a lot going on. I met with a serious accident about two years ago that left me in a wheel chair for awhile. With the help of doctors and physiotherapists, I managed to walk again. I am still recovering and doctors tell me I still have a few more years to go before fully recovering (fingers crossed). My dad passed away also two years ago. Although my dad and I were not really close, we had a bond. He has been the greatest dad anyone can have. I have learnt a lot from him and hope one day, my son will feel the same about me.<br />
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While I was writing this, I thought about the value of time. I wanted this blog to be a record of our lives and that our kids can share with their kids, so on and so forth. But I have lost three years of our lives. No matter what I did or much money I had, I could never get it back. Interestingly, I have this little card on my desk at work that reads something like this "There are only 24 hours a day in everyone's lives. It doesn't matter if you are the King or a beggar. So make the most of it while you can". Probably not those exact words.The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-1940351359134180202010-03-13T20:34:00.002+13:002010-03-13T20:40:03.913+13:00Seaweek 2010Anil and I went to Evan's Bay this morning to do our bit for the environment and did some beach clean up. While we were there, we had some fun as well.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=P3130021.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/P3130021.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=P3130028.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/P3130028.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=P3130031.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/P3130031.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The biggest mussel we ever saw!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=P3130032.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/P3130032.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The end result after everyone brought in their bags back. Among the rubbish there were shopping trolleys, chairs, tents, tyres, bottles of wine both opened and unopened and batteries.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=P3130061.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/P3130061.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=P3130041.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/P3130041.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=P3130040.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/P3130040.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />While we were cleaning up the beach, others were having fun on the water.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=IMG_3501.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/IMG_3501.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/?action=view¤t=IMG_3499.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Seaweek/IMG_3499.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-24197744212345603382010-02-28T17:26:00.002+13:002010-02-28T17:32:38.327+13:00My first attempt and cheap macroI was always intrigued by how people take pictures of insects so close and so wanted to give it a try. A decent macro lens will set you back by at least $600 so wanted to try using a cheaper option. This was buying a cheap prime lens and an adapter so that I can mount it in reverse. All for less than $50.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=DSC02627.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/DSC02627.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here are some of the experiments. Still a long way to go to get pin sharp insects at close up.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3438-Edit.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/IMG_3438-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3389.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/IMG_3389.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3409-Edit.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/IMG_3409-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3401.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/IMG_3401.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And here are some insects.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3430-Edit.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/IMG_3430-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3483-Edit.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/IMG_3483-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/?action=view¤t=IMG_3487.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Macro%20Blog/IMG_3487.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-84109252178732640782010-02-24T16:28:00.000+13:002010-02-24T16:28:00.866+13:00Growing up changes your lifeWhen you are 8 years old or 11 years old (like my children), every birthday is a big one. You are keen or shall I say eager to tell the whole world that you are now one year older, and hopefully also, one year wiser. When you are approaching midlife like me, birthdays tend to take on a different feel to it. As much as I still enjoy being treated to a nice dinner, I prefer it to be a low key family affair. I realised this year that low key was not quite possible, thanks to Facebook alerts.<br /><br />I remember an ad on TV sometime back about how we look forward to birthdays when we are young and then it tapers off when we reach our midlife years, then it springs back again as you age. I suppose when your age is a single digit, you look forward to the next one. It could mean moving from a junior year to a senior year, or that you have grown an extra 3 inches or even the mere fact that your shoe size has increased. Moving from 12 to 13 is a major milestone I guess. My son is so looking forward to that big 13 as he can then officially call himself a teenager. Then comes moving to college which is a rather significant step for him. Another year after that means independence - you can now legally stay home alone and don’t need a babysitter. After that each year has privileges of some sort like being eligible to drive, drink alcohol, date, work, vote and the list goes on. <br /><br />When you reach your twenties, I guess this sense of “growing” tends to get a little fuzzy. How different is 24 from 23 or 28 from 27? I once remembered being stopped by a pedestrian asking for directions, who referred to me as “uncle”. I immediately went home and looked in the mirror. The only image that stared right back at me was a balding one, which was no comfort. It’s scary to note that the pop group I grew up with is now categorised under “oldies”. Songs my kids listen to these days are noise to me. As I grow older, I tend to try very hard to hold on to the earlier age as long as I possibly can. So, one day before I turned 40, I still declared that I was still very much 39. My son on the other hand who has another 9 months to go before he officially turns 12 has conveniently declared to everyone that he is now 12.<br /><br />As I grew older, I was very conscious of how everyone else seemed to look younger. When I look at someone’s birth date now and see that they were born in the 80's or the 90’s, I cannot help but feel ancient. In my 40’s I went to see a doctor and felt nervous because he looked like a kid because he was in his 20’s. My first reaction was “Do I trust this kid with my life?” I fly regularly and each time I fly I cannot help wondering how young the pilots are now. We somehow relate age in experience to age in years and it only gets more pronounced as you grow older.<br /><br />My wife and I often explain to our kids what childhood was like for us but it is difficult for them to grasp what it might have been like for us. I know my parents have tried very hard to explain how difficult life was for them which I often found hard to appreciate, let alone picture in my mind. Likewise, my son cannot imagine life without the TV or the computer, can’t see why we still need to stick a stamp on a letter when it can be sent with a click of a button. <br /><br />For me at least, it feels like I am on this tightrope suspended in midair. On one side are the needs of my ageing parents as they hang on to me tighter as they approach their golden years. On the other side are my children who push me away wanting their freedom and independence. <br /><br />This is as good an age as any to reflect on how much has changed between the three generations and yet how we are so interlinked. This is as good a time as any to be grateful that I have parents who still depend on me and children who still remember my birthday and take the trouble to make it special for me. And in between all this, a wife that ensures I don’t fall off the tightrope. What more can I ask for?The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-81198124224632791162010-01-19T08:01:00.003+13:002010-01-19T08:28:08.466+13:00Asia leads the way again!For years while we were living in Malaysia, the sight of Chinese women wearing sun sleeves to cover their arms while driving were pretty common. When we got here to New Zealand, we hardly saw anyone wearing them.<br /><br />This morning I heard over the radio, the Cancer Society urging people to wear gloves or other protective clothing to prevent melanoma (skin cancer). How bizzare, the windscreen which was proven at one stage to prevent UV rays from getting into your car and onto your skin, is now a myth.<br /><br />While the Chinese women in Malaysia and other parts of Asia predominantly want to preserve their fair skin from getting a tan (at least that is what I think), people in New Zealand will be doing the same, probably with some style, to prevent getting skin cancer.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=sun_sleeve-2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/sun_sleeve-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />So, some business opportunity seems to lurk for those who want to make some money in this new and up coming trend. There are obviously more business opportunities out there. As time passes, someone will come up with more myths that were once facts.The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-36507298819038074902010-01-14T14:28:00.002+13:002010-01-14T14:50:25.659+13:00Men's Guide to Ironing ShirtsSaw this "3 Wise Men" ad on Air New Zealand's inflight magazine and thought it was funny.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=Ironing.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Ironing.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The scanned image is really small so I will re-write the steps involved.<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 1</u></strong><br />If the shirt has buttons, unbutton them. If it has beads, sequins or anything metallic, throw it away. Same if it has rope ties. You are not a pirate anymore.<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 2</u></strong><br />Lay down flat on an ironing board, chest facing up. Sorry that should have read; Lay shirt down flat on an ironing board, chest facing up.<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 3</u></strong><br />Start with the collar. If you only iron one part of your shirt, make it your collar. Just remember to keep you jacket on all day if you do.<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 4</u></strong><br />Place one shoulder over the narrow end of the ironing board and iron the top of the back of the shirt. Repeat with the other shoulder. This can be quite tricky so turn off the telly, take your toast out of your mouth, stop checking the facebook, put on some undies and concentrate.<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 5</u></strong><br />Iron the sleeves from the top down, before opening the cuffs and ironing them flat. Try and get your cuffs so sharp that if you happened to be attacked by a man walking down the street, you could slice his throat with them if you had to. And yes we've seen that happen.<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 6</u></strong><br />Slip the shirt over the wide end of the board and iron the back. Here you can either iron with the back-and-forward method or the wax-on-wax-off circular method depending on whether or not you liked "The Karate Kid".<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 7</u></strong><br />Iron the front of the shirt, one half at a time. Don't get distracted by local body politicians, Mormons or Girl Guides selling chocolate Girl Guide biscuits at the door because you're almost there.<br /><br /><strong><u>Step 8</u></strong><br />You're done! Now place on a hanger. If the shirt still looks like your Grandmother's neck, give your mum a call to say you're popping over with a little something for her.<br /><br />Hope all you blokes out there are now able to iron your shirts well. If you still can't go look at the yellow pages and find 3 Wise Men. They are in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Sydney. And no, I am not being paid to do this. Have fun.The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-57928216030794180082010-01-10T12:35:00.004+13:002010-01-10T14:22:02.518+13:0015 days and 5kg heavierIt was rather strange going back to Malaysia as a foreigner like we did. <br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=PC250417.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/PC250417.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After a gruesome 10 hour flight on Malaysia Airlines, I swore never to ever fly MAS again. The service on this particular flight was terrible to say the least. To begin with the food was horrible. We were served Malaysian food on a Malaysian airline but was nothing like what it was supposed to taste like. Next, two toilets on a 777 were closed off because the crew decided to use two of the toilets as rubbish bins. Lastly, the crew could not even speak decent English, given that a majority of Malaysians spoke decent English, albeit with a Malaysian accent. What an image that would portray to foreigners!<br /><br />Despite the gruelling 10 hours, Ashwini was still all hyped up as the games and movies on board were excellent.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=PC250420-Edit.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/PC250420-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> <br /><br />First and foremost, food! We were spoilt for choice. Two weeks was definitely not enough as there were more variety than we had room for in our stomach.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=PC270036.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/PC270036.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=PC270033.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/PC270033.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=PC270032.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/PC270032.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1070027.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1070027.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />All this only goes well with a tall glass of teh tarik.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=PC260019.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/PC260019.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />... or a cup of kopi tarik kau kau kurang manis.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1070022.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1070022.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />One for the road... we just had to have banana leaf rice with all the frills and eaten with fingers...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1060007.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1060007.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Although Anil's version of eating with fingers was not quite what I had in mind.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1060017.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1060017.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Ashwini decided to use a fork and a spoon, so that she can enjoy her meal.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1060015.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1060015.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />My all time favourite drink which I have yet to find in New Zealand.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1040034.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1040034.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Malaysian roads were fantastic but the problem with Malaysia was the drivers. No one seems to follow road signs, that is when you were able to find signs. A 2 lane street immediately became 4 lanes when speed fell to 40kmph. And when it fell to below 10kmph, you could not recognise a lane, as it was free for all.<br /><br />I was wondering which part of "No parking" that this particular driver did not understand.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1020046.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1020046.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We were trying to find our way to KLCC, a major landmark in KL where the Petronas Twin Towers were located. Signs were visible from quite a distance from the city. However, as we approached the towers closer to the city, the signs were contradicting. One said take a right turn so I kept right but 50m before the actual turn, it said take a left. Then all signs for KLCC suddenly vanished only to reappear after we missed the towers. There were sign boards erected but a nice looking lamp post planted right in front of it. Then some smart Alec planted a tree right in front of the lamp post, making the sign way up front totally not visible.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=IMG_2972.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/IMG_2972.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We were Malaysians and had trouble finding our way around. Imagine what a foreigner would feel like driving in KL. At one point, I thought finding my way in Bangkok was a lot easier!<br /><br />When we approached the towers, it was totally worth the trip, despite getting lost a few times. The imposing towers were fantastic, especially at night. Despite living in Malaysia in the past, we never made it this close to the towers nor have I taken photos of the towers. Father and son had to lie down on the road to get a good shot.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1050059.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1050059.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=IMG_2901.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/IMG_2901.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=IMG_2960.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/IMG_2960.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=IMG_2966.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/IMG_2966.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I soon realised that it was not only the signboards on the streets that were confusing. On our way back to New Zealand, I spotted this odd sign inside KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) where passengers were directed to the MAS Golden Lounge. Guess where it was placed and where it was pointing to? The men's toilet!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1070043.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1070043.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After 15 days in KL and 5 extra kilogram on me, not to mention the bags that was on the brink of being charged for excess baggage, we said farewell to KL.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/?action=view¤t=P1080047.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/2009%20Malaysia/P1080047.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-67952895536179697712009-12-13T08:40:00.010+13:002009-12-13T09:52:38.641+13:00The Magical Christmas TreeIt is difficult to experience Christmas lights in a place like New Zealand where the sun sets at 9pm in December and doesn't get dark till perhaps 10pm. But that didn't stop the many people who came to see the beautiful lights at Frank Kitts Park here in Wellington where Telecom put up this huge tree filled with a myriad of lights of various colours. At the base of the tree were 4 phone booths where you can call Santa direct and place your wish list with his Sleigh Bells Answering Service.<br /><br />You can see more of this at www.telecomtree.co.nz<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2764.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2764.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2766.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2766.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2770.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2770.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2774.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2774.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2775.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2775.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2776.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2776.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2780.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2780.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2781.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2781.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2786.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2786.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2787.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2787.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2792.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2792.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2799.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2799.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2801.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2801.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2803.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2803.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2806.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2806.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2810.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2810.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/?action=view¤t=IMG_2818.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Tree%20Lights/IMG_2818.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-11299896570801369092009-12-05T19:49:00.002+13:002009-12-05T20:04:03.264+13:00Great Barrier IslandGreat Barrier Island is less than an hour from New Zealand's biggest city, Auckland. But when you get there it is a different world altogether. I went there for work last week and the journey there just blew me away and when I got there, I just couldn't believe that this was so near to civilisation.<br /><br />The island had a population of about 700 people and has no reticulated electricity. So you need to have your own generator for your power. The island is sparsely populated and DOC manages close to 70% of the island.<br /><br />Getting there was half the fun. The plane I took from Auckland was an 8 seater which I shared with a dog, several crates of food and chilly bins filled with frozen meat. Reminds me of the small aircraft I took flying to the interiors of Sarawak in Malaysia. There was nothing between Auckland and the Island but the aircraft had no life jackets and nothing on the safety booklets that talked about water landing. On the way there we saw several pods of dolphins on the water and even a whale. That was how low we were flying.<br /><br />I stayed at one of DOC's lodges and just outside my balcony, there were heaps of native birds that one would have to search for elsewhere. They were every where to extent after the 2nd day I stopped taking photos of them. There were Tui, Kereru, Banded Rail, Kingfishers, Oyster Catchers, Brown Teals and many more I could not identify.<br /><br />Here is the plane that took us there and brought us back in one piece.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2731.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2731.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Inflight magazine. Which other airlines will give you this???<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2741.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2741.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />DOC Ranger showing some of the work we do with the Brown Teal.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2726.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2726.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Banded Rail right outside my back door.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2583.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2583.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A pair of Oyster Catchers and their chicks.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2654.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2654.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Kereru or the New Zealand Wood Pigeon.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2668.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2668.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2706.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2706.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Kingfisher with a worm in his mouth.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2669.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2669.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A Brown Teal crossing my path to the river.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2679.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2679.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />If you get a chance get to the Great Barrier Island. It is absolutely beautiful and well worth the visit. Perfect get away to just get away from it all!The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-46684162287868794642009-11-28T07:43:00.002+13:002009-11-28T08:05:30.492+13:00Auckland and its outer islandsOne of the two last trips for the year took me to Auckland and its outer islands. Aucklanders are one lucky lot with so many beautiful islands just an hour or two away from the main land. Main land? Actually Auckland is on the North Island.<br /><br />The week I was there, the weather was not too far from Wellington - windy. I tried taking this shot from North Head but the wind was so strong I could not take a night shot as the camera even on a sturdy tripod was vibrating violently.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2482.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2482.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As the sun started to set, the sky became a painter's canvas.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2510.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2510.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2512.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2512.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This was from the other side of North Head.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2521.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2521.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The next day, I went out to Rangitoto Island, a volcano just a short distance from populated Auckland.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02510.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02510.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The island is made up of volcanic rocks and main vegetation are Pohutukawa trees. Pohutukawas are also known as the New Zealand Christmas Tree, as it blooms around Christmas time. The view from the top of Rangitoto is absolutely fantastic.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02528.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02528.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02531.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02531.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02521.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02521.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Then we crossed over to Motutapu Island where DOC is doing a lot of work getting rid of pests, one of which was the hedgehog. Getting from Rangitoto to Motutapu, I crossed the world's shortest bridge over the Pacific Ocean!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02571.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02571.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02573.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02573.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This is the view of Rangitoto from Motutapu.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02558.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02558.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The dog trained to sniff out the most elusive hedgehog on the island.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02551.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02551.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Pohutukawa flowers just starting to bloom. It will quite a sight when the whole island is red!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2546.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2546.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2547.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2547.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />One of the island's many inhabitants.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2531.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2531.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Next week I am heading to The Great Barrier Island. And am looking forward to arriving on a grass stripped air field.The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-60929791903278900842009-10-15T17:16:00.002+13:002009-10-15T18:06:13.270+13:00Sydney sightsI was in Sydney for a couple of days this week. After my last meeting I had a couple of hours before my flight back home. So I went on a shooting spree with my camera. <br /><br />The hotel I was staying for the night was right across Darling Harbour and I had a room facing the harbour. The night was clear and the view from my room was stunning!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=Untitled_HDR2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Untitled_HDR2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The next morning was just as glorious with hardly any clouds in the sky. Lunch was approaching and I visited a restaurant highly recommended by a Malaysian living in Sydney. But then I passed by so many other food outlets until I couldn't decide where to go. I then ended up having lunch at an Indonesian food store and topped it up with a glass of "Teh Tarik" at Mamak.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2258.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2258.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2340.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2340.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />After all that food, I needed to walk a little before catching a cab to the airport.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2253.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2253.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2254.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2254.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2333.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2333.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2338.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2338.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2272.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2272.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2282.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2282.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2301.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2301.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />As I was coming back there was a street show and this guy performing made all sorts of weird faces, one of which was...<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_2308.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_2308.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-38673721436298139572009-10-04T11:27:00.003+13:002009-10-04T11:31:53.863+13:00The White House in AucklandAs I was walking along Queen St in Auckland, I came across a sign that said that the White House was just a few hundred meters away. And the sign looked pretty legitimate as well!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zu7Xx3111C9z4F0HzF0aWjfnvyUxDbvYuAV1W96D8etgiKoMXfyN1ctZzGDnspxqkIY1prhMvRDie7jSMsEGzZ0k7t5qSrwuMPjw_NUyatIAXhz0y7ePdkdqwGFq8-c3vg/s1600-h/P9230044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Zu7Xx3111C9z4F0HzF0aWjfnvyUxDbvYuAV1W96D8etgiKoMXfyN1ctZzGDnspxqkIY1prhMvRDie7jSMsEGzZ0k7t5qSrwuMPjw_NUyatIAXhz0y7ePdkdqwGFq8-c3vg/s320/P9230044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388504438637333586" /></a><br />Was I dissapointed that this was only an entertainment centre and not Obama's holiday bach here in New Zealand.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eOOjAVmL_-4hQwfWYEw165S5cpw8xrnqFPOnuyDuAsMG-kM2hoiOYo9AjIF40UmCTHDtg7SmpyPlDbh_hrQm-RxBtSph9dqrDlHX4buGvWYthhkEFy8sA96Tt7gKKdFfbg/s1600-h/P9230042.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eOOjAVmL_-4hQwfWYEw165S5cpw8xrnqFPOnuyDuAsMG-kM2hoiOYo9AjIF40UmCTHDtg7SmpyPlDbh_hrQm-RxBtSph9dqrDlHX4buGvWYthhkEFy8sA96Tt7gKKdFfbg/s320/P9230042.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388504939238046466" /></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-44411041852096690712009-07-28T20:44:00.002+12:002009-07-28T20:55:22.859+12:00My trip to the Far NorthI wonder why they call the northen end of the country, the Far North and the southern end of the country as the Deep South?<br /><br />After having visited the southern tip of New Zealand, I now had the opportunity to visit the other end of the country, Cape Reinga. This is not quite the northen tip but the most northern tip accessible. The North Cape which is 3 km further north from Cape Reinga is a reserve where public has no access to.<br /><br />On the way, up to Cape Reinga we took the 90 mile beach which is apparently about 90 km but hey, who's to argue. There was a 100km/h speed limit on the beach which is also part of the highway. Cars can drive on the beach during low tide although some did not quite make it. You see parts of vehicle buried deep in the sand, despite the warning.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=IMG_2008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/IMG_2008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />A bus which was trying to cross almost in the nick of time. The driver had to go in to check the depth of the water before the bus could cross.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=P7271439.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/P7271439.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Parts of the beach where there are sand dunes are massive. People, mostly tourists, use these dunes to sand board, like snow boarding, only this is on sand.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=P7271442w.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/P7271442w.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And finally the Cape! <br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=P7271461p.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/P7271461p.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />According to Maori legend, the tree right at the bottom of this cliff is where the spirits leave this world.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=P7271493p.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/P7271493p.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=P7271483p.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/P7271483p.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />I made it to the tip!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=P7271496p.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/P7271496p.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/?action=view¤t=P7271490p.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Far%20North/P7271490p.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-71582629322727191732009-07-22T20:20:00.002+12:002009-07-22T20:24:52.841+12:00SunsetBrilliant colours in the sky as the sun started to set this evening right in front of our house!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMTuvjQLsaoVKXs9kwOv2EtfDnXCIfFgrk37YY_UhBvHhNSsyCxZUbQhMATW1ZmNgiuz0fH48iNgbV4AMe8Le2wZuC6eltnLErSMx3oz7Eywzr4AN_HV1M7kjXaOELdvnFw/s1600-h/IMG_0704_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMTuvjQLsaoVKXs9kwOv2EtfDnXCIfFgrk37YY_UhBvHhNSsyCxZUbQhMATW1ZmNgiuz0fH48iNgbV4AMe8Le2wZuC6eltnLErSMx3oz7Eywzr4AN_HV1M7kjXaOELdvnFw/s320/IMG_0704_edited-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361196952632814098" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnCRgR4QcS1DmIsSQayS_bRh3wJTNEjtQo8_ARJfBu07Q1B8KCKS8W6dOnYyr-YgGhGPuOyrNGgSyL8Eyuugp3eiv5vZr0SFcKDOJQKzo5nN7N6bESojkLZMC6gaLvpMU5Q/s1600-h/IMG_0703_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnCRgR4QcS1DmIsSQayS_bRh3wJTNEjtQo8_ARJfBu07Q1B8KCKS8W6dOnYyr-YgGhGPuOyrNGgSyL8Eyuugp3eiv5vZr0SFcKDOJQKzo5nN7N6bESojkLZMC6gaLvpMU5Q/s320/IMG_0703_edited-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361196949111318946" /></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-27537767156273975252009-05-31T21:05:00.002+12:002009-05-31T21:14:18.171+12:00AfricaI recently went to South Africa for a conference and after the conference had the opportunity to visit some of the most amazing landscapes and wildlife the African continent had to offer.<br /><br />My journey started from Johannesburg to the world famous Kruger National Park. We spent 2 nights at Kruger doing a night safari and a whole day safari at the park itself. We saw 4 of the big 5 famed animals and a host of other animals and birdlife at the park. The journey then took me across to Botswana into the Chobe National Park. Another amazing park with heaps of wildlife along the Chobe River. Finally crossing Botswana into Zambia to the awesome, breathtaking Victoria Falls, a World Heritage Site.<br /><br />Here are some of the thousands of photos I took. Instead of uploading to many sites, I have added some here but the bulk of it is in my Facebook album. Link on the sidebar.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2836.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2836.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2791.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2791.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2841.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2841.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2856.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2856.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2882.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2882.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2903.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2903.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2926.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2926.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2928.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2928.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2961.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2961.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_2963.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_2963.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_3008.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_3008.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_3057a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_3057a.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_3079.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_3079.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_3138.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_3138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=IMG_3187.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/IMG_3187.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=P5191193.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/P5191193.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/?action=view¤t=P5191208.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Africa/P5191208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-20735379227009793522009-03-15T15:19:00.003+13:002009-03-15T15:40:51.185+13:00Ellerslie International Flower ShowI had a morning to kill while I was in Christchurch so I decided to take in the much talked about Ellerslie International Flower Show. After spending a few years in Auckland, this is the first time the flower show made it to Christchurch. What a success it turned out to be. The first 2 days brought in over 10,000 visitors a day. This was despite the gloomy and cold weather. From a cold 6c it warmed up to a nice 18c which was great for me.<br /><br />Due to thw show, much of the roads around Hagley Park was off bounds to cars and some parts of the city was closed to parking. Right underneath the sign that clearly said "Keep Clear", I saw these two bikes nicely parked and locked! I wonder how they will be towed away.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=bike.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/bike.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />With the warm weather and a clear day, the crowd was even bigger. By 10am when the gates were open, queues were at least 500m long and growing. After getting into the grounds, the queues were no shorter. While most of the exibits were outdoors, some were indoors and the queues were pretty darn long. The wearable arts exibition had fixed times and I was there at 10am but was apparently queueing for the 3pm show!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=queue.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/queue.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />However, another queue was shorter, althought it still meant a wait of about 30 minutes. This was an indoor exhibition that won a gold award replicating an underwater garden. Truly amazing!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=flower_indoor.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/flower_indoor.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Among the many outdoor exibitions, this attracted a huge crowd. I found out why, when I was nearer.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=flower1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/flower1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Of course, like any other show, you have loads of free samples to sample. I brought with me a few fruits for lunch but with the amount of food given away, my fruits were safely left in my backpack.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=show1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/show1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=show2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/show2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-88269486681928031482009-03-09T19:34:00.000+13:002009-03-09T19:34:27.628+13:00Seaweek 2009Last week was Seaweek. We were supposed to go on a boat to Kapiti Island to experience the Marine Reserve. While the sun shone and the sky was clear, there was a fair amount of wind - which caused the sea to be pretty choppy. And the boat ride called off.<br /><br />Since we were all out to go to sea, we decided to see what else there was. A short Google showed some other interesting things including a kids snorkeling experience in Island Bay. So we headed out to Island Bay and our two brand spanking new snorkelers had an experience of a lifetime.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=AKG1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/AKG1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=AKG2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/AKG2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=ARG1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/ARG1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=ARKG1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/ARKG1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=ARKG2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/ARKG2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />Here are some of the marine creatures they got to see. These are just 50 meters from the shore at Island Bay.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=FlatStarFish.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/FlatStarFish.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=Kina.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Kina.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=SnakeStarFish.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/SnakeStarFish.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=Starfish.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Starfish.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-71177758510009154802009-02-21T20:46:00.002+13:002009-02-21T20:53:47.281+13:00Cuba CarnivalWe went down to Wellington for the Cuba Carnival today and it reminded me of life back in Asia where you see people everywhere!<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_036_P2210630.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_036_P2210630.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />There were over 1,000 Harley Davidsons of all shapes, sizes and colour. Some even brought in from across the Tasman for this event.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_011_P2210605.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_011_P2210605.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_009_P2210603.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_009_P2210603.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_007_P2210601.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_007_P2210601.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />While the bikers took a break, there were bands playing in all corners.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_004_P2210598.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_004_P2210598.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />We took a walk down Cubal Street where the height of all the foot action was and it was a mad house! <br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_032_P2210626.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_032_P2210626.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />When you put all of Wellington and a cruise ship together, this is what you get.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_035_P2210629.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_035_P2210629.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And this reminded me so much of "Petaling Street" with all that flags tied across the street.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_038_P2210632.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_038_P2210632.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />To get the best view of all these three people had the best seat of all - away from the maddening crowd below.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=20090221_040_P2210634.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/20090221_040_P2210634.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-89660025145855229682009-02-15T11:22:00.004+13:002009-02-15T11:48:31.746+13:00Humid NorthlandAs the name suggests, it is the north of the North Island of New Zealand. While it is probably close to east of Central Queensland, the weather felt like closer to Malaysia or Singapore. It was hot and humid. Thankfully the hotel I was staying in had air conditioning but you can feel the heat just blowing into your face as you open the door. My walk to the office in the early morning which took 15 minutes had my clothes soaked in sweat. Quite unlike Wellington.
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<br />While I was in Northland, I got a call from my colleague up there that a Kiwi just hatched and if I wanted to see it. Why would I miss an opportunity like that? So I went along to witness the arrival of an endangered New Zealand native bird. It was still wet from the sack yolk but still an amazing little creature to watch.
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<br />A day after it hatched, it was all ready to be "processed" and sent off to the wild. A protected island off Whangarei where there are no predators. It was like a baby being delivered. I followed the ranger to pick up the chick from the bird recovery centre and he was flooded by phone calls from the press and local tribes. Had ceremonies lined up to be named. I was surprised to hear that we have records of who his parents were, where they came from and their complete history. With a microchip implanted, we can track exactly where they are in the forest as well.
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<br />And I certainly could not pass an opportunity to hold one.
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<br />I also had the opportunity to visit a bird sanctuary near Ocean Beach. It is beautiful part of Whangarei where surfers flock to catch the waves. Being so close to Auckland (2 hours drive) with its 1.5 million population, I was surprised to see how deserted the beaches were. Especially on the day I was there when the temperatures soared to 32C. Then again, that's how New Zealand beaches are, in general.
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<br />I can't name these birds except for the black one standing on a rock below is an Oyster Catcher. But I can assure you they are all native birds.
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<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=P2120565.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/P2120565.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
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<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=P2120566.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/P2120566.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-17438984895387315632009-02-08T00:44:00.001+13:002009-02-08T00:50:31.450+13:00My trip to HaastThe year 2009 looks like a year of travels for me. As far as work is concerned, I have travels scheduled across the country at least once a month and in some cases, more than once a month. I will be heading off to South Africa middle of the year, then there is the trip to the Pacific Islands and Australia after that. If all goes according to plan, might even be heading back to Malaysia later in the year.<br /><br />As soon as we came back from our holidays in the South Island, I was off to Tauranga for a field visit. From one end of the country, I went to the other end, Haast. Not exactly the end but it is literally almost at the end of the road as far as the West Coast of the South Island is concerned.<br /><br />I was taken aback when I arrived at Haast, a township with a population of under 300 people and not so many sheep either. The town has no cell phone coverage, so if your car broke down in the middle of the road you will not be able to call AA for help. The town is not on the main power grid so electricity is at best as good as it gets. There are several backpackers and campsites but one hotel, one restaurant and bar, one minimarket, one petrol station and that’s it! No banks, no ATM machines. A stroll down the minimarket aisles, I found no fresh vegetable or meat. So I asked a local how do you get fresh produce. The answer was rather simple – either grow it, hunt it or trade it.<br /><br />One evening I went down to the beach and found myself sitting all alone for hours. Not a soul for miles and miles either way. You could literally be washed out to sea or fall dead and no one would have noticed. This is the perfect place to run away to. There is no cell phone coverage, newspapers arrive after lunch, there is only one radio station and sometimes you can hardly even tune into it. If you can't wind down here, there is no where else you could do it.<br /><br />Despite the isolation or perhaps due to the isolation, the environment is pristine. The landscape is stunning. Nature at its best. There is a sanctuary a few kilometres south of Haast and if you wait patiently and don’t mind the constant stinging of the sandflies, you are bound to see at least several native birds. Take a drive down to Jackson Bay, where the road suddenly comes to an abrupt end, you are more than likely to catch a glimpse of the Crested Penguins that call this part of the country home.<br /><br />Here are some photos I took while in Haast.<br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_1964.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_1964.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=DSC_0547.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/DSC_0547.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_1945.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_1945.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_1967.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_1967.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2082.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2082.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_1986.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_1986.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=DSC_0358.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/DSC_0358.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=DSC_0405.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/DSC_0405.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=DSC_0497.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/DSC_0497.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=DSC_0352.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/DSC_0352.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_1983.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_1983.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_1995.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_1995.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2118.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2118.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2099.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2099.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2124.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2124.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2138.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2138.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2163.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2163.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/?action=view¤t=IMG_2164.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/Haast/IMG_2164.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />This is just the beginning. There are still many parts of the country I have yet to see and am looking forward to seeing.<br /><br />I am off to Northland on Monday.The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-33196277321589599582009-02-07T12:43:00.018+13:002009-02-07T15:26:45.917+13:00Fruits of my labourNot only fruits but also vegetables of my labour. The vege garden is growing well although the birds are also having a feast out of it.<br /><br />This is our black grapes. Only one just turning black and we only manage to get three vines. It is only the first season and hoping more will fruit next season.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqXFP9Fl2JqOBSwaSWnKeLzUO5RQUef5-OzQoeLK3UyrDcJ5xHnjNHZJSz8D3PZ7dH1c11ZN9pVftpj5vLT_Oy56CEWkv62pyJ8uTHwBXG-J5S-pacEqcpY2v8Ga9j5fRcg/s1600-h/DPP_0001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqXFP9Fl2JqOBSwaSWnKeLzUO5RQUef5-OzQoeLK3UyrDcJ5xHnjNHZJSz8D3PZ7dH1c11ZN9pVftpj5vLT_Oy56CEWkv62pyJ8uTHwBXG-J5S-pacEqcpY2v8Ga9j5fRcg/s320/DPP_0001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299835094409331154" /></a><br /><br />Then there is the lemon tree which is growing all the time but the fruits taking forever.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDpzb2jwfqNZm5Y1n_NQyw-AUTNVxmqwhKdS_4SW5tc4en3riE05VZvMOXec2nvouJ4xjnkQu1pzyxLWDoMszlddXWKG68yT6viGz_m3rCapHFL781_psZDmcyI5XytCzJA/s1600-h/DPP_0002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDpzb2jwfqNZm5Y1n_NQyw-AUTNVxmqwhKdS_4SW5tc4en3riE05VZvMOXec2nvouJ4xjnkQu1pzyxLWDoMszlddXWKG68yT6viGz_m3rCapHFL781_psZDmcyI5XytCzJA/s320/DPP_0002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299835419999496034" /></a><br /><br />The mandarin oranges never survived the Wellington wind. We had lots of flowers but with every wind they went flying. Now all we have are leaves and we can only hope for better luck next time.<br /><br />The blueberries started flowering but a branch broke off due to the wind and now its recuperating. Hopefully it survives.<br /><br />The apples had a lot of flower at the begining of spring and everytime the wind blew, some of the flowers would drop off. Thankfully some survived.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmfG6SOLEoKd1mBTvrW9NbqBoE0q2I69Z_pI8pq2Zhk9alf38G9-d0qxCeo0P65Ui4EmmUmc7NTLn-PGP6yvDOn9yS5cuzo071fLoaW9ex337MiA6Vy9dEKi1TWpAWmK3pw/s1600-h/DPP_0005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmfG6SOLEoKd1mBTvrW9NbqBoE0q2I69Z_pI8pq2Zhk9alf38G9-d0qxCeo0P65Ui4EmmUmc7NTLn-PGP6yvDOn9yS5cuzo071fLoaW9ex337MiA6Vy9dEKi1TWpAWmK3pw/s320/DPP_0005.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299837176539135138" /></a><br /><br />Our vege plot made up of several varieties of tomato plants. Some we planted and some just appeared, possibly brought in by the birds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC3crK9ThZ3vmQE6tXfGHGFWl5bHD4MryT7xcDtqLMdx0AMQq1_BCvB6JTgMjJ7wv0102layudlgrRFgbseqKUq74I2CAaAvwe8s9-kwjlQ5HVliNvTiaERDICugzNB4h9Q/s1600-h/DPP_0007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbC3crK9ThZ3vmQE6tXfGHGFWl5bHD4MryT7xcDtqLMdx0AMQq1_BCvB6JTgMjJ7wv0102layudlgrRFgbseqKUq74I2CAaAvwe8s9-kwjlQ5HVliNvTiaERDICugzNB4h9Q/s320/DPP_0007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299836945077334866" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAtol8TB3aGBxMG3PB6zpI48dxfjo3vXiHh4zh-v-Yocs9WuZMJYuYUQFqU73GoJuaJ0ZVLTObP0cMUpq3VW9mjjF8wFN5-Ral_xKdkQ-Oup5GezGIiqhd_4lAmvzgKY3GA/s1600-h/DPP_0010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAtol8TB3aGBxMG3PB6zpI48dxfjo3vXiHh4zh-v-Yocs9WuZMJYuYUQFqU73GoJuaJ0ZVLTObP0cMUpq3VW9mjjF8wFN5-Ral_xKdkQ-Oup5GezGIiqhd_4lAmvzgKY3GA/s320/DPP_0010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299837445465920098" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz2c6jy_p__ALalFnRlY3CQTXMf_-aImz1Nvhm2pdONW-_fHbwhHEXx-ZHWXxpDgBWhaReJ4qHK4WEu9fGpIQbf89-hCbUra03MXIFSS3nurdJ3hVTI56YZtp8Q2rhMME3A/s1600-h/DPP_0011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwz2c6jy_p__ALalFnRlY3CQTXMf_-aImz1Nvhm2pdONW-_fHbwhHEXx-ZHWXxpDgBWhaReJ4qHK4WEu9fGpIQbf89-hCbUra03MXIFSS3nurdJ3hVTI56YZtp8Q2rhMME3A/s320/DPP_0011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299837674409452498" /></a><br /><br />We had a least 3 bags of them already harvested and more growing.<br /><br />Apart from tomatoes, we have cucumbers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh36znjNXd97SA8ScTC-fV-W6MSyHmMVxh7I_mYSDWb_UAFmWjFeDBBH0k9WTNW39SiieEQCDDjXXTi2COJN3u5FiAughyphenhyphenwcYZUzpwnbG4peUHTKfJVM9fp9mcveDLRK_mw/s1600-h/DPP_0008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVh36znjNXd97SA8ScTC-fV-W6MSyHmMVxh7I_mYSDWb_UAFmWjFeDBBH0k9WTNW39SiieEQCDDjXXTi2COJN3u5FiAughyphenhyphenwcYZUzpwnbG4peUHTKfJVM9fp9mcveDLRK_mw/s320/DPP_0008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299838104561536802" /></a><br /><br />And gerkins.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqc2Jsk1Rs3bzJLSU1omJcT3u9azEs_HJ088fKJKpBgAl1uS124clhwzZuJuL1O1_8pq-213tdzmv3rqOs4pQYudz_00mLuHBPLmRiOTqToQLoV3R_d7K_AUeaS2d3ezXDA/s1600-h/DPP_0009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqc2Jsk1Rs3bzJLSU1omJcT3u9azEs_HJ088fKJKpBgAl1uS124clhwzZuJuL1O1_8pq-213tdzmv3rqOs4pQYudz_00mLuHBPLmRiOTqToQLoV3R_d7K_AUeaS2d3ezXDA/s320/DPP_0009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299838275666475922" /></a><br /><br />Two varieties of chillies, the long large ones and the small super extra hot ones.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKar2inavVhK0nug-QTI-uKUF21jIYJR4cl6di3GXD7itcHpKhkXwugmHlztPpk_gA64hcE_7_L3BGB7ns3oITOH6h0yupvmmkvSDAbtL_9Pz41Rjx1tp8I95nMKmr2nK6w/s1600-h/DPP_0006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKar2inavVhK0nug-QTI-uKUF21jIYJR4cl6di3GXD7itcHpKhkXwugmHlztPpk_gA64hcE_7_L3BGB7ns3oITOH6h0yupvmmkvSDAbtL_9Pz41Rjx1tp8I95nMKmr2nK6w/s320/DPP_0006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299838713405577474" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SPLvFTAv38m0vlpIWC4o2JJzs36DQORA-DzmMFaGqZPnwXeD0IpVaPMbrIASGnqX2zmA_vi10QSXCa8XrKgWBh5a0O1Pon79ikKBx41HHjXvuI7JjGDNefNc71hyQ2epig/s1600-h/DPP_0012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SPLvFTAv38m0vlpIWC4o2JJzs36DQORA-DzmMFaGqZPnwXeD0IpVaPMbrIASGnqX2zmA_vi10QSXCa8XrKgWBh5a0O1Pon79ikKBx41HHjXvuI7JjGDNefNc71hyQ2epig/s320/DPP_0012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299838885932938626" /></a><br /><br />And finally the herb garden which is made up of rosemary (not pictured), mint.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyQT8V2JlBxB6SC9CCvx0imrSjW3EzYgd5g8BjKOZyktKaQ_P4kfxJOB07J0v54NN6m84SKw7Jwcnqj_qTtAgzuubOQmIJhrrbMUtaL27PeOHGLAGUy8nQxSLSWZcLvBbjQ/s1600-h/DPP_0003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnyQT8V2JlBxB6SC9CCvx0imrSjW3EzYgd5g8BjKOZyktKaQ_P4kfxJOB07J0v54NN6m84SKw7Jwcnqj_qTtAgzuubOQmIJhrrbMUtaL27PeOHGLAGUy8nQxSLSWZcLvBbjQ/s320/DPP_0003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299839305118254466" /></a><br /><br />Coriander.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Trvp3r4Pp0lAqc06goL8nz6G_mFApkXXu2b_uEHa4FFXmTB9V3vhaH9vLPXrLgxQyQwHHSPv_wFZTV_YaIOFEqwoBsIkRh05IcLeuIt_bE_CCLH_4yfcGSJ_u7syT5Cx7Q/s1600-h/DPP_0004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Trvp3r4Pp0lAqc06goL8nz6G_mFApkXXu2b_uEHa4FFXmTB9V3vhaH9vLPXrLgxQyQwHHSPv_wFZTV_YaIOFEqwoBsIkRh05IcLeuIt_bE_CCLH_4yfcGSJ_u7syT5Cx7Q/s320/DPP_0004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299839491561287938" /></a><br /><br />Spring onions.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNtKjzQJ-g4cddrc7krL03WCZKtwkdmgvM27f8f6kfvBnhVRtguYsrlAEB89vom7La4li03yYn534hwaIGapfeZM09sMrvBpsdHfFq_LdLRacLnPwGfT2qAs-DjH64tVnRQ/s1600-h/DPP_0013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggNtKjzQJ-g4cddrc7krL03WCZKtwkdmgvM27f8f6kfvBnhVRtguYsrlAEB89vom7La4li03yYn534hwaIGapfeZM09sMrvBpsdHfFq_LdLRacLnPwGfT2qAs-DjH64tVnRQ/s320/DPP_0013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299839775826311378" /></a><br /><br />And finally serai or lemon grass.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGMossJG5MC-ru49ARsw6DLJ0fEr71UsAf5VQi294d-_hPWL0U88xndrNfaA1Q7oz7K-5CHJ-QrzlF_GSGlGPU0QsXo4W072-bu7c3Qz2ZXo082ItL0PtCeuN5XBLz_G2vA/s1600-h/DPP_0014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 192px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGMossJG5MC-ru49ARsw6DLJ0fEr71UsAf5VQi294d-_hPWL0U88xndrNfaA1Q7oz7K-5CHJ-QrzlF_GSGlGPU0QsXo4W072-bu7c3Qz2ZXo082ItL0PtCeuN5XBLz_G2vA/s320/DPP_0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299839942714844066" /></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-36533906612874000052009-01-11T15:42:00.003+13:002009-01-11T16:32:12.503+13:00Discrimination<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hIBN2cLB3dKTXV5oWtbeTMwSX2bqSmZf8b11pUCRtZcVkuNknIdaRQs9plboV7-MQVGTj7ONvfA3Qci69S8gMZXK3VoRB3un3LYXrXHoO32N_uhhLFzoMahbMUq4qwjV5g/s1600-h/the_big_experiment_d.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hIBN2cLB3dKTXV5oWtbeTMwSX2bqSmZf8b11pUCRtZcVkuNknIdaRQs9plboV7-MQVGTj7ONvfA3Qci69S8gMZXK3VoRB3un3LYXrXHoO32N_uhhLFzoMahbMUq4qwjV5g/s320/the_big_experiment_d.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289867759157345442" /></a> What would life be like if you looked different? How would people treat you if your skin were another colour? What if you were a different gender? Or you had a disability? The Big Experiment is a New Zealand local series, a social experiment that radically changes people's identities and gives them the opportunity to walk a day in someone else's shoes.<br /><br />We watched one episode of this series where a young white Kiwi lass was disguised as an Asian girl. She was dressed like a typical Asian girl and even taught to speak with a typical Asian accent. <br /><br />This episode began by showing how she was treated at shops around Auckland when she was who she was and then again at the same shops after her transformation into an Asian girl. It was amazing how she was treated when she looked and talked like an one. At one outlet, she was completely ignored and at another one she was treated like she could not afford the items on display.<br /><br />Until then I never really saw or felt discrimination in New Zealand. At least I never experienced discrimination here like I have in other Western countries I have been to. Maybe I was lucky or maybe I never paid any attention to it to notice it.<br /><br />This aftertoon I went to the Harvey Norman outlet in Paraparaumu to print some photographs. While waiting for the photos to be printed, I was browsing at some cameras on sale. I asked a young white Kiwi how much they were selling a particular model. He said "I will be with you in a minute", and immediately walked to another customer who just walked in and attended to him instead. He looked at me from across the shop without feeling guilty about asking me to wait. After about 5 minutes seeing me still there, another sales person asked me if he could help. I politely told him that the other guy told me to wait but chose to attend to another customer who walked in after me and if he doesn't want my business, I will gladly take it else where.<br /><br />It is interesting that we see things only after it was brought to our attention. Maybe discrimination is still being widely practiced, maybe this was a one off incident. After having lived in New Zealand for almost 4 years, I think most Kiwi's accept you for what/who you are and discrimination is not as bad as it is elsewhere in the world. I have real great Kiwi friends and none have made me feel that I am any different from them. But then, all it takes is one person to change the way you think.The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-72291793605022240692008-12-13T20:42:00.005+13:002008-12-13T22:34:53.893+13:00Carols By The SeaTonight we followed 20,000 other Kapiti residents and spent an evening singing Christmas Carols by the sea.
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<br />We had the traditional Christmas songs and Christmas songs with a twist like the New Zealand version of the "12 Days of Christmas".
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<br />Along with carols, there were free sausage sizzles, drinks and bouncing castle for the kids. And obviously the Man himself. What would Christmas be without Santa!
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<br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=DSC02474.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/DSC02474.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13243652.post-45298322695761552832008-11-25T19:31:00.001+13:002008-11-25T19:39:14.933+13:00Food Glorious Food!<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_1398a.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_1398a.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_1399a.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_1399a.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/?action=view¤t=IMG_1406a.gif" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/sganason/IMG_1406a.gif" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>The Ganasonshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11863797893386925189noreply@blogger.com0