Saturday 2nd still hot in Singapore

Another hot and very sultry day in Singapore and over breakfast we contemplated the options for the day. It is too hot for any great exertion and for too much exposure to the UV.

It was decided that a trip to Chinatown and then a walk back to Clarke Quay and along the river front would be appropriate.

We walked down to Dhoby Ghaut, the metro station which seems to be the centre of all transportation in Singapore since it is at the confluence of 3 of the main metro lines.

Our hotel, the Fort Canning, is situated at the edge of Fort Canning Park and is close to what appears to be the most romantic spot in Singapore - an underpass!!

The underpass, which goes under the Penang Road, is certainly not grubby as are so many in Europe, and indeed it is spotlessly clean in true Singaporean style.  However, it is the last place we would have expected to be a venue for wedding photos. The first time we walked through the underpass we were puzzled to see photographers setting up their equipment at the bottom of a ramp and a staircase. Later we saw at least 4 couples being photographed in the underpass. We asked one of the photographic assistants why this was such a popular venue and she just shrugged and said it was just an attractive place!! We remain bemused but clearly Singaporeans think it is just the place for wedding photos!

We alighted at Chinatown and today Singapore is eerily quiet. We can only assume that this is the calm before the storm of the celebrations for the year of the Earth Pig which begin on Monday. Shops in Chinatown were full of mementoes and sweet treats to celebrate the New Year,

We walked back to Clarke Quay and along the riverfront until the LLW declared that enough was enough and a cooling cruise on a riverboat was required. This was perfect and the breeze created by the boats movement cooled us down considerably and we enjoyed all of the sites of Singapore from the water. It really is an astonishing city, with its melange of races, all strictly obeying laws and regulations and demonstrating patient courtesy to visitors, it seems the embodiment of a successful modern global city.

We then headed back to our hotel to have a rest and then start to get packed ready for our return to the UK. We are being picked up at 05:35 for our flight to Gatwick via Dubai at the end of what has been a wonderful holiday. It seems such a long time ago when we landed in Perth and we genuinely have enjoyed each and every day. We did decide not to compare places, days or experiences with one another whilst away but will review all when we get back.

Thank you dear reader for following my ramblings and I hope at least some were entertaining.

à bientôt !

Friday 1st February in Singapore

We are now well and truly in Singapore but it's worth a recap of our takeoff at Sydney as the weather was interesting!

We boarded the flight and after only a minute or so the captain said that the air conditioning was not working properly and since it was 42C outside he was suspending boarding until the aircon was fixed. This only took 10 minutes or so and we were very comfortable. Boarding recommenced and completed with perhaps only 15 minutes lost. However!! The captain was back on the intercom very soon after all had boarded to announce a further delay. The wind had suddenly changed direction to a southerly and the temperature had dropped to 26C in a matter of minutes. (southerly winds come straight from the Antarctic in this part of the world). A queue of aircraft readying for takeoff now had to taxi back the full length of the runway to prepare for takeoff in the opposite direction. We were not yet in that queue so no extra taxiing needed but we just had to wait until all others were in place. All in all we lost about an hour but made up half of that on the flight to Singapore. Takeoff was very bumpy as we headed straight into gale force winds but after about 10 minutes it calmed down and the huge Airbus A380-800 rumbled on its way to Singapore.

We arrived at our hotel just before midnight local time, which was 3am Sydney time, so there was no hesitation in heading for bed.

Breakfast was leisurely and we had decided to spend the morning at the Gardens by the Bay and wow were they spectacular.

Part of the gardens were the Flower Dome and the Cloud Forest Dome, both of which were blissfully air conditioned and well as awesomely beautiful. It was now 32C and very humid which made walking around the gardens, and anywhere else for that matter, hard work.

The hotel we are staying in, the Fort Canning Hotel, is really lovely and the staff are impeccably efficient and charming but there is one drawback and that is a 1 km walk to the nearest station. Under normal circumstances that would be a doddle but in this heat and humidity and including a number of steps it is quite hard work.

We need a short rest back at the hotel before taking the metro to Clarke Quay and wandering along the river quays and having a very good Indian meal right by the river.

Thursday 31st leaving Sydney

We had a really delightful evening with Geoff, Genevieve and met with their four children before we wert out for dinner. Ray had quite a long conversation with Natalie who is studying Medical Science at Canberra University.

Genevieve arrived after we did having just finished a shift at the hospital and we headed off to a restaurant named The Nielsen, which is situated right on the waterfront at Shark Bay and backs on to Nielsen Park. In spite of its name it is Geoff's favourite swimming spot and favourite beach in the world. This prompted a discussion on the topic and we suggested Parakeet Bay on Rottnest Island as a candidate for the title.

Geoff is a big fan of electric cars; the family have two Teslas and we were driven to the restaurant in his  Model S. It was the first time we had been in a Tesla and its quite an eerie experience, very fast but almost silent.

The food was excellent, Ray went for the oysters and octopus and we spent more time there than planned which is always a good sign. An Uber driver was called by Geoff  and we were quickly back at our hotel the Rydges at Sydney airport. Whilst the room was very well insulated and air conditioned Ray complained that it was no where near as comfortable as the camper van and consequently he did not sleep very well!

The next morning the LLW was planning to visit some of her Stafford clients at their fairly new offices in the CBD at the junction of York Street and Market Street. We walked back to the airport and boarded the train to central Sydney about 09:00. A very smart new double decker train whisked us to Town Hall station and we quickly found the building where Stafford are located on the 18th floor. Ray was left to walk down to circular quay for a while. It was very hot (36C and climbing to 38C) and by the time he had walked the mile or so down to the quay, there was only one option, coffee and something to eat in an air conditioned cafe! It was not a day for too much more walking around but I have to regale you with yet another cruise ship spoiling the view of Sydney Harbour Bridge.

I caught a bus back to St James' station which was a short walk from 31 Market Street, the location of Staffords office, and just before I arrived the LLW called to say she was ready. Back on the train to the hotel to collect our luggage and we are now comfortably sitting in the air conditioned Quantas lounge waiting for our flight to be called. I'll sign off for the present and be back on line tomorrow from Singapore.

I know I said I would sign off but whilst we realised that the broad band here was good, I have just measured it and its running at 150Mbs download and 165Mbps upload. That is the fastest I have ever seen!

Wednesday 30th leaving NZ

What a sad day; we leave NZ and have to return the camper van. Firstly a stop at the Dixon residence to say our farewells and to see Dave after his short stint in A&E at Christchurch (the result of a junior doctors strike - now why does that sound familiar). In typical Dixon fashion Dave stayed overnight (well for about 3 1/2 hours) in a Pod at Christchurch and returned to the airport using a Lime electric scooter.

Oli is still enjoying showing off his workman's safety hat, much preferring the back to front orientation favoured by so many baseball cap wearers.

Isla loves to demonstrate her climbing ability and occasional stops to pose for photos.

She also kept Rosemary and Oli entertained with her theatre show. Also in the audience were various selected cuddly toys.

Just time for a group photo and then we were off to Maui at the airport stopping to fill up the tank with Diesel at the BP station.

 We have a busy time in Sydney and as quick as we can after landing we head off to Geoff and Genevieve Norman's home in Vaucluse (near Watsons Bay) for dinner. Geoff is Chairman of Rosemary's client Stafford Capital Partners.

At the airport, Ray almost fell off his chair when he discovered that Newcastle United had beaten Manchester City 2-1. As they often say about football it's a funny game.

Tuesday 29th leaving Wanaka

Oh dear; time to leave Wanaka and only one more night in New Zealand and our camper van. It was a lovely morning in Wanaka and after a bit of sorting out, cleaning and some packing we departed the camp site and started towards Arrowtown our last stop. Only a few hundred yards from the camp site we encountered a detour and workmen were felling some more trees deemed unsafe after the storm of the 24th which caused significant damage in Queenstown and Wanaka. That night we stayed with Dave, Jess, Isla and Oli in Arrowtown and were oblivious to the chaos around us.

We stopped at the Lavender Farm just outside Wanaka on the road to Cromwell and saw it at its absolute best. The perfume was amazing and moist of the lavender was in full bloom. I think the LLW has decided to turn our paddock/downs garden into a lavender farm!

The Lavender Farm has a very nice cafe and after walking all around the fields, the LLW had a Flat White on her mind but quelle surprise the cafe only serves tea and only aromatic floral ones. The LLW was not amused!

We sped off in the direction of Cromwell and there we found a very nice cafe which was part of a garden centre. Our eagle eyed reader will have noticed that this is the second cafe attached to a garden centre we have visited; the previous one being in Petone just outside Wellington.

On then through the Kawarau gorge and the vineyards of Gibbston Valley to Arrowtown. First stop was a restaurant/pub called Fork and Tap where we planned to order pizzas for later collection. Arrowtown was buzzing and the car parks were full and we eventually had to park on a road out of town. Luckily this was the same road where Fork and Tap was situated so it was quite close.  Orders sorted we had a wander around the old town of Arrowtown which was a mining town but now all of the old buildings including the Post Office have been reborn as shops or restaurants. It is a popular day out from Queenstown.

We checked in to our camp site and then went for a ride into Arrowtown and along the river

The bikes we purchased in Whangarei have been excellent; suiting us very well and being of high quality.  The bikes we had hired last time in NZ were of very poor quality and with the extra time on this trip would have cost us more that buying new ones! The original plan was to ask Dave to sell them for us in Queenstown, but we liked them so much that we have explored bringing them back to the UK. We could have taken them within our baggage allowance but the logistics of four flights and two different airlines with a stopover just proved to be too difficult. Sending them by freight was simply too expensive. The LLW then had an absolute brainwave - ask Dave and Jess to look after them until we return to NZ next year. This was agreed with the Dixons so sadly this is our last ride on these bikes for a year!

Pizzas were collected and enjoyed by all, Isla and Oli particularly enjoying the ham, cheese and pineapple. We returned to the camp site for a little light packing and an early night.

Monday 28th Lake Hawea

There was some heavy rain overnight and we had to close the roof vents a touch otherwise we would have had an unwelcome shower. By the time the LLW emerged the sun was out and it was already very warm. The sky was clear and virtually no clouds around. It is amazing how a heavy rain shower seems to clear the air and visibility is dramatically improved. Today was to be a momentous day being the first day since landing in NZ that the LLW has not demanded a flat white.

Given that we are only two days away from departing NZ we did some tidying up of the camper van and a little light packing. These vans have so many nooks and crannies that possessions can be temporarily lost very easily. Most have been located but some are proving to be elusive.

After a quiet morning we drove to Lake Hawea which although only a few miles from Wanaka is very quite and undeveloped. It is a stunningly beautiful lake and we stopped at the lookout 2/3 of the way up the lake where we took these photos.

We encountered a lovely Asian family, one of whom lives in NZ and was entertaining his relatives from the UK. He kindly offered to take a photo of the two of us and I reciprocated by taking a photo of the whole family.

We drove up to the top of the lake where there was no-one around and it was lovely.

On our way back, even though it was already mid afternoon, I asked the LLW if she would like a coffee stop but to my amazement the answer was no. The LLW being todays driver, we sped back to Wanaka and soon were back on the lakefront and the temperature being so hot, there was no choice but to have a swim which was delightful. Being able to observe the surroundings from a hundred yard out in the lake is quite something.

Back then to the camp site and we sat outside in the shade commenting upon what a magical place Wanaka is. The sunlight on the mountains makes for continually changing areas which are shaded and those which are in the sun. It makes you appreciate why artists such as Monet spent so much time painting the same scene in different lights.

Dinner was served and tonight we are trying to finish off our food supply since tomorrow night it is pizzas with the Dixons, well three of them because David has been called away to Christchurch hospital for a stint!

As always the LLW conjured up a feast and accompanied by Wooing Tree and looking out over Lake Wanaka it was bliss.

I am very conscious of using perhaps too many superlatives in my descriptions but the fact is that in this country they are appropriate. Looking back on my posts so far, I have realised that I have not made use of the favourite local superlative so I'll put that right. New Zealand is awesome!

Sunday 27th a perfect Wanaka day

We thoroughly enjoyed the movie, Mary Queen of Scots in spite of the blood and gore. The cinema Paradiso is quite unique and we enjoyed coffee and cookies at the interval. It was late for us after 23:00 and obviously it was dark when we arrived back at the camp site which meant it was even more tricky than normal to connect our power supply. The power outlet is behind a large tree and on very uneven ground at the top of a steep slope. The LLW wielded the iPhone torch and Ray clambered round to connect.

 A very good nights sleep but we woke up to bad sports news, Newcastle out of the FA Cup and the England cricket team on the end of an absolute thrashing by the Windies.

However, we were cheered up by one of those brilliant Wanaka mornings when the sun shines, there is now cloud around and it is absolutely heaven. We had a very leisurely breakfast outside looking over to the lake and Rippon Vineyards, just perfect.

Time now for a cycle ride and the LLW decided to cycle to Waterfall Creek first which is westwards return and then cycle along to Beacon Point which is eastwards. With temperatures forecast to reach the high 20s C there were a lot of people on the various beaches and the car parks were fairly full.

It was a beautiful ride but we were both exhausted when we arrived back at the camper van and there was an unanimous vote for a swim in the lake. Lake Wanaka is never hot and today it was decidedly cool but after a couple of minutes acclimatising, the LLW declared it to be perfect!

There was now another unanimous vote which was for a late afternoon of doing very little. Supper is to be venison, sausages and salad washed down with a very good Wooing Tree Pinot Noir. It's a hard life!