28 October 2008

Golden Bay

The Te Waikoropupu Springs hold the world record for fresh water clarity! Wow, the water was beautiful, like no where else we've ever seen before.
Inside the magestic Ngarua Caves on the Takaka Hills.

Farewell Spit



On Sunday we drove across the notoriously twisting Takaka Hills to Golden Bay where we ventured out along Farewell Spit, a 26.5 km sandbar which extends from the tip of the South Island. The views were absolutely stunning!

All for Life


Wayne and I went down to Nelson over Labour Weekend to attend the All for Life Conference where Focus on the Family launched New Zealand's first online counselling service in partnership with "Ask Chris." http://www.infocuscounselling.co.nz/

22 October 2008

Cycling Chaos



There seem to be no road rules in Shanghai! You have to walk in a straight line at a constant pace to make it across the road alive! But there was no stopping me tackling the streets by bicyle afer all those years in Japan... I borrowed a Kiwi friend's bike to explore the French Concession and Tai Kang Lu district of Shanghai. It was charming with exhibitions and craft shops scattered along narrow weaving alleyways.

Iku chan


I extended my stay to catch up with a special friend from Kyoto Uni - Iku chan. We studied together for six years, and then both returned to our home countries about the same time to marry soon after. We explored Nanjing Road and Yu Garden, and ate lots of spicy food together :)

Massage


Close to our hotel was a massage place where all the people giving massages are blind. It was a great way to unwind after performing!

Zhujiajiao




Before Katei flew home we squeezed in some sightseeing at a nearby canal town called Zhujiajiao. It was charming walking through the narrow streets lined with vendors.