31 January 2013 ~ Welcome the Year of the Horse

Listening to: Staple Singers ~ For What It's Worth (1968-04-19, Fillmore West, SF)

I was invited to celebrate Chinese New Year with two of my co-workers.

We went out to eat after work at a very small and local restaurant, Legend Noodle House.

We ordered a whole steamed fish, to symbolize financial abundance in the coming year. It's best to leave some fish or you will not be granted extra savings.

We also ordered noodles, for long life.

As well as BBQ Duck Fried Rice. Rice will set us on the path of luck and wealth.

 It was a beautiful summer Auckland evening, and the clouds were tinged with pink.

We continued the festivities at my co-workers house.

Here celebrating the finished bowl of money cards, rice, dates and sweets.

The house was nicely decorated with owls.

In Western cultures the owl symbolizes wisdom, but in Chinese culture it is the harbinger of death.

So I hope all the food we ate wards off any bad spirits.

Or perhaps, because my co-worker is from the Philippines, it is viewed as a messenger of secrets, kin to sorcerers, as well as companions to seers, mystics and medicine people.

 

28 January 2014 ~ America's Cup Sailing

Listening to: Led Zeppelin ~ No Quarter (Madison Square Garden, NY, 12 Feb 1975)


Last weekend I went sailing...on a retired America's Cup Sailboat!

It was a gorgeous sunny summer day in Auckland.

This is the vessel we went out on.

Classic view of Auckland leaving the marina.

Passing underneath the bridge, there was a bungee jumper...not sure if you can make out the dangling cord and the black speck that is a person. The other ship had a better view.

 Circle around the sun.

Here I am at the helm. Not sure if you can really tell how tipped the boat is, but we were doing about 15 knots. There are ladder-like rungs for when the boat is in such a position so as not to slip, as basically its like standing on the water.

Hope to post a video as well soon to give a "real" experience.

 

26 January 2014 ~ Remembering Ancient Pathways

Listening to:  Led Zeppelin ~ That's The Way (Paris Theatre, London, 4/1/1971)


Here are a few other statues from the Domain Park walk.

There are stories that have been wafting around in time, of three witches that were hanged in the 1800′s from trees in swamp land which has now become the beautiful and iconic Auckland Domain.

Others say it just commemorate Auckland's centenary.

The middle muse symbolizes the city finding it strength. while that on the left is holding the bay leaf signifying wisdom; the one on he right holds a cornucopia representing the bounty of youth.

The Valkyrie Statuary has in the center a large carved square stone. On the side are carvings of horses. On top of the stone is a domed area with a statue of a figure on horseback.

On the way back to the apartment from the Domain, I saw this placard on the bridge.

It's entitled Remember Ancient Pathways and talks about stone and steel markers in the bully below.

So I took a look through the plexiglass, but didn't see anything like what was described.

Until I zoomed in to the apex of the strip of land.

 

24 January 2014 ~ Winter Garden

Listening to: Journey ~ Let The Good Times Roll (November 1978, SF)


The Kiwi's are keeping me busy at work, so I haven't had any time this week to even breathe.

Thank goodness I got out last weekend.

Part of my Domain walk was going to the Winter Garden in the par.

Beautiful water lilies.

And inquisitive little girls.

Looking over the courtyard.

And other lily's in bloom.

A wall tree.

I liked the color contrast here.

And leaving just couldn't resist this photo op with the whimsical statue.

 

18 January 2014 ~ Auckland Domain

Listening to: The Little Willies ~ If You've Got The Money (2011-10-30 The Bell House, Brooklyn)

The Auckland Domain is Auckland's oldest park, and one of the largest in the city. It is only a 20 minute walk from my apartment.

The park contains all of the explosion crater and most of the surrounding tuff ring of the Pukekawa volcano. I find these trees so interesting, really without a trunk, yet robust branches.

It is summer here, and the weather is in the 70s (thank goodness not as hot as Australia). This bird was digging around in the dirt, and then finally settled down with wings spread. I wonder if this was to try and catch a breeze and cool off in the dirt?

The duck pond didn't have any ducks floating around, because they were all on the walk-way being fed by the pedestrians. There is a rule not to throw food in the water, to prevent contamination.

 

17 January 2014 ~ Return to Auckland

Listening to: Sweet ~ Fox On The Run

Before I left, the deer visited the backyard several times.

And felt right at home.

Wouldn't even twitch when I went to get into my new car.

I bought a car cover so it stays clean when I travel.

I arrived in Auckland on Wednesday morning (Tue US time). I'm staying at a different apartment/hotel complex. I don't really have a view. I must go out on the balcony to see the cemetery across the alley, otherwise all I see from the unit is a brick wall.

Here is a view inside from the balcony. Better than a hotel since I have a kitchen and at least I have a desk area for work.

I hope to get out and about this weekend for more adventures.

13 January 2014 ~ Hole in the Rock

Listening to: Craig Erickson ~ You Just Don't Know

Motu Kōkako, also known as Piercy Island or simply "The Hole In The Rock”, is located off the north coast of the North Island of New Zealand. It is at the very northern tip of Rakaumangamanga (Cape Brett).

 

It is Māori freehold land for the benefit of the descendants of the traditional owners.

 

The island is of great cultural significance and was historically associated with a range of sacred customary activities. It also refers to a person who stands against all adversity, just as a rock resists the power of the sea.

 

http://youtu.be/VEVoFCPGRJ8

It was a fun experience.

 

12 January 2014 ~ Bay of Island Dolphins

Listening to: Natalie Merchant ~ These Are The Days

I head back to New Zealand tomorrow for a few weeks. I realized I hadn't posted in a while, and I still have photos from my last time there, so here is a quick post of some of the friendly dolphins that came up to our boat when I went to the Bay of Islands.

I would love the opportunity to swim with them this time around! And it's summer now....

http://youtu.be/HDI5AIJnk9k

1 January 2014 ~ Happy New Year!

Listening to:  Leonard Cohen ~ Tower of Song

Health & Happiness to everyone in the 2014.

For the first time in a while I stayed home on New Year's Eve.

But there was a webcast of Phil Lesh and friends playing so I put on my party hat and enjoyed the show from the comfort of my living room.

During intermission, this was the tv placeholder.