Beautiful Bali

We have just returned from a marverlous, sun-soaked week at the Club Med in Nusa Dua, Bali. The long awaited holiday was a gift from my Mother-in-law, who want all her sons, with their wives and children together in one place for a change.
Planning the holiday was quite a feat, but at last, on a sunny July day in Bali, we all met - some for the first time.

Our holiday was absolute bliss!
The resort is so well run, clean, and
the GO's are friendly and efficient.


We had lots to do - I tried windsurfing, para-gliding and loved kayaking and snorkelling in the crystal clear waters.


The warm evenings were spent lazily sipping cocktails at the bar, before strolling into the buffet restaurant with the family to partake of the evening feast. I have never seen such a variety of food together in one place, and it was different every night. The buffet is arranged according to countries, and one could choose from every manner of Asian dishes - Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Malaysian and more! For my vegetarian tastes there was always more than enough choices.


The beaches are pristine. The palm trees laden with real coconuts. And the margueritas were plentiful, and kept reappearing in front of me, as if by magic! A holiday to remember, for sure!

Going, going, gone...!

Well the big day came, and my first chick flew. He will be landing in Cape Town in just an hours time, and I'm suffering from empty nest syndrome. Only the nest is still pretty crowded...

Here's a photo of us all on his last evening at home!

How bad is it really in Zimbabwe? A sequel.

The situation in Africa may be no laughing matter, but I had to smile at these typical scenes this morning!


I got an email from my Dearly Beloved with these photos attached. You gotta love Africa, and in particular Zimbabwe.

These people don't let a few challenges deter them....

This month's specials: No fuel.

The new 2009 model Toyota Corolla. Made in Zimbabwe. (Someone forgot to tell the oxen to keep to the left.)

Taking car-pooling to the ultimate level. I wonder how many trillions of Zim $s each passenger paid for this lift?

We'll get there eventually... hopefully before it's too late!

Although the situation in Zimbabwe is unbearable for most of the people there, they are doing the best they can, with what they've got.

My heart continues to burn for Africa, but what can we do, but pray?

Hooray for Howick!

Howick Village is the sleepy little shopping hub closest to our house in Cockle Bay. It has all the charm and atmosphere reminiscent of days gone by.

Today, having done some errands that needed doing in Howick, Rae and I spent the afternoon browsing the many antique shops, bookshops and junk shops. (See a video of Howick here.)

Image : http://week46.aotearoacam.com/

We found a lovely little coffee shop, Cafe Paris, with probably the cheapest Flat Whites in town! They have delicious light meals, and the aroma of freshly baked quiches, and other decadent goodies, was quite mouth-watering. None of your bland bit-of-frilly-lettuce-in-a-wrap here! I was quite impressed with the vegetarian choices too. The decor is quaint and choc-a-block full of delightful French-style knick-knacks and objects d'art. The furniture is a collection of mismatched antique and old-fashioned chairs and tables, or bunched together cosily. Outside, a couple of young people were chatting away happily, on the side-walk tables.

Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop.

Just a few doors up we wondered into the equally interesting Antique Shop. Browsing here, and touching there, we didn't realize that there was no shopkeeper in the shop. After quite a while, in walked a lovely little lady. She had popped in to a neighbour a few doors down, and she could see into this shop with their video surveillance system, but as she smilingly told us: 'I don't actually switch it on, most days.' We chatted for a few minutes about how wonderful it is that we live in a place where one can wander into a shop filled with knick-knacks and bric-a-brac, and the shopkeeper is out! No security doors, no threat to our personal safety, no lack of trust.

Around the corner we came across one of the op-shops, or second hand goods store. I bought a beautiful handbag, that looks almost like a mini satchel, 100% genuine deer leather, for $4. Rae wanted a red designer-type shoulder bag that is large enough for her school books, for $6.

Feeling quite happy with our day of shopping, we drove home the scenic way, past the pretty little beach, and within 10 minutes we were home.

Unfortunately, no aroma of freshly-baked quiche awaits us at home, so I'll have to get off my butt, and start cooking supper for the hungry lads. Bangers and mash, and mixed veg, anyone?

Big Boys, big toys!

The hardest part of parenting, is when they grow up so suddenly!

My boys are children no more! Here is their first car. I'm starting to feel really old now! Joe got his licence last week, so he is the main driver at the moment. Dan is going for his on the 31st of Jan, so hold thumbs everyone!












It's a gunmetal grey, metallic, 1991 Suzuki Escudo, 5 door, 1600cc engine (for the men who care), 4 wheel drive, and we bought it for cheap-cheap at an online auction.

Juan was born in 1991, so he feels a great affinity with the car. They're the same age!

Of course, that's Niel in the back seat, playing silly buggers. At least he is still a boy... for now!