My Passion

Aside from travelling, netball is my other big passion. When I'm able to combine two of my passions, you can probably imagine how excited I am to be going to the World Netball Cup which is on in Singapore in now.

The New Zealand Silver Ferns are ranked number one in the world with our arch rivals Australia number two. Whenever these two teams play one another it's an exciting but tight encounter. Of course, its not a foregone conclusion that they will both be in the finals as the teams from England and Jamaica could be strong enough to make it all the way through the draw.

I've had tickets to the last three days of play for many months now and I'll be in Singapore in a day or two.

Singapore is a great city with lots to do and quirky architecture. When I was there for a few days a month or so ago, I was lucky enough to see a show - The Lion King. It was held in the amazing Marina Bay Sands which is a complex that wouldn't look out of place in Las Vegas! What a treat it was to see this show again, the first time being in Sydney.

This time, my visit will be primarily for that wonderful sport of Netball with some shopping and dining out when the game schedule permits me to leave the stadium.

Oh, I am a lucky traveller.


I'm loving ........ all the travel I've been able to do from my base here in Vietnam. Laos for a second time, Singapore, The Mekong Delta and soon Kuala Lumpur and Bali.

I'm missing....... home! I've been away too long.

I'm reading....... Destination Saigon by Walter Mason. I've finished it but this man is a wonderful writer who writes perceptive comments about life in Vietnam.

A Close Game

A Close Game:

If the Silver Ferns were daunted by walking into the Sydney Acer Arena it didn't show in their performance.

The NZ netballers walked out into the darkened stadium to see thousands of flashing "diamond" necklaces. I thought this was sheer marketing genius to link the Australian Diamond Netball Team and their supporters to these flashing lights. the necklaces flashed brilliantly in the dark and the spectacle must have boosted the Australian team. As I cheered on "my team" my necklace remained snug in my handbag.

The new look uniform of the Silver Ferns with sparkling silver strips looked stunning.

Captain, Casey Williams led and played outstandingly well the whole game, limiting the Australian shooter Catherine Cox's success rate. She was replaced at half time.

It was great to again be at a live netball match, even though I was surrounded by cheering supporters in green and gold. However, a few minutes after the whistle blew to start the game, the crowd was almost silenced as we reaced to a 5:0 lead. The crowd booed every time the referee called against the Australian team. I confess I really don't like this trend.

Approximately 11,000 watched NZ win 53:50 and I'm a very happy supporter. I'm also glad the two Cambridge ladies dressed in Waikato colours who flew over especially to see the game got to see "our team" win.

Photos: outside the Acer Arena - Diamond flags flying

Casey Williams in the old team uniform

Weekend Treats

Weekend Treats



I've been having a great ole time exploring. I went down to Wollongong for one weekend, Melbourne for another and last weekend walked the Bronte to Bondi Beach stretch again.



The train to Wollongong takes about one half hours - just enough time to leave the city behind and dream about visiting a new place by the sea. I had a beaut time catching up with Mum and Dad and other relatives. Mum had been there for 3 nights already so she had a favourite cafe and it quickly became my "fav" too. The coffee was excellent; the food a tasty mix of Greek and Australian. We were spoilt for cafe choice in this vibrant seaside community.



Back in Sydney I went to see My Fair Lady. Ooh what a treat. We had really great seats and the show was as foot tappingly wonderful as ever. I first saw it as a child and it was lovely to become re-acquainted with it. This production was very professional and fast moving with fantastically beautiful costuming.



Last weekend it was Melbourne's turn and of course the main reason for being in town was to see the netball....but I've already written about that.



They take the arts and coffee very seriously in this sophisticated city. Fantastic sculptures of all sorts are dotted around the walk ways and parks. As it was close to Melbourne Cup time, I was interested to see the magnificently crafted hats in the shops. They were noticeable in cafes too as women sat to rest awhile, their meticulous white hat boxes taking pride of place on the table top. I was not game enough to ask for a peep but it was ever so tempting!



Where to take my coffee stops was a constant challenge because there are many to choose from and I didn't want to waste a break in a sub-standard cafe. My sister introduced me to one. I am glad she accompanied me to My-ko cafe which is in a little back street off Bourke and close to King Street. They are very proud to serve fair trade coffee. My cappuccino was lovely with sweet notes on the palate. The hosts are very friendly and I loved the booth style table seating.



My other coffee find was Brother Baba Budan at 359 Little Bourke Street http://www.brotherbababudan.com.au/. Coffee IS their business. The crema on my long black looked (and was) thick and caramelly. The coffee was rich with complex flavours alighting my taste buds. Although the coffee was the highlight, being in the cafe itself was not an overly pleasant experience because it was too crowded. I was extremely impressed to note though, that when the barista changed, she brewed a "taster" for the manager to critique.



Then last weekend I was again on the Bronte to Bondi Beach walk to see the annual Sculpture by the Sea exhibition. What a joy! Such wonderful creativity presented in harmony with the cliff faces, parks, sea and rock-scape. I loved it. This is its twelfth year anniversary and it's on for about three weekends so if you're planning a trip to Sydney around this time next year, I would definitely recommend trying to combine it with this exhibition. Pam and Allan and I finished off (as you do) with a long lunch at Bondi Beach. What a great way to finish a superb day.



It's an interesting life and I haven't even had time to tell you about the course I am doing in Aborigine Culture. It is confronting; it's fascinating; it's extremely interesting.....maybe another time......



I'm missing........good bread. I can't find any - even the Baker's delight is different.



I'm loving........how close I am to everything here at my wee little place in Bondi Junction.

The newspapers are full of..........various scandals, news about how broke the NSW Government is and - last week the Melbourne Cup (from days and days before the event), the US elections etc



I'm surprised.........how much attention is given to the execution and comment around and about regarding the Bali bombers....I find it quite, quite offensive.



I'm reading..........Nothing!!!

Photos: My-Ko coffee
Images from Sculpture by the Sea

What a Result....

What a result…..

Netball tests between NZ and Australia are legendary. The Ozzies are the world champions, as they took the title off us during the last world championships in Auckland. When you look at the head to head statistics between the two teams Australian wins far outnumber ours. They have won 53 past encounters and NZ 36.

But….for this game we triumphed (46 to 41) and I was there in Melbourne to watch it! Just look at that scoreboard. It was great. During the first quarter, it was definitely their game to win as they snaffled the ball with outstanding skill, keeping us scoreless for much of the first quarter. In fact for the first ten minutes they restricted us to just 3 goals. The crowd crowed, I was in shock. I was wondering if "my girls had come to play?"

But, staunch as ever, Coach Ruth Aitken made some changes and one of those was to bring Lianna Barret-Chase on at WA for her first cap. She was superb and strong. It’s very exciting to see a new cap come on and immediately stamp her mark on the game. She will be a huge force to be reckoned with once she fine tunes feeding the ball into the circle.

Several of Melbourne's superb sporting facilities are within easy walking distance of the city centre and I had a lovely stroll along the Yarra to reach the Hisense Arena. Being surrounded by cheering and booing (when the umpire decisions went against their team) was an interesting experience but in the main it was all very good natured and a slightly subdued crowd filed out of the arena.

Like all games between these two teams – netball was the winner. That we won while I was there to watch was sweet. After strolling back along the river, I just had to stop awhile and treat myself to champagne and a nice dinner at a restaurant beside the river.

I'm missing.......good after match coverage in the newspapers. I did find a couple of articles this time but it was just the comments of the Australian captain and coach. While these are great there was no independent match analysis. Actually there was nothing before the match either.

I'm loving........Catching up with family over here.

I was disappointed.............They wouldn't allow photographs in the arena so sorry, no shots of the game or the girls. But one of my bag!

Next.........I've been away the last two weekends so I will do an article on that. Both weekends where great. This weekend I'm going on the Bronte to Bondi Beach walk again to see the annual sculpture display. Ooh and I have a list of pet airport peeves.....Now that's worth waiting for.... and I am sure you will want to add your own pet peeves.

The Plan Continues - Sydney

The Plan Continues – Sydney

I’ve been here in Sydney for about six weeks now and loving it. Of course living in Bondi is such a cliché for a kiwi but it’s fantastic for me as I am a few minutes away from the massive Westfield shopping centre, quick access to beaches (Bronte and Bondi) and a short bus ride to work. The city is just ten minutes away by train.

I hear a little talk of a recession and tough times but on the weekend the Mall is jam packed with people. Just before opening time at 10am people are standing around waiting to get in. The people buying at Harvey Norman’s or Dick Smith’s don’t seem to think there is a problem – and the stores are always full.

I’m enjoying my job at the University too. I’m writing and getting paid for it! It’s extremely interesting work too. Of course me being me, I completely altered the content, look and feel of their policies so it was a nail biting time while I waited to see their reaction to the first few. Thankfully they really like my approach. Even so, I must say that after nine months of such delicious freedom it has been rather challenging for me to work an eight hour day.

That said, I really don’t think I could have written a better script for myself! Oh…perhaps if I was able to report that I was sailing regularly in these beautiful waters around here that would be an even better outcome. That remains elusive so it’s obviously not my time to be out on the water.

What is definitely panning out for me though is leaving a regular job to replace it with something much more elastic and tenuous. I like the “possibility” that comes with this type of life. Even though I was extremely scared at the time, I am so glad I took this punt and that it is working out for me right now.

I’ve had many visitors too and it’s been great to spend some time with them in this vibrant city.

Last weekend Suzanne was over and so we took a ferry trip. She owns a leather handbag manufacturing company and is starting a blog about a wandering bag so I helped out by holding it up in odd places to capture some photos for her to use. The people around us thought we were crazy but we had fun.

I loved the bag so much that I bought it off her and now it will have different adventures! It’s one of those perfect bags with special spaces for everything I need. Once, after deciding I was carrying around too much "stuff", I bought a small handbag. The theory being I would just ration what I carried around with me. It didn't work for me! I frequently had to leave the zip open or carry important things in my hand. I was so relieved once I realised my "small handbag experience" wasn't working and I could be true to myself with a larger version. My new bag is large and it kinda reminds me of my old schoolbag - except this is a beautiful and very pleasing colour - one that will complement most of my clothes. Here’s Suzanne's website featuring some other bags - www.konev.co.nz.

My plan is to work here until March or April next year then pick up where I left off and travel to Eastern Europe for a few months and then repeat the work/travel cycle. I am keen to continue doing this for as long as I can as I have many more places I want to explore. It’s a beaut existence.

I’m loving…..Living the dream. It’s wonderful that I have been able to arrive in a country and have my skills highly valued, and so very quickly.

I’m reading…...Lonely Planet Eastern Europe book to research the next travel segment.

Taste sensation……Yummmmm….where do I start? Raisin toast, cherry tarts, eating divine cherries and strawberries (in September!); anything from the roast nut stands. Add to this list Greek style fetta and yoghurt and Portuguese tarts (custard nestled in a light crispy filo style pastry). Of course all of the “bad” things are taken in moderation!

Good restaurant…..The Bondi Social Club – very well presented tapas style food. If you get a terrace table the view over the beach is excellent. The toilets are not recommended though!

Best Coffee……A little erratic but coffee from one of the Uni’s cafes is pretty good. The coffees quite good just down the road from me at the Curious Cat – yes complete with a cat that pays rent for the best and sunniest spot.

I’m missing……the Friday afternoon drinks and nibbles after work. Hey…here we even get to buy our own supplies of tea and coffee so as you can imagine I will NEVER be offered a glass of wine to finish up a week. Besides…I think it’s probably not allowed……I must check (or write) a policy!
Speaking of wine I am also missing not being able to buy it at the supermarket. Buying it at a bottle shop almost feels like a criminal activity.

In the newspapers…..heaps on politics. When Sarah Palin was announced as McCain’s running mate there was page after page after page on them. There’s been lots of upheaval here in state and federal politics and so that dominates at the moment.

I’m disappointed…….(extremely) to see that even when the Australian netball team won against NZ that they rated a few centimeters in the papers. When there was some big jock sports awards the wife’s/partners of the jocks got huge coverage – for their dresses, legs and cleavage!

I’m extremely excited….to be going to Melbourne in a couple of weeks time to see a NZ/Australia netball match. Bring it on!!!