First trip to the beach 07.07.12

The "Pipi Beach" Te Haomi: Mum wrote "Ayana" in the sand.

Just loved it!

Someone please let me know where I can check out some beautiful sea shells.

Managed to get the wheel chair out and pushed it to the water line. It was tough though. 

 

Pahia Beach

Looks like a great day at the beach but a bit too cold for a swim. Someone needs to dare me to jump in :)

Mostly locals at this time of the year (winter). Summer time is packed with tourists.

 

Ayana's time at the playground. She loves the slide the most.

Haruru Falls 07.07.12

We fit in the quick drive to Haruru Falls from Paihia. Was at the end of the days trip, it was cold and a little windy. Dad took us around some hotel?? to get this pic (Never had seen this view of it before)

Family pic

Ayana with my daddy.
She kept on calling it a water fountain because they are common in Lucknow.

Scared of slipping.

Our first rainbow, just in veiw.

Had to get me some avocados. Then saw them again in Kerikeri at the markets

There is an "honesty box", you pick what you want then pay yourself.

Time for a change 10.07.12

Last cut was well over a year ago, not even a trim (Because I was waiting to go home so my little sis can do it) and 5 years ago since a colour.

Bleach shampoo that needs to be done again in a weeks time.

Before: Cut when I was India, lost quiet a bit of hair due to the hard water there :(

First bit of bleach

Waiting for it to develop

After: Ginger, Dads enjoying the bit of Irish in me

3 Airplanes, 1 car ride

Lucknow Airport

Delhi Airport

Malaysia Airport

Gosh started our trip 9 days ago and just sat down for more than 10mins on the laptop. 

Ayana cut her head just before we left India. I cried like anything haha

The trip over was for the most part smooth sailing. We had an assistant through out the airport and apart from the little tantrums due to an upside down routine and lack of sleep, Ayana was awesome as. She slept, played, scribbled in her colouring book, hardly took notice of the cartoons on the t.v. and hated her seat belt (She had never had to used one before).

Sitting arrangement

Airplane (Malaysian) food was just okay. Enjoyed the food more from KL to Auckland than Delhi to KL. Had my first Magnum in over 5 and half years. Yummy.

Had enough of sitting for ages and being in the seat belt.

Stayed over my sister-in-laws for the night and the road trip home was all good too.

Mini Magnum

First car seat ride. "Mama I want to stand up"

3 suit cases had been delayed. Received one the day after from the airport and 2 more 2 days later (Delivered to our house in the Bay of Islands). They were opened up and checked by MAF and nothing was taken...not even our dry tea leaves we packed in zip lock bags :).  

Our adventure begins

This time tomorrow our adventure begins.

Lucknow Airport     2 hours check-in
Lucknow Depart      1 hour flight
Delhi Airport           2 hours
Delhi Depart            5 hours flight
KLIA Airport           2 hour
KLIA Depart            10 hours flight
Auckland                   1 hour check out               
Auckland                  7-8 Family home
Aucknland Depart    4 hours drive

HOME
TOTAL                     35 hours approx.

The Verdic

We are coming home 3rd July - 11th September
then 5 nights in Malaysia yeeya.

Was "approved in principal" and the final documents required were the sponsorship and partner forms.
Over 4 months in process for a 3 month tourist visa geez.

So a winter holiday it is :-)

Chikan

Telephonic interview done

My Indian visa sent....Lets hope that is it!

Anyways, I would like to show you a bit of Lucknow culture.

Here are some Kuratas (Long tops/Tunics). The hand embroidery is called Chikan (chic-ken) which is originated from Lucknow.. The quality of the hand work and material used is very much of importance. From the time of the Nawabs (Lucknow Royalties) and today.

 

In New Zealand I didn't careless for such things, we could comfortably get away with wearing such materials as polyester in the summer and machine embroidery was a-ok. Also, laid back dress etiquette was a norm in my hometown.

However, the Indian weather REALLY plays a part on what to wear, pure cotton is a must! 36 C average, Fans and Air Con are you BFF. Plus,dressing etiquette especially the ladies is much more polished than what I was once used to.

These ones in particular can be worn with jeans otherwise, traditionally worn with Shalwas (fat pants/ MC Hammer pants) or Churidahs (leggings).

I hope my Fijian Indian Aunties won't argue over the colours :D