This is a steaming mudpit near Rotarua. There is a huge concentration of geothermal activity here, though in winter, to one who wears glasses, it is more a nuisance to walk through than a wonder, for all the time spent wiping my glasses clean. 

New Zealand 2005. OK, I cut my NZ trip short. My vacation drive is and always has been to get outside and play. I knew I was going to NZ in winter, and even took skiing lessons. What I didn't really count on was absolutely crap weather every day, except for less than 6 hours over 10 days (I kid you not). So, I ended up cutting my NZ trip short, because hiking in really cold rain and fog is just no fun. Unlike hiking in snow or tropical rain, where you either don't really feel the moisture or it is so warm you don't care. I did get some activity in though, but not skiing....the 6 areas I checked either had a good dumping on 30 June and then it melted, or they were able to manufacture snow, but only for the skills expeditions in Queenstown for the Winter fest, which I couldn't get to anyway because the road was close for fog (a new one for me) or because the airport was closed due to fog, or all the guest accommodation was taken because Prince William was checking out the festival along with a lot of rugby fans down for an England and Ireland series against New Zealand. I know that was a long sentence, but it adequately reflects the run on nature of my trying to get outside and have fun on that leg of the trip. This photo is along a hike around Green Lake, near Rotarua on the North Island. 

Watch This Space for New Zealand photos and comments.

I'm mid-way through a NZ vacation in rainy mid-winter, amid an England and Ireland vs. New Zealand rugby tour and school holidays, so it's surprisingly crowded, though obviously not as much as it would be in the summer. I am very glad I did not come in summer. Have had some haps and mishaps, but most oddly of all, NZ leaves me ....bored. I must be the only person in the world, but it does not do much for me. At least now I can take it off my list of things to see. When I get to someplace with the correct cable I'll start downloading some photos.

Older Photos are still visible.....

Just a note...I guess I have posted enough photos for this eblogger thing to start moving some of the earlier posts to archives. To view them, just click on some of the earlier archive links on the left toolbar. And stay tuned!!

I miss this! I mean, look at all those bottles of beam in the background....and of course, Patricia... 

On a walk today, I encountered some very enthusiastic bamboo. It was at least 4 stories high. 

How many times do you get to say this....Here are Jesus and Mustaffa.  

This photo was taken during our rooftop barbeque last weekend. At this table is Rose, Mustaffa, David, Soe, and Ashraf, adding additional dimensions to the depth of our already international site team's diversity. 

I have been fortunate to make some Singaporean friends while on the island. I know, I said I would not write about work, but in this case I have some coworkers who are also friends. This is the Selwa family. If Phillip were coming to you as a safety officer, wouldn't you make sure you were working safely!?!?

My other little treehugger, my niece Casey. She turned 7 when this photo was taken. Creative and fearless.....I hear that I am expected to show her rainforests of the world. We'll see if we can't nurture that tree hugging just a little further!  

Kyle, my Nephew....what a wonderful little treehugger! This photo was from January so I am sure he's a foot taller and a hunderd IQ points smarter. And I am not just saying that because I am his Aunt! 

Two of my favorite people in Singapore are Rassmus and Emile, young Danish sons of our friends Jeppe and Mette, a coworker and his wife. Matt and I babysat them one evening and almost broke Emile's front tooth....well, we didn't, but let's say there was a household accident resulting in a really fat lip and a bruised gum. Amazingly, the Parents weren't hysterical, and actually still talk to us. This weekend we had a company cookout on the rooftop, and fortunately, there was no ill will from the boys. They are a lot of fun to play with, and fantastic future UN representatives. They are multilingual, and in 7 years of their lives together have been in 10 countries. Pretty amazing. But then again, they're European, so that is like describing a 7 year old in the states as having visited 10 states. Though even still I bet there aren't that many kids who can boast likewise. Now I must post Casey and Kyle...

Orchid Bikes. These trishaw type frames were decorated with beautiful material orchids. I don't know why or what for, but they were a pretty sight to cycle by. 

Sunday bike ride. Today I went for a ride without a map. This is not a good thing because typically to get to East Coast Park I need to consult a map at least three times. It is safet to assume then that I did not get to East Coast Park today. It should be easy enough...it is an island, and if you go east, you should end up at the east coast, where there is a park. The problem for me is getting there from here. I tend to turn and meander and wander down different streets to take a look at things. East has long lost its meaning to me, and I ride toward water instead. In this case it took me from the marina to the Esplanade Theaters, locally known as the Durians.

This is not a good shot of the building but it is a very unique concert and cultural performance center, and the spiky spiny architecture resembles that locally notorious fruit, the Durian. It is shaped kind of like a pineapple...in that it is spiky, and about that size, and the fruit is yellow. Id differs from pineapple in that it smells like shit....literally, there is no nice way to describe it. The fruit is illegal to carry onto buses or the subway and I think cabs as well, so if you buy it at the market you should be ready to walk home. The fruit is custardy in texture, and if you can get past the smell, it is actually kind of nice. I imagine the first person to have ever tried it was really hungry. At any rate, the concert halls are shaped like a pair of Durians on the edge of the Singapore River, and this was right about the time I knew exactly where I was and how far I had strayed from my original destination.

It's a rainy Sunday afternoon. Here's a shot from the apartment window. Yep, I'm right above the street. Fortunately, the necessary continuous drone of air conditioning drowns out the traffic sounds. Turn off the air conditioning while away for a day, and the scent of mildew can knock you down upon your return. This must have strenghtened allergies/sinuses, because I've had no trouble at all with that, oddly enough.