Sale,Sale,Sale

Sale!Sale!Sale.! seingat aku, kat sini tak habis dengan sale.Ada aje sale, hari ni ade, esok ada, lusa ada, cuma aku je yang tak de $. Entah nape,tapi yang seronoknya peniaga-peniaga sebab boleh push sikit sales.Secara umum, population Christchurch tak ramai sekitar 300,00 orang je. Macam Shah Alam.Tapi komersial floor space dia tinggi. Maknanya kalau nak kira congak mudah, ianya agak terlebih penawaran berbanding permintaan. Apabila stok dah banyak, salah satu kaedah ialah dengan 'berpakat' buat sales secara berkala. Harga jual ditetapkan pada tahap yang sekian, sekian.Lepas tu, mereka (penjual) akan buat sale secara berjadual. Macam hypermarket kat sini, walaupun bermacam2 jenama ada- Countdown, Woolworth, Supervalue, Freshchoice, Foodtown - semua ni bawah satu bumbung iaitu Progressive Enterprises Limited. Stictly monopoly. Jadi, tak heran kalau setiap hari khamis, banyak flyers sales akan masuk mailbox rumah masing2. Kalau diperhatikan, setiap supermarket ada sales, tapi pada barang-barang yang berlainan. Jadi kita-kitalah akan cepat teruja dengan tawaran-tawaran ini secara atau tidak.Well, itu pandangan seposen aku.

Golfing In New Zealand

Golfing in New Zealand is very interesting. There are about 400 golf courses in New Zealand and nearly 30 courses around Canterbury alone ,making it the second highest courses per population in the world. Playing golf in New Zealand is considered a recreational sports where every individu from all walk of life comes to play. The average green fees for one round 18-hole game costs only NZD20. Some courses offer even NZD10 per round. An Average membership per year is around NZD500 with unlimited plays. And of course, you would not have times to play in Winter. I did remember last year, snow felt when we just about to T-off at Hole 3. The weather, I tell you, it was really cold and freezing!! One thing goood about golfing here is that you can go in to the course with two, three or four players per flight and even on your own, if you like.The dress code is not that strict where you can have a round-colar neck and a jeans to go in.Most club houses run by members, so if you are early birds, do not forget to put the fees inside a plastic envelope and placed it in a drop-box.Meanwhile, There are also courses offering all Par 3s, making golfing more challenging and exciting.But one thing in common, the courses here are mostly flat with a bit undulating here and there with superb panoramic view.For more details, please visit http://www.canterburygolf.co.nz/page/home/

Nota kaki: Foto-foto tu aksi-aksi yang telah dirakamkan secara mengikut skrip, jadi hasilnya agak kaku dan terlebih-lebih...but i'm still handicap 24 ma..

Autumn in Christchuch

Ni masa gi jalan-jalan kat Hagley Park. Depan masjid An-Nur Chrsitchurch. Langit cerah tak berawan tapi udara sejuk hingga ke tulang sum-sum. Mana ada anak-anak Kiwi berekreasi masa ni.Pokok-pokok kebanyakan daunnya telah gugur. Tapi di Christchurch ini , dalam satu hari akan ada 4 musim. Cuacanya tidak menentu, boleh berubah dalam masa yang singkat.

Mont Hutt

HEART OF THE SOUTHERN ALPS

Located at the foot of the Southern Alps 2086m above sea level, Canterbury’s Mt Hutt is devoted to its laidback and genuine Kiwi atmosphere. Its breathtaking views on a clear day stretch across the Canterbury Plains all the way from the Pacific Ocean to Mt Cook. A vast mountain with 472 hectares of diverse terrain, Mt Hutt is at once relaxed, friendly, challenging and exciting.
Recent major developments saw a whole new ski area layout, the addition of a high-speed six-seater chairlift running from the base to the top of the mountain in less than 5 minutes, a new 140m long surface conveyor lift and 1.2km dedicated novice trail. 2008 improvements of more snowmaking, Huber’s Hutt base building development and a new mini terrain park for beginners and novices mean you’ll now experience some of the best facilities and terrain mix available in the South Island.
An amazing variety of terrain is on offer, extreme skiers and riders head for the steeper challenges of the double black diamond runs of the South Face, while intermediates take on some of the widest groomed slopes in the country and novices can enjoy the dedicated beginner areas and novice trails within the basin. Mt Hutt’s licensed Skiwiland Crèche, kid’s facilities and family discounts make it popular with families and children aged six and under receive free day lift passes.
Mt. Hutt is just over an hours drive from Christchurch and a 35-minute drive from Methven.
Ski shuttles offer daily services to and from Methven.

source: http://www.nzski.com/guides/09/mthutt/

Swing

Swing (Buai) Bu_ai: is one of the favourite past time during childhood. There are a lot of things which can be used as swing. The most basic type is a used tyre and a rope. Then you have to hang it above.Normally under a tree as kids love to play under shaded area. When on the swing, the feeling is different as it moves in pendulum back and forth. Most kids enjoy it as it creates sort of 'gayat' and 'sengiriau' .Well I suppose.

AKOK

Akok is a traditional finger food that was thought originated from Kelantan (I thinks so). It depends how you pronounce it.Some say 'akok' and some 'akak'. (But don't mess up with Kakak). Anyway, no matter how you say it. When it is in your mouth, there is no words can describe how tasteful it is.Yes, we finally made it in an unsual shape though the taste was great.(standard Christchurch la). haa...tambah...tambah...amik..amikkk..lagi?

Alphine Ice Skating Arena- May 2008

On one weekend in May last year, we went for ice skating at Alphine Ice Skating centre. That was the venue where we tested our skills of skating.That was the first time Nazrin and Ilham tried to skate. They both went through though times to get themselves balance. There were a lot of people at that moment and Ilham found it a bit hesitate to try. As usual, Nazrin would do his best to test his skills. They knew that this would help them when we headed to Mount Hutt later.

Hagley Park, Christchurch

Hanmer Spring, South Island-May 2008

Hanmer Spring is located approximately 3 hours (270 km) travelling from Chrsitchurch. It is located on Southern Alps of South Island.Most people get mispelled Hanmer with "Hamner". Being one the Southern Alps Scenic Views, it gives you a pleasure to visit its marvelous spa and hot spring features. Whilst, the panoramic views captured along the way to Hanmer Springs gives you the feeling of peace and tranquility to your mind.ye ke? Ape hal, tempat ni memang menarik. Ada gak rupa macam kat Swizerland bila tiba Winter.

Garage Sale

Garage sale is another exciting element can be found in Chrsitchurch. Every Saturday, there will be a lot of garage sales held in various neighbourhood. The objective is one:-to get rid off old stuffs in order to allow more spaces for new items. In general, purchasing powers among Kiwis are quite high as their salaries are paid fortnightly.Through garage sales, people like me and those who are looking for reasonable and quality goods would spend hours and hours of their Saturday morning searching for their needs.At the end of the day, you will ask yourself.Do I really need this?Well, here go another garage sale next week!

Jelly Park, Bryndwr.Christchurch

One thing good about Christchurch is that it has a lot of town parks / neighbourhood parks which come in size of 4-5 acres of land. It is normally located near to residential areas. Jelly Park is one the attractive parks in Christchuch as it comprises a lake, a field, a mini skateboard arena, and a recently completed aquaworld (swimming pools + water slides) and of course with heated pool. My children like to come here as they can run around or have their bikes cycled. With a present small population, it seems that the park is always underutilised but it is good for the community to have a green lung within their neighbourhood network.

Autumn New Zealand 2008

Autumn in Christchurch, New Zealand. It normally starts in late February till end April.(lebih kurang) cuaca agak sejuk tapi yang paling menarik pokok-pokok bertukar colour.Dengan langit cerah yang tiada berawan, mewujudkan satu contrast latarbelakang yang baik.

Christchurch,New Zealand

Christchurch is a 3rd largest city in New Zealand.It is situated in South Island with a population estimated around 340,00o people and therefore becomes the largest city in the South Island.It is internationally known O'tautahi in Moari and had been voted as one of the most beautiful Garden City in the World in 2006.The urban fabric is well defined being town centre as commercial area and surrounded by residentials. The town centre basically applied 'Grid-iron' system where the roads are in straight lines and intersected. Cathedral church(picture) is one the most tourist attraction landmark in Christchuch. The other modern coned like structure in 'topple up' position adjacent to it has a unique Kiwi trademark of 'Fern leaf' decorated.Together it forms a Cathedral Square.

Lyttleton, Canterbury

Lyttleton adalah sebuah pekan pelabuhan yang terletak di timur Christchurch. Jarak perjalanan adalah sekitar 20 minit melalui sebuah terowong yang agak panjang. Sebagai sebuah bandar pelabuhan, Lyttleton tidaklah sesibuk pelabuhan-pelabuhan besar yang lain yang terdapat di New Zealand.Komposisi demografi terdiri daripada pelabuhan, komersial dan kediaman.Kebanyakkan kediaman terletak di atas bukit dan lereng dengan 'gangguan' yang minima ke atas rupabumi.Kediaman-kediaman ini biasanya menjadi milik golongan kelas menengah dan atasan.Apa yang menarik di sini ialah kediaman didirikan secara rapat-rapat dan ada setengah kes agak mustahil untuk dibangunkan.Tetapi New Zealand mempunyai 'building-by-law' yang agak flexible. Satu lagi keajaiban Lyttleton ialah panorama indah mengadap lautan pasifik.(mengikut kiraan, dari Lyttleton hanya 2 jam perjalanan udara untuk sampai ke kutub selatan!!)

Home Gardening

Gardening dan membersihkan kawasan laman rumah ni amat memenatkan. Sebab itu ramai yang memilih rumah teres atau rumah yang tidak memiliki kawasan hijau yang luas.Sebabnya satu iaitu nak menjaganya satu hal!.Di Christchurch ini, rata-rata Malaysian menyewa dan rumah sewa akan diuruskan oleh agen (Property Manager).Biasalah kalau dah diuruskan ,tentu ada peraturan dan rules yang perlu dipatuhi. Mengemas garden atau laman adalah diantara 'kerja-kerja' yang perlu dilakukan oleh para penyewa. Tak kira macam mana kita buat, garden mesti nampak cantik, menarik dan kemas apabila tiba hari pemeriksaan. Ada agen yang ok, ada juga yang strict sikit. Mana yang tak berkenan di mata, mulalah dia tulis panjang lebar dalam surat maklumbalas. Sebab itu kami suka keluar rumah dan pergi la ke mana-mana time agen datang check sebab malas nak layan. Kan dia tanya pula macam2.Excuse me..excuse me....

Stok Daging

Di Christchurch ini daging halal agak senang diperolehi secara runcit. Banyak kedai yang menjualnya termasuk barang-barang runcit oriental yang lain. Tetapi kepada mereka yang memerlukan kuantiti daging yang banyak dan murah,maka penyembelihan lembu secara kongsi boleh dilakukan.Bagi yang dah tinggal lama di sini, mereka tahu ada beberapa tempat/ladang milik orang islam dan kerja penyembelihan boleh dilakukan di ladang.(Kalau tidak perlu diuruskan di slaughterhouse yang telah ditetapkan). Tempat yang kami pergi hari tu ialah Kaiapoi (ka-ya-poi) 20 minit dari Christchurch.Ianya ladang milik orang Kiwi Islam bernama Azim.
Untuk sembelih tidaklah memerlukan masa yang lama sebab ramai yang tolong pegang dan sebagainya. Tetapi yang tak tahan ialah mengejar lembu untuk dilorongkan ke kandang utk diikat dan direbahkan. Sebab kat sini lembu atau ternakan dilepas dan dibiarkan meragut rumput ikut suka hati.Tak de ikat-ikat punya. Jadi kalau ladang tu luas 5-6 ekar, kenalah simpan kudrat yang banyak sikit untuk bertarung!Harga lembu sekitar NZD350.00 seekor bagi yang cukup2 umur setahun. That's why daging dia lembut dan manis. Bagi lembu yang melebehi 1 tahun dah dianggap 'pencen'!.

cont' Aorangi School - Swimming Pool

Aorangi school ni walaupun kecil saiznya tapi ade swimming pool gak. Swimming class biasa mula di awal tahun masa Summer untuk 12 minggu. Swimming show seperti ini akan diadakan nak tunjuk kat parents yang anak-anak dah panadi berenang walaupun Nazrin mandi tak basah kepala pun. Ilham pula lebih advance sikit dah pandai buat kuak rentang dan macam-macam kuat yang tidak menunjukkan keupayaan sebenar beliau berenang. Tapi, itulah yang dikatakan budak-budak. Mereka suka pada air dah macam ada magnet yang menarik.

Aorangi School, Colwyn Street, Bryndwr

Aorangi school adalah sebuah sekolah rendah macam kat malaysia juga cuma yang bezanya bilangan pelajar sekitar 150 orang! sahaja satu sekolah. Ilham dan Nazrin pergi sekolah ni. Ianya tak jauh dari rumah kami. Nazrin in room 1 dan Ilham room 3.Kat sini sekolah buka pukul 8:30am dan habis 3:00pm. Setiap orang kena bawa lunch box masing tak macam Malaysia budak2 boleh beli kat Makcik kantin.Majoriti budak2 sekolah sini tak sabar pergi sekolah sebab depa boleh enjoy sakan dan tak de beban bawa balik sebagai homework.In satu perbezaan ketara di antara negara berpopulasi rendah seperti New Zealand (4 juta) berbanding negara kita,Malaysia.