The great migration Part II "Return of the Migrants" - Auckland

We are back in Auckland! We spend two days at Pras's house. Pras is going to look after the dogs for 10 days, and helped to coordinate with the shipper to send the dogs to USA. It was great to spend the two days with Pras just talking about dogs, training etc. He loves dog training and everything about dogs in general, and he really really likes Jet! Well, he likes Lilith as well, but Lilith treats him like a stranger :P

Reluctantly, we sold Fawkes to a wrecker. We tried selling it to a backpacker but he was worried about the rust, and we ran out of time and energy to continue meeting people. And the wrecker agreed to pay us more than we asked for. Goodbye Fawkes... you are a good van.

After we sold the van, we were staying with Selena and Lois for a couple of days before our flight to Singapore. We were excited and nervous... our time in New Zealand is almost up. We had lots of fond and some not some nice memories of New Zealand. We had lived in New Zealand for 6 years and 10 months, and now we are leaving.

Till we meet again, New Zealand. Poroporoaki.

Grace's "There and Back Again" DAY 11

Grace is leaving today :( Went to Auckland city, did some last minute shopping and eating. We had Korean Pancakes (Hannah's dad's favorite food!) which Grace really enjoyed. 

Food to introduce to Grace - Korean Pancake ✓

The one, the only, No1 Pancake!!!

Nummy nummy!

We strolled through Albert Park, visited our campus, then headed up Symond street to show Grace the old cemetery  We next walked along K road, stopping in some cool shops before heading down Queen street and going Burger Fuel. Grace thought it was a joke when we told her that she had to finish the burger. It was a HUGE burger! We had meant to let Grace try some duck as well but she was just too stuffed... until next time.

Food to introduce to Grace - Burger Fuel ✓

We then ambled down to the waterfront to see all the big yachts in the Viaduct and new Wynard quarter. As Hannah's parents told Grace she was not under to get any tattoos or piercings while in New Zealand, the girls decided to have a bit of fun and give their parents a fright. We used a Sharpie to draw fake tattoos and took a photo to send to their mom and dad.Then it was time to put Grace onto the airbus and on her way home! There were some tears and promises of a next time. Grace, thank for visiting. We had a great time! There was a lot of sweat, a lot of tears, a lot of Bon Jovi, quite a bit of smelliness, not too much showering and washing, lots of eating.... until next time.

Back in town

Collage of the wedding ..you can find more photos on Hannah's facebook page

Back in Auckland after spending 20 days in Singapore. Compared to Singapore, New Zealand's summer seems to be missing the heat this year! It was a great trip and leaving was a bit bittersweet. Mom was crying more as compared to the last few times when I left Singapore. My nephews were sad to see me leaving as well. I was sad to leave too, but I knew I have to complete what I set out to do in New Zealand. Hannah mentioned that she wouldn't mind living in Singapore for a few years... I am sure that good food and fabulous, cheap coffee helped her in making those decisions! :) Well, we shall see where destiny would bring us after the adventure in New Zealand.

Wedding was great...again, thanks to mom and Sir for enduring that long gruesome flight from US to give us their blessings. Nori for being the best and most dorky maid-of-honor. It also wouldn't be complete without my friends - Linda and Francis, Jeffrey, Alfred, Candy and Mun Chong and K'ley. Thanks to Candy for making Hannah looked beautiful and fresh all day, and K'ley for doing such a wonderful job with the photography. Special thanks to my sisters, dad and mom...for making both the wedding, the Chinese New Year and the stay in Singapore unforgettable.

This is the first time I spend Chinese New Year at home after 15 years! Reunion dinner was exactly how I remember it - tons of great food, noisy, and warm!. The difference this year were the new family members - Sir, mom, Hannah and Nori. They were surprised to experience the non-stop flowing of prawns and other food... yes, it is Chinese New Year, and we eat like there is no tomorrow!

I am happy to be able to show the official pastime of Singapore to Sir and mom. We tried coffee (kopi) take-away in a bag, rojak, laksa, fish head curry, satay, steam fish, durian, chilly crab, fried carrot cake, steamboat, frog leg, chicken rice, roti prata, mutakbak, and many more that I could not remember.

Oh... I already miss the kopi.