The Centre of Finance and Trade in New China

The sheer size of Shanghai serving as China’s centre for trade and facade to the outside world blew me away. It was my first time to be in a world city dominated by skyscrapers and there were numerous mind blowing buildings drawing this city together.

It was Chinese New Year and a lot of the stores were closed with less people out on the streets. It was quieter than usual yet I could feel that this powerhouse was on the move and moving fast with an ever changing skyline and new trends.

The three things that caught my attention the most were the amount of construction taking place (all over China), young couples following the restrictions set out by government’s one-child policy and elder people spitting in shades of yellow and white on the marble sidewalks.

I stayed at Mingtown Hikers Youth Hostel near The Bund and it was cool to hang out with like minded travellers and interesting characters. They also had beer specials and free pool which kept me occupied at night.

During the day I walked the streets of Shanghai and visited some neighbourhoods, museums, exhibition halls, tall buildings, restaurants, narrow alleys and backstreets. It was great to be out on a mission again and I completely forgot about teaching.

Having been to China twice, spending time in Taiwan and living here in South Korea near the border with North Korea, has given me some insight about East Asia. South Korea is cool (Korean’s will agree) and I am having a blast here, but South Korea will never be on China or Japan’s level in terms of regional and international dominance and as one of my friends here on the outskirts said: “Korea will always play Robin to Japan and China’s Batman”.

Shanghai was a great experience. An impressive city continuing to transform itself as a world player. It was enriching to be ‘out there’ again, navigating my way from Korea via land to Shanghai and back by air. I also found pleasure in using a two year expired student card for discount with Chinese who can’t read “expires on” or going to neon lit night clubs with other travellers and finding a way to drink for free. Rewarding actions to remind me that I haven’t lost it yet. 

I won’t travel in Asia anytime soon, though there is so much more I’d like see and experience. I might one day come back, but now I am heading back to mother city Cape Town at the end of March where I will look back at an awesome time spent working and travelling in East Asia. This is by no means my last update from the Korean outskirts and I will keep this blog running as long as I am moving.

INDONESIA!

One of the main reasons for coming to teach English in South Korea is that I will have the opportunity to do some traveling during my vacation periods. I have only been here for 4 months and this opportunity has already presented itself.
One of the many places to see on my big to-do-list was Indonesia. July month was going to be ideal weather conditions and I had only 2 weeks off to make this journey.
I was extremely excited to go traveling and more so knowing that Clementine would be joining me. Clementine arrived 3 days prior to the trip and we took off for Jakarta Indonesia as the Saturday morning calm came to an end in Korea. Two weeks in Tropical Indonesia – Lets GO!

We arrived in Jakarta at night and boarded a connection flight to Mataram in Lombok. It was dark and the beautiful landscapes and lush green vegetation had not presented itself yet. A complete different place to the South Korea we left that morning. In the dark we were exposed to busy streets with people, scooters, children and street vendors. Dark alleys with potholed roads and street dogs not chained up as in Ganghwa. I could smell the fresh air and my level of excitement grew as we neared the ocean.

Happy Times

My beautiful dad.

The beach houses surrounding the house we stayed in. The agapanthus grows wild in front of these houses. I would love to see them flowering.

The gardens in this small sleepy beach side town are to-die-for.



Table set for Dad's Birthday lunch.






I spotted this cute beach shack when I was out picking flowers and loved it. In New Zealand I've noticed they paint many of their houses black and white which I love.



I had a bath in this huge clawfoot bath every day we were there. I love the little vintage butterfly prints on the wall.




When we eventually renovate the kitchen in our new house I definitely want to have a cabinet built just like this one which was in the kitchen at the beach house. It was so perfect for all the plates, platters, cups etc.

The beach in front of the house.

We've just returned home from a week in New Zealand where we celebrated my father's 60th Birthday. After spending a few days in Auckland we caught a plane down to Napier and drove down to a beautiful beach house my parent's have been frequenting over the past 12 months in a sleepy beach side town in Hawkes Bay. We spent 3 days here with my parents, brothers, cousins, aunty & uncle and our grandmother. It was the most wonderful holiday with lots of laughs, lots of tears and lots of reminiscing. Mum cooked an amazing lunch for Dad on his birthday. I went down the street and picked some gorgeous roadside flowers which I arranged for the table. It was the most amazing week away from work and the craziness of life. Happy 60th Birthday Dad. You are one in a million and we all love you so much.

If anyone is interested in staying at this beautiful house click HERE for details.

Via the Backroads!

Its been almost a year since our group of BMXers and Skaters went on this trip. I've been wanting to share this news with you for quite some time.

Adriaan Louw and I are busy making a full length documentary of this adventure that took place in December 2008.



Here is a brief write up of the trips concept:

Via the Backroads! – a BMX / Skateboard Adventure

Via the Backroads is an Extreme Sports Adventure based on traveling through South Africa, Swaziland and Mozambique.
Our group of 10 guys consisted of 5 skateboarders, 4 BMXers and one 1 filmer braving the backroads to explore new spots of BMX and Skating interest. We promoted our respected disciplines by taking it to towns and areas never before exposed to BMX or Skateboarding.

This exploration adventure took us to more than just new spots. We met people that were open-minded to our lifestyles. In cities people would prejudge Skateboarders and BMXers as vandals or trouble makers. In places like Swaziland, Mthata and Fort Hare we were welcomed with open arms.

For 25 days BMX, Skateboarding and Adventure was everything! It took us to amazing places. Places that are overlooked by others. And it was here that we encountered the greatest experiences.

Finding a virgin spot or drinking a beer at your hut while overlooking the Trankei landscape was what made this trip so enjoyable.

The Urban Extreme Sport that contrasts the unique and beautiful Southern Africa landscape was captured on camera and is sure to be an interesting and enjoyable documentary.

Documentary Coming: End November

All Photo's by Wayne Reiche

The Hart

The Hart Lodge in Tauranga Bay of Plenty New Zealand looks like it would be a beautiful place to visit and if you were feeling a little extravagant you could fly in on your own helicopter and land at the property's helipad. If only I could flit off over there for a few days. That would be nice!!

Take Me To Rome

And let me stay at Portrait Suites owned by the Ferragamo family. I love the shoe artwork which hangs throughout this dreamy Italian Townhouse. Did I mention it is perfectly located right above the Ferragamo store on Via Condotti?!

Dreaming of Faraway Places

I woke up this morning and for some strange reason I had Paris on my mind. I then started to think of Positano in Italy and then I went on to think of Lake Como and Venice and my final thoughts, before I dragged myself out of bed, were of the Notting Hill markets in London.

After dropping Harry at school, I came to work and I heard the girls talking about Paris and my mind started to drift again. Then I was flipping through my photo file on my laptop and spotted a few images of some more special places. I don't know what's wrong with me. I wasn't thinking about these places yesterday. I must have caught some sort of travel bug overnight.

Gosh I hope I am better tomorrow as I don't think I could stand another day dreaming about these beautiful places without transferring a few frequent flyer points and hastily booking some flights...mmm an early night might just be what the doctor has ordered for me to rid myself of these dreadful thoughts!!

Image 1 - Corrie Bond Photographer, Image 2 - Corrie Bond Photographer, Image 3 - Source unknown, Image 4 - Vi.sualize.us

Auckland Finale

We certainly had a great few days in Auckland and it's surrounds and we are excited to be heading back there later this year to discover some more beautiful places New Zealand has to offer.

One of the things I liked in particular was the architecture in the places we visited. Their attention to the details of their homes impressed me very much. I also loved the established trees which lined the streets.

Whilst watching my brother surf at Raglan, Harry presented me with this wild flower/rock creation he made to thank me for a wonderful family trip away. And it was such a lovely family trip away!!

Visiting Auckland - Part 4

My brother Nick lives and breathes surfing so on Easter Friday we hired a car and drove from Auckland down to Raglan which is world renowned for it's consistent left hand surf breaks. It was actually a sight for sore eyes as it was a freezing day in Raglan and my brother entered the water with no wetsuit {he had forgotten to bring one with him} - the only surfer in the water without one on! Onlookers couldn't believe he was going in. He caught a few waves and exited the water saying that it was the coldest he had ever felt but thrilled that he had surfed Raglan!

Raglan itself is quite a sleepy town but so pretty and remote. I think I could get lost in a place like this!