Swimming with Seals

25 Nov 2011

I just had a terrible sleep yesterday night. The boss was not here and the manager brought his friends, playing pool with loud music throughout the night until this morning. I had no choice but slept in the living hall.

This morning, while I was cleaning the lodge, the manager received a phone call from Seal Swim company, giving us an offer to swim with seals for free. Despite the bad mood resulted from the poor sleep, I accepted the offer with no hesitation.

After we wore the wet suit and took all the necessary equipment, we rode on a bus to the shore. From there, we went out to the sea in a small boat. There were totally 7 passengers, including a kid and an instructor.

Edwin had a terrible experience swimming in the sea. He was too cold when he did his first trial in Akaroa. I was frightened by his words, but finally I decided to give it a shot. I convinced myself that the wet suit fit my body, and it shouldn't be too bad.

The moment I jumped into the sea, the water started to flow into my wet suit. I was cold for a short moment but the wet suit kept me warm very soon. Later, I dived into the water and looked around to search for the fatty seals around me.

In less than 10 minutes, I saw one swimming in front of me. I 'chased' against it and then swam beside it as if I were one of its group. Not long after, another one swimming below me. I was afraid of their wilderness and hence I swam further, in order not to have a body intact with it. Some of us couldn't swim, optionally they used the floating board.

Not A Good Sign

27 Nov 2011

We were promised to work in the bar (owned by the hostel's boss) next week, but today we saw a staff from the bar doing the cleaning in our hostel's garage. From this, we came out with two possibilities.

1) The bar was too quiet and hence the staff was moved to help around the hostel. If this is true, and the staff was not paid, it is totally not fair to the staff because the wages he gets should not include cleaning in the hostel. It seems like the boss is smart and calculative.

2) The staff was paid to clean in the garage as extra work. But if this is true, why didn't he ask us to do that as he knows we need extra cash?

No matter which is correct, for sure the restaurant is not busy enough to get us in and help around the restaurant. Otherwise, the staff would not have been asked to clean the garage. If we could hardly earn extra cash next week, I do not wish to stay any longer here.

The Story Behind the 'Good Day'

27 Nov 2011

Leaving Onuku Farm Hostel and having worked at another BBH in Kaikoura is obviously not a good move.

Yeah, it is a good day today. Just right after I finished the work, the manager came in, showing an 'excitement' on his face. He came towards us and said 'Wow, see? It is a good day today'.

The first thought I had on my mind was he was greeting us, which was a good sign. Not even 3 seconds, I later found out that it meant something else. He said 'Why didn't you hang the laundry but use the dryer, it is expensive. I want to keep you, but the boss is not happy with it.' It was so ironic!!!!! I just do not like it....especially when I saw the expression on his face.

We apologized (not from heart), and then he said 'yea, I told the boss, it is not your fault. I didn't have time to tell you what to do and what not to do'.

I never think he is a simple man. He likes to tell messages in his words. I am not sure if the complaints were from the boss, or merely himself.

Kaikoura '隧道之城‘

24 Nov 2011

We left the lovely Onuku Farm Hostel to 'LCL' was because of the paid works available here. Also, we took the opportunity to visit the beautiful Kaikoura. I described it as the city of tunnels because there are too many along the road.

'LCL' had been the top rated BBH in Kaikoura for two years. Unlike other BBH, there is no dorm and shared rooms. All the rooms here are either twin, or double. This gives the advantage to the tourists who want a comfortable stay without many backpackers giving noise and mess in the lodge.

It is a two-storey lodge with one fully-equipped kitchen, one semi-equipped kitchen, one living room, one dining room, 8 rooms, and 5 bathrooms.

The manager looks after both the lodge and a restaurant owned by the host. He spends most of the time in the restaurant. There is no reception in the lodge. Whenever a guest come to the lodge looking for accommodation, he would need to call the manager's phone number with the phone provided next to the main door. The manager would then assist them through the phone. It is the same for guests check in. They would need to call to get the door code in order to enter into the lodge. We, workers can never be allowed to open the door even though the door is knocked. Sometimes, the guests would look for the someone in charged of the hostel to make the payment. I totally have no idea why the lodge is rated the highest among all other hostels in Kaikoura. I do not like the manager, his attitude and the poor hospitality provided for guests.

The paid works given is not too much. Besides that, we do not like to work with the manager. We have decided to leave and try our job hunting luck in Christchurch. We received only half of our payment as the compensation for leaving without one week notice. Surprisingly the manager didn't show any emotion to us. It was a peaceful discussion.

In the morning, we carried our luggage and left the hostel. I felt so relieved to leave the terrible working place. It was a sunny day. I saw blue sea and colorful flowers along the journey. I was looking forward to experience better days in Christchurch.

At the Kaikoura beach, we saw a few groups of ladies and men catching whitebaits. They sat there for hours. Each time they pulled the net up, there were only a few little whitebaits.

pic: Nubin. The flower that I had been waiting for 7 months

pic: A mixture of winter and spring

The Earthquake City - Christchurch

15 November 2011

Just a few weeks before I came to New Zealand, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck on Christchurch. This news had greatly frightened me and I was worried that my journey to New Zealand might somehow be cancelled.

Not long after, another after-shock earthquake happened. I promised my mother and myself that I would try my best not to step into this city while I am in New Zealand. Consequently, I flew to Auckland immediately once I arrived in Christchurch from Malaysia.

As time has gone by, I have realized that earthquake is very common in Christchurch. Most of them are not fatal. I went to Christchurch for a few times. I had even stayed and worked there for a few days.

As I walked around the city center, the damaged buildings can be easily seen. Some of the roads have been closed and re-construction is being done.

Not every single shop or building in the impacted area was damaged. I have seen only one damage in a row of street.

People say that Christchurch used to be a very beautiful city, and now it is depressing. I personally do not like Christchurch because it is too busy and big for me. It is the only place in New Zealand I have been to without knowing the exact location of the information center (i-site).

Barbecue

19 November 2011

I had been hearing a lot about a man who come to Onuku Farm Hostel every year to dive and catch for crayfish. But he never eat one. Today, I have finally met this person who come from England. Jeff, the owner of the hostel had bought sausages and burgers for the barbecue, to thank the staff for working hard, and also to welcome this England man, Graham. It was also a special gathering, before we left on the coming Monday.

Before I started to tell about the food, let me just introduce the attendants. Jeff is the owner of the hostel. I didn't really talk much to him, but he is real good. Once he brought me to Flea Bay to see little penguins. He also gave us fresh eggs as little motivation and recognition of our work.

He has two dogs, one called Phoebe and another Tiggy. They have 4 newborn little puppies. When I first arrived in Onuku Farm Hostel, I was so afraid of dogs. It was Jeff who asked the manager, Gemma to bring me to see the 4 puppies so that I can slowly get out from the fear. Thanks to Gemma too who always encouraged me.

This is the manager, Gemma. She is a nice girl. She is just 2 months older than me but I can see she is much more capable and mature than me. She was my closest friend in Onuku. We sometimes shared love stories.

Tom has been living and working in Onuku for years. He is Gemma's partner and originally come from Japan. He is a very fit and knowledgeable person. He can dive, repair car, and many other works that a man should know. He caught us paua (abolone), crayfish, and even replace the brake pads for our car.

Anthony is Gemma's brother, who just came last two weeks. He will be working here for the entire summer. Being 21 years old, he is the youngest in the hostel.

Rhod, is from Wales. He is a playful guy who always make jokes on me. He came here last two weeks and would stay here and work for the dolphin swimming throughout the summer season.

Bob and Twila are from the United States. They come here once a year and this time, it was their 16th visit to Onuku Farm Hostel. They normally spend a few weeks here, helping around the hostel. They are very kind and I am glad to meet them.

Everyone of us brought a food. Rob contributed some rice and capsicum and we decided to prepare cheese baked rice with added bacon, mushroom, and creamy corn sauce.

Among all dishes, I like this egg most. It was prepared by Twila. The egg yolks were seasoned with honey mustard, mayonnaise, and pickles.

Onuku Farm Trampers' Hut with a wooden piano

11 Nov 2011

Onuku Farm Trampers' hut is a place for all bank peninsula walkers to stay for the first night with the panoramic views over Akaroa Harbour.

The larger, for 4 day walkers, has 2x4 bunk bendrooms and a spacious 4 bed loft. There is a well equipped kitchen and dining room. Gas stoves and water, solar powered lighting and log burner are provided. The smaller chalet, for two day walkers, has a kitchen and dining room and 2 bedrooms.

The woofer who is responsible to look after the trampers' hut would stay in a caravan. It is attached to a semi-opened kitchen and dining room. It is definitely a unique accommodation for woofers.

There is also an old wooden piano in the hut. Despite its age, it sounds good and works perfectly. I used to spend my spare time there playing the piano.

Marriage d' Amour

Nostalgia

Cooking Exploration Oct - Nov

Oct - Nov 2011

During the spare time, I did bakery. I didn't quite like making bakery actually but I had too much time. Also, it saved us from buying snack in supermarket.

Red Wine Chocolate cake

Unbaked Chocolate Biscuit

Chocolate Oatmeal Biscuit

Lemon Cupcake

Savoury Muffins and Pancakes

Sweet and Sour Mussels

Sweet and Spicy Potato

Mushroom and Fungus Chicken

Wheatmeal Bread

Cheese Baked Rice

The most successful bakery I have made. Feel proud of myself

 First trial and yet taste so good