On to the South Island

Even North Islanders will tell you that the South Island is the nicest part of New Zealand! We certainly agree. From the very civilized and British city of Christchurch to the wilds of Arthur's Pass, every bit of the South Island is beautiful.

On the road between the ferry in Picton and Christchurch.


Through Arthur's Pass, South Alps


Lupins in the mountains--what a combination!



Rakaia River

Taking to the Road, NZ Style

The first challenge was to figure out how to drive on the left side of the road. Dave didn't take too long to get the hang of it and, other than a nervous hour or two as we made our way out of Auckland and onto the open highway, we had no trouble at all.



NZ roundabouts are much more civilized than those in Doha and NZ drivers are safe and courteous. Of course, the roads are so narrow, windy and hilly they probably have no choice.


New Zealand has such diversity in landscapes, ecosystems and vegetation, from the beautiful coastlines on east and west, to the volcanic majesty of Mount Taranaki, the rugged ranges of the Southern Alps, and the rain-forests of the western slopes. The scenery is every bit as eery and magical as you would expect of the setting of Lord of the Rings.

On our way to Russel on the North Island

Mount Taranaki



The Fern Tree was the plant that I watched for as we drove. It is so tropical and exotic it seems out of place in the land of cattle and sheep.

New Zealand for Christmas

We thought we had arrived in New Zealand, but it turned out to be Middle Earth!

Another Trip to Addis

Last week I meet Kimberly in Addis Ababa for another workshop with the Ethiopian Nurses Association and Aga Khan University.

The view from our hotel window.

I arrived on Tuesday evening and we were in workshop from Wednesday to Friday, flying back to Doha on Friday night. Facilitating workshops is tiring business but it is also pretty satisfying. We have really been privileged to meet and work with these Ethiopian nurses.

With some of the workshop participants.

Kimberly and Asrat


Jackie, the "motivator"

A Relaxing Friday

Dave and I had a lovely day yesterday, the first day of our Eid break. I leave on Tues for Addis Ababa, continuing work with the Ethiopian Nurses Association. Since Dave won't be going with me, we're trying to have some fun together on the few days that we have off.
After a sumptuous breakfast of our specialty oatmeal pancakes, we relaxed with the newspaper out on the patio. The morning weather is lovely now and the sun doesn't track around to that side of the villa until about noon. We decided to make a pot of chili to warm up quickly for supper then took off for a long walk on the Cornish. I also wanted to make a trip to the Gold Souk to look for a couple of items that Kimberly wanted me to get for her. We planned to park on the Sheraton end of the Cornish then walk around to the Gold Souk, do our shopping and walk back. That way it's easy to get parking and to make a quick escape through the traffic that would be gathered by late afternoon-early evening.


The air is soft and moist in the late afternoon, and a cool breeze comes in off the water. The walkway is about 5 km in total from the Sheraton end to the Museum of Islamic Art. We stopped for pictures along the way.



After crossing the busy 6 lane highway, we proceeded up Grand Hamad Street to the Al Fardan Auto Showroom. I could see brand new Jags through the large windows. Then to the Gold Souk area to do our shopping.



The walk back to our vehicle (Charles) was pleasant in the early evening twilight. Even though my hips were stiff and sore from the walk, it was a lovely day. A good start to our week off.

DCWB at DTFF

Yesterday, the Doha Community Wind Band played its first concert of the season at Family Day at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival. It was the first time that the band has played in that venue. There is such a festive atmosphere around the festival, and Katara Cultural Village was full of flags, kites, lights, parasailers, and so many children.


Stages were set up all along the Village Corniche and various community groups and schools performed all afternoon and evening. Our little friend, Julie, performed with her Compass School choir. There were Bollywood dancers, and Qatari sword dance troups. Quite the afternoon.




Julie is the one in the front, on the left. I do yoga twice a week with her mother, Bridgett, and her father, Brad, is the director of our Teaching-Learning Center.



The band played a selection of movie music from Colonel Bogey March, to a John Williams medley, and a medley of music from Chicago. I think we sounded pretty good. The trumpet section was particularly good!



DCWB trumpet section.

Sweet Jasmine

I've had this Jasmine plant since Sept. 2008. After a traumatic start on our patio (I think the sun and heat in Sept. was just too much for a young plant) it has grown and prospered. But I despaired that it would ever blossom. Behold! Last fall it had one beautiful pink flower that smelled as sweet as a jasmine should.


Last weekend, when I was out back hanging out laundry, I noticed not one but four! buds on my jasmine vine. Later this week I spied another bud. So I have to share these pictures with you all.