Sichuan Wedding

Sisters on the road together, an amazing couple of travel buddies.

What an amazing year we are having! It just seems to be racing past with so much going on in lives. Some of it good, some of it not so good but most of it absolutely splendid. Probably the highlight so far has been the wedding of Bradley and Jing Jing in China. Ruth and I were lucky enough to have been granted leave from work so that we could attend. So on June 24 we found ourselves flying off to Chengdu, this time we had Ruth's sister with us. Even more exciting was we were going to be meeting up with, Lloyd and Anna, Logan and Bradley. So it was the first time in about three years that we all managed to be in the same place at the same time.

Our group on our first outing to an ancient village. Very interesting.

It was just like old times, and great to have Pilot Sam along too.
It seems these lads misbehave together just like the old days in Rotorua.

It was going to take a number of days for Bradley's guests to arrive so we based ourselves at The Nova a backpackers in Chengdu. Jing Jing's mum arranged a number of outings so that we could enjoy more of Chengdu. It was really nice to enjoy with a group of family and friends. A trip to the old temples, an ancient village area and of course the Panda Sanctuary  all managed to keep us busy during the days. We spent two delightful evenings at Jing Jing's mother's house, where we were treated to some wonderful home cooked meals and Chengdu family hospitality. We felt blessed and could certainly share the pride of Jing Jing's mum.

Our new family at Jing Jing's Mother's house.
Notice the touch of Kiwiana on the wall, this was made by Ruth's Mum.

At the Panda Sanctuary in Chengdu. Great to see the efforts taking place to help these animals survive.

We took a bus all the way the Mianyang on the Friday, the wedding was to take place on the Sunday 30 June. Here we stayed in a new hostel which was more like a hotel. A mystery stomach bug struck me down on Saturday so I was very tired and lethargic throughout the day. This was not good with wedding preparations taking place and the meals we were taking part in. At this stage I was starting to get a little nervous about having to give my Father of the Groom Speech. It was written, but would it measure up and had I included appropriate praise of the delightful couple. Oh and then there was the language barrier, I speak only English and the majority of the guests only spoke Mandarin. How would I know when it was my turn? Of course that is why they have wedding rehearsals. This was an eye opener, but it did help to put my mind at ease.

Highly recommended accommodation in Chengdu.
It doubles as a great place for a coffee.

Beth and Anna having a great time. Family times are great times.

Beth posing with her Panda friend.

Anna and Lloyd discussing something deep and important about Pandas.

Logan out and about in the rain. It rained consistently for three days.

Ruth and Beth posing at one of the temples we visited

The happy couple determined not to let a little rain dampen their spirits.

What rain the sisters were not worried at all.

Finally the day of the wedding arrived. We discover that there are various events that must take place before the wedding. First a successful woman from the family must make the bride's bed. Well done Beth, you are a successful woman. Next the Groom and his party must go out and find his bride. When they find where she is they must complete a number of tasks and pay money to gain entry.

Waiting!

Ready to roll.

Off to the car.

Of course Jing Jing was waiting in the bedroom and Bradley then had to find her shoes. Once all this had been completed successfully he must carry Jing Jing to a waiting car. As we were the grooms parents we could not take part in this part of the celebrations.

Hunting for his wife.

Deciding on a plan.

Bradley singing.

However we were picked up and driven down to the restaurant where the wedding feast was to take place. The Bride and Groom stand and greet all of the guests. Both sets of parents are expected to greet the guests as well. The guests are given sweets for the ladies, cigarettes for the men and red packets for the children. with over 300 guests it was a fun time with lots of friendly smiling faces.

A stunning bride.

It is times like this it pays to be in hospitality. Logan does it well.

Our three ladies in waiting

A strange way to show your love.

A moment of reflection.

Eventually after all of the guests were seated we were lead in to our seats and the ceremony part began. There are some very different customs to the weddings that we are used to. The groom enters and bows showing his respect. Then the Bride enters with her court of ladies and gentlemen. She stops and the groom goes to collect her and walk her up the aisle , (which resembles a model's walking platform) There are a number of important words said. The Groom shows his caring and gentle love for the bride. The bride then proceeds to extract a little pain form the groom. There is bowing and a show of their obvious love for each other. rings are exchanged and a tea ceremony takes place. Each of the couple taking tea to their new inlaws to show respect. In turn we had them a red packet. Eventually it is time for the speeches. Miraculously my speech popped up translated into Mandarin on the screen. It ran through very smoothly, thanks to my brilliant idea of placing it onto my Kobo as a backup. Jing Jing's father had the final say, his speech was translated into English so that we could understand. A very powerful speech with a lot of heart felt emotion. Before we knew it our family was now extended to a new China branch. We really did feel like a part of this family.

The groom travels in style.

At this point in time there is more eating. Many courses being brought out with some amazing dishes being placed on the table. We were told to eat quickly because we would have go around all of the tables and toast with the guests. This is a mission 38 tables all keen to toast the happy couple. By the way Gombai means drink, the whole glass.

After all of this we returned to our table and the guests started to make their way off. What an exciting way to celebrate getting married. This was a wedding to remember. We were invited back to Jings Jing's father and stepmother's flat. This was an honour as we got to see where the morning activities took place. Also we were treated to some lovely Piano music by her talented father Yang. Then it was down to a coffee house for coffee. I believe it is traditional to play Mahjong during the afternoon, we got treated to coffee instead.

Jing Jing's wonderfully talented father.

With the wedding over the next day we made our way back to Chengdu. Here we were treated to a further dinner with Jing Jing's mother and stepfather's relations and friends. It was yet another special and friendly occasion that helped to bring cultures together. After these days, Ruth and I came away feeling very proud of fine young men. Also we felt honoured to welcome Jing Jing into our family as an official daughter in law.

Home in May

We hadn't been back to NZ for 18 months and we felt that it was time for a little taste of winter so this year we flew back to Auckland for our two week break at the end of May. It was going to be our first taste of winter in a number of years.

Home sitting, waiting, always where the heart is!

We are always excited when we touch down at Auckland, especially when we know someone is waiting as we walk out through the arrival gate. This time Beth was waiting and before we knew it we driving back to Sandes Street in Thames. It was a few degrees cooler than we have been used to but it was good to be home.

After a couple of days acclimatizing to the first real cold snap of winter in New Zealand we took Dinkie on a road trip to Wellington. The day before the Desert Road had been closed due to Snow. So we planned to give ourselves plenty of time for some photos on the way. 

The view as we drove into Taupo for lunch was one out of the box.

The view across Lake Taupo says it all.

Ngarahoe looked as though it was simmering away as we drove passed it  on the Desert Road.

Ruapehu stood out dressed in its new white cloak.

The Desert Road, State Highway 1, is one of the great drives  and the scenery never gets much better than just after a dump of winter snow. The trick is not to hurry and to take advantage of the numerous pull over area to get well clear of the road. There are always plenty of big trucks rumbling along here so you do have to take care.

We drove all the way down to Wellington to spend a few days catching up with Bradley and Jing Jing. We really wanted to see them in action at the Market. Friday Night we had a great time hanging out in the Wellington Night Market off Cuba Mall. Sampling food and without a doubt we had to say Sichuan Spice was the best on offer.

This is the face of Sichuan Spice

Brad actually did do a lot of stirring on the night

Jing Jing worked solidly. She is amazing as she mixes up the right flavours every time.

Three different levels of Spiciness 1 Claw, 2 Claw or 3 Claw. 

Happy customers tucking in to Sichuan Spice Noodles

You won't get street this good anywhere else outside of China.

We were booked to sail on the Sunday afternoon ferry to go over to Blenheim and spend a few days with Lloyd and Anna.  The idea was that we would spend the morning at the Wellington market watching Bradley and Jing Jing in action doing their Sunday market. However on Sunday the wind arrived and they did not set up it just was not going ot work for them. Lots of other interesting things to look at though.

Markets in Asia are never this orderly.

There was even fresh fish available direct from the boat.

This is the Wellington waterfront near to the market.

Wellington has its own  brand of cityscape. Not quite Hong Kong, but clean and green.

We spent a few days in Blenheim with Lloyd and Anna. It is always great spending time with these two. We couldn't help but get swept up in their passion for this area of New Zealand. We were both enthused by the pleasure they both show with what they are doing and their lifestyle in Marlborough. It was great their little home showing many of the improvements that they have made to it already. Before we knew it we were on the ferry and back in Wellington on our return journey to Thames

Early morning on the Wellington waterfront.

This crane seemed like some kind of monster as they day came to life.

Dawn and the first rays of light.

Shed 6 on the waterfront. Wellington is so lucky to have this area for recreation.

An evening shot across from our hotel in the heart of wellington.

Our next stop on our Road trip was Rotorua to catch up with my Bros. We stopped in at Ians one nigh. It was a good catch up time. Then we had a night with David and yet more of a catch up before we carried on back to Thames for a couple of nights.

Ian is lucky to wake up to this scenery every morning. He lives on the edge of Lake Rotorua.

This photo was taken standing on the path near the door to his house.

I even managed to shoot a mallard Drake. It must be 30 years since i last shot one of these.

Brigid took us out for a stroll at Okere Falls. This is a farm from the road.

These bellbirds were in Taupo and they were very vocal. They were enjoying the winter day.

It will be great when we get to fill in our days fishing and drinking coffee.
This guy has it sorted at Ohau channel, he told us he didn't expect to catch anything.
It was just great to be out and enjoying the day.

Well all good holidays have to come to and end and ours seemed to pas very quickly. However we would have to say it was full of fun and good times. We are lucky to have such a great family and amazing friends back at home. We are sorry we never seem to have time to catch up with you all. But we did think of you all while we were home.

It was great to go home and remember what winter feels like again. 

It was also great to have some quality time with friends and family and to share some of their

successes at home.

Looking forward to the next trip home.