Oli and the Oly... in Windy Welly!

Meet my new toy - The Olympus EP-3 (Oly)! Very clever of Bryn as it definitely distracted me from thinking about entering the 4th decade! Thanks, Babe, for such a cool and fun camera! I do not miss my old Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ8, sadly to say. I do know of a good home it can go to!

It is a retro looking micro four thirds camera which allows for interchanging of lenses. Some articles about it has the title "Honey, I shrunk the DSLR"! This little number produces sharp images with depth, has amazing autofocus and fits nicely into a handbag. Definitely allows for one to be discrete. The reviews that helped me decide are those by Steve Huff and dpreview. Of course, there is always the Facebook poll :D

We were in Wellington recently for both work and leisure. A perfect opportunity to test out the Oly. Of course, the user manual can always wait! It may not be perfect, but may I present you some retro arty shots of one of my favourite cities in the world- Wellington:

(a slideshow pops up when you click on an image)

Retro Suburbia

Romance

Cute interior designs

Banjos

Solace in the Wind - by Max Patte

When one decides not to walk...

Tee hee!

Wellington Cable Car to the Botanical Gardens

Cuba Street

The infamous Bucket Fountain

City Market

I managed to convert Bryn for the weekend too. To have Char Kuey Teows, Satay, Dosai, Murtabak, Roti and Dhal, Nasi Lemak with Ayam Masak Merah, Siew Pau and Curry Puffs! Yummo! I recommend the following places to eat if keen to pursue a similar cuisine theme:

• Satay Kajang, Dixon Street
• Little Penang, Dixon Street
• Roti Chenai, Victoria Street
• Istana Malaysia, Allen Street
• KC Cafe and Takeaway, Courtney Place
• Satay Kampong, Allen Street

For those with more European tastebuds, we had some really good meals here:

• Elements, Lyall Bay
• Matterhorn, Cuba Street
• Scopa, Cuba Street
• Boulcott Street Bistro, Boulcott Street
• Leuven Belgian Beer Cafe, Featherston Street

Ah... Wellington 

The Harbourcity capital, full of life and buzz

A city ever so windy! So your hair always a fuzz

Always a cafe, a restaurant and a bar

in every corner, near and far

Lots of different yummies for a Foodie

Just as long as you walk, gotta watch the tushy!

Well, that's my attempt but let me present you the Mutton Birds who does a much better job! It's the song Bryn and I used to sing to each other when we were doing the long distance business :) Yes, lots of fond memories from Wellington. 

The Hitchhiker

Image copied from Comedy Estonia

The marks of a good hitchhiker:

Super friendly 

Super chatty 

Super spontaneous 

Super trusting 

Super grateful

I decided to do the most random thing the other day. Maybe it's to check off something to do before hitting the big three-O. Maybe it's all the warm and fuzzy feeling from finishing my rural placement with a big appreciating send off. Maybe I get to go home!

Yes, I picked up a hitchhiker.

A 22 year old Austrian from small town Schwarzenberg, who is travelling before starting college to complete his training as an electrician. With other trades of a ski instructor and demi-pair! The usual dull drive back to Christchurch was adorned by conversations of travel, food, interesting people (hm...like the blog's theme!), religion and life's philosophy!

My husband was found to be chuckling at my action as this particular hitchhiker also scored a night's accommodation, hot shower, and a nice meal after returning from Arthur's Pass the day after he'd hitched a ride from me! PLUS, he gets a free ride to the airport the following day!

I would like to think this to be a kind deed to a fellow traveller from another, I trust he'd rested and recuperated well. Nevertheless, given his personality, he has done very well indeed!

Viel Erfolg, my friend!

Meal of Crayfish

The 'Meal of Crayfish' - a literal translation of one's meal at the local hospital in this little destination!

My 5 month placement in this little rural town of 5000 has been most interesting as well as restful. It is also my first at being a real rural PRIME doctor!

On arrival, I rolled my sleeves up and is all ready for the motor vehicle accidents, dive injuries, seal bites and dirty wounds that will come through. So, being a good and green young General Practitioner, I waited...and waited... and waited.....

No such cases at all!

Instead, I attended to multiple medical emergencies, osteoporotic fractures, sprains and strains, alcohol related injuries and a big list of patients with psychological problems. I quickly learned that this holiday destination is also a place where people come to retire! It is most agreeable with the town surrounded by the beautiful Kaikoura Ranges, just off shore to the South Pacific Ocean. Hard to imagine the existence of emotional turmoil with such serene and peaceful surroundings.

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2

My most interesting CME session has to be the one on "Seal Bites". It entails one of the local GP's broad knowledge on seal behaviours and it's sign of aggression. Quite similar to a BBC documentary. Of course, we have to include the management of its bite. This once cute animal has become a wild beast to my mind. Who am I kidding... It is still very cute indeed! Look at this one sleeping. If not careful, he may just roll back into the sea!

"We always look out for each other here" one patient said to me. And they do. The staffs at the medical centre and the hospital are very dedicated and helpful. They know not only the medical history but also the social history of the patient as well as the patient's families! Yes, I have indeed tested the local "manual telegraph". Brilliant speed - It takes only 2 hours before every staff knows about an incident... or a gossip! They do not do things half-heartedly here at all! Also shown by the dedication of the town to the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup 2011:

It is a shame that I did not have many opportunities  to head out fishing and hunting whilst here.... yeah right. I can, however, boast of the fresh seafood that one can get here! It is a shame that I have not taken photographs of some dishes I made with seafood from Kaikoura, and some of the meals I had here. Anyway, the recommendation is not to have anything else but seafood when in Kaikoura! For places to eat, I would highly recommend the following:

1. Tuti's Restaurant and Bar: Fusion Indonesian Cuisine with real cray in the chowder!
2. The local KFC (Kaikoura Food Company): Delicious breakfasts and lunches. OK Fudges though
3. Encounter Cafe: Delicious breakfasts and lunches. Great view on the Esplanade

Kia Ora, Kaikoura. Until we meet again!