East to West

The 40th Auckland International Film Festival is finally here! One of the few events here in Auckland I eagerly wait for each year. 2008's lineup ain't that bad, here are some that I've seen and what I thought of them.

The Duchess of Langeais
Very very slow paced. And I didn't get some of the things they talked about. And I kinda disliked the ending. So....6/10 from me.

Boy A
Thought about Bailey Jr Kurariki the whole time I was watching this. Excellent movie. 9/10

Flight of the Red Balloon
Yet another slow paced movie, but I was captivated by Song Fang (what and how she does things) and le great Juliette Binoche. Movie's an homage to Lamorisse's Red Balloon. Oh Paris Paris how I love you! 8/10

Lorna's Silence
I am a sucker for movies where the main characters would fall in love AFTER entering into marriage. So, hehe, 9/10 from me.

Let's see, what else have I been up to...

Thursday 3/7/08
Flew down to Christchurch for Shireen and Henry's wedding. I was already bundled up in layers of clothing but as I was about to leave for the airport, I felt like I couldn't breathe and would you believe it, had a full blown panic attack. Peeled some layers off immediately, took a couple of deep breaths to calm myself down and finally left the apartment. Airport bus was late late late.

Kasyah and Ida picked me up in Christchurch and at home I was greeted by Maddox and Shiloh. Meow! Kasyah then had a surprise for me, SAMBAL SOTONG! Double Meow!

Shiloh and Maddox slept in with me every single night I was there. Awwww.



Friday 4/7/08
I had already been to Christchurch before but that was in hot sweaty summer. This is winter and I was very excited to walk around the city in my coat and boots.

Winter+Flat City=Awesomeness.

Oh and I had dinner with Kasyah and her students later that night. We had spicy steamboat to warm us up. Yummm....and sugared bread for dessert, yumm some more.

Saturday 5/7/08

Shireen got lucky- it snowed on her wedding day! Well at first it was just sleet; the snow didn't settle but sure enough around 4 or 5 it started snowing. By this time I was already back at Kasyah and Ida's place and couldn't contain my excitement. When Kasyah announced "It's snowing!" I went round the house like a mad woman, looking for my camera and my jacket and uh beanie. I think I drove Ida insane.




Sunday 6/7/08
Day after the wedding I met up with Kak Zaidah at Addington station. We made our way to the west coast by TranzAlpine train service. Beautiful snow-capped mountains will definately take your breath away. Saw just a handful of houses along the way, with smoke coming out from their chimneys. Wonder what it's like living in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by vast empty whiteness?

Sigh.

I'd highly recommend taking the train instead of driving through Arthur's Pass (our roommates over at Hokitika claimed they witnessed a few road accidents along the way). The thing is though, when you are on the viewing deck, you've gotta find the best spot which can mean pushing someone else away so you can get YOUR best shot.

As soon as we arrived in Greymouth we hopped into our car and made our way to Punakaiki, home of the pancake rocks. Had our lunch overlooking the sea, Subwaylah apa lagi. Left for Franz Josef after about an hour there.

Note:YHA Franz Josef is unbelievably clean. And hey, it's brand new still!

Monday 7/7/08
Freezing start to the day, and I actually loved it. Had to scrape off frost from our windshield. Fox Glacier isn't that far off from Franz Josef but the road leading us there was icy,so slowly and carefully we, well Kak Zaidah anyway, drove.

I was super excited (and worried at the same time) to do the half day glacier walk. Can I really walk for 4 hours? Uphill plak tuh?

Answer: Yes I can. All day walk next time? Maybe.

Sure going uphill through the rainforest with heavy boots was hell, but walking on ice was too cool.

Tooooo cool I say.

We stayed the night in Hokitika. I fell asleep around 9pm.

Couldn't believe it myself.

Tuesday 8/7/08
Kak Zaidah flew back to Auckland, while I took the bus to Greymouth and then the train back to Christchurch. Bus driver gave commentaries along the way.

My recommendations to fellow travellers would be, take the morning train to Greymouth. As it gets dark early in winter you won't have too much photo-ops if you take the late ride. For me there's absolutely no point in taking the train in summer unless you like greeneries. And oh yeah, the blazing sun.

I think we've established the fact that I love winter.

TranzAlpine Christchurch-Greymouth return=$114
Intercity Coachline Hokitika-Greymouth=$14

Wednesday 9/7/08
Woke up super early to grab my scarf from Kasyah. On the way to Cathedral Square where I was supposed to catch the $5 bus to the airport, I just had to drop by Ballentyne's to get me-self a red beret. Last beret, I swear.

Arriving in Auckland, I thought, "Crap. I miss South Island already".