We were awoken at 3:30 am with coffee and kosher breakfast on our comfortable Air China flight from Sydney. We think that we had omelette and beans and hash browns but couldn't swear to it. Then because of the weather in Beijing there was a delay in landing. The coast had been hit by a typhoon and guess what - it was raining and miserable when we landed. We collected our luggage and were met by our guide for most of our week in Beijing, Richard W (Xue Liang Wang). We discovered Richard through a company called toursbylocals.com. Richard drove us to our hotel, Traders Upper East, and agreed to meet us at 1:30 pm for our first sightseeing afternoon. Our suite is lovely. We have a lounge area, bedroom with walk-in closet, bathroom and a ... read more

We started the day with the usual tradition of doing the washing on Don's birthday. We went down to breakfast and I noticed for the first time that the IBM building which is next door to the hotel has an entrance to its conference centre on the premises. It reminded me of the Sonesta hotel in Boston. Poor Don can't escape IBM. Caroline decided that she wanted to spend some mummy and daughter time together so Don walked me down to the bookstore on Queen Street where we were meeting Caroline. We all arrived together. Don went off and we started our shopping expedition having a coffee. Then down to the serious job of shopping. Caroline needed clothes. So we walked from store to store and eventually she bought two pairs of trousers, two pairs of ... read more

We were up bright and early to grab some fruit and coffee before setting out to Greys Avenue for shul. The service at Auckland Hebrew Congregation began at 9.15 am and we managed to arrive at 9 am. Yes we were quite shocked too! After the service and chatting with the locals we went downstairs to the Rabbi's flat for lunch. The Altschuls use this apartment for Shabbat and festivals as they live in a suburb too far from the shul. It is very cosy and the rebbitzin (oops not her preferred moniker) is so welcoming and warm. She knows all the female congregants and greeted each one warmly before beginning her own prayers. We had a lovely lunch and along with the Meltzers there was another family from Israel. He is a sofer (scribe) and ... read more

We had arranged with Caroline to see her today and we had the idea of her showing us the Auckland University campus. After our scrummy hotel breakfast we went down to collect the car. The heavens opened and the rain poured from the skies. Caroline called to say that firstly there was no way she was going to walk around the campus in this weather and secondly she was frantic in that her assignment is due to be handed in by end of day on Friday (tomorrow!) and there is a ton of work still to be done on it. So we picked her up by the university and found the veggie/vegan Indian restaurant that she has been intent on trying out. The restaurant is situated on Karangahape Road (more commonly known as K' Road). This ... read more

We decided to be lazy today. So we got up late, had a good breakfast and set off to wander around the shops. If you haven't been to Auckland before and are planning a visit I would suggest that you pre-oil all of your joints before coming, as New Zealand is built on a series of volcanos and is thus very hilly. Auckland is a port town. Therefore all roads lead down to the sea. When you think that you have climbed a steep hill, the next one is even steeper. If you go up a hill to get to your destination don't presume that you will be walking back down a hill. I don't know what magic is used but all routes are uphill! (Don's mathemagical explanation: these are Mobius hills.) Anyway, Don and I ... read more