Cruciating Crucible

26th July 2007
6 NUSsers caught the sold-out play, The Crucible staged at The Maidment Theatre in the heart of University of Auckland.

Without a doubt one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century, The Crucible, takes on an unnerving air of topicality in our terrorist age.

When the young girls of a closed religious sect are discovered experimenting with devil-worship in the woods they try to save themselves by denouncing neighbours as witches and Satanists. A chain of events is set in place in which the innocent are implicated by the hysteria and fear that permeate their whole community.

Originally conceived as a response to the McCarthy anti-communist trials of the 1950’s, the play now reads as a stark warning about the dangers of irrational belief.

A rare opportunity to see an ensemble of twenty superb actors bring to life this feverishly exciting moral thriller that pits personal responsibility against public good.

With such compelling description and a rather long history stretching back to 1952, it certainly has big shoes to fill.

My solitary photo as evidence I watched the play. Heh.

Running for well over 2 hours, the Crucible was exceedingly grim, accompanied by ghastly lighting and starkly eerie songs. However, I thought the play was almost tedious at some parts but the outstanding cast more than make up it.

Unexpectedly, the most disturbing part of the Crucible was that the $10.00 booklet on the play was SOLD OUT!
Sianzzzzz...

Alcohol Free

Agad! Just kill me...
For the first time in a rather long time, I was early for my 9AM lecture. But as I stood outside the seminar room, I noticed two unfamiliar faces preparing some presentation inside.

Had I got the wrong venue again? I whipped out my timetable and the location printed was flawless: BIOMENG341, 439-501.

A full 30 seconds passed before I recalled with disturbing clarity that I DID NOT have lessons at 9AM and the timetable which I've so lovingly and painstakingly printed was outdated!

*(&@^!$*(#&$#*)???!!!

---

Do you always assume that Singapore is the only country that has ridiculously restrictive laws?
Nahh... Look no further...

It is not only Auckland City that bans consumption of alcohol...While I think it makes loitering around at night a tad bit safer, not everyone will be happy.

The Mission

9th July 2007
The gloomy wet weather has finally taken a brief respite, allowing the sun to exhibit its full cancer-causing glory.

It's off to another favourite attraction in Auckland, Mission Bay. (Is it just me, but doesn't Mission Bay remind you of the director of Transformers, Michael Bay?) After a short 10 minutes bus ride on the Link, we were greeted by a huge fountain upon alighting.
Fine, I know it's nowhere near the size of Suntec City's Fountain of Wealth...

While I obviously did not appreciate the chilly sea breeze,
the lack of crowds on the beach was almost therapeutic. Visit your friendly East Coast Park on a weekend, it's simply self-explanatory. It didn't take us very long to notice that the Kiwis seem to have a masochistic hobby of eating ice cream, even in temperatures of about 10°C (not accounting wind chill), . People were literally queuing up for it... and no, there isn't any giveaways or special discount.
Before I could comprehend what was happening, I was tucking in to Cookies 'n Cream ice-cream from New Zealand Natural. *shiver*

CPF and diets? Anyone?

For health and financial reasons, we decided against taking the Link and embarked on a mini-walkathon. And lo and behold, we stumbled upon MJ Savage Memorial Park via a ulu steep path.
And man the view was unexpectedly amazing. I was compelled to use the "stitch function" for the first time, and without a tripod at hand.
"Built to commemorate Michael Joseph Savage, one of New Zealand's most revered leaders, the memorial and the surrounding garden stands proudly atop Bastion Point of the western end of Mission Bay. You also get a spectacular view of Hauraki Gulf from here."
Soon, it was time again to set off.
But we were again distracted by Orakei Wharf.

A stitched photo gone terribly wrong....

We manage to reach Foodtown, a major supermarket by foot...
... before sunset.

Fishy Business

Oh great. I've been doing too many "obligatory" blog entries, just because I can't get myself to sit down in front of blogger. So I shall take one baby step at a time and cover one event at a time.

8th of July
One day after my NUSser roommate join me in living the dingy room of YMCA, it was off to the relatively famed Auckland Fish Market, Auckland's only seven-day fresh food market.

While we did not manage to catch the live auctions, we were still amazed by their definition of shrimps, which were by Singaporean standards, full-fledged prawns. Needless to say, those that qualify as prawns were humongous.
However, the last thing you should assume in this market are cheap prices.
Did I mention that 3 miserly pieces of chilli were retailing for NZD4.50?!

Whiny Wines

After blowing NZD15.00 on a lacklustre Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix yesterday night, it was another 15 bucks spent on a Wine Tasting session. Aptly, the focus was on New Zealand wines under $20, wisely assuming that students did not have fat wallets.


The first 3 glasses served in cheapo plastic cups were white wines:
1. Domaine Georges Michel Sauvignon Blanc 2005 from Marlborough.
Notes: Dry, Fresh acidity, Freshly cut grass, Lime, Gooseberry, Capsicum
Kelvin says: A-okay, a bit to dry for personal preference, there were herbal hints but it could be psychological.

2. Mills Reef Chardonnay from Hawkes Bay
Notes: Medium bodied, Peaches, Citrus fruit, Light seasoning of toasty oak
Kelvin says: Very palatable, a little sweet, citrus aroma, fuller than previous wine, but nah... couldn't detect any woody aroma...

3. Charles Wiffen Riesling 2005 from Marlborough
Notes: Slightly sweet, Citrus fruit - especially lemon, Crisp acidity
Kelvin says: Not bad too, I thought I had specifically detected a lemony aroma but I suspect my low alcohol tolerance is staring to play tricks on me

The next 3 servings were red wines:
4. Kakapo Pinor Noir from Nelson
Notes: Ruby coloured, Bright raspberry and cherry flavours, Sweet oak, Fine tannins
Kelvin says: Surprisingly lighter than expected, palatable, I was rushed to finish it as the next one was coming up

5. Hawkes Nest Merlot from Hawkes Bay
Notes: Deep crimson colour, Ripe plum and berry flavours, Sweet oak, Soft tannins, Dry
Kelvin says: Ribena wine, very dry, *hiccup*

6. Crab Farm Carbernets 2002 from Hawkes Bay
Notes: Ripe berry flavours, Savoury notes of coffee, Black pepper, Firm tannins
Kelvin says: Gross *gulps down the rest*

After my seventh serving or second serving of Kakapo Pinor Noir, the NUSsers headed to The Occidental Belgian Beer Café along Vulcan Lane. A Pilsner platter featuring a supersized supermarket hotdog rounded up the night.
Of course, not without capturing the most unglam photo of someone.
Heh.

Porn Signs

So far, there is only one thing I loathe about Auckland, and that is the wind. It has been either windy, very windy or like today, dangerously windy. Just today, I've witnessed fallen lampposts, shattered glass doors and road accidents.

But thankfully, I've not been swept off my feet... yet.

On a brighter note, try clicking on the picture to see what itchy fingers can result.

Agad Auck

Thanks to all who saw me off yesterday. Your efforts and gifts were very very much appreciated.
So, it was off to the City of the Sails via a transit flight from Sydney. But irritatingly, we were forced to drop by Adelaide first before going to Sydney.
Not unexpectedly, there was a delay at Sydney Airport. Sigh...
So by the time I reached Auckland...
... it was already dark. All my excitement of exploring the city was washed away by a chilly downpour.
Of course, the bigger surprise was when I checked into my twin room in YMCA hostel.
I could almost swear that my room was more spartan than my army bunk previously. And as if to drive me up the wall, there was apparently no heater provided! Aargghhh.

Sadly, my mini-adventure around the surrounding area brought me to this dubious Asian food court that served Malaysian, Japanese, Thai etc. cuisine.
I settled for Thai food prepared by Muslim cooks.
My spicy Phad Thai which cost me NZD8.00 (abt S$9.60).
I pray and hope that tomorrow morning will herald a better start, assuming I don't die of hypothermia tonight. :(