Oops another Singapore Supprise

The  magnificant masked Mrs D was enjoying a gondla ride and  sit down at Starbucks when the thought came we missed our 12.30am flight this morning !

Which meant we miss our ride back to Tennant Creek with Vijay.

Karen did a wonderful job on an intermittent email connection.  Jetstar and Tiger teed up, and we are  heading  back, long way home via Melbourne, Alice Springs and we have yet to find how we will get from Alice to Tennant Creek.

Our journeys are never dull.

White knuckles not showing!

Goodbye Lion of Singapore.

Australia we are on our way.

God Bless

Arohanui

Ian and Karen 

Singapore Surprise !

Yesterday we said goodbye to Joel and Tuianana heading back to New Zealand.

We had a cup of tea and were just  snoozing off when the hotel phone rang. 

" Mr Davidson, therre is some  lost property we would like you to look at."

On my way to the lobby I thought I must have lost my hat.

There in the lobby were Joel and Tuiana laughing with their bags. They had gone to the airport to find out they had another day in Singapore. 

We have had the bonus of them being here for another day.

We enjoyed going out to dinner at a Kiwi' themed resturant. 

God bless

Arohanui

Ian,Karen, Joel and Tuiana

Reflection and goodbye for now India

 

Our going to India was because of a relationship with Prahbu Kiran who we took into our lives when he had nowhere to live for a few months

This has now led to other relationships and friendship with his large family here.

Karen's brother Robert is a friend of Premod who has looked after since our arrival in Kerala. We knew him briefly before coming here, yet he has taken and blessed us with hospitality, love and generosity, providing  for  us in  many many ways.

I guess what I am trying to say is that we never know where the investment of  what we say, and do will lead us. 

 Into worlds we would never have gone without it.

Jesus talked a lot about the Kingdom of God or the rule of God,or the way  God works is like....

It seems we have experienced something of this.

 There have been a lot of special moments while being here , the four Tumeric ceremonies, the wedding, an engagement. Plus plus plus.

Magical Memories : sitting drinking tea on the house boat  and two kids  on the bank with a spear  catching their breakfast, freshwater crayfish.

Magical memories : Ikshejavadi the elephant,  also the wild elephants.          

 

Lotus flowers and a farmer washing his cow.

Magical moment: the smell  of the jasmine in  the garlands we were given. Seeing it worn in the hair, when it was given  to Karen and Tuiana to wear.

Colourful people who live with so little, colourful trucks and three wheeled autos.

Travel: Initially  I thought there were no road rules however, road negotiation does take place.  There is a whole language of honk, I'm here, I'm passing, honk, thanks, honk give me space., honk, I'm coming through.

At night, all that seemed to be done with high-beam low beam light  flashing communication.

Karen after watching the traffic, decided the space in the middle is negotiable,so driving down the middle towards oncoming traffic is ok.

A bit like life we are heading somewhere, lets  all move dodge around,negotiate and  keep moving to our destination.

Thank you India for welcoming us it was hot and spicy and exciting and magical. It is a great country on the move , sure there is poverty and things which are changing, they are getting on and doing it.

There was a lot for us learn. 

God bless,

Arohanui

Ian, Ksaren , Joel and Tuiana

Elephants,Election and Excitement

 After landing at Kochi ariport we headed for the hill country, tiger country elephant country a day and most of a night travelling with Pramud and five minders.  

One who we called ' Blue Shiirt', a man from elelphant country who could speak the language of those in forest.

It was an exciting trip through the evening  towns and people living by the road all the way.  Always something  to see.

that day the  new Prime Ministers  Narencdra Modi was sworn so there were a lot  of celebrations' the roads . Loud speakers on trucks motor bikes  doing `wheelies' singing and dancing.

`

We are sad to be leaving today .

God bless 

Arohanui

Ian ,Karen ,Joel, and Tuiana

Engagement Celebration & Market Madness

Joseph who works with Karen and drove Tuian and Joel to Hyderabad, invited us to his sister Joy,  and Vikas her boyfriend,engagement celebration on  Saturday.

I thought it woulbe just a small gathering but in a cikty of six million nothing is small. Half of the large Weslyan church was full pluss the paparatzi of photographers.

 

Part way through the three hour service of affirmation  of each of the families and Vikas and Joy gifts were given and when the  couple went to get changed. 

Hymns were sung and people got up and sang. Joseph asked us to sing so `Von Davidson Family Singers', sang ` Light of the World'.which was well recieved.

Joel played the guitar which the music leader handed to him. 

When we farwelled Prabhu's family we sang as family in  Maori, that too was appreciated as we have grown very close during the past week. Their hospitality, friendship,warmth and love has been very special.  

 

Viijay,Karen and Joseph the Anyginini Mob.

Spot Tuiana and Joel crossing the road in market area Hyderabad.

Never a dull moment here what privilge to experience this here we are truly blessed.

God bless

Arohanui

Ian, Karen, Joel and Tuiana

Life In the Fast Lane

At times our hearts are in our mouths.The near misses are many and with seemingly noe rules no give way,just my way.

Today I saw a herd of cattle walking in the middle of heavy traffic it, seems the cows rule the roads, I wast quick enough to capture the excitement.

I have a `snap,  as they say here for photo of a couple on a side street which wasn't so busy.

Arun Prabhus brother  escorted us out of town on his motor bike. He has done a fine job of  looking after us.  

The other morning  Joel and myself  went for a walk we wondering which direction to go next when Arun turned up on his motorbike he took us on his bike , to a driver and Sinnod who has worked in America and Australia so his english is very good , to guide us to a get the things we were looking for.                                  

This  Arun  waving  us goodbye as we head off to Hyderabad.

Vijay and Joseph who both work with Karen in  Australia took us and our bags in two cars.      

               

   

       

Motorbikes, buses, cars, autos efficient( three wheeled yellow trasporters 200cc   are very efficient and carry   many people and  great loads .. Camels, pushbikes ,street stall on wheels, tractors,, scooters and people walking. 

All go to put on a spectacular performance of movement , sight and sound.

God bless

Arohanui

Ian, Karen Joel and Tuiana