15 minute read
Alaska - When to go?
New Zealand is finally opening to the world. We are experiencing a growing demand from Kiwis ready to return to travelling and exploring parts of the world that have been on their wish list for the past two years. The government has also reduced the compliance required to return home, which now makes travel a lot easier. Alaska is on many bucket lists. These are the highlights:
Fjords, glaciers & icebergs: The glacial wonderlands of Alaska’s coastline are nothing short of spectacular. Sail around the coves and inlets of Kenai Fjords National Park to explore fjords, glaciers and marine wildlife. Kayak the protected, icy waters or Prince William Sound or cruise through Glacier Bay National Park and preserve to discover icebergs the size of small buildings.
Alaska’s Arctic: The Dalton highway traverses this vast and rugged region, crossing in to the Arctic Circle and travelling up to America’s richest oil field at Prudhoe Bay. Pass through the unspoilt wilderness of the Brooks Range, visit unique native villages and dip your toe in the Arctic Ocean.
Heritage and culture: There are many different places to experience the traditions, history and culture of Alaska and their people. Learn more about the Alaska Native Heritage Centre in Anchorage. From old gold mining towns like Dawson City to still-thriving Alaska Native communities, you’ll uncover an interesting mix of cultures.
Spectacular rail journey: Alaska’s iconic rail journeys give you an experience unlike any other, allowing you to discover otherwise inaccessible terrain. Traverse Southcentral and Interior Alaska with the Alaska Railroad for views of the Alaska Range.
Natural wonders: An experience not to be missed is seeing the beautiful Northern Lights as they light up the night sky. Chase them in the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and Alaska, where the viewing is best from February to March.
Denali National Park – America’s highest peak: Amazing aweinspiring Denali is the highest peak in North America. Its surrounding park is a wilderness that offers endless activities from hiking to flightseeing. The wildlife is excellent – see bears, wolves, Dall sheep, caribou and moose.
Inside Passage – Cruising wonderland: Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage is like no other. See incredible scenery of mountains, fjords, glaciers and rainforests and observe wildlife such as bald eagles and porpoises. Visit unique communities including the city of Juneau and the fishing town of Ketchikan.
Wildlife and unique experiences: Imagine seeing brown bears snatching salmon from a stream or humpback whales doing acrobatics. The coastlines of Alaska offer some of the best places in the world to view the incredible whale.
Rochelle and Brian.
Venue hire, facilities and full catering service for private and business events.
39 The Strand,Takapuna Beach, Auckland Phone: 09 489-6941 info@takapunaboating.org.nz takapunaboating.org.nz
By Simon Watts, North Shore MP
Labour’s Budget shows it’s not up to Simon Watts. the challenges we face
ANZ Bank has reinforced what we all know:“Inflation isn’t just a global problem that New Zealand is importing, it’s a domestic issue too.” This is a fact that’s also shared by Treasury. So, with Labour’s budget just released I want to highlight how the government is intending to address those domestic inflationary pressures.
On top of a record $6 billion per year in spending, Labour is tapping into future budgets with $2 billion from the 2023 Budget and $0.4 billion from the 2024 Budget. And that lavish spending doesn’t even include the money set aside to tackle climate change or the Cost of Living Payment – we’re now looking at the government spending more than $9 billion per year!
Why is this happening when unemployment is so low? Why isn’t this government doing all it can to reduce the huge deficit left over from the pandemic? Grant Robertson’s Budget just doesn’t make fiscal common sense.
Going by Labour’s past and current record on fiscal management, National’s Finance Spokesperson, Nicola Willis, is right to question whether we can really believe that Robertson will keep to his promised spending increases over the next two years.
Labour’s plan to spend its way out of economic mismanagement will inevitably take New Zealand backwards, and what will this spending spree really do to help Kiwis facing inflation at a 30-year high? The Budget’s Cost of Living Payment amounts to a threemonth sugar hit of just $27 per week. Senior economist Benje Patterson’s withering assessment of the Cost of Living Payment is worth noting here. He says: “It's just chump change compared with the real cost of living that's affecting households.” Patterson rightly points out that $27 a week is dwarfed by increasing costs for mortgage holders. Homebuyers on a $500,000 mortgage who refixed at a rate 3% higher will now be paying $15,000 more a year. That’s $300 more a week!
We also need to factor in that inflation isn’t expected to get back below 3 per cent again until 2025. Which means the economic pain that ordinary New Zealanders are facing isn’t going away anytime soon. Food prices jumped 7.6 per cent last month compared to March 2021 and petrol prices climbed to a record high for Auckland motorists. Labour’s attempt to keep fuel costs down by slashing fuel taxes hasn’t worked because global factors are driving price increases. In this environment we need smarter solutions than this government is capable of. Extending the half-price public transport scheme for another two months isn’t a strategy, it’s a short-term fix.
During the pandemic, I was saying this country needed a vision for how we were going to exit Covid and launch a more prosperous economy. All we’ve got from Labour is quick, ill-considered fixes and more spending. They are just not up to the challenge.
Take care, Simon Watts. Email: simon.watts@parliament.govt.nz Call my office on 09 486 0005,
facebook: @simonwattsmp instagram: @simonwattsmp
Helloworld - a passion for personalised travel
Channel talks to David Libeau, professional traveller and new helloworld tour host, about the joys of the world opening up again. He invites you to join him on his European extravaganza for 2023...
Takapuna local David Libeau could well be described as a globe trotter, having extensively travelled throughout New Zealand and around the world over the last 40 years. His travels have taken him to USA, Canada, South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean, Asia, Japan, India, Africa, Egypt, United Kingdom, Eastern and Western Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and of course Australia and the Pacific Islands.
While grounded here at home for the last couple of years, his desire to see places has not waned and David is David Libeau. looking forward to unfolding his wings once more and this time sharing his passion for travel with others. With his professional career spent in the airline and travel sector, his foray into tour hosting seems a natural progression. For a self-confessed lover of fine food and wine, as David is, a luxury Avalon River Cruise taking in the Rhine and Moselle with vineyards and castles is the perfect fit for his debut overseas tour.
Just to make it that bit more special is the fact that David was aboard the ship that will sail this cruise, Avalon Imagery 11, when she was on her maiden voyage in September 2018. Incidentally the ship’s godmother is none other than our own Judy Bailey and includes a spectacular piece of pounamu acknowledging its New Zealand connection.
David has added his own touches to this tour with a stopover in Singapore on the way, taking in parts of the city not always frequented by tourists. He has also handpicked the accommodation and restaurants in Paris and Amsterdam, backed by his recent visit to these cities, making this tour truly bespoke.
If you are looking to cruise Europe in 2023 and Holland, Germany, Luxembourg and France are on your list then this could be the perfect way to experience these countries.
ITINERARY
The tour commences in Auckland with a stopover in Singapore. On arrival in Amsterdam there is time to look around and adjust to local time before you board the scenic cruise along the Rhine River to Cologne, Germany; a 2,000-year-old city known for its gothic architecture. You’ll sail through the dramatic views of the Rhine Gorge; the most beautiful stretch of the Rhine River where ancient castles perch on cliffs 400 feet above the water. In the charming wine town of Rüdesheim, enjoy a stroll through its famous cobblestone Drosselgasse.
Along the Moselle River, you’ll stop at the picturesque town of Cochem where the Riesling grape is cultivated. Visit Reichsburg Castle, nestled among vineyards and offering breathtaking views of the town and river valley below. In Bernkastel, enjoy a guided walk and taste some of the region’s best-loved wines. Go on an excursion to historic Luxembourg City. Ride the high-speed train to Paris, the last stop on this fabulous European river cruise. Guided sightseeing shows you the famous sights of the romantic 'City of Light': Notre Dame Cathedral, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre Museum. Then it is back home to Auckland, or you could choose to extend your European sojourn.
Those who board a tour with David will be captivated by his charm that, combined with his passion and enthusiasm for travel and life, makes him the perfect host.
If you want to register your interest for this river cruise or be part of our mailing list for future tours led by David, please email us at strandon@helloworld.co.nz
Contact helloworld on 021 263 5985 or email: strandon@helloworld.co.nz
Kingfisher House - setting a new standard for dementia care in the heart of Devonport
Kingfisher House, opened on 7th June 2021, offers private luxury Dementia Care with a firm and proven point of difference. The innovative model of care that underpins all aspects of Kingfisher House is an alternative to traditional aged care facilities. This fresh new approach is embedded in the Eden Alternative – care that recognises the importance of treating a person’s heart as well as heart condition; while doing their best to heal bodies, the dedicated Kingfisher House team feed the spirit too.
Research shows that health outcomes in smaller environments are superior to traditional nursing homes, with smaller care environments proven to increase quality of life, reduce rates of depression and reduce hospitalisation for people living with dementia. With this in mind, Kingfisher House is first and foremost a home — it's warm and open with the familiar atmosphere of a traditional home. The decor purposefully creates a sense of a traditional Devonport villa with period features and personal touches which work alongside the layout, specially designed for easy and convenient living, socialising and enjoying the best out of life.
Unlike other larger residential aged care facilities, Kingfisher House doesn't run to rigid schedules – residents wake up in their own time, set their own meal times, have visitors when they want and are free to enjoy the outdoors. Normal day to day life is encouraged with residents living as closely as possible to how a normal household is run; residents and guests or family members come together to socialise, cook, enjoy quiet time together, look after pets, gardening and enjoying the outside spaces, often popping out to a local cafe or restaurant for a cuppa or a bite to eat, or taking a stroll on the beach. Kingfisher House promotes and prioritises the well-being that comes with taking part in the usual routines of normal life, and the residents enjoy and greatly benefit from the comfort this approach brings.
Kingfisher House is part of the Kumeu Village family, privately owned and operated since 2015. Professional services offered by the team includes:
• Dementia Care
We work closely with the families of our residents living with dementia to choose the right home based on care needs and common interests. This helps residents to engage with others in the home and form beautiful connections. Kingfisher House promotes and prioritises the well-being that • Clinical Support Our highly skilled registered nurses are on site or on call 24/7, and can help out with all complex clinical care in your home or in our comes with taking part in the • group homes. Respite Care usual routines of normal life, and the residents enjoy and greatly We offer a range of respite options from day to overnight care. Our Support Team will work with you to accommodate your preferences around location, dates and availability. benefit from the comfort this If you would like to visit us, we would love to meet you and proudly approach brings. show you our new way of living with dementia here in Devonport. Please contact Belinda and organise a time to pop in during the week.
Phone: General Inquiries (021) 412 242, Reception (09) 445 0257 Email: belinda@kfh.co.nz, Website: https://kfh.co.nz/
Georgia Pert, Alka Chetty, Belinda Brice and Dayna Pert.
By Dave Donaldson, President, Seniornet Bayswater. Helping senior people become ‘IT’ savvy
Dave Donaldson
We are delighted to announce that Bayswater Seniornet is back having face to face sessions in our shared premises with the Belmont Racquets Club in Bayswater Avenue, Bayswater.
We recently had a very interesting and rewarding presentation by Bindy from Love Food Hate Waste and she also cooked up a tasty serving of a leftover rice dish with a generous serving of spices.
Noel Leeming has given us the following schedule of dates for a presentation by one of the their top tech folk David Hartley. We are looking forward to welcoming back David for his very informative and helpful presentations with input and questions encouraged from our members.
Presentations start at 10.30am and run for approximately an hour with follow up afterwards.
These are the dates and topics to be covered:-
• Wednesday 1st June - Social media • Wednesday 15th June – Online security • Wednesday 29th June – Broadband & Wi-Fi • Wednesday 3rd August – Home security cameras & door locks • Wednesday 17th August – Windows 11 • Wednesday 31st August – Smart TV & Streaming • Wednesday 14th September- Apple devices • Wednesday 28th September – Android use
All welcome and bring your friends if they have IT problems. David from Noel Leeming is very helpful in resolving many technical issues. We look forward to meeting you on any of the above days at 10.30 onwards.
About Bayswater Seniornet:
For seniors, the issue of becoming more up to date with the use of our mobile phones and computers (IT) becomes even more important. Many of us will have found that re-registering a car, for example, is next to impossible if we only have cash and no internet access.
Seniornet Bayswater welcomes you to attend informal classes at our excellent venue that we share with the Belmont Racquets Club at 133 Bayswater Road, Bayswater.
We do not charge for attending classes but ask for a modest membership fee of $40.00 per year, once you are satisfied that the tuition and new skills you acquire are of value to you. They will be. Once you understand more about the internet, then a whole range of things will become much easier for you. That is the experience of other Seniornet attendees.
You’ll really enjoy the social aspect of Seniornet as well.
If we can’t meet in person, we offer Zoom sessions on a variety of subjects, and again, these are free if you are a member of Seniornet.
We look forward to your company and of working together to help resolve your IT issues.
Please visit seniornetbayswater.nz for further information. If there should be any particular topics or issues you would like assistance with, please let us know via email: bayswatersnrnet@gmail.com
By Ursula Elisara, co-founder and CEO of Immerse Charitable Trust. Fostering - a retirement choice
Ursula Elisara.
There is an increasing number of men and women who are choosing to foster children at an age when they could be forgiven for easing back in life. Becoming an ‘empty nest’ or ‘retirement’ foster parent certainly isn’t without its stresses, but it can transform many lives.
Retirement can be a difficult time, losing out on day-to-day interactions with work colleagues and with families all grown up, you can be at a loss of what to do with your newfound time. Fostering allows you to keep building meaningful relationships, building long-lasting bonds with the children in your care, and providing them with a safe home.
Many people think they are too old to foster and wonder if they would be approved. However, age isn’t a barrier to fostering, in fact it can give you as well as a child a new lease on life. A foster parent needs to have a lot of patience and tolerance and it’s fair to say that of people with a larger amount of life experience - resilience, empathy, and patience. It is these core skills, life experience, and a genuine desire to help others that we look for in foster parents. The retired status allows you to spend as much time as possible caring for the child in your care, which is a great asset.
Rather than become a full-time foster parent, you could also specialise in short-term respite care, where children come from their other foster parents, so their full-time carers can have a break. Whether you’re thinking of short or long term fostering there will be no two days alike. You can expect your home to be filled with fun, laughter, and occasional tears.
As long as you feel fit and well and believe that all children deserve to feel safe, secure and loved then you’re ready to take the next step. With your patience and care, the smallest achievements will bring the largest of rewards. Retirement could be the time to try new things and push yourself in a new direction.
