21 August, 2015
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Mai Journeys For women who love to travel Page 2
THE WEEKEND
Hokey Pokey
Athenree Homestead
Tartiflette
Furnish
Don Stewart
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Mexico to Marrakesh Creating incredible journeys to far flung corners of the globe There are more female travelers than ever before and they are taking to the road in record numbers. Women-only small group tours are a great way for women to see the world, make new friends and still get the exhilaration of discovering a new place for themselves. Married women are now traveling alone in bigger numbers as not every couple has the same taste in travel. Women are now, more than ever, giving themselves the gift of new experiences, whether it be in celebration or just wanting to live life to the fullest. Mai Journeys is passionate about offering remarkable journeys to remarkable places for women. It is a collection of small group tours, adventures, get-aways and retreats designed specifically by women, for women; unique travel experiences in places full of breathtaking landscapes, fantastic food, boutique accommodation, fascinating cultures and people. It is a chance to explore the world with like-minded women who are passionate about travel and life. Most tours are designed by Mai Journeys founder and host Jemma Wilson. The company also works, partners and collaborates with incredible women such as Classic Safari Company director Sarah Hoyland, and Andrea Powis, chief diva at Travelling Divas, both based in Australia. These inspiring women are seasoned travelers and destination experts who love to share their passion for the far flung corners of the globe. Between them they have the world covered. Jemma is a specialist in Latin America, Asia, Morocco and Iran; Sarah knows Africa and India inside out, and Andrea has had a love affair with Europe for decades. Megan Keatley from Travelcom Mount Maunganui is Mai Journeys’ right-hand woman when it comes to flights, visas and money exchange. She is key to helping finalise and round out tours, often adding tour extensions with incredibly intricate flight routes for women who wish to spend more time travelling. Megan also fills in the gaps in the (few) corners of the globe that Mai
Jemma Wilson and Megan Keatley with some of their travel treasures.
Journeys does not reach i.e. the Pacific Islands, cruising in Europe, rail journeys, and so much more. She has been in the industry for 20 years and has visited more than 60 countries – touching down on all seven continents – so she knows her stuff! Mai Journeys works with local female guides that join every tour to ensure a balance of hands-on care, local expertise and language. These women – many now friends – are fully qualified, licensed and insanely passionate about their countries. Without them, the tours would not have that full, local, on-the-ground knowledge which provides a real insight into the destination you are exploring. The local guides will help you immerse yourself in ancient cultures, local communities and customs, and therefore develop appreciation, mutual respect and understanding. Every itinerary is different and custommade, making sure that each tour allows you to experience the many layers that make up each fabulous place visited. Contemplate a silent, star-filled sky from a Bedouin desert camp, unearth lost civilisations in Iran, dash through the dizzying souks of Marrakesh, meet the inspirational founders of women’s collectives in Kenya or dance through the streets of India celebrating Holi. These are out-of-the-ordinary experiences you’ll never forget, with little touches of class and style along the way. It is about having fun, making connections
and creating memories to last a lifetime. All tours are fully escorted by a Mai Journeys host, plus fabulous local guides. Groups range from six to 12 women – dependent on destination – to ensure maximum care and to foster a more intimate environment. Hotels are carefully selected, as are the local experiences. A ‘willing to share’ system is offered for those who travel solo but would like to take advantage of the twin-share rate. To learn more about Mai Journeys’ upcoming tours visit www.maijourneys.com, Facebook (Mai Journeys) or Instagram (mai_journeys). Mai Journeys, along with Travelcom
Mount Maunganui, is hosting an ‘Evening for Women Who Love to Travel’ in August to discuss world-wide options for women travelers and unveil its new 2018 journeys. Jemma from Mai Journeys will present her hosted tours to Iran, Morocco, India, Africa, Mexico, Guatemala and Cuba, Vietnam and Cambodia, Japan and Scandinavia; and Megan will offer options for ‘Fly, Land and Cruise’ packages and North American options. There will be Q&A time after. Registrations are necessary. Phone Jemma from Mai Journeys, 07 542 2762, or Megan at Travelcom Mount Maunganui, phone 07 575 5049.
MAI JOURNEYS
For Women Who Love To Travel Information Evening 2018 Hosted Tours & Solo Travel India; Iran; Morocco; Vietnam & Cambodia; Africa; Italy; Mexico, Scandinavia & more... Venue - Blue Bayou, Papamoa Wednesday -16 August - 6.30pm Registrations Necessary Call Jemma - Mai Journeys 07 5422 762 or Megan - Travelcom 07 575 5049 Ph: 07 5422 762 www.maijourneys.com jemma@maijourneys.com
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Training for entertaining The clicker-trained horse called Hokey Pokey Katikati horse trainer Rebecca Tasker has recently found herself receiving phone calls and emails from international entertainment and viral media companies.
Rebecca Tasker and Hokey Pokey.
Photos: Bridie Rose Photography
It’s not her that they’re interested in though, it’s her six-year-old clicker-trained horse Hokey Pokey. Hokey knows lots of tricks, but it is one in particular that has drawn all this global attention. In April Rebecca uploaded a video to Facebook of herself in a deck chair, relaxing in the paddock with Hokey. In the video she points to a chilly bin and he walks over to it, nudges it open with his nose and pulls out a bottle of wine before returning to hand it to his owner. That 30-second video quickly went viral on social media. As well as almost 350,000 views on Facebook alone, the video is popping up on media sites all over the world. Rebecca has signed a licensing agreement and the Daily Mail, MSN, Yahoo, AOL, the Daily Telegraph, The Australian and many more international sites have featured this clever palomino pony from Katikati. Rebecca travels the country under the name ‘Positively Together’, teaching people how to train their horses using clicker training, a method of animal training involving food rewards and a marker signal. Clicker training can be used on all species of animal, and is widely used behind the scenes in movies and television, zoos and marine parks. “Clicker-trained horses learn faster, they retain their learning for longer, and they genuinely love being trained. They’re very engaged in the whole learning
process. People are always really surprised and excited at the immediate difference in their horses and how well they respond.” Clicker training is useful for more than just tricks, with Rebecca and her clients using it for dressage and other riding as well as solving problem behaviours. “Hokey loves learning tricks, but he also tries his heart out when I’m riding him because he is rewarded for his efforts”. As well as riding horses all her life, Rebecca has worked with guide dogs and worked as a drug detector dog handler for Customs. For the past 10 years she has focused on horses and her passion is teaching people how to train their own horses in a way that is effective, efficient, and ethical.
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Athenree Homestead A hive of social activity once more
Just as it does today, from the 1880s to 1906 Athenree Homestead stood grandly next to Athenree Rd, with an elevated and enchanting view of northern Tauranga Harbour. Pioneer Irish settlers Adela and Hugh Stewart came to the site in 1878 and quickly went about building the homestead, which became the focal point for the modest community. And thanks to Adela’s energetic and hospitable nature – and a yearning for the social life she once enjoyed in Ireland – she made her homestead a hive of social activity. She took in visitors – entertaining the likes of William Rolleston, Lord Ranfurly (the governor), Bishop W G Cowie, Richard Seddon and Te Kooti. And she was known for her balls and dances, lighting up the house with guests, frocks and music, going into the wee hours – some to 5am with visitors leaving after breakfast at 10am. Today, the Athenree Homestead Trust committee is working hard to restore the homestead to its former glory and bring the home back to being a community hub to be enjoyed by all through many different occasions, activities and simply by opening it to visitors every month. And trust chairman Martin Rapley has an added motivation. His family has deep ties to the house, which by the late 1950s had fallen into disrepair.
It was later used as a hay shed! But in 1986 Martin’s uncle John Rapley and his wife Colleen purchased the property. Martin’s greatgrandparents, Arthur and Margaret Rapley, had previously owned the property from 1921-1946. During the next few years John and friend Snow Browne worked to restore the homestead. Today it is partially restored and Martin is carrying on his family’s passion with a team of committed committee members behind him. “As a Rapley family member I thought ‘Geez I better get involved’. Because my uncle, John Rapley, was the instigator,” says Martin, who has been chair for two years. “This place is quite dear to the Rapley family, relations have donated to it. So I’m keeping family history in it alive.” Martin says even back in Adela and Hugh’s day – and his grandparents’ day – the homestead was a meeting point. “There wasn’t much around the area of Athenree so people would come and meet and that’s really what I’d like to see for it today. For it to be a community-based place. “And I think we, as a team, really want to make this a vibrant hub – where everybody can use it.” Martin says today’s number one project is to restore the home’s southern wing, which the committee has secured funding for. This will include rebuilding a downstairs kitchen, pantry, dairy, laundry and the upstairs bedrooms, which
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“We’re restoring the grounds, which look out to a beautiful vista of the northern Tauranga Harbour – that’s probably why they built the house here”
once doubled as a schoolroom for Adela to teach her son Mervyn and other children from the community. Martin says the biggest priority is to authentically restore the wing the best they can. “For example, for the kitchen to be restored authentically, with a wood stove, it will not be an operational kitchen.” But in recent years the trust has moved Athenree Railway Station behind the homestead and kitted it out as a commercial kitchen and cafe to serve food on the premises. Another project underway is the recent removal of an old cottage, which was placed in front of the homestead since the Stewarts’ day. “Now the cottage has gone we’re restoring the grounds, which look out to a beautiful vista of the northern Tauranga Harbour – that’s probably why they built the house here,” says Martin. “Adela could watch the ships coming in.” Volunteer garden enthusiasts are sourcing plant and garden donations to re-plant the site. “We’re going to not only concentrate on it being heritage [English] plants but also try and make it so it’s an Irish garden. And we want to have colour too,” says volunteer Edith Johnson. The site was originally Adela’s flower garden. “She had chrysanthemums and all sorts – she put them into shows. But everything else was edibles because they had to sustain themselves.” And most plants Adela sourced were from New Zealand. “We’ve got a list of all of her plants
Edith Johnson , Martin Rapley and Val New.
she had – but we won’t be planting blackberries.” And as for the community enjoying the homestead – “it’s to be a hands-on experience in every way,” says committee member Val New. “The other thing is with this being a lovely old farmhouse we encourage people to come in and actually sit down and touch things. “Some historic homes have beautiful
old priceless furniture that is not to be sat on or touched by the public. “Here, we would not say to children ‘Don’t touch’.” “We are trying to get it to the stage where it looks like Adela and Hugh have just walked away for the day – and we are just the servants, letting everyone visit and walk around and touch things. “As if they would have back in the Merle Foster day.”
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Winter warmer A night of wine and cheese is perfect for a winter evening sitting by the fire or after a day on the ski slopes. While your body is warmed by the fire let a beautiful hot cheese dish and a lovely French red wine warm your soul. At Vetro we have both covered. Be it a beautiful French Raclette cheese to melt and pour over vegetables or meat, the divine Tartiflette, or a yummy Italian provolone baked in the oven – they can be made as a romantic dinner for two, a beautiful starter or shared amongst a group to add flair to your side dishes.
FRENCH TARTIFLETTE Ingredients 1 Reblochon cheese 1kg potatoes 200 g chopped pancetta or bacon (smoked is great) 1 large finely chopped onion 1 tbsp olive oil 1 glass of dry white wine Salt + pepper to taste Butter or oil for the dish How to make: Boil the potatoes in salted water with skin until almost done. Peel and slice into thick slices. Fry the onion in the oil and then add the bacon. Let fry until a bit crispy and then add the wine, simmer for 5 minutes. Butter your dish (small casserole) and put a layer of the potatoes, then a layer of the onion + bacon mixture, another layer of potatoes and sprinkle the rest of the onion + bacon on top. Cut the cheese lengthwise and sit it on top with rind. Bake at 200Âş until the cheese has melted and is golden on top. Recipe courtesy of Vetro Mediterranean Foods
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Behind the scenes Perfect pieces for perfect spaces
Three-and-a-half-years-old, this fledging business has excelled, winning the Small/Single Store and the Single-Store Omnichannel categories in the 2015 Top Shop Awards and coming runner up in the Home and Garden category. There were no Top Shop awards in 2016, however undeterred, Furnish won the Westpac 2016 Retail Excellence Award. Owners Jaime Winks and Callum Wilkinson believe their unique offering means buyers can find furniture at Furnish that can’t be found elsewhere. Callum has a 20-year background in furniture retail, and Jaime in fashion. “The two go really well together,” says Jaime. “Callum knows everything about lounge, dining, and outdoor furniture, and I get to choose the things that add colour, texture and excitement. “A lot of people shy away from colour and are more restrained and neutral. People can add a lot of personality to their homes
Photo: Tracy Hardy.
Furnish - for excellence in furniture.
Standing its own against the big players in the furniture retail industry is Furnish, an awardwinning business which has expanded from its Cameron Rd store to open a second shop at Mount Maunganui.
Jaime Winks.
with colour, and we try to convey that with the accessories we have.” This month, Furnish has been selected as a nationwide finalist for the 2017 Top Shop Awards for Visual Merchandising and Omnichannel, with the finals coming up in September. Furnish is a fabulous retail store with quality furniture and people. Rosalie Liddle Crawford
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Stunning statement pieces from Contemporary Classics
21 July, 2017
The Design Depot is sofa heaven!
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July, 2017 life+style The Weekend Sun 2121August, 2015
Don Stewart King of Piccadilly Arcade Bambinas, minis and kombi vans, they all roared through Piccadilly Arcade.
Don Stewart
Boutique Boutique
“That’s what took the bricks out of the entrance - the kombi van,” says jeweller Neville Stewart. We have bollards there now.” His father, Don Stewart, remembers back in 1971 when he moved his shop, Stewart’s Jewellers, across from where the chocolate shop is. “We moved here into what used to be Joan Hadley’s frock shop,” says Don. “The owner of Granny’s Parlour came around and took photos, he used to do Photo News.” Piccadilly Arcade has seen many shops come and go, but it still retains a sense of a close-knit village, mostly full of destination shops, unusual in this day of large malls and anchor tenants. “The arcade was built by Mr Selwyn Decke,”says Don. “I haven’t seen him for years, his father was a builder.” Trades seem to run in families. Don’s father Fred, also a retailer, owned a bargain store in Red Square. When Don’s wife died in her 40s his two young sons Neville and Lawrence came in to the shop after school each day, eventually staying close and following in their father’s trade, working alongside him. Don is now 88 years old. “I started with Mr Jack Fenn, at Fenn’s Jewellers in Tauranga when I was nine years old, sweeping the street after school,” says Don. “He went to the war and gave me all the bits and pieces and I used to do the school clocks and watches.” “Jack Fenn ended up going into the air force as
an instrument technician when the war started,” continues Neville. “That left Don with nowhere to go, so he ended up taking on another apprenticeship with John Potts.” When Jack came back from the war, Don did trade work with him, then at age 21 started out on his own after finishing a six-year apprenticeship. He brings out his apprenticeship papers. He was earning two pounds per week. We go for a walk through the arcade. “Steve Hunt had a menswear shop two shops down from here,” says Don. “There was a locksmith then a dry-cleaning shop, then a curtain shop further down. When we shifted here the drycleaner moved to Greerton.” “There was a BNZ bank, a restaurant with a mezzanine floor and a fountain. There’s been a lot of changes,” says Neville. “It changed because of the general rents and costs, and they sold the arcade,” says Don. The owner Richard Seaton, sold off the shops individually in the 1990s. At the end of the arcade there had been a grocery shop with vegetables. And Ken Allen Chemist, the longest-serving tenant, who moved to Australia. “He was the king of the arcade, and now I’m the king,” laughs Don. “But don’t write that!” “One Christmas we put on a big do where we got everyone to bring presents and bring them to the shop here.” The sons recall their father being nearly arrested. “We were doing a promotion where we gave away a bottle of wine. If you spent over a certain value you’d also receive a bottle of wine. It was so popular. The
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“There was a locksmith then a dry-cleaning shop, then a curtain shop further down. When we shifted
Don with sons Neville and Lawrence
here the drycleaner moved to Greerton”
passengers stop and take photos. “The strength of the arcade I think is that all the shopkeepers are very creative in their own right. “So you have a lovely mix of shops. Because there’s no massive big store-type set up, you have very interesting shops like the chocolate shop, massage, jewellers and the one that sells soaps.” Rosalie Liddle Crawford
Photos: Bruce Barnard
police came in and took Don off for a chat.” Don remembers sitting out on the steps in the early hours of the next morning with a couple of mates drinking the leftover wine. We stop at the site of the missing brass plaque. It was once on the wall next to the steps, but removed when a ramp was put in. “It’s 1968 since the official opening so it’s 50 years next year,” says Don. Piccadilly Arcade celebrated the 50 year milestone in 2016, with the mayor and a cake, and flags made. “Piccadilly was built in 1966, and had some shops,” says Don. “We moved into the arcade in late ‘67 and we were in here for the Christmas of ‘67-68. The official arcade opening was in 1968 but there were shops in here in 1967. The official opening date will be on the brass plaque.” The name Piccadilly has inspired some Englishthemed promotions. “We brought an English taxi car with a big crown into the arcade. It was one of the vehicles used by the Queen when she visited New Zealand.” Manager of the arcade Alec Were also went with an English-themed promotion for his United Travel agency which has since relocated to Grey St, rebranding as You Travel. “We parked a double decker bus outside the arcade and took everyone on a UK promotion trip with fish and chips wrapped up in paper.” Alec has hung hundreds of umbrellas from the arcade ceiling. “I’d been through Europe a few times and thought it was a nice way to bring up some colour with a diffusion of light through there. Cruise ship
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