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SupBpuosrtinLeoscsal

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love to share Devonshire Tea with family and/or belongings from them, through
and friends, or High Tea at Ballantyne’s and cunning, threats, violent crimes, or war.
one time at The Ritz, London. That was an Imagine if men discussed these issues over
ancestral tradition, I thought, until I found a Tea Ceremony, rather than using weapons
that both bone china cups and tasty tea of war. Imagine if women who spoke
originally came to Britain from China. violent words and ridicule to children or
subordinates at work, chose to speak kindly
I also love to share Chinese tea with and respectfully, instead.
special friends. A couple of years ago,
during my trip to Kunming, in China’s Sharing our blessings removes the fear
Yunnan Province, I purchased my first we sometimes see in politics, racism, or
‘brick’of world-famous Pu’er tea, which violence, as some people choose to react
has a production history of at least 2,000 to someone or something that is different
years. The Tea Ceremony is both taught to – as if‘different’is a threat – when in fact,
school children and celebrated by adults intolerance is the trigger for much suffering.
in Kunming, especially when men sit down Personally, I’m very tired of witnessing this –
to build business relationships, and share how about you?
friendship. I enjoyed partaking in this
specific ceremony on several occasions, and I’m not talking about accepting all things
could feel the respect the men intended to as being acceptable – that’s where Values
offer my friends and me. and Principles come in to play – some things
are not acceptable. How we respond to
Sharing Fú (福)/Blessings those things makes a difference in society,
Fú (福)/Blessings – especially peace and and the global community.
prosperity – is something desired by most
of humanity. Obviously, throughout both Almost each one of us can learn the
Western and Eastern history, there have characteristics of compassion so it becomes
always been people who want the option of part of our individual personality, our very
being prosperous by taking others’power nature as a person. Consider some of
the ways humanity can differ – examples
While visiting in ��18, the author purchased being culture, ethnicity, gender, age,
this‘brick’of Yunnan’s famous Pu’er/Pu-erh ability, faith, to name a few. Therefore,

tea to bring home to Christchurch sitting with someone who is different,
and practicing active listening with a
About the Author non-judgmental, non-reactive, open
heart and mind allows us to receive the
H. Naomi March, M.A. has a blessings of the type of cross-cultural
Master of Arts degree in Pastoral connections I’ve been referring to here.
Leadership, with special emphasis
on pastoral care to women and the I’ve spent many years learning
issues they face on a daily basis. to understand and accept different
She is currently available online to cultures, and traveling different parts
present a �-part series of seminars of the world has increased my scope
called“Wise Hearted Women”, to grasp diversity as something to be
dealing with these issues, appreciated – even treasured! As my
and workbook questions are knowledge of humanity broadens, so
provided for homework and class my respect grows.
discussion. Naomi has traveled
throughout UK, Europe, USA, Pan Yun, serving the Tea Ceremony to the author and Finally
Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. friends at his embroidery shop, Mi Yi Lu - 咪噫鲁, Kunming
She has also lived and traveled I can testify that because of cross-
in China, and delights in finding Old Town - photo by author, 1� October, ��18. cultural exchanges with friends who
diversity in people and places. share themselves through their food
and their blessings, my life has been
Contact email: conversation. changed. My life is enlarged, enriched,
[email protected] and more beautiful than it could’ve
been without these unique experiences.

I continue to acquire incredible joy in
my life through sharing diversity. I really
hope that you do, too. PALMARY

PALMARY 11

Akaroa

By Clare Erasmus

Described as a ‘French seaside retreat’, Akaroa is truly a well-kept treasure in

the South Island of New Zealand. This French village is a picturesque harbour-
side town with exquisite colonial architecture remnant of the French and British
settlers. A holiday destination of Cantabrians who love the serenity of the calm
and mesmerising harbour, Akaroa is a peaceful haven to visit with a variety of
things to do.

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It takes a mere 82.5 kilometres glass windows. campsite just as you enter the town, to
South-east from Christchurch to reach high-end boutique Bed and Breakfast
the quaint town of Akaroa on the Banks Interestingly, the township of Akaroa venues and small motels and hotels. The
Peninsula. The drive to Akaroa will take was the only French settlement in New homes along the French named roads
approximately one hour twenty minutes Zealand and it has maintained its special have well-kept gardens and are a treat
and the route is breathtakingly scenic as character. The Akaroa Frenchfest which to enjoy as you wander through the
you find yourself winding through the takes place annually is a wonderful time of roads appreciating the floral fragrances.
rolling countryside. the year to engage in all things French! The beach road has a host of places
to shop, where you can find clothing,
Heading on State Highway 75, a great On every other day, Akaroa offers a gemstones, souvenirs, creative artworks
first stop is the village of Little River, where variety of things to do. For those who and general essentials. The choice of
you can refuel both your vehicle and enjoy sea activities, there is paddle dining options caters for all, from your
yourselves at the rustic Little River Cafe. boarding, jet boating and swimming at top-end restaurants to the all-time famous
The adjacent gallery offers spectacular the beach. Many locals and visitors take fish and chips beside the harbour. It is not
local artworks and is a real treat to their boats, kayaks and jet skis out for uncommon to find the town crier ambling
explore. It is quite a challenge to walk out the day. If you don’t have your own sea through the town about greeting visitors
of the gallery empty-handed! There are vessel, then Black Cat Cruises offers great cheerfully, taking time to personally invite
paintings, prints, books, jewellery and experiences to swim with the dolphins them to the town.
sculptures to relish in. or to go on a nature cruise. If you prefer,
you can hire a kayak or a paddleboard. In Akaroa is the perfect romantic getaway
Barry’s Bay Cheese Factory is another addition, there are sailing tours to enjoy, a and yet an all-time family-friendly holiday
must stop en route, especially if you are penguin sanctuary to visit, an alpaca farm spot. There are a plethora of things to do
planning on staying in Akaroa for a few to wander through and some spectacular for all who visit. Best of all, breathing in the
days or planning a seaside picnic. The mountain biking trails. beautiful crisp sea breeze and hearing the
best part about the factory is that you may waves lapping against the shore provide a
be on schedule to watch the fascinating There is a great choice of serene experience. PALMARY
cheesemaking through the enormous accommodation to choose from, with a

About the Author
iuTnEoHLnaEedfSEledoFdiuBhSdvgenCLucoeaiuarolnaccclatachuatiahgnSraiaatrkoeettdlolssuiiolnrSionow(Tdcs,scSnrgaEiCraioae.oleihSnenlcstnfyOetr)idae,oActriLiunBenlcrfPo,tiahtabhchCgsBnciaoyDolhh(dadt)oSrrce,eriokihaslMessocsnetnicircanfldo.uoohsolSbrtreroufehrodgboreAretucyfosnhrhchtttaha.lsanytsodr,

PALMARY 13

Six Months on

from Lockdown

level 4

By Michelle MacWilliam

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AsCOVID-19 continues to lurk in our community Keeping up with legislation
all be it in the North Island at the time of writing
this article, its disruption to the livelihood of The business landscape is changing at a rapid pace. It
many entrepreneurs or small business owners continues to cast seems like the government releases new regulations that affect
a dark black shadow. Many in the highly impacted sectors such business owners almost every day.
as tourism, hospitably, accommodation and retail, wonder if
they will be in business after Christmas break, the businesses in In order to understand and follow new legislation and
the other sectors are mindful of the implications of pinging in changes, business owners need to monitor news daily. Most
and out of lockdown levels 2, 3 or 4. importantly, make sure you’re getting your information from
an official source, such as a government website, a bank
The current situation is deeply unsettling. Entrepreneurs representative, an accountant, or other professionals in your
are facing many obstacles, including ensuring the businesses network.
they have put their blood, sweat, and tears into continuing to
stay afloat. On top of that, many of them have employees that Finding balance and achieving a healthy
they’re trying to protect and reassure - a monumental task when mind-set
they themselves are struggling with burnout.
Fear. Anxiety. Hopelessness. We’re all experiencing a lot
Six months into what will be a marathon fight for business of intense emotions during these ever-evolving times, and
survival, many observers have mentioned the Canterbury region business owners are no exception. To make it worse, there’s
has the resilience to survive the fallout from the pandemic. an additional level of stress as they try to do best by their
As of the many business leaders and small business owners employees and customers.
have lived, the above-mentioned case scenario in the 2010
earthquake sequence. It can help to remember the saying “you can’t pour from
an empty cup.” Overextending yourself leads to burnout, and
This is a list of the five key actions points that many business once you reach that state, you won’t be able to help anyone.
owners adopted, that contributed to Canterbury businesses That’s why it’s imperative for business owners to make time to
surviving the 2010 earthquake sequence. recharge and take care of themselves.

Five action points for business owners It can be hard to break away from work right now. Be
intentional by setting a block of time in your schedule for self-
Taking action and moving forward care - whether that be going for a walk, spending time with your
family, or enjoying a long, luxurious bath. The more you’re able
A crisis like the one we’re currently experiencing requires to find inner calm during this crisis, the better able you are to
quick thinking in the face of uncertainty. However, with such make decisions and lead your business.
high stakes on the line, business owners find themselves dealing
with “analysis paralysis,” or the inability to make a decision due Dealing with information overload
to overthinking.
It seems like every minute we are inundated with a relentless
Delaying decisions will only lead to more problems - and flood of information about COVID-19. While having access
those problems will require more decisions. Decisions are never to the latest news is undoubtedly a blessing, it can also be a
final for the simple fact that change is never absolute. burden. Information overload is a genuine thing that occurs
when there is too much relevant information being disseminated
Break down what you need to do into smaller steps and at the same time.
then attend to issues based on their level of urgency. Once you
start taking proactive measures, you’ll feel more in control and When there’s an information surplus, we tend to miss out
more confident in your ability to navigate oncoming trials and on important news or even succumb to potentially harmful
tribulations. misinformation. In fact, a 2018 MIT study found that false news
travels faster than accurate stories on social media.

PALMARY 15

In order to make sense of all the conflicting information out About the Author
there, entrepreneurs need to take a moment to step back and
evaluate whether the data they’re reading is fact-checked and Michelle is a well-established and acknowledged
from a reliable source. business advisor and strategist working in two
different worlds. With New Zealand SME’s
It’s also good to set a limit for yourself. Continuously exposing across many sectors, her focus is especially in
yourself to upsetting news will only heighten anxiety. Make it development of Omni Channels that assist a
a point to check for updates regularly, but as soon as you start business transitioning from the bricks and mortar
feeling overwhelmed, take a break. world to the digital/virtual for growth and future
proofing. She also works, with businesses,
Selecting the right focus councils and other entities in developing a
China-New Zealand relationship that is based on
Business owners are dealing with a million concerns right now, both trust and integrity for long term relationship
and it isn’t easy to know where to prioritize time and resources. sustainability.

One way to choose is to consider what is truly important to She sits on many committees, involved in a lead
your business. For most of us, that’s our people - employees, role in business engagement and the China-New
customers, vendors, partners. Zealand relationship engagement.

Your priority should be the safety and well-being of your www.retailselling.co.nz
employees. Up next would be communicating with customers.
They may not be in a position to patronize your business, but www.michelle-mac.com
they still want to be updated on any changes to its operations.
The same goes for other stakeholders, so they know what your www.duocommunication.com
status is and what to expect moving forward.

Next, break down what you need to do into smaller steps
and prioritize them by how urgent they are. Don’t forget to give
yourself credit for doing your best right now.

The scale of this crisis is unprecedented, but there is a silver
lining. Eventually, we will come out on the other side of this
pandemic with a greater sense of personal empowerment and
increased connection to our community - all of which will be
advantages for our businesses in the future.

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Welcome Aboard

By Nephtalim Antoine

sNljTouEsdetowsvoewtmedragenomZlo,we-wtayathnnietlHeadnhirnineliitfittd’hr’ssgesehwfietaaarrhsisbtly,i.g

PALMARY 17

This company has had its up and downs like many, but it and large log-os weren’t cutting it. In terms of demographics,
has survived through thick and thin to become a major neither “urban” kids nor preppy kids wanted the brand. He had
brand worldwide. The brand itself was started by Mr. Hilfiger to do a bit of a turnaround and then signed a deal with Macy’s.
himself after open-ing several other stores in the 1970s but it
wasn’t till the mid-1980s that he was approached to design a In the end, though he did turn it around and then in May
men’s sportswear line with his name, and it took off like crazy and he sold the company for a whopping $3 billion to Giant Philip
the rest history. The son of a humble watchmaker has taken it van Heusen as well as winning the CFDA lifetime achievement
beyond and made such an impact in fashion. It’s dizzy-ing to think award.
exactly how long the brand has been around and how loved the
product is. It’s T-shirts have been an iconic bit of apparel due to Upward and Onwards
being worn by famed rapper Snoop Dog during a perfor-mance So in the end he remains as the main designer in his own
in 1994 on American comedy show Saturday night live. brand and expanded the company out as far as the eyes can see
with over 14,000 stores in 90 countries. He even also was very
However much critical and commercial success he was still forward-thinking in 2016 to partner with the runway of dreams
snubbed by his contemporaries and the fashion elite to the to create a line for children with disabili-ties. They have been
point that in 1994, he was slated to win the Council of Fashion subtly reinventing their image with many collaborations and the
Designers of America Menswear Designer of the Year award, but presentation of the line for example the previous Gigi Hadid
they suddenly decided not to give it out that year but gave it to x Tommy Hilfiger pieces which brought them massive growth,
him in the end in 1995. He was again met with unfortunate luck especially in Europe where the brand is perceived to have a
when his clothing fell out of grace with the hip hop community more premium im-age.
and sales plummeted a sickening 75 per-cent. Even worse, he
wasn’t cool anymore. They very Americana led colour scheme So now just as mentioned before the brand is very present in

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PALMARY 1�

New Zealand with the new Com-mercial bay location in Auckland. us a surprising trifecta of not just Hamilton but also with Grammy
Along with its contemporaries Calvin Klein and Dutch fashion Award-winning singer H.E.R titled TOMMYxLewisxH.E.R to help
house Scotch & Soda, it will be Mr. Hilfiger’s first standalone retail create some of the Neon style pieces along with quotes as part
location in New Zealand and in a brand-new high-end location of the designs on the tracksuits and sweatpants. Another big
to boot. The new $700 million development houses more than fashion moment - Naomi Campbell opened the show, make no
100 retailers, and will without a doubt become a new shopping mistake when I say that when Naomi Campbell opens your show,
location for locals and those visit-ing in the future. it probably confirms your heavyweight status in the industry.

Tommy Hilfiger recently debuted its offering for the spring The show also showcased the use of a wide range of colours,
season and as a company also began implementing a see now the usual amount of the classic Hil-figer logo was present with
- buy now model and as it sounds, shoppers are now able to lashings of muted green and rose tones layer led under the neon
see an item on the runway and purchase it on the spot. As presence. Also, it shows many couple sets (matching men and
previously mentioned with Gigi Hadid, their collab-oration womenswear).
muscles have been flexing with the likes of Zendaya and F1 racer
Lewis Hamilton joins the ranks of A-list partners. The brand just There were beautiful Ivory white fabrics and respectful Navy
revealed its fourth collection with Hamilton at the TOM-MYNOW blues paired with Hilfiger’s classic use of stripes.
spring show at the Tate Modern in London, which also showed
Now that New Zealand has another brand sitting in its new
location, some are wondering what else is necessary to bring

20 精彩

other famous brands? There’s plenty especially within
the streetwear category such as Vetements, Anti Social
Social Club, and the beloved Comme des Garcons.

The usual thought is that the population just can’t
sustain or compete with regions such as Europe or
North America & Asia which averages a few billion
by itself. To put in further perspective - the global
industry is worth trillions even further the garment
& textiles USD 655 billion - the straight-up apparel
sector makes up 57% and rising. Asia’s industry alone
is forever emerging even over-taking areas such as
Italy, UK, France, or the USA, with a good example
being Japan’s textile pro-duction increased 111%
by itself. Whatever the future holds, New Zealand
is having its own piece of the classic brand for the
foreseeable future. PALMARY

PALMARY 21

By Jason Marsden

Seuipkoadgaiainls it

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If you have read some of my previous articles you houses the very nicely finished 6R15 movement with a
will know that I am a Seiko fan, both vintage and 50-hour power reserve.
some of their modern iterations. This also includes the
Grand Seiko big brother brand that is fast ascending in August of this year saw Seiko release a number of
the watch world. new Presage models including two limited edition
versions featuring stunning engine-turned style
Over the last few years Seiko has continued its dials. Released in two colour ways, pink and light
own upward trend with reissues of iconic vintage blue, named Tequila Sunset and Frozen Margarita
watches which have combined the charm, nostalgia, respectively, each style was limited to 5000 pieces
and history of time-proven pieces, with updated worldwide.
movements, cases and technology. These have often
been limited releases and more often than not at an I was drawn to the light blue Frozen Margarita
ever-increasing benchmark price point for Seiko. version, ref SRPE49J1. When I first saw the colour of
the dial I immediately thought“Tiffany”. The powder
Sitting below their premium offerings but above blue is very reminiscent of their colourway but even
the basic is the Seiko Presage range of dress watches. the fine engine-turned dials of the illustrious Tiffany
With classical dress styling, the Presage range has and Co cannot compete with the impact of this watch’s
been distinctive for its attractive and unique dials. face. I set about placing an order for one knowing that
Very few, if any, other watch brands produce such New Zealand would not likely be allocated many.
attractive dress dials at a similar price point. Like
much of the Seiko range, the Presage prices have also The watch is packaged in a special box and, whilst
been steadily increasing but they still represent good mounted on a stainless steel mesh bracelet. It comes
value for money. with a very dark blue (almost black) calfskin strap,
complete with deployant buckle. Changing out straps
My first Presage watch was the SPB069, a limited is very easy and tool free due to the quick-change pin
edition run of only 1500 pieces. Released in December setup. For business wear I prefer the leather strap
of 2017, it featured a fantastic artisan-crafted dark but have ordered a teal aftermarket strap to further
blue enamel dial. This remains a very nice watch and complement the dial colour.

PALMARY 23

The dial is the standout feature of this watch. The offerings, negating the need for lume on their dress
engine-turned pattern has a clear lacquer over the watches.
surface, which lifts the logo and indices, making
them appear to almost float above the dial surface. The watch-case, at 38.5mm across, the case the
The hands, numerals and indices are very close to watch will suit a variety of wrist sizes. The Hardlex
black-polished, a level of finish normally reserved for crystal has a pleasing dome which contributes to
much higher end watches. This makes them appear the overall thickness of 11.79mm. A display case
almost black at many angles but makes for very good back shows the gold coloured rotor of the 4R35
legibility even in low light situations; something movement. This offers a 40-hour power reserve and
used to good effect by Grand Seiko on their high-end manual winding for a quick top up of the otherwise
automatically wound spring. Pulling out the crown

24 精彩

the full two stops (the first sets the
date) will stop the second hand whilst
the time is set; this hacking function
allows precise time setting.

Is there anything I would have
liked to see different in this watch?
It would have been great to have a
sapphire crystal for extra scratch
resistance, however the domed
profile would have been a lot more
expensive to produce in sapphire
rather than the mineral hardened
glass. The 6R15 movement with its
nicer finishing and Geneva stripes
would also have better reflected the

finish and impact of the dial but again
this would have no doubt pushed the
price up. In truth the dial is pretty enough
to carry the whole watch, along with the
added exclusivity for those lucky enough
to obtain the watch knowing theirs is
only one of only 5000 worldwide.

A lucky few may still find one of the
limited editions available online. This
model is now sold out locally, however
the rest of the Seiko Presage range is
carried in Christchurch by Petersens
Jewellers and Stuart Dawsons. PALMARY

About the Author
Jason Marsden is a Retail Property
Manager for Colliers International
and an avid watch collector. His
collection includes not just some
famous Swiss luxury watch brands
but also a number of vintage Seiko.

PALMARY 25

From Jordan to
Gibraltar

By Jim Davis

The last three weeks or so seem to have flown by since leaving Egypt.
From Cairo we flew back to Amman, Jordan, for 24 hours before
crossing the Allenby bridge to take us back into Israel. This crossing
point seems to have plenty of comments about it online, telling you
the crossing can literally take 5-6 hours to get across. In our case,
the reality turned out to be a lot less. Whether it’s good luck or good
management we have found all our border crossings recently to be
simple straightforward events.
We took a taxi from our hotel to the Jordanian side of the border
crossing, some 30 odd kms out of Amman. Once there we quite literally
just strolled through the Jordan border services. Initially it seemed a bit
chaotic and confusing, mainly because there is not much in the way of
signage in English to assist you. Which is surprising really being that it’s
such a major crossing point and adjacent to Jerusalem. But as usual there
is always someone else in the queue who knows what is happening, and
able to point us in the right direction. Once you complete the Jordanian
process you have to hop on a bus for the 5km drive through no man’s
land and across the Jordan River to the Israeli side of the crossing and
here again you go through their immigration process. Overall the whole
process took about 2 hours so it was no where near as bad as some of
the online comments would have us believe.
On landing back in Israel we then caught a shuttle from the border to
Jerusalem and finally an intercity bus from Jerusalem to Haifa in Israel’s
north.

Haifa

We were keen to come up to the north of Israel so we could experience
as much of this amazing country as possibly. We spent four days based
in Haifa and used the time to visit not only this old historic city and port
but also the amazing Baha’i gardens.

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Haifa as it turns out is one of the two main centres for this interesting found it interesting to realise that it is a faith based on the fact that
religion. Previously I had no real knowledge about the Baha’i faith, but there is only one God, and regardless of whether you recognise or pray
to Buddha, Allah, Jesus Christ, or any other deity, they are all just a
word for the same one God. The religion teaches unity and the equality
of everyone regardless of who they pray to as they believe we are all
praying to the same one God, just with a different name. Imagine if the
world all agreed with this religious philosophy – there would be a lot less
issues to contend with I suspect.

While here we hired a car for a couple of the days to visit Akko.

Akko

Akko is recognised as one of the oldest port cities in the world but we
also wanted to visit so we could venture up into the Golan Heights. This is
an area that has been fought and scrapped over in recent years following

PALMARY 27

the establishment of the modern Israel. The Golan Heights as the name
suggests are a hilly area in the North east of Israel. Now officially an
occupied territory of Israel, it has been changed it into Israel’s bread
basket. This area consists of acres and acres of orchards, vineyards, olive
groves and hot houses. While here we drove as close to the border with
Syria as is possible. The hill tops in this area have been Israeli military
strongholds ever since they were captured in the Seven Day War of 1967.
While there is still a military presence up here the fortifications are now
more historic relics than a current front line.

The relationship with Syria is now at least less acrimonious than it used
to be, especially as Syria has had other more pressing internal issues to
deal with in recent times.

It was however a little unnerving to have guides telling you that as
recently as a year ago, you could stand on the hill we were atop looking
down on the Syrian army shelling an Isis stronghold in the valley below
us. That stronghold is now occupied by the United Nations peacekeeping
force that is working with the population still living in this part of Syria.

Living as we do in New Zealand it is spots like this that make you
appreciate exactly how lucky we are.

Tel Aviv

From Haifa we than moved on to Tel Aviv for our final
few days in Israel. Tel Aviv is an interesting modern city.
Planned over �00 years ago it was built on one of the plains
outside one of Israel’s oldest towns, Jaffa. Approximately
�0 years ago Tel Aviv had grown so much the two became
one large city, so to speak. So when visiting you can go into
the old part of Jaffa which dates back in excess of 3,�00
years and a few blocks later you can be in a modern high
rise city.

Along Israel’s coast line area the beaches are simply
stunning. Israel’s whole west coast lies along the
Mediterranean Sea, and it’s quite literally magical and
stunningly beautiful. It’s very reminiscent in some ways
of the Gold Coast or Los Angeles beaches along with a great
climate. When you travel it’s always interesting to find by
accident something totally unexpected that tickles your
fancy, and while out walking through one of Tel Aviv’s
major parks, we stumbled upon a game of rugby. It turns
out it was the final of the local competition. Now it’s fair
to say this was not a game being played in a fine sports

28 精彩

ground as we might expect at home. In fact, the ground where to next.
was probably one of the worst I have seen for a“final”. It
was undulating, as well as markedly sloping so the bounce Originally our plan was to come straight back from the
of the ball took on a whole new meaning in this game. Middle East, pick up the motorhome and head to Italy,
However there was no lack of passion among either the before eventually ferrying to Greece and then driving back
players or the supporters, and interestingly even though up the Adriatic coast. However as mentioned things are
the words were yelled in Hebrew there was no doubt the currently a bit in turmoil over here as you can imagine.
ref was still being told and advised“that player was offside We decided a visit to Barcelona, the south of Spain and
ref”along with“open your eyes ref”as much as he would Gibraltar for a week or two might be in order while we take
be at any game at home. It was a great game to watch and stock. Thank goodness we have a timeshare at home to
as I said totally unexpected, but you could see a smattering enable us to arrange swaps.
of Australian and other national rugby paraphernalia on
the coaching staff of both sides, showing real international Who knows how things will all end up with regards to
influences. coronavirus – as I write this it looks to be really taking hold
globally. In reality I am not unduly worried about it from a
When the time finally came to leave Israel and the Middle personal health basis, and in fact once we get back into our
East it was with some sadness. Our five weeks plus in this camper next week we are probably in the best safest place,
region have been all that we expected and more. As a as just the two of us travelling around in a campervan keeps
destination to travel to I can’t recommend it highly enough us away from crowds most of any given day. It will almost
– you will love it. be our form of isolation. I think the potential to catch the
virus is hugely decreased by our mode of travel. Having
From Israel we have headed to Spain for a week or two. said all that the larger issue we might face, depending on
While officially we are still avoiding the British winter, in how this all develops, is the reaction or action required by
reality we are using this next period of time to think and authorities when we eventually cross back into the UK or
plan where to from here. Our travel plans have been thrown look to head home, especially if we do venture into Italy.
into a bit of an uproar as a result of both the coronavirus
and the current refugee issues along the Greek/Turkey Another reason for spending a bit of time in Spain is quite
border. So we thought we would take another week or so simply because the UK is having what is one of its wettest
to go and visit two parts of Spain that we hadn’t previously winters in recent years. Literally this last week another flood
been to, while at the same time getting our head around event has just hit the UK so we are doubly glad we are here.

PALMARY 2�

Barcelona only taken about ��0 years or so to get to where it is now,
and supposedly construction is due to be completed
Barcelona was our first stop in Spain, and our main in �0�� in time to celebrate the centenary of Gaudí’s
reason to visit was to see the Sagrada Familia. death.

However, after four days in Barcelona I can definitely I have to say, looking at what still has to be achieved
see why it is such a major city of attraction to tourists. it will be really amazing if they can meet this deadline.
What a stunner: slick, modern, great food, great sights
and sounds – it’s just a gem. Having said that a tour of the Sagrada is an absolute
must for any visitor, and is a reason in itself to go to
We did our usual city tour first off but this time as a Barcelona. It is a difficult building to get your head
bike tour with the Fat Tire bike company. We have been around. Typically, any other Cathedral, major church
with them before in other cities. I like their bikes and or basilica you visit anywhere in the world has a design
their tours, but whichever company you use for a bike and symmetry that you can identify with immediately.
tour it’s a great way to get to grips with this city. The Sagrada is a mixture of styles, designs and themes
with each of its sides being completely different. As
Barcelona is also well serviced by their subway system, amazing as it is, in some ways it is almost too much -
which is easy, safe, modern and gets you everywhere it’s almost too OTT.
you will need to go. It’s not particularly expensive and
they offer easily purchased tickets for two, three, or It is the interior, however, that is the most breathtaking.
four-day public transport passes. It is nothing like anything else we have seen around the
world. On top of the exterior, Gaudí’s design allows the
Among the must-see attractions over and above maximum amount of light and colour to enter into the
the amazing Sagrada Familia is Guell Park. This was Basilica. It really needs to be seen to appreciate.
originally a failed property development from the ���0s
that ultimately became a full-blown city park attraction When the building was first started Gaudí estimated
due to features designed by Barcelona’s own Antoni it would take �00 years to complete. If he was right that
Gaudí. will be around �0�0. Time will tell, but regardless this is
a definite must-see attraction. From Barcelona we took
Gaudí is of course the architect responsible for
Barcelona’s star attraction the Sagrada Familia. It’s

30 精彩

PALMARY 31

a marvel of modern engineering – a high-speed train prices displayed
– to the very southern coast of Spain. It’s a great way in £s or €s.
to travel, much more comfortable than flying, and at
300kph not a lot slower. Gibraltar itself
has been a strategically important site for generations
So here we are now having done a week’s timeshare and the “Rock” has been a heavily fortified site for
swap, based in a great resort halfway between Marbella years, overlooking the entrance to the Mediterranean
and Gibraltar. It is warm, it’s sunny and while we Sea.
aren’t quite swimming in the sea, we have had a couple
of swims in the heated pool. Now a cable car up the“rock”gives you an easy ride
to the top and the opportunity to wander around the
Gibraltar trails and old fortifications that adorn it.

While here we have visited a couple of local towns Crossing into and out of Gibraltar is a slightly different
along with Gibraltar for a day trip. With Gibraltar we experience. Whether you choose to drive in (definitely
really just wanted to see what the British territory was not recommended) or walk into Gibraltar, everyone
all about. As you wander thru the town centre, you could has to cross the Gibraltar International airport runway.
be forgiven for thinking that you could be in any typical Traffic lights control this process between incoming
UK high street. You’ll spot all the regular brands, with and outgoing flights. It’s certainly different, but I guess
Gibraltar doesn’t have much in the way of flat ground.

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This whole southern area of Spain has for years been a
haven for expat UK residents, and the coast is a lineup of
small Spanish towns, apartment complexes, real estate
developments and hotels. They literally run almost
seamlessly from one into the other, and looking at the
number of cranes on the skyline the developments are
still ongoing. Overall, this area has been a good spot to
chill out for a week or so.

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PALMARY 33

How to take
charge of
your health:
9 tips to try

By Brandpoint

Women have the power to proactively take of your diet completely - it’s full of sugar and trans fats
control of their feminine health during all that clog your cell walls and contains toxins that are bad
stages of life from the first period through for the heart and arteries. Most fast food also contains
post-partum, during perimenopause and beyond. chemicals like MSG that should be avoided.
Maria Sophocles, MD, OB/GYN, the Medical Director
of Women’s Healthcare of Princeton, offers these tips to 1 Freshen up by balancing pH:
help change your health for the better.
Vaginal pH can be offset by menstruation, sex and
Tips to keep healthy include: hormone fluctuations during menopause and pregnancy.
An imbalance in pH can often lead to a UTI or other
1 Eat right: infection like bacterial vaginosis, causing uncomfortable
itching, burning and smell. A pH-balancing gel like
Drink one less soda a day and lose 15 pounds in a RepHresh normalizes pH and eliminates odor. Many
year, and replace the “white” foods with “brown” like women mistake BV for yeast infections and are
brown rice and whole wheat bread. Take fast food out prescribed antibiotics, which can throw off the normal
pH.

34 精彩

1 Optimize vitamin D levels: vaginal health by keeping yeast and bacteria balanced
every day.
Safe sun exposure is a powerful and inexpensive
intervention that can have profound benefits on your health. 1 Fast fix to eliminate painful sex:
Enjoy 10-15 minutes of exposure to natural sunlight daily for
good nutrition, mental health and bone density. Supplement Stress and decreased estrogen levels during
a balanced diet with essential nutrients to promote healthy menopause can cause uncomfortable dryness and
teeth and bones, support the immune system and benefit irritation. Replens Vaginal Moisturizer provides relief from
cardiovascular health. internal dryness for three days and Replens Silky Smooth
is a preservative-free silicone lube that should be used
1 Consider a vaginal probiotic: just before sex to avoid abrasion and increase comfort.

Millions of women suffer from recurrent vaginal infections. 1 Exercise:
Sex and antibiotics can be the reason why. RepHresh
Pro-B provides two strains of vaginal lactobacilli to maintain Regular exercise decreases chances of developing
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity. Try ending
the day with a personal dance party, watch YouTube
videos or get a subscription to a virtual exercise class.

1 Track your menstrual cycle:

Stress and other factors can affect the menstrual
cycle, so it’s important to stay on top of your cycle
whether or not you’re planning on getting pregnant. Make
sure to have a pregnancy test like First Response on
hand to find out six days sooner than your missed period.
If you are trying to conceive, make sure to use a personal
lubricant that won’t harm sperm, like Pre-Seed.

1 Decrease stress:

Don’t feel guilty taking time to clear your mind. Plan
quiet times and activities like reading a book, starting a
garden or even meditating. Listening to relaxing music
or taking a bath helps to slow heart rate and breathing.
The better you feel mentally can improve how you feel
physically.

1 Prioritize sleep:

Sleep is like a reset button for the body and mind.
Prioritize getting at least seven to eight hours of
uninterrupted sleep and try to stay off technology at
least an hour before bed to avoid blue light keeping you
awake. If you have trouble sleeping, try a vitafusion Max
Strength Melatonin gummy before bed.

There’s no better time than now to change your health
for the better. Eat right, prioritize health, fitness, etc. and
remember, you are your biggest health advocate.

PALMARY 35

6 Tips

to beat the
heat and save

Energy this
Summer!

Do you feel like you’re spending more money on utilities?
Social distancing and quarantining at home throughout spring
and early summer may mean higher electricity needs and
cooling demands.

According to research reported in Renewable Energy footprint, as well as decreasing environmental impact.
World, energy bills showed an increase of roughly 20% in
the month of March 2020 as opposed to March 2019, the Step 1:
first month of quarantine for many areas across the United
States. Considering these numbers are from a time when Adjust indoor temperatures
weather is more temperate nationwide, it’s safe to assume
hotter months will accelerate home energy use. During warm weather, set your air conditioner at
the highest temperature possible for your family to feel
Heat waves can also make it difficult to stay comfortable comfortable. What’s more, when you’re gone, turn the
at home. You can help lower these expenses by adopting temperature up. You can save as much as 10% a year by
a few simple lifestyle changes and switching to energy- making seasonal adjustments to your thermostat of 7
efficient products. Remember, saving energy at home is to 10 degrees for 8 or more hours, according to the U.S.
a win-win - not only does it mean less money spent each Department of Energy.
month on power bills, but also shrinking your energy

36 精彩

Step 2: you feel cooler, so use them as you move from room to
room, particularly when sleeping at night. Additionally,
Smart home controls ventilation fans play an important role in regulating
temperatures as well as eliminating mold and mildew.
Control all your smart home products within one
central hub with the Brilliant Smart Home Control Step 5:
which supports LED, CFL, halogen, incandescent bulbs,
dimmable and multi-way lighting. The device offers an Turn off lights
array of high-tech functionalities including a built-in
Amazon Alexa, (also works with Google Assistant and Apple Switching to LED and other environmentally-friendly
HomeKit), an all-in-one mobile app that can be controlled lighting options not only saves energy, but also produces
from anywhere and a built-in camera with privacy shutter, light with less heat output so your home stays cooler. For
motion sensor and intercom system. example, EcoSmart light bulbs use 75% less energy than
60-watt incandescent bulbs and meet federal minimum
Step 3: efficiency standards. Make the swap to enjoy lower energy
bills without traditional phantom heat output.
Block natural heat sources
Step 6:
Radiant heat from the sun outside can come through
windows and heat up your home quickly, making air Keep up with maintenance
conditioning units run harder and longer to maintain
a comfortable environment. The Home Decorators Being proactive with home maintenance can help you
Collection Blackout Cordless Cellular Shades energy- control energy costs all year long. Start by changing your
efficient fabric insulates and shields a room from the furnace filter regularly to keep air flowing freely so your
outside heat, helping to lower energy bills while providing HVAC system doesn’t work harder than necessary. The
room darkening and privacy capabilities. minimum requirement is once a season, but you may
want to do it more often when in higher use as filters will
Step 4: get dirty faster. Additionally, seal leaks, repair roofing and
monitor insulation and you’ll position your home for
Use fans strategically energy efficiency and streamline costs.

The breeze from a ceiling fan or a portable fan helps This article was written by Brandpoint

PALMARY 37

PALMARYSEEKING THE BEST ALWAYS THE BEST
总第55期 ISSUE 55 新西兰 New Zealand
月刊 全国发行 ISSN 2423-110X 2020年�月 September 2020

NONG WHO? Complimentary

LEARNING SHANGHAINESE IN A PALMARY 1
CITY DOMINATED BY MANDARIN

WELCOME ABOARD