Don't Drink at Raffles Hotel

Don't Drink at Raffles Hotel (unless you have a lot of money!)
Leigh and I decided to drop into the Long Bar at Raffles where Somerset Maugham used to hang out. You eat peanuts and throw the husks on the floor. I had a beer and Leigh had a Singapore Sling as you do in Raffles. Terry and Dallas joined us and by the time we hqd finished I had had 3 half pints of cheap old Tiger Beer, Terry had had two (he arrived late), Leigh had had 2 Singapore Slings and Dallas had had one Sling and one Bombay Gin.

The bill was $191.85!!! $16.00 per beer, $22.00 per sling and $17.00 for the gin, 10% service charge and 7% GST! What a shocker. Don't go there as it is daylight robbery. We were caught out! Don't do it.

Last night we went down the road and had as much fried rice, ginger chicken, calamari, fish and bok choy with 2 large bottles of chinese beer and mineral water for four for $70.00.

At least we have ticked off having a drink at the Long Bar in Raffles!

NUS High School of Science and Maths

Thursday 21 August
We have just arrived in Singapore after a straight forward night flight from Frankfurt. The flight was packed and the plane was a bit interesting. Just after take off the oxygen masks on the row of seats across the aisle from me came down. They couldn't put them back so hd to evacute those seats. I then had to use a piece of cord I had to tie up the storage flap in front of me because it was broken and hung against my knees.

I then discovered that my reading light did not work. Then the guy's seat diagonally in front of me would not go up after reclining so the poor guy behind him was getting annoyed. The plane also rattled alot.

It was terrible to hear of the air crash in Madrid that must have occurred while we were somewhere in transit.

We're all resting up now before heading out for an exxplore and some tea. Tomorrow morning we are meeting with a local principal who has a curriculum strong in the sciences and whose buildings hve been influenced by the current guru on learning spaces, Prakesh Nair



NUS High School of Maths and Science
Today Terry, Dallas and I visited the National University of Singapore High School of Maths and Science. It opened in 2005 and is a government initiative aimed at targetting gifted students who excel in maths and science. It's motto is “Experiment. Explore. Excel” and has a strong culture of research. Students have to submit a thesis to graduate.

Secondary students in Singapore sit A Levels and O Levels but sitting two external examinations wastes learning time so some schools have been given permission to sit only O Levels. NUS High School students sit neither but complete an NUS Diploma which is recognised by Singapore's Universities and from prestigious universities throughout the world.

Our students are epected to complete three years of external qualifications!

We were hosted by GOH Hock Leong who is the Director of the Office of Research Innovation and Enterprise for the school and Dr SEAH Wee Khee who is the Head of that department.

We were ggiven an overview of the history of the school's creation, its philosophy and some information about its curriculum and structure. They run a modular structure which is made up of core, elective and enrichment modules. Only core and elective modules are graded.

Learning takes place within three contexts: classroom (though this involves tutorials and group problem-solving discussions and very little lecturing), field (including at least one international experience in their time at school) and independent (self study, peer tutoring and research projects).

Students have had their work published in academic journals and presented at international conferences alongside PHDs and professors.

The key elements of their curriculum are: differentiated, compacted (don't do stuff they already know), small group discussion and peer tutoring, research focused, relationship centred and pro-risk taking.

We went for a tour of their school which included to one of only three observatories in Singapore, their boarding hostel, where all students must stay in their 5th year to concentrate on their research project, their library, some classrooms and their impressive concourse which is a covered, open space where students gather, hook up their laptops to power points in the floor, and where there is a timeline in the floor of major scientific and mathematic discoveries.

Tables and chairs were set up outside the staffroom so that students and teachers could meet to discuss work and issues. A student common room sppace existed in a covered outdoor area, and there were gardens in available open spaces. The netball and tennis courts were on the roof, soon to be covered by more science labs to be built above them and the canteen is beneath the 400m synthetic track!

Once again we have come across a model which has at its centre differentiated learning with all students working with mentors to develop their own Independent Learning Plan based around real life issues and problems which the students see as authentic and relevant to them. Teachers act as facilitators to help them experiment, explore and excel.

It has also been reinforced to me that the actual spaces and atmosphere created by them play a big impact on the learning approach and motivation of the school.

We need to convince the Ministry of Education that we must rebuild most of Opotiki College. Our request will have more chance of success if we embrace the required pedagogical changes and do what we can with what we have.

Arriving in Singapore

Wednesday 20 August
We have woken up for our last morning in Rome and have a long flight viaa Frankfurt to Singapore where we will arrive on Thursday afternoon. We are all packed and in the process of checking out of Maria's Bed and Breakfast. This has been a great place to stay as we are 2 minute walk from metro, 5 minute walk from train station and 30 minute walk from the Colosseum area.

I have just been interrupted to be told that we haven't paid our deposit. I will have to check our statements at home because I have a copy of the fax I sent authorising the payment. Always little hassles.

Last night Terry and I were able to do all the check-ins on-line with a couple of pints of Guinness in our puku. It's a good thing that we did because Dallas was sitting elsewhere on the plane.

We all then went out to Plazza Navona for dinner. This was a vibrant place in front of a Pope's palace with lots of restaurants and outside entertainers. Marco, our waiter, was very jocular and most of us had a great meal, but we could see the prices were quite a bit higher than we were used to.

Terry had a proscuitio and salad appetiser followed by a spaghetti and meatballs main, Dallas had Caneloni, Leigh had fettucini alfredo and I had calamari which was not as good as the ones I had in Spain.

This was all washed down with a nice Montepulciano red and a Venazzia white. Dallas had a tiramasu, Leigh a liminicelli thing and I had some ice cream with whiskey. We were a little bowled over with the bill of 180 eur, but it was a good final meal to have in Rome.

The taxi ride home was as madcap as the dash by taxi to the restaurant.

This morning we had a gentle start to the day and after organising for our bags to be left at Maria's we walked to Plazza Republique (31 degrees at 10.00am), bought an Italian Rugby cap for the boss which I might keep because it is so nice (!), 2 dresses foe Leigh, a couple of more gifts and then checked on-line the best way from Changi airport to our hotel.

We are now sitting in the departure lounge waiting for our flight to Frankfurt which has been slightly delayed, but has now just been called for.

Update
We are now in Frankfurt Airport after a straight-forward flight from Rome. The flight was delayed a little and I'm glad it wasn't for longer as it took us lmost 30 minutes to make our way from arrivals to our departure area. No time for the cold beer I was looking forward to.

During that walk we talked with a young woman who was finishing a year's exchange in Italy. She was from Trident High School and her mother used to be in Playcentre with Leigh and sold real estate briefly in Opotiki. Her last name is Probst. It was a chance encounter just after I greeted a guy going the other way in a Chiefs shirt!

Last Full Day in Rome

Tuesday Update
Leigh and I headed off in one direction and Terry and Dallas in the other this morning. We metroed to Plazza di Popoli and wandered around lo0oking for gifts fror people. We bought some neat Italian glass things thet people wear around their necks and wrists.

I've been hunting all day for an Italian Rugby beanie for thje Boss and so far have only found an Italian Rugby cap. It may have to be that.

After checking emails and updating the blog we bought a beautiful tomato and mozarella focacia thing which we ate in Plazza Pinesse which was an open air fruit and vegetable market. This was an neat part of town we hadn't been to before.

We spilled out at the Campidoglio which seems to be where many roads lead to to find police and barricades and TV cameras everywhere. It looked as if someone famous was expected. It was too hot for us to hang around.

We wandered around getting a little lost looking for a dress that we had seen the other day for Leigh, but as of yet have not found. I was a little annoyed when she said at some point that it wasn't important to find it! I think she was feeling the heat – 32 degrees at 10.00am!

Thankfully we found an Irish Pub! so I could have a beer and cool off.

It was about 3.30pm so we decided to head home and do some packing and rearranging as the bags are getting fuller. It was a good decision as we were able to see Nick Willis snatch and hang on for the bronze in the 1500m! What a huge effort!

Terry and I are now going to head off and see if we can check-in online for tomorrow's flights.

Ruin Photos

Roman Ruins

Tuesday 19 August
We're about to start our last full day in Rome as we have to be at the airport by about 3.00pm tomorrow to fly to Singapore.

We're all avoiding the big sight seeing sites today as we are a bit shattered from those experiences and will spend the day trying to find the Boss an Italian Rugby beanie!

Yesterday we were up and gone by 9.00 and boarded a city tour bus at about 9.30. This took just over 2 hours and was very informative. It stopped for 20 minutes at St Peters so we got off to get coffee. Two coffees for 8eur ($15!!). Must remember not to buy near tourist sites.

We got back on the bus, completed the circuit then got off at the Colosseum. Rather than paying 10eur and lining up for 2 hours we paid 22eur and got a neat guided tour and no line up. I now love those tour groups that annoyed me before!

The Colosseum was impressive. It could hold 50,000 spectators and had an elaborate seating system and a complex set of corridors and elevators beneath the arena out of which emerged slaves, wild animals (including porcupines!) and gladiators. These corridors are now exposed and can be seen in my photos on the blog.

After that we joined our complimentary tour of the Palatine Hill and Roman Forum which was the centre of Ancient Rome. One of the emperors used his surplus 90,000 slaves to level a lot of the Palatine so he could build a huge palace. It was at least 6 stories, 4 below ground and 2 up and 100s of metres square, built in 5 years. The marble remnants were stunning. We also stood on his balcony from which he could observe the vestal virgins bathing. They weren't there when we looked!

Our tour guide here was a young woman from Canberra who was confident and with a great aussie/NZ sense of humour. Her looks, speaking and bubbliness reminded me of Alicia Gleeson!

We then lined up for ½ an hour to go into Augusta's house which was built in about 75AD. The frescoes are brilliantly coloured!

We then dropped into the Roman Forum and walked along the Via Sacre (Sacred Road) which was the first road in Rome and down which all Roman soldiers marched off to war and then on their triumphant return.

Leigh and I then did some internet before returning home to catch up with Terry and Dallas. We went out to an average restaurant which gave us a menu and when we went to order only had 3 dishes available. It wasn't too bad though and I think they under charged us.

Terry, Dallas and Leigh had veal and I had pizza!

Rome Photos

Going to Church

Sunday 17 August
It's Sunday so we went to church! Quite an important church apparently. Our host Maria supplied breakfast of cereal and yoghurt, warms rolls, toast and coffee and then we were off at about 9.00 via the subway to Vatican City.

We arrived into St Peter's Square and saw a line so we joined it! It was very hot, even at this time of the morning. The line moved quite quickly, however, and within 15 minutes we were filing through the Tomb of Popes. Jimmy the Third is also buried there. I was surprised by the intensity of reverence, especially in front of the tomb of the most recent pope.

We then went into St Peter's Church which is huge in an almost unimaginable way. It is also very opulent. I know Terry was quite moved by the experience and that was cool. Obviously, it doesn't mean the same to me, but I have learned a lot from him by asking stupid questions.

This is a very wealthy church/religion!

We walked from there to the St Angelo Bridge and boarded a boat cruise of the Tiber River where we learned a lot about the bridges that cross the river. St Angelo's Bridge which connects at the tomb of Hadrian at the Cassel del Angelo was started in 27 BC and is the only bridge to survive the many floods of The Tiber.

We then headed off walking to the Tervi Fountain, but diverted to the Campidoglio and Pantheon on the way. The Pantheon appears to be another old church. About now my back was beginning its daily throb from walking and standing so I start to lose a little motivation.

However, we soon came across the Tervi Fountain which was a spectacular tumble of water over and amongst statues into a pool which was thronged by hundreds of people. We managed to make our way to the pool and I even dunked my head under to cool off. We also filled our water bottles. Throughout Italy there are many sources of drinkable water available for people. This is much appreciated at this time of the year.

After walking home and getting a little lost near the end Terry and I headed off in search of an internet cafe to check emails and update blogs. I have been using my phone to regularly check the Herald for Olympics news. I hope this is not too expensive, Joc!

It has been good to hear of our Olympians' successes and the awesome win by the AllBlacks, but frustrating not to see any of it. We only see Olympic events in which Italians feature! I am sure it is not like this in NZ.

It was great to receive an email, though very brief, from Lea and another from Alison, all of which I appreciate.

DON'T FORGET WHEN CHECKING THE BLOG TO CLICK THE COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH POST AND MAKE A COMMENT FROM TIME TO TIME. IT HELPS ME TO FEEL THAT THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE!

We're about to go out for our second dinner in Rome. It was a very hot night last night so not everyone slept well and Dallas, in particular, is very tired.

Update
We metroed to Plaza del Popolo and walked amongst the streets looking for a restaurant with an outside table. As we approached Redegliamici a group left their table and with a “You couldn't fit four of us in there could ya mate?” we connected with our waiter, Paulo, who was a star.

We started with a complimentary glass of champagne and when he arrived to take our orders he started with, “I am here to answer your questions.” He provided our wine and after he smelled the cork and swirled some from one glass to another he offered it for tasting. Very flamboyant.

The food was superb. Terry and I had spaghetti puttacetta (olives, tomatoes and anchovies), Leigh had Canneloni for Kings and Dallas had Rissotto in fish sauce. Whe4n we had finished Paulo provided us with a glass of liminchello.

Paulo really looked after us and his humour added to the enjoyment of the evening.

We then headed to the Metro via the Spanish Steps and crashed after another busy day.

Day 2 in Rome

This morning we were served breakfast by Maria and we were on the Metro to Vatican City by 9.00(ish). We lined up in a huge line in the searing heat to visit St Peters and Papal tombs. The line moved surprisingly quickly and we were soon being impressed by the opulence and grandeur of this big old Church. I'm sure I saw a popish figure scuttling around. I'll post the photo tomorrow.

We then did an interesting boat tour of T Tiber and learned a lot about bridges. We then visited the Pantheon, another old church, and then the Trevi fountains which were very impressive and I dipped my head ro cool down.

Tomorrow we plan a city bus tour and possibly the Cistine Chapel which was closed today.

GOT TO GO INTERNET TIME ABOUT TO RUN OUT.

Tuscany to Rome Photos

A Day Getting to Rome

Saturday 16 August
Last night we went back to the Il Granaio Pizzeria where Leigh and I had the grilled pork bits and salad and Terry and Dallas had beef and mushrooms all washed down with a Chianti.

This morning it was very difficult to leave Comboliolo, our villa near Radicondoli. After farewelling Graziano we headed south towards Grossetto and ono Rome via the coast road. It was a faily straight forward trip and we managed to see NZ female cyclist win her pursuit heat on tv at a roadside cafe. We also heard of the successes of Evers Swindells, Twaddle, Drysberg, Roulston and Vili as well as keep updated with the All Black score via Meg's texts.

We were disappointed to find the rental carpark at Rome airport so easily, thanks mainly to directions from www.slowtravel.com. We then trained into Rome and taxied to our neat Bed and Breakfast in Via Lucculo where Maria, our host cannot speak English! It is a neat apartment with a neat cage escalator.

We immediately headed off to the Information Centre then headed down Via Nazionale for a couple of beers in an Irish Pub! We then walked around the Roman Forum and Colloseum at sunset before a meal of spaghetti for me, veal for Terry, gnocchi for Leigh and Ravioli for Dallas.

We've just got back and are ready to crash, but it is almost too hot to sleep.

Trip to Follonica

Friday 15 August
Our final day woke to thunder and lightning and this was our planned beach day. We heded off anyway just before 9.00 and made our way through heavy showers to the village of Massa Maratima. We entertained a couple of local kaumatua attempting to use the fully automated petrol pumps and drove into the village where we had pastries and coffee while the rain blew through. Some of the thunder had been spectacular to that pont.

As we approached Follonica the sun came out and it warmed from 17 deg to 31! This place was bigger and more crowded than I expected, but after some good spotting we grabbed a park one block from the beach. Most of the beach requires you to pay but we parked very close to the small public beach.

Terry, Leigh and I swam a couple of times in the beautifully refreshing and mild med while Dallas went for a walk. There were a large number of hawkers selling clothes, bags, rugs and sunglasses.

Aqfter drying off in the sun we drove back to Massa Maratima for lunch where we all enjoyed aa glass of the locals' finest with lasagne and tortellini. We then headed off for what should have been a straightforward trip home, but we missed a turn though I did say we should take it. This resulted in Terrenzo navigating us in a zig and zag fashion back to our village in time for the next thunderstorm.

I am about to go up and check emails and update the blog. Tomorrow we cope with the drive to Rome!

Follonica Photos

Siena Photos

A Day in Siena

Thursday 14 August
This morning we were up and gone for Siena which is just under an hour away. We took some neat photos of a field of sunflowers, which are a major crop here. We wound through the narrow streets of Siena to find a carpark building and walked up the hill to the main square, Il Campo, which was being prepared for the huge horse race which is held here this Saturday. It is a pity that we will miss it, but after watching a DVD of the race in a local theatre when we arrived I am a little relieved as it looks absolute mayhem. It is a huge regional event which has strong religious links, with the horses being blessed in a church before the race.

We sat on a very narrow balcony above the track having a coffee to get a feel for the event.

We then visited the massive cathedral, Duomo, which is the most impressive that we have visited. We then went through the Museum D'Opera, which has nothing to do with opera! Te highlight was climbing the tower through very narrow spiral staircases to have a great view of the city.

After that Leigh bought a couple of leather bags, because you can never have enough bags! We found the Hertz Office to get directions to the Hertz Office at Rome airport because that's where we need to go on Saturday.

When we got back Terry and I went to the village to email and blog etc. Unfortunately, Terry was not able to connect which was a bummer. I was able to update my blog and also read neat emails from Robyn, Jacquie and Alison. It's great to have these little moments of contact. I have been getting updates from Charlotte as well.

We returned for a swim and chatted with a doctor from Edinborough, but he didn't know Kerr Wright! We then sat on our verndah tasting nice wines (Camporignano, Cabernet/Merlot, 2005 and a cheap Rose with ice cubes (Cipressto 2007) before dining on bread, cheese, tomatoes, salami and ham for tea.

It has been frustrating to not have news of NZ's Olympic efforts, but I check the Herald on my phone most days.

Time for bed as plan to go to beach tomorrow.

A Day Relaxing

Rest of Wednesday 13 August
I wandered up to join the others for a cold beer and after buying a few provisions went home for a feed of bread, ham, cheese, tomatoes and olives. This was followed by a dip in the pool. Terry, Dallas and I drove up to the village to check out the internet. They were all being used, but we got enough time to check and send emails.

We also purchased a Radicondoli Card which we should have bought on arrival as it gives discounts in restaurants and unlimited wireless access. We also booked ourselves in to a local restaurant for tonight's meal.

We headed back home for cold beer and pizza left overs and a bit of a relax. It has been great to have a much slower day and, in hindsight, I wish we had had more relaxing days here. Tomorrow we plan to head off by 8.00 to visit Siena. I hope it is not an all dayer.

On Friday I am keen to drive to the beach for a couple of hours and get back quite early in the afternoon as we havee the pressure on Saturday of driving to Rome and dumping the car at the airport.

Right, I've just got back from dinner at La Pergola in Radicondoli and had a table on the verandah under the pergola. The view was outstanding. Dallas had Rabbit with Etruscan Sauce, Terry had Paollo (chicken), Leigh and I had Pasta with a Tuscan meat sauce. This was washed down with a bottle of Podere La Fonte, Radicondoli, Vino Rosso Toscano, Vendemmia 2007 (www.poderelafonte.com) and a bottle of San Gimignano white. Our first course was followed by Leigh and Dallas with a Tiramisu, Terry with a Pannacotta and I had profiteroles. Awesome!

Tuscany Photos

La Spezia Photos

Missing Opotiki College

It is certainly great to be having a break from principalship and, on reflection, without this experience I don't know how much longer I could have gone on. I think this is more obvious now that I am actually taking a break and that if I hadn't I would have carried on, business as usual.

Despite enjoying the time away I am missing the kura. The enjoyment of the break is most certainly, in a large part, due to knowing that Robyn, with the support of Lea and Hone and many of the rest of the staff, will be doing a great job. The school has a strong kaupapa which all of the important people in the school are committed to.

I know that Robyn and the team will be facing many challenges, as is the case in a school like ours, but things will be moving ahead very well. I feel for her as many big decisions re timetable and staffing have to occur while I am away. Perhaps these jobs will get done properly for once!

The emails I have received from Adrian and Trish have kept me a little in the loop re computer networks and hardware and Tae Kwan Do and YES. Also getting everything that goes to group-teaching keeps me smiling. About 26 days to go before home.

Then there is writing up the sabbatical report and the visit to Australia!

Florence

Wednesday 13 July
It was real good to ring Lucy up and talk with her on her birthday, and qalso to have a quick chat with Mum.

Yesterday morning we got up early and were on the road to Florence just after 7.00am. Our plan was to viit the statue of David at the Galleria dell' Accadamia and the Ufizi Museum. This should be quite a challenge at the height of the holiday season.

The trip was quite straight forward, but all of a sudden you come from a main highway into the narrow streets of Florence. By good luck and sheer stumbling we found a car park close enough to walk into the tourist area. We also managed, after finding maps, to stumble across the unassuming hole in the wall where you could book tickets yto the museums. We were fortunate to be able to book 1.00pm tickets to David and 5.30 tickets to the Ufizi.

We decided to have pizza and coffee and were stunned to have to pay so much for so little. We were now in the big smoke. To very chic Italian guys sat beside us and were very friendly. The main one, Phillipe, was very wealthy as his family owned a large design company which made leather stuff and clothes. He looked very chic and Italian and was well-known by the waiters who treated him with much respect. He had visited New Zealand and was very knowledgeable on many countries. He engaged and entertained us for 10-15 minutes. His best line when asked how much they sold their clothers for was, “You don't buy our clothes with money you buy them with class, and money can't buy class!” I still regret I didn't give him my card to keep in contact.

From there Leigh and I wandered across the Ponte Vecchio which is lined with jewellery shops, visited without entering the Piazza Pitti museum, headed along the river and crossed the Ponte alle Grazie and wandered through the street and came across Dallas and Terry. We then made our way to the Accadamia where we only had to line up for about 15 minutes.

I am a bit sick of religious and renaissance paintings, but the statue of David is truly impressive and well-worth seeing. The detail Michaelangelo has achieved with veins and muscles is outstanding. He has seemingly out of proportion large hands and feet and vice versa with the old fella.

After getting out of there we found an internet cafe and were able to check emails and update blogs. It was a great facility and I would recommend it to anyone visiting Florence and wanting internet access. It is called Italian Point and is at Via Ricasoli 19 (italianpoint@gialexong.com). Leigh and I then bought some silk scarves as gifts and a wallet for me and Thomas. We then all met up at the Ufizi, got turned away for being 30 minutes early and then immediately another doorman called us to another door and sent us in.

The sculptures were great; everyone must have wandered around in the nude back then! The paintings I was over, so after an hour speed viewing and coping with the nuisance touring groups and guides I spilled out. Terry and Leigh soon emerged and Leigh and I headed off for pizza and fruit salad, then walked the wrong way and crossed the wrong bridge before arriving near our car to wait for Terry and Dallas. They found each other at 6.45 after both emerging at 6.00 and waiting on opposite sides of the museum.

We had a very uneventful drive home, with only one wrong turn. We bought beautiful take away pizzas from the local village and I crashed before falling asleep on the couch with plans for a restful day following. The driving is going OK, but I think it is tiring me a little more than I realise.

This morning I got up at 8.00 to drink a fine coffee that Terranzo had made before he and I walked and jogged up the hill to the village, did a little exploring and found a nice park and then bought pastries, bread and cheese.

On our return we provided breakfast for the wahine. I had a swim and met a couple of GPs from Edinborough. The others have walked up to the village, but I wanted to rest and update the diary. I am going to wander up soon. I think Terry has discovered free internet at the info centre from 3.00pm.