Hotel Trans-TasmaniaAuckland, 3rd Sept, 1958
Our Dear Darling Children,
AUCKLAND, 27th August (Wednesday): We flew out of NANDI this morning. At the Air Port as a sign of "good-bye" all the lady passengers were given a hibiscus flower - Bunga Raya - to keep. The flight by TEAL (TASMANIAN EMPIRE AIRLINES) plane was very smooth and comfortable. There was plenty of leg room as opposed to that in other tourist class of other planes. It was even easier for us to explain that we did not take pork; whereas in other planes the hostess always looked askance at us.
We reached AUCKLAND at about 4.30pm. It was rather cool as this was still at the end of winter. A Mr. Browns of the Internal Affairs Dept. met us and got us through the rigmaroles of the law without ado. We were takan by him to TRANS-TASMAN HOTEL in a Government motor-car. Although, according to the list I left with you all, we were staying at WENTWORTH HOTEL there was no such Hotel in Auckland. We wondered whether you had sent any letters to this non-existent Hotel.
Mr. Brown offered to help and told us that if we were going to WELLINGTON, the capital of New Zealand, Mr. Nash, the Prime Minister would give us lunch. We have,
however, decided not to go as it was quite a distance from Auckland.
We went to bed rather early. It was pretty cold, ooh!
Thursday, 28th August: After breakfast, we were interviewed and photographed by a correspondent of a local newspaper, "AUCKLAND STAR". This attracted some attention in the Hotel.
This afternoon the Governments' car which was at out disposal picked us up and took us round for sight-seeing in AUCKLAND. We were taken to the top of Mt. Eden, named after Sir Anthony Eden's great grandfather(?) who was at one time Governer General, New Zealand. From here the view of Auckland City was very pleasant, though rather cloudy as it was threatening to rain. This was now an extinct volcano. We also passed ONE TREE HILL, another extinct volcano. This stood in CORNWALL PARK in which was situated the first wooden house erected in Auckland - about 100 years ago. We stopped at the WAR MEMORIAL MUSEUM which was situtated in AUCKLAND DOMAIN. The Museum included a wonderful selection of MAORI relics and carvings.
In the evening we bought a copy of the "AUCKLAND STAR". We were rather disappointed. While the record of the interview was there, only my photograph was published whereas a photograph of Mak and Bapak together was taken.
Friday, 29th August: Mak was provided with an electric iron this morning and later in the morning we went out to the City. AUCKLAND is the biggest City in New Zealand but it does not compare with London or New York in size.
In the after three Malay students came to see us. We chatted till late in the afternoon. One of them was a Colombo Plan student and the other two were here on their own doing civil engineering.
In the evening another batch of students - four Chinese and one Muslim Indian - came. Mak was not feeling too well and stayed in bed. Most of them were officials of the Students Union here. They were going to celebrate the Independence Day Anniversary and invited us to attend on Sunday evening. We went on talking till rather late in the night.
Saturday, 30th August: We went out this morning to WAIWERA. Unfortunately this was a cold, wet morning. It's not unusual as this was still winter - though the end of it. We went round WAITEMATA HARBOUR and through EAST COAST BAYS to lunch at SOUTH PACIFIC HOTEL. WAIWERA is a Maori word meaning hot water. There is a hot water spring here. The hot water is piped to a swimming pool at the Hotel.
On our return we went through HELENSVILLE along which was a beautiful rural scenery.
Sunday, 31st August: We had a very quiet day. We stayed in the Hotel all day. In the evening two Malaysian Students, Siew Wai Cheong and Zahariah accompanied by a New Zealand girl came to fetch us to the dinner organised by the Malaysian Students Union on the occasion of the first Anniversary of Merdeka. The dinner was attended by some New Zealanders and Mr. & Mrs. Holgate, a former Director of Education in Malaya. Most of the Students were Chinese on Colombo Plan Scholarship. There were only 5 Malay Students - two private - in Auckland. It's sad to see so few Malays! There were also a few Indonesians attending.
After dinner I was asked to address the gathering. I feel that I did quite well. There was a dance after this and we stayed back - just to watch!
Monday, 1st September: Just before we left the Hotel this morning we were so happy to receive a letter from home as we have not received one since New York. We went to a flat where two Malay Students, Zaidin and Aziz were staying. Che' Ibrahim, a Colombo Plan scholar studying printing and Che' Zahariah, another Colombo Plan scholar doing B. Sc. were also there, cooking curry and rice for us. Ooh, how we enjoyed a real curry lunch after about one month.
After lunch, we, except Zahariah who had to see her friend off, went to the Zoo. It was raining and cold but we enjoyed both the company and the sight.
We got back to the Hotel at nearly 6 o'clock.
Tuesday, 2nd. September: We went out with Che' Ibrahim round the City. Before lunch I had a hair-cut. That's a fairly good record? A hair-cut at Paris, London, New York and now, Auckland. Of course in Auckland it was cheap - 3s.6d. Later we had food at a Chinese Restaurant. We didn't like the food. From there we went to the Teachers' Training Centre Hostel. I found it in bad shape!
In the afternoon, Mr. Holgate who was Director of Education in Malaya picked us up to go to his house - a place called HOWICK, 14 miles out of the City. We had a very enjoyable time. The house was situated on a very good site, overlooking a bay and we had a lovely curry dinner. Mr. Holgate and his wife later sent us back to the Hotel. They were very kind indeed to have entertained us.
Lots of love and kisses to Sayang, Adek, Intan, Kuntom, Nor, Adek Shor, Nan, Nah, Ajid & Yong from
Yours Ever,
Mak & Bapak
