My Pictorial World

Wishing Bell at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:11:00 +0000

The Wishing Bell comes with the following instructions when making a wish:
1. Make 3 prostrations
2. Kneel down and join palms
3. Recite “Na Mo Sakyamuni Buddha” 3 times
4. Make a wish
5. Knock the bell once
6. Arise and bow once

Ringing The Bell at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:07:00 +0000

A Buddhist nun ringing an extremely large bell at the Fo Guang Shan Temple.

Beating The Drum at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Someone (I am not sure if she is nun?) beating and extremely large drum at the Fo Guang Shan Temple.

Stone Light at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:58:00 +0000

There are twelve of these lights within the temple and they represent the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination: Ignorance, Mental formations, Consciousness, Name and form, The six sense organs, Contact, Feeling, Craving, Clinging, Becoming, Birth, Ageing and death.

Pagoda at Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Temple Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:55:00 +0000

There is something about water that brings a feeling of peace and tranquillity.

2011 Rugby World Cup Finals Tickets Below Cost? #RWC2011

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 09:32:00 +0000

When I walked out of Britomart Train Station this afternoon I came across a couple of girls walking around with these signs, “Rugby World Cup Final’s Tickets – Below Cost – for info go to . I thought the IRB was going to/trying to clamp down on ticket scalpers? Well, it looks like there are tickets available on eBay for the finals match between France and the All Blacks.

Free Palestine Demonstration | Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 07:27:00 +0000

The issue of Palestine has for a very long time been a contentious issue for Israel and Western powers who have a vested interest in that part of the World. Over the weekend, I came across this small group of people who felt the need to express their views about Palestine to the people of Auckland.

Tui Yeah Right Calendar Girls Billboard

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:14:00 +0000

You've gotta love the stuff the people come up with for Tui's "Yeah Right" billboards. "I thought it was shop where girls sell calendars?" made me laugh because I could just imagine a guy explaining this to his wife or partner or girlfriend ever so innocently. For those of you who don't know what "Calendar Girls" is, Google it and then it will make more sense.

Homeless Man Sleeping On Queen Street, Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:20:00 +0000

I was walking down Queen Street one evening and even though there was still a lot of noisy pedestrian and vehicular traffic, this man was able to find himself a spot to get some sleep. I may complain now and then that life is tough but when I see sights like this, it reminds me about how blessed I am.

Proud Maori Flying The Maori Flag

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:55:00 +0000

I came across this individual at the 2011 Ragamuffin music festival. As you can see, he wanted people to know just how proud he was to be Maori. Maori get given a bad wrap but there is absolutely nothing wrong with them.

Raggamuffin 2012 Is Just Around The Corner

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 12:22:00 +0000

Earlier on in the year I took a bit of time out to head down to Rotorua for Ragamuffin. This year the line-up included: MARY J BLIGE, JIMMY CLIFF, MAXI PRIEST, THE ORIGINAL WAILERS, KY-MANI MARLEY, CHE FU & THE KRATEZ, NESIAN MYSTIK, 1814 and SONS OF ZION. SEAN PAUL was supposed to perform but was unable to make it. That being said, it was still a fantastic event and I am already looking forward Raggamuffin 2012. Hopefully they will make an announcement on next years line-up soon and I will be sure to get tickets as soon as they go on sale.

The photo is of the huge banners they had on either side of the stage. I am just in love with the colour combination.

Douglas C-47D Skytrain | ZK-DAK | NZ3546

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 05:30:00 +0000

This Royal New Zealand Airforce Douglas C-47D or Dakota as it is known to some people was one of the attractions at the Air New Zealand Tech Ops Open day on Sunday the 3rd of April. It also happened to be the only aircraft there that was taking attendees for short flights around the city.

(click on image for large view)

Air New Zealand ‘All Black’ Airbus A320-232 ZK-OAB | Crazy About Rugby

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 05:32:00 +0000

Today I took up the opportunity of attending the Air New Zealand Tech Ops Open Day. A friend who works for Air New Zealand took us around the facility and WOW!, there is a lot that takes place to keep their planes in the sky. We also had the chance of walking through and taking a look at their B777-300, B747-400 and A320-232. I was very impressed by the 777 but the livery on the A320 was the highlight for me.

Air New Zealand CRAZY ABOUT RUGBY Aircraft Towing Vehicle

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 05:26:00 +0000

Air New Zealand extended the All Black theme for their A320 to the towing vehicle which is also painted in black with “Crazy About Rugby” plastered on the side and to top it off, its registration is similar to that of the All Black plane, ZKOAB.

(click on image for large view)

Gulfstream GV-SP G550 N92LA at Auckland International Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 04:38:00 +0000

Whilst at the Air New Zealand Tech Ops Open day I came across this Gulfstream Aerospace G550 being towed to a hanger where the other private jets are located.

(click on image for large view)

University of Otago Clocktower Building

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:04:00 +0000

The University of Otago Clocktower building which is located along the banks of the Leith River is probably the building that gives the university campus its character.

Fish in the Bathtub at Capers Cafe Dunedin

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 17:55:00 +0000

Capers Cafe Dunedin is one of many cafe’s around the city that I used to frequent years ago. I paid it a visit a couple of weeks ago and got a bit of a surprise when I went to the bathroom. It isn’t everyday that you see fish in a bathtub of what was a very colourful and interesting bathroom.

World Cities Distance Sign | Bob's Peak Queenstown

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 19:45:00 +0000

A couple of weeks ago I unexpectedly found myself in Queenstown. Whilst there my wife and I took a ride on the Gondola up to Bob’s Peak. Besides offering stunning views of Queenstown, The Remakables and Lake Wakatipu there is also a world cities distance sign to remind you on just how far New Zealand is from the rest of the world.

Air New Zealand de Havilland Canada DHC-8-300Q Dash 8 ZK-NEK at Christchurch International Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 19:15:00 +0000

This is a photo of an Air New Zealand Link (Air Nelson) de Havilland Canada DHC-8-300Q Dash 8 registration ZK-NEK that had just arrived at Christchurch International Airport.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-212(ER) 9V-SRN Taxing at Christchurch International Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 09:39:00 +0000

This Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-212(ER) registration 9V-SRN is taxing towards the runway in preparation for takeoff on its ten and a half hour flight to Singapore.

(click on images for larger view)

Mercedes Benz C200 CGI Sport Edition Halfway Up The Sky Tower

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 23:29:00 +0000

It’s not everyday that you see a car halfway up the Auckland Sky Tower. Well, the people over at Sky City are running a promotion where the winner will get to drive away with a new Mercedes Benz C200 CGI Sport Edition. What a way to run a marketing campaign. Under the photo you will find a short video showing how they got it up there.

Carved Posts At Te Pane O Horoiwi – Achilles Point | Auckland

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 02:27:00 +0000

The other day I went ‘exploring’ and found myself at Achilles point which is on the cliffs above Ladies Bay in St. Heliers. This is where I came across these carved posts (pouwhenua) that represent the Maori ancestors who arrived at this point (Te Pane O Horoiwi) on the Tainui waka over six centuries ago. These people were:

Hoturoa – commander of the Tainui waka
Taikehu – chief and key ancestor of the Ngai Tai People
Horoiwi – chief who settled at Tamaki Head and named the person who named this location

Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa Marae | Auckland Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:07:00 +0000

I have been in this country for a number of years now and have seen and visited a number of Marae in that time but they never cease to amaze me. The thing that gets me the most about them is the “tekoteko” and “maihi” carvings.

Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa Marae is only a couple of minutes drive from Auckland Airport if you want to pay it a visit.

‘Cucci’ Personalised Plate

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 19:07:00 +0000

I came across this car in the city this morning and I just had to take a photo of it. It’s not everyday you come across a “Cucci” personalised plate. What came to mind when I saw the plate was a Chinese knock-off of Gucci or the owner may have been alluding to….yup, you got it! Who knows?

Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus A340-211 LV-ZPJ Landing at Auckland International Airport

noreply@blogger.com (Gerri) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:30:00 +0000

I found myself back at the airport the other day and took a photo of this Aerolineas Argentinas Airbus A340-211 (registration number LV-ZPJ) coming in for a landing at Auckland International Airport.