Magic Carpet evening Sep 2026

MAGIC CARPET EVENING

Remuera Baptist Church Sat 26 Sep

The evening began with announcement and display of the winning entries in the ABTC 2026 Photographic Competition. Anne Burgess from the Henderson Photographic Society was the chief guest judge for this contest, and she announced the winners:

1. ABTC - Murray Black (winner); Phillip Donnell (runner-up)
2. A PLACE TO STAY - Roger Donnell (winner); Murray Black (runner-up)
3. AWE AND WONDER - Phillip Donnell (winner); Alan Milne (runner-up)
4. CAMARADERIE - Barbara Langridge (winner); Alasdair Nicol (runner-up)
5. FLORA AND FAUNA - Lesley Li (winner); Phillip Donnell (runner-up)

We had a short training slot on how to pack and fit a tramping pack. A pack should have a chest strap and a waist strap to be fastened when it is worn for stability when hiking. In packing the pack, lighter stuff (sleeping bag, clothing) should be at the bottom, heavy stuff (stove, tent, food, shoes) in the middle, and accessible items (first aid kit, snacks, map, sunscreen, headlamp, toiletries) at the top. External pockets should contain a rain jacket, compass, whistle, snacks and knife.

Supper was served, then we had our magic carpet presentation. A year ago, Alan and Joy embarked on a G Adventures tour in southern Turkey, starting in Istanbul. They visited sites like the Galata Tower, the Bosporus Bridge, Hagia Sophia, and Dolmabahçe Palace, learning about Turkey's history, including the fall of Constantinople in 1453, and enjoying Turkish cuisine. Their journey included Tharlou, and Cappadocia, then to the Mediterranean coast, with visits to Antalya, Gallipoli and various historical sites. They also observed religious buildings and cruised near a sunken city before exploring Hieropolis, Ephesus, and Troy. The trip ended in Istanbul before heading to Jordan, where they visited Amman, Jerash, and the Dead Sea, as well as Petra and Wadi Rum. They reflected on their experiences, landscapes, and cultural interactions throughout.