Go Go Globe Groom

May you rest in peace, Felix 安息吧，阿发。

2010-03-25T01:43:00.000-07:00

今天听到一个迟来的坏消息，一位旧同事因癌症，在去年12月去世了。从诊断到去世，才短短2 个月。。。他，才20多岁，一位年轻，有大好前途的青年室内设计师。印象中的他，爱笑，随和，对同事热心，爱耍赖，有正义感，热爱设计；是公司里的开心果。为人爽朗，虽然体形有点baby fat, 听说女朋友却很漂亮。Felix 很耍赖，同事们喜欢叫他阿发。和他相处只不过才短短3 个月，那是我毕业后的第一份工作，在司里同事们的感情和好，常常一起聚餐，就算离职后同事之间还常保持联络。没想到，久久没有你的消息，今天听到的却是你过世的坏消息。

安息吧，阿发。

放轻松了吧？

2009-07-26T23:03:00.000-07:00

终于决定辞职了，心头顿时松了下来。在呈辞职信的那天晚上睡得特别甘甜，特别轻松。多天的烦恼与压力好像肥皂泡沫那样，升空爆开了。在眼前的是一个未知的未来，有点忐忑，有点期待。

求神祝福我手所做的，带领我在新的领域新的挑战里，勇敢走下去。

This is not a Monday's Blue

2009-07-19T20:57:00.000-07:00

快要闷死了，我需要改变。
呆在闷死人的公司也有4年了，除了学习到一点点东西外，我还学到静坐不动到放工的功力！厉害吧！
我想换，可是我要的是什么呢？我的兴趣是什么？我喜欢什么样的工作性质？唉。。。。。我到底想怎样？我不想死在office，我不想在这里浪费掉我的青春我的时间，我更不想到30岁时才恍然发现我的年华已经老去已经没有精力去改变了。
我没有方向，我不知道自己到底要怎样的改变？
是不是一个人在自己的comfort zone 太久就会有不想转换或改变的积极？我怕什么？怕钱不够用？怕换了环境却没有现在舒服？怕改变后其实也不是自己喜欢的？
我的机会在那边，但是我不踏出去尝试就没有机会。神啊，坚强我！

那些女孩。

2009-04-27T01:10:00.000-07:00

时间过得真快。一转眼，这班少女有的已为人妻、人母，幸福的生活着；有的也在职场上大展拳脚，闯着她们事业的一片天；有的在恋爱路上爱得轰轰烈烈，甜蜜又幸福；有的还在象牙塔内享受着学生的生涯，将来要披上白袍医者为仁。。。

她们各有各的生活，各有各的社交圈子。然而，纵使若干年后，她们少女时期的回忆却是共同拥有的。哪怕只是短短的那几年中学回忆，就在往后的日子继续发酵，在她们心里面刻上永恒的美丽。

亲爱的朋友，祝你们幸福永远。

Cappadocia - the Fairy Chimneys

2009-04-22T19:54:00.000-07:00

土耳其这个名字，对我来说是既熟悉却陌生，很复杂的一个印象吧。小时候所接触到的“土耳其”就只是一个名字而已，而它的英文名字更为我印象深刻---就是洋人在圣诞节吃的Turkey。小时候崇洋，觉得那大大只烤得金黄色两脚开开躺在餐桌上的大盘子内的火鸡一定是全世界最好吃的食物，啊不然为什么那些洋人总是在平安夜一家大小围着那只大鸡笑得合不拢嘴。后来吃过了，方才知道我们的烧腊鸡比那些干干淡而无味的火鸡胸肉好吃十万八千倍！

土耳其，一个连接欧陆与亚洲的土地。这个国土，有一块属于欧洲的土地和一块属于亚洲的土地。这个灰色地带，啊。。。不，是中间地带，住着西方文化与东方文化的交融。古时，他们互相往来、经商，靠着那条伟大的丝绸之路；如今，他们东西方文化交融，不分彼此努力地过生活，靠着那个壮烈不死的精神。

我们的目的地是土耳其中部的Goreme (Cappadocia)。一大早从Santorini飞往Istanbul, 再转机到最接近Cappadocia 的城市Kayseri。入秋了，10度以下，在迟两个礼拜来这里就下雪了。一下机，就感受到那里寒冷的天气，没有预备御寒的衣服，在冷风中傻傻的等车。由于当天是回教徒的Rahmazan, 等了很久，冷到快要麻痹了，终于才有一辆小小的小货车德士缓缓开来，载我们到离机场还要2小时多车程的Cappadocia -----溶洞地带。

这里独特的溶洞，是世界上极为特别与神奇的地势。很久很久以前，地震的发生形成地层交替，比较坚固的地层被“震”了上来，形成地面上的第一层地层，而比较没有那么坚固的地层就在第二层。日复一日，年复一年，经过风吹雨淋及气温的变差、风蚀以就形成现今令人惊叹的自然奇观。人们居住在小石山洞内，冬暖夏凉，石洞是家亦是文化。一座座看似童话故事里面可爱的烟窗吸引了不少慕名而来的游客，一憧憧好像外星球世界的小石山，迎来好莱坞大制作“星球大战 Star War” 的外星球那一幕，热闹了这寂寂无名的乡下小地方。

溶洞--大自然巧手的杰作

入住的酒店，房间就在石洞内。即使外面气温很低，里面却暖暖的。

地下城市 Underground City。在二世纪B.C.，基督徒被罗马军逼迫，为了逃避罗马军，基督徒被迫逃到地下去隐居，躲过了罗马军的逼迫。由于必须要长时间隐居在地底下，他们在地低下建造了有睡房、茅房、会议室、畜牲栏、酿酒房、厨房、空调窗、圣殿还有放置尸体的地方。一座一座地下城市由一条只容许一人通过的狭窄隧道连接起来，互相联系。在地面上完全看不出来的地下城市，入口处做成只有内锁而不能外开的大石们，成功躲过了罗马军的杀害。

在地下城市入口处排队等待进入参观时，当地居民在贩卖一些手工艺品。人们现今已搬到地面上居住了。

晚上去看神秘的土耳其旋转舞，也是在石洞内。。。

土耳其肚皮舞，婀挪多姿的舞娘扭动肢体卖力演出。

挂在树上的陶器

当地的食物，密封的陶器内装着kebab, 整个放进烤炉内烧烤。端上桌时让客人用长刀大力砍破陶器，kebab 配着薄饼吃，很是滋味！

编制地毯的妇女。

很期待。。。。很期待！！！

2009-04-22T19:25:00.000-07:00

明天就要去热浪岛度假了！很响往的 Sun, Sand, Sea。。。事别6年，如今的热浪岛究竟变成怎样了呢？6年前10月尾去，原来已是季候风季节，那时只有一部菲林相机，很不幸的，照了几张，刚好电池没了。相簿里的热浪岛就只有那张我坐在marine park 的码头上喂鱼的照片，还有一张肥猪在沙滩上背着汹涌的海浪快乐的摆pose照。humm。。。热浪岛，我来吔！！！

Santorini Island - A Paradise for Honeymooner

2009-04-14T20:15:00.001-07:00

恒古至今，许多大诗人曾经歌颂过她。她背负着4千年的历史，那永恒的石头依然屹立，强而威严，在爱琴海上升起，看守着大西国的秘密。。。。。

1956年的地震，震碎了岛民经济来源，更震碎了他们的家。。。但，却震不去他们心里那炙热的梦。 70年代末，他们从悲痛中从新站起来，炙热的心从新兴起，Santorini，再次建立起来，再次成为爱琴海上那颗闪亮耀眼的星。

Santorini岛上最热闹的街莫过于Fira Town了。特殊的地理环境造就了她独有的街景。街道有阶梯，阶梯又是街道，旅人们就穿梭在阶梯两旁一间一间的餐馆、商店，心里是愉悦的，是惊叹的，尽管吃力，但都不曾埋怨。

在酒店的阳台享受早点，眼前就是辽阔的爱琴海，最真实的蓝，一望无际。

岛上无数间这样特别的酒店，窜过门槛，沿着阶梯一级一级的往下走，就是酒店的接待处了。

驴，沿着阶梯，在旧码头与岛上替换着客人与货品。客人也尝尽了驴屎飘香。

从我们房间阳台所望出去的景色。

乘巴士20分钟就到达的另一个小镇--- Oia。这里是度蜜月的天堂。不少人在这里，夕阳下，与爱人求婚。这么美这么浪漫，不答应都难！有个星加坡朋友，去年的5月，就在这里，夕阳下，跪下给女友一个惊喜的求婚。他们在今年的情人节结婚了。

在你手中

2009-04-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

下了一个早上的雨，上班的路涩溚溚的，空气好像新的一样。

我的所有，都是从耶和华而来。耶和华是我的满足所在，我的喜乐泉源。

哼着这首歌上班去啦！

耶和华我的神你是我的神

我的好处不在你以外

你是我的产业我杯中的份

我所得的你为我持守

我将耶和华常摆在我面前

因你在我右边我便不致动摇

我的心欢喜我的灵快乐

我的忧伤也要安然居住

我将耶和华常摆在我面前

因你在我右边我便不致动摇

在你面前有满足的喜乐

在你手中有永远的福乐

黑色星期二

2009-04-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

那天听到FM说，美国的专家作了一个研究，原来星期二才是打工一族最忧虑、最黑色的一天，特别是在当天早上11点15分左右。

为什么不是星期一呢？经过调查，在星期一，打工一族还带着周末假日的心情回来公司，同事间还会互相讨论周末所过的一些活动内容，心情还未完全收拾。所以，‘黑色’并不适合套用在星期一上。

而星期二开始，打工族方才要收拾心情，准备一周下来要做的事：sales budget, reports, meetings...etc. 压力一涌而来。所以，星期二，才是‘黑色’的。

今天是星期二。。。现在刚好是11.15am 。。。。。哎~black black black。。。

Greece: Mykonos Island

2009-03-24T22:16:00.000-07:00

Mykonos是希腊爱琴海上算是最人气的岛屿了。每年所吸引的游客多不胜数，是个相当热门的度假胜地。那独特的建筑沿海而建，狭窄的小巷、白色墙壁，蓝色门窗。。。构成一幅幅让人惊叹的地中海风情，使人陶醉其中。岛屿四面向海，据说从前常会有海盗出现侵略民宅，那狭窄弯曲像迷宫的小巷是为了要防范海盗侵略所设计的。

从雅典Pireas码头乘渡轮到Mykonos Island 大概需要5个多小时。当中还发生了一个小插曲：话说我们两人拖着各自的行李从地铁站走到去Mykonos的渡轮的码头去，在之前买票时好心的售票员指示我们要在船行驶前半小时到地铁站，然后“步行”15分钟后就到达我们的渡轮所停泊的码头。没想到Pireas码头竟然如此之大，大到我们连走带跑的也要45分钟才到达渡轮的Gate。要不是中途接到taxi，恐怕我们就错过了上船的机会，然后浪费掉一人要RM300多块的船票。

经过一番紧张刺激，与时间赛跑的拖拉行李赶路过程，好不容易，终于，登上了渡轮。启程在即，在甲板上享受着这得来不易的轻松。

甲板上的夕阳无限好

半途停泊在某小岛放下乘客

有人上船来兜售当地小吃，甜滋滋的，正好充饥。

Mykonos 街上的商店

常常会看到的蓝顶小教堂

入住的酒店

卖手绘的陶瓷店，买了一个陶瓷碟做纪念。
一些街景

风车，Mykonos的地标。游客必到之地。

天空真的很蓝，地中海惟有的蓝。

来个甜蜜留影: ) 背景是Little Vanice

Greece: Athen

2008-10-23T01:56:00.000-07:00

搁置了这么久，终于甘愿写了。。。。

旅行好像上了瘾这样，欲罢不能。刚从纽国回来的心，还没定下来，又想飞出去。2008年九月，和老公踏上梦想的国度---希腊，还有那陌生的土耳其。

雅典这印象中充斥着神话故事的城市和爱琴海上浮起的浪漫小岛一早就深深烙印在我们的梦想簿里。如今竟能梦想成真，多亏老公的功劳。哈！

雅典这古老的城市街头上庸庸攘攘来凑热闹的人群，一点也掩饰不了他从前的繁华和昌盛。一座座古希腊式的建筑物，还有路边一排排的露天咖啡座，带出了雅典的唯美。

一些街头所拍

来到雅典必定要参观的景点---Acropolis。花了大半天象征式地游走了这个古老的城。

Acropolis Site

Acropolis神殿前留影

很多类似的神殿

图书馆

在众多的神殿围绕中意外地发现到一间小小的教堂。相信是保罗时代福音传到雅典时所建筑的。当时的希腊人无所不拜，保罗甚至发现路旁被人竖立着的神像，写着“还未定名之神”。

古老时期的剧场，如今一样被用作演奏场。

逼真的雕像到处都是。

Day10 - Mt. Cook-Lake Tekapo-Christchuch-Home

2008-10-23T01:28:00.000-07:00

从Mt.Cook 下来的清早，我们仿佛错过了一场小雪。

好冷~

羊羊灰灰的毛看起来很脏
来到Lake Tekapo，一个小小的镇，有着一个感人的故事。。。
Lake Tekapo 著名的教堂，叫做‘好牧人’教堂（Church of The Good Sheperd)，纪念着一只忠心的牧羊狗。

是游客必来参观景点

教堂前留影

就是它，GOOD SHEPERD

傍晚回到christchurch了，好累。

The Music Centre of Christchurch

终于到了最后一天的旅程，身体很累，但心灵却很扎实。纽西兰的风景是那么的让人惊叹，空气是那么的新鲜。。。虽然很不舍得就这样结束，可还是要逼着自己归回现实。心情有点失落，舍不得还是要离开，就惟有期待下一个旅程。

纽西兰之旅（完）

Day 9 - Mt. Cook

2008-09-23T23:19:00.000-07:00

准备登山去咯！

仿佛进入无人之地。

溶化了的冰川

为登山逻难者所盖的纪念塔

天仓仓，野茫茫。。

在 Mt.Cook 夜间的温度极低，加上呼呼的狂风，我们只好躲在青年旅馆避寒，早早就休息了。

Day 8 - Queenstown shotover jet & White water rafting

2008-09-11T01:24:00.000-07:00

大多数来女皇镇的旅人都不会错过这里著名的活动。除了让人吓破胆的笨猪跳之外，还有其他的活动好像shotover jet 和water rafting 一样受欢迎。

宜人的风景。。。shotover jet 就在这条河进行。河水是从Southern Alps 流下来，由于是夏天，下雨量不是很多，所以河水有点浅，但还是不抵我们的热情。

换装前先来个pose穿上救生衣后先来个大合照。想到等下就要坐上快艇了，心情很兴奋。
一伙人坐上快艇，听船长解释了几项安全措施就出发了。快艇飞快地在冰冷的河上穿梭飞驰着，突然一个急转弯，河水飞溅了起来，一伙儿的尖叫声此起彼落，不亦乐乎。。。一时船长会故意的要撞上沿岸的石头、河中央的树桐，一时又来个让人措手不及的U转，又惊又险，好不热闹。船长的驾驶技术可不是盖的。
坐过了快艇，还不是很过瘾，因为接下来还有更刺激的Water rafting。一些没有兴趣的朋友就被载回去town了，另一伙和我们还想玩water rafting 的则乘上提供的小巴，往高山上爬到河的上流去准备参加water rafting.

一行人共乘2 辆小巴，小巴在单行的山路上飞驰，（没错，是飞驰！）上山的路都是沙石路，是以前开采金矿的矿工开发用来做输送道路的。沿着山边往上爬，望眼窗外就是山崖了，不时还有看到已经废弃了的矿工的村落和一些采矿用的器材。

由于我们坐在第2辆的小巴，前面的小巴飞驶过翻起了滚滚的沙尘，几乎看不见前面的道路。可是我们亲爱的司机哥哥却在大显他超凡的驾驶技术，很是刺激。

经历了又惊又险的巴士上山惊魂记，我们终于侥幸地来到了河的上游准备rafting 用的装配。7人包括一个领队共乘一条汽艇，一人手拿一支划桨。出发前先来个大集合，听毛利叔叔讲讲一些激励的话语，然后救生员解释万一掉下河应该怎么做等的安全措施，点算人数，整装待发。

开始的河水很温和，这个时候就是我们练习的时间，领队解说了一番，就假设一些等下会遇到的状况，喊起口号来让我们练习一下技术。划了大概半小时都是较平静的河水，没有什么难度，倒是手臂划得很酸。之后的一小时半的惊险状况：漩涡、急流。。等，都是新鲜好玩又刺激的经历。

最后的20分钟路程是要经过以前金矿公司所挖开的岩洞，据说以前金矿公司是属于德国人的，由于河的这段急流很危险，矿工每办法淘金。这德国人就像出了一个妙计，就把急流旁的岩石挖成一条隧道以把部分的河水引去另一端，以减缓急流。谁知岩洞是挖好了，可是原本以为河床里会有埋着的金却只是一场梦。金矿没挖成，反倒欠下了巨款，后来公司倒闭了。

岩洞的末端就是全乘最刺激的急流，要划过这个急流非常靠技术，感谢神，我们的汽艇技术性地安全的划过了。。。听说这个急流反了不少的汽艇。。。我们的技术太厉害了。。。呵呵呵呵。。

费时两小时半的white water rafting 就这样圆满结束了。

回到旅馆已是半晚时分，趁天还没有黑（夏天这里到下午8点半太阳才开始下山）就去公园走走。。。

对岸的山顶昨天已被我们征服！
小城故事

耸立的松树
晚安！

Day 7 - Queenstown女皇镇 (Vine yard tour, Mountain tracking)

2008-07-02T00:46:00.000-07:00

女皇镇这地方可挺受游客青睐，这里山明水秀，却不失热闹。女皇镇位于纽西兰南岛，属于南岛第二大城镇。游客通常都不会错过这里，尤其是年轻游客。女皇镇著名在她老少咸宜，年轻人有年轻人的玩意儿，其中最广为人知的苯猪跳；年长者却是喜欢这里宜人的景色和她那出众的热闹。

在女皇镇的第1天早上，在旅馆吃过了自制的简单早餐，悠悠闲闲的去街上逛逛。走在建筑风情不错的商店街，不时会被阵阵咖啡飘香刺激味觉。这个时候哪里可以少得了我们家的贪吃猪呢？？？？叹咖啡时间。。。

在街上晃了一个早上，很清闲很舒服，工作上的压力和烦恼早已抛开了。。

下午决定参加当地的酿酒厂半日游，行程包括参观3间酿酒厂，cheese厂，还有包括午餐在内。来到第一间酿酒厂，负责人给了我们一人一杯自家的ice wine，接着领我们到地下室去品尝不同的酒。一边听她介绍她家的葡萄酒还有教导如何品尝，一边wine testing。我们俩蒙蒙懂懂的，对酒没有什么研究，有酒倒来就咕噜一声地喝下去。反而老外却只喝了一小口，就把其余的倒掉，好像很浪费。原来他们真的是品酒专家啦，品尝味道而已，不像我们三八那样的酒倒过来就喝完。。。。

酒厂外有间附着的餐厅，一旁种了一大排的薰衣草。这一片紫色浪漫加上有放松作用的薰衣草味道，此刻真幸福，不必到法国南部也可以享受。薰衣草在大马很难种，原因是它的种子需要经过严冷的寒冬，到了夏天才会开花。要经历过严寒，才能活出自己的春天。。。

隔壁就是葡萄园。。。。我生平第一次看到的葡萄园

一串串的葡萄在等着被挤。。。。压做成葡萄酒。

风景无限好，只是太阳猛，比大马还要猛。据说纽国人得皮肤病的比率蛮高的，原因于人为的污染，负责过滤紫外线保护地球的臭氧层越来越薄，又刚好在地球的南部穿了个洞，所以纽国人被紫外线的攻击蛮严重的说。怕晒爱美的我，在这里每天出门前都涂好太阳油，不然我脸上的雀斑就会发展得很快吧。

下午1点到另一间酒厂+ cheese factory - - - Gibston Valley 参观和享用午餐。司机趁在路途中机每人派一张餐单让我们选择自己喜欢的餐点。我俩选了两人套餐，司机说这套餐分量很大，我们俩个可能吃不完。我们却想：怎么可能？太小看我们了啦。

两人套餐包括：南瓜派，各类腌菜，新鲜葡萄，腌橄榄，蘑菇沙拉，各类cheese, 番茄干等。。。当然还有各类自制面包配纽西兰牛油和白酒。mama mia 实在太好吃了，但是hor......我们真的太高估我们自己了。两个大胃王竟然败给了这盘东西！！

吃饱饱就要运动运动一下了。酒厂负责人带我们到一个储酒洞穴去看看。一进门，一阵阴风迎面而来。。。。。。。里面暗暗的，排满一桶一桶的东西，阴阴湿湿，只留几盏小灯引路。

据了解，葡萄酒在发酵过程时，温度的拿捏很重要，必须要在稳定的温度下葡萄酒才能顺利发酵。再来就是光线的掌控，不能让酒桶暴露在光线之下，所以把它储存在地下室或洞穴是最好的选择。这个储酒窑（应该是山洞）是厂家特别挖开来储存酒的。一个一个圆鼓鼓的木桶装着在发酵中的葡萄酒在等待从见天日。每个木桶都贴上标签记录着酿酒的时间和厂家名字，眼明的我发现深处几个木桶标签上写着法文，问一问负责人，原来他们的木桶大多数是在法国运进来的。据了解，当葡萄酒发酵成功后，每一桶将会分成几个级别以制成各类级的酒。一桶就有几个level, 哪个level是哪种酒我没听进去，也许是喝醉了吧。

这是位于酒厂隔壁的cheese factory。说是cheese factory, 倒不如说它是买cheese的商店比较恰当。在里面看不到所谓的cheese制作过程，有点失望和遗憾。失望的是这里看到的只是影片，还有试吃不同种类级别的cheese而已。遗憾的是因为上次在瑞士的cheese factory 也是抱着想亲眼目睹cheese的制作，结果工厂内只放着一个模拟cheese制作机器意思意思而已。这次希望可以真正的看到制作，哪知又是一场欢喜一场空啊。
吃饱喝醉了，又是byebye 的时候了。

下午回到旅馆休息，在打算着等下的节目。正巧我们住的旅馆靠近女皇山，是每个旅人来到女皇镇必到的山，既然是非去不可，我们就不妨去见识见识下她的魅力。整装待发中。。。。

这是我们住的旅馆，Queenstown Holiday Park 。房间干净整齐，配有厨房和客厅和浴室，还有一间3人房，类似appartment。最重要的是它价钱公道。想来纽西兰游玩的朋友们不妨选择住Holiday Park, 好像是连锁旅馆那样，散布在不同的地点，舒服又不太贵。

这是房间的外观，一栋分成两层，4个单位。我们住在底楼的单位。

下午5点，换好运动装(没错，我们是要去爬山），刚出房门，就看到有人在玩paragliding。因该是在女皇山顶出发的吧。

从holiday park 步行早女皇山山脚下只需要5分钟。来到山脚下，就是cable car 的出发地点，徒步爬山的进口就在旁边。

开始爬山了。。。。前面一段山路很徒，我们手扶着树，吃力地向上爬。踏着前人走过的脚印，20 分钟，30分钟过去了，累得我们目目相交却无话好说。途中遇到下山的路人，问起他们还有多久的距离才到山顶，他们的回答却让我们心想：oh my God!!! 这时的我简直是想放弃了。。。。

好不容易，来到山腰，透过树林，看到超美的风景，因该是快到了吧。。

终于，经过了2小时的埋怨，呕气，和疲惫，终于。。。。。
山顶的景色美到无话可说的地步
对岸的山脉
不知道是不是因为自己历经辛苦才爬到山顶，眼前的景色简直是美得不在话下。我们非常珍惜辛苦爬上来看到的景色，或许若是我们做缆车上山，没有努力过，眼前的景色就只不过是如此而已，就不会珍惜吧。

真的叹为观止。
湖上女皇镇所独有的蒸气油轮--- TSS earnslaw
冬天时用来载滑雪客上山的缆车
山顶有酒店，餐厅，纪念品商店，还有毛利族表演。
合照一下下，到此一游。 8点了，虽然天还没暗，也该是下山找吃的时候了。

丰富的晚餐来做今天的结束。。他太累了吧？？
夜晚街景

Day 6 - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown

2008-07-01T23:00:00.000-07:00

Milford Sound, also known as Piopiotahi in Maori, is located in the south west of New Zealand’s South Island. Although called a sound, it is more accurately classified as a fjord. Milford Sound, the most famous tourist site of New Zealand, has also been called an eighth Wonder of the World by Rudyard Kipling. It is situated within the Fiordland National Park which is in turn part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage site.

With a mean annual rainfall of 6813 mm on 182 days a year, a high level even for the West Coast, Milford Sound is known as the wettest place in New Zealand and one of the wettest in the world. Rainfall can reach 250 mm during a span of 24 hours. The rainfall creates dozens of temporary waterfalls (as well as a number of major, more permanent ones) cascading down the cliff faces, some reaching a thousand meters in length. Smaller falls from such heights may never reach the bottom of the sound, drifting away in the wind. (www.milfordsound.net)

Early in the morning, take our own time and drived ourself from Te Anau heading west to Milford Sound, it take 2 hrs. It is advisable to fill up your fuel in Te Anau because there is no petrol station along the journey and in Milford Sounf, and it take 2 hour from Te Anau to Milford Sound. The road to Milford Sound is considered to be one of the world’s finest alpine drives.

Herd moving to another field for brakfast - on the way to Milford Sound

View along the way to Milford Sound

Visitors to Milford normally opt for a cruise of the sounds by launch, and the experience for us is unforgettable. This is a unique opportunity to get close up views of some of the best scenery Fiordland has to offer. Be inspired as mountain peaks soar overhead and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres into the sea below. Often, dolphins accompany the cruise up the sound and seals are a common sight as they bask on rocks.

The cruise parking at Milford Sound Jetty

The sky was dark, it's raining all year long
On the cruise to discover the 8 Wonder of the WorldAmazing Milford Sound!

Seals on the rocks (too small to see)
Falls are everywhere

The West Coast of the South Island and the Fiordland area has sandflies that will “eat you alive”. These New Zealand tiny sandflies are not generally lethal but they are very annoying. To avoid from these annoying insect, spray the New Zealand made sandflies repellent is the best choice.

The cruise sail to the Tasman sea, it was very stong wave and the cruise was shaking seriously.

After 2.5 hour Natural Cruise journey, we departed from Milford Sound and head-back to Te Anau for lunch and then drive ourself to another destination- Queenstown.

Stopover at one of the creek for a fresh water face wash.

2 Hours drive from Te Anau. Arrived Queenstown in the Evening

Queenstown's compact downtown area, a cosmopolitan hub that's relaxed during the day and fun at nigh, with a little shopping on the side.

Church, Lavender along the walking path

Day 5 - Wanaka (Puzzling World)-Te Anau (Gloworm Cave)

2008-07-01T00:15:00.000-07:00

Sunday. It look like rain this morning.
We went to local Presbyterian church for sunday service. Meet 2 eldery sis at the front of the church, they told us that the local are deserve for the rain desperately cause it was a drought days recently, they feel sorry to us as tourist dont like rain as it will stop us from some outdoor activities. Feel like home when were in the church, bro & sis are nice.

Continue exploring the puzzling word in Wanaka. Stuart Landsborough’s Puzzling World claimed itself is a world unique attraction specialising in puzzling eccentricity. Offering the world's first "modern-styled" Great Maze, incredible Illusion Rooms, a Puzzle Centre/Café, large Gift Shop and eccentric architecture.

When we arrive at Puzzling World, immediately we noticed the crazy architecture. One building has four eccentric Tumbling Towers. Another one is called the Leaning Tower of Wanaka. This tower has been pulled out of the ground and is balanced on one corner at an unbelievable 53 degrees! The Leaning Tower of Pisa only leans six degrees.

We've had a great time and taken many photos of the crazy buildings!

The puzzling is worth for visit!

Leaning Tower - 53 degrees

This wall actually drawn parallel horizontal lines.
Hologram Hall

Hall of following faces

Tilted House Roman-style toilets

Afternoon, Heading south-west to Fiordland, Te Anau. It was a hill road to drive slowly and carefully, but what reciprocate us are the beautiful scenic panorama. Sheeps are found everywhere along the drive way.

Mountains covered by snow on the peak

Arrived at Te Anau Holiday Park in late afternoon. This is our Holiday house, it was fully equiped.

Inside the house
Kitchen- preparing dinner
Having afternoon tea at the garden, beautiful scenery.
In the evening, check out the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves with Real Journey. It is a rare example of a living cave that is still under formation.

Depart at 6.45pm, following a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau, view informative interpretation displays at Cavern House before our guides take us on an exploration of the Caves by path and small punt. It was so amazed us that the rushing water sculpts the rock formations, before gliding through silent darkness to the glowworm grotto by a small silent boat. We are restricted from photograhying cause the flash light will harm the living glow worms.

On the way to Glow Worm Cave by Real Journey cruise

Ready to explore the cave by entering this track (Photo from google)

Glow Worm larva (photo from google)

Adult female glow worm, quite similar with our firefly (photo from google)

Jetty - going back to Te Anau town by cruise

Day 4 - Bruce Bay-Salmon Farm-Knights Point-Haast-Wanaka

2008-06-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

The temperature was so freezy in the morning, so lazy to get out from the warm bed... After a own cook hot breakfast, we were heading to a small lovely town - Wanaka. There were many stopover on the journey from Fox Glacier to Wanaka.

Not far from Fox Glacier, there is a very beautiful beach set along the road. The sand is grey, cold wind, and misty. Toke some photo, and quickly get in the car... because it was so freezy!
Heading south, we are attracted by a road sign stating 'Salmon Farm'. We made a rest stop at salmon farm, have a cup of coffee and smoke salmon sandwich for our brunch....delicious desu.

Stopover at Knight Points. from here, we are facing the earth's Southern Polar.

The beach down there is a seal colony, my camera can't zoom that far to picture the seals.

Haast tourist information center.

Finally arrived Wanaka town at late afternoon. Lake Wanaka is a place to take a deep breath and relax. Protected from the outside world by the grandeur of the mountains, we’re enclosed in a hidden paradise. We both love this lovely wanaka town. It has not much tourist as other destination, infact, we managed to drove in to the housing area whereby some churches and schools are set for the locals.

Lake Wanaka (Post Card Image)

Exploring Wanaka

Crystal clear lake waters lap the shores of Wanaka town and the feet of the Southern Alps, which are home to winter ski fields and the dramatically alpine Mount Aspiring National Park. HUngry Hungry Hungry...

This restaurant served this 'Blue Cod Seafood Pizza', it is the best pizza we've ever tried. miss it!
Exploring the town on the rest of the day. Walk on the lakeside, graps some staff from the local super market, and ended today with self-cooked lamb chop at Hostel. Good Night my love Wanaka.

Purple Cow Hostel

Mountaineous view on Wanaka street

View from housing area.

Day 3 (afternoon) - Lake Matheson

2008-06-29T19:03:00.000-07:00

Lake Matheson (photo from google)

It was 10 mins drive from our holiday park in Fox Glacier to the magnificient mirro like Lake Matheson. According to the tourism broucher, this lake has combined exactly the right ingredients to create truly stunning reflections of New Zealan's highest peaks - Aoraki (Mt.Cook) and Mount Tasman. The lake were formed 14,000 years ago. So excited to see this lake....

The waters of Lake Matheson are darks brown, so on a calm day they create the ideal reflective surface. Unfortunately, when we arrived Lake Matheson, the sky was not clear enough to create mountains reflections on the lake. There was a walking track from the car park to round the lake, and it toke 1.5 hours a round trip. The track continues through ancient native forest, the fern trees are every way to a pontoon that extends out onto the lake.

Crossing a bridge above the creek. Mirro reflection lake Matheson

The sky is not so clear... Fern Leave Fern trees along the walking track. Feel like jungle tracking.

Day 3 - Fox Glacier Heli-hiking

2008-02-27T00:28:00.000-08:00

Exploring Day 3

Today we are going for an adventurous activities where what everyone doing when come to Fox Glacier --- Experience the walks on the Glacier!

You will find several guiding company located alongside the main road. The Fox Glacier Guiding company which we chosen offer a full range of hiking tours and ice adventures to suit all fitness levels. We chosen a tour package that required moderate fitness yet adventurous, and the important part is that we got the opportunities to experienced the helicopter riding up to the glacier. The fly-in, fly-out Heli-Hike combines the excitement of walking on the Fox Glacier with the thrill of helicopter flights. By flying in, we are able to access and explore a part of the glacier where its forces work hardest and often create spectacular ice caves and arches.

Equipped with sturdy leather boots and other equipment, we boarded the helicopter for our first flight over the pinnacles of the lower icefall.

The "white" mountain" is where we are going to

River gravel view from helicopter

Fox Glacier

The lower icefall. Here, the ice is in constant motion.

after a 10 mins ride, we landed the starting point. The landing site on the ice is a remote and exceptionally beautiful part of the glacier. Our guide outfits us with crampons, specially designed for these ice conditions and we started to follow the ice steps cut by our guide as we explore the amazing ice formations...

Lady guide from USA cut the ice steps for the group to step on safely. The total on ice time is 2.5hr.

Amazing ice formation, some form ice arches, some form caves.
Can't descript in word, so, just let the photos talk...

Click the link below to know more about Fox Glacier.
Fox Glacier Fact: http://www.foxguides.co.nz/facts.asp

Day 2 : Christchurch - Arthur Pass - Hokitika - Fox Glacier

2008-02-25T23:37:00.000-08:00

Exploring Day 2

Wake up and have self-cook breakfast at Stonehurst Accommodation, we collected our pre-book car from ACE car rental. After some food and grocery shopping at Park-n-Save (the town's lowest price supermarket) we leave Christchurch by 10.30am.

The State Highway 73 links the Canterbury, pass through Arthur Pass, to West Cost regions. This magnificent alpine park (Arthur Pass) straddles the Southern Alps. This Alps have a marvelous scenic during the winder time, but unfortunately we came in the hot summer day...

On the way to Arthur Pass

After 5hr drive, we reach a small town called Hokitika where it located at the west coast of South Island, west of Southern Alps. This small town are famous with Jade/greenstone. Carving pounamu (Jade) has been the basis for the development of a strong arts & crafts movement in Hokitika. We can see a big Jade factory on the main road side where we can watch and interact with their skilled team of master carvers in the adjacent studio.

Hokitika Town

Jade Factory

Hokitika Beach

Finally, and tiredly, we arrived Fox Glacier village by 8pm. The sky was still bright at 8pm, bcos of summer, sunset normally started at 8.50pm. Today has a long hour drive, both of us already burned out of energy and excitement to explore the town...

Fox Glacier Village at 9pm

Dinner at Cook Saddle Cafe

Day 3 to be cont.

New Zealand - KUL-SIN-Christchurch (Day1)

2008-02-21T23:38:00.000-08:00

Hi, everybody, finally we are back. It's was fantastic holiday in NZ south island, we still miss every single things over there besides the big hot sun. No doubt this breath-taking holiday was given us a great opportunity to release our stress and frustrationat at work, our dizzyness for crowded traffic and some desireness for the so called heaven-in-the-earth.... opps!

5/2/08 we transited at Changi airport terminal 3, this new terminal so new and it is so high tech compare to our lovely KLIA. After the long haul 10hr flying with SIA, we arrived at Christchurch airport at 10am 6/2/08.

Before posting the picture, let's have little introduction about this lovely contry.....

New Zealand is the youngest country on earth - the last major landmass to be discovered. It has a rich and fascinating history, reflecting both Maori and European heritage. Amazing Maori historic sites and taonga (treasures), some dating back almost a thousand years, are a contrast to many beautiful colonial buildings.

An 1840 treaty between Maori and the British Crown is New Zealand’s founding document. Today, the Treaty of Waitangi has a major impact on all New Zealanders. Only a thousand years ago, Maori became the first people to migrate to New Zealand. Since then, people have come from around the world to settle here.

New Zealand's spectacularly beautiful landscape includes vast mountain chains, steaming volcanoes, sweeping coastlines, deeply indented fiords and lush rainforests. Comparable in size and/or shape to Great Britain, Colorado or Japan, New Zealand has a population of only 4 million - making it one of the world's least crowded countries.

It is a haven for those seeking peace, rejuvenation and relaxation as well as a playground for thrill seekers and adventurers. A temperate climate with relatively small seasonal variation makes it an ideal year-round holiday destination.

With vast open spaces filled with stunning rugged landscapes, gorgeous beaches, often spectacular geothermal and volcanic activity, a temperate climate and fascinating animal and plant life, and it is no surprise that New Zealand’s pure natural environment is so attractive to visitors from other countries. And the great advantage of New Zealand is there are many different landscapes, environments, and ecosystems so close to each other.
(source: http://www.newzealand.com/)

Exploring Day 1

We explore around the city after settle down our luggage in Stonehurst Accomodation. Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city, and is an entertaining mixture of refined lifestyle and cultural excitement. The tranquil Avon River meanders through the city, historic buildings house a lively arts community and restored trams make it easy for visitors to get around.

(Cathedral Square is the city centre of Christchurch)

Inverted cone alongside Cathedral Square

Avon River

Christchurch City and Tram

NZ South Island adventure and independant trip - Forewords

2008-01-16T00:08:00.000-08:00

Planning a long holiday is a taff time, especially a holiday abroad. We planned for NZ 2 years ago......When's the moment we decided to take a break to NZ, there are several things accross my mind..... go b4 or after CNY? how to tell parents? have we enough budget? which destination worth to go? how many days should be enough...... It's is so frustration when scroll through the airlines available to Christchurch, MAS is retigulously unaffortable and also it's not flying Chritchurch, SIA is fully booked, Qantas didnt fly to Christchurch directly and also fully booked, and finally, some lightning crossing my mind---->>AirAsia. yea, AA is flying to Gold Coast now, if I fly with AA and take a connect flight with Jet Star, it sounds ok in terms of the flying cost. but....things are not as perfect as i thought, we will have to doing nothing but wait meaninglessly in the Gold Coast Airport for 10hours for the connect flight with JetStar, not only that, the coming back flight are enable to catch the AA route. Emmm.... Joshua always have some alternative good idea, he said try to look for agency and hopefully we can grasp a couple of seat with whatever airline. it seems like the plan turning down when the agent told that every airline are fully book during CNY, they suggested to plug us in the waiting list. ok, fine. we wait until the dead line. Finally, we blessed for 2 secured seats with SIA. yeah!!!! what to do now is planning the itinerary, booking for accomodation and rent a car. i am very ecixted for the day to come....and, ya, i'm not celebrating CNY in my home town for the first time in my life.

Holiday in Bali

2007-11-01T23:48:00.000-07:00

While the work and study schedule had piled up above our nose, KK and I decided to plan a holiday in Bali this September. With a tiny budget and after a short survey, we managed to booked airasia GoHoliday our favorite 'free n easy' package online, pick up a luggage and international passport and then fly toward paradise island.

Bali is a tropical island in the Indonesian archipelago, and is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. People claimed that Bali Island is the perfect holiday destination for all ages, and i guess it is quite right. For those who like exciting sports, the surfing activities along the seaside is wonderful for you. Some of the best surfing beaches in the world can be found on the western side of the island, the the most hot and happening beach sets along the Jalan Pantai Kuda, ans Balinese named it Kuda Bay.

The two beach sites of Kuta and Legian have been a major travel drawcard for more than 25 years, offering cheap accommodation, Western food, great shopping, surf, sunsets and riotous nightlife.

Shoppers definitely will like Jalan Legian. There are countless souvenirs shops along the streets selling bargainable wood crafts, batiks, spa salts, handmade accessories, etc. Bargaining makes shopping in Bali a fun time, where you can feel the warmth of human value in every transaction.

Most of the item you can bargain up to 70%, but it is depending on your skill....(i manage to bargain up to 70% for a summer dress)

This is the monument built after the 2000. Nearly 200 people were killed after the bombing of the Sari and Paddy's nightclubs - where the memorial monument toke place. This terrorist act put a severe dent in tourist numbers and the businesses that relied on them. Things are recovering, tourist numbers are picking up, but some wonder whether Kuta will ever be the same again.

A day trip to Ubud...
The Babi Guling (similar our Chinese roaster piggy) is a famous Balinese food originally from Ubud. I was surprise to see Malay selling pork at the pondok. Yea, they are Hindu Malay! Hardly see in Malaysia. Ubud is a small naive town located in central Bali Island. The native are excellent in art, drawing, painting, crafting... that artworks will only earn them some daily meal.

Women are norm to work as 'guli' in the island. These 3 women carrying basket of sand to the construction side. I was impressed by them before i take this picture.

Finally, we had a finger licking dinner at Warung Bebek Bengkil at ubud. Of course the main dish to order is "Bebek Bengkil" which directly translate to english is call "Dirty Duck", similar like deep fried crips duck, eat with the special made Balinese flaming sambal... finally cool down our stomach with the ice vodka lime.

(V sign is a must!)

Although the Balinese life are hard, but their attitude of life had brought me to ponder upon the value of life. If they live in happiness and satisfy, who dare to say they are poor?