An official opening of my new travel + pictures blog, pls leave comments and advice.
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The Snacks of My Life
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
BIG PLAN and a Great success!!! :)
Here is the whole plan and SOME New CHanges we had for the whole South Island Tour for 10 ppl.....
I am still amazed on the plan done by Nooi Hoay and I, without it....Noone can imagine how hard/complicated to organise a tour for 10 ppl in the quickest and cheapest way.
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New Zealand
South Island Tour
Date: 15 June 2009 (Mon) – 24 June 2009 (Wed)
Season: Winter
Average temperature: ≈ -5˚C – 8˚C
Time Zone: GMT +12 (2 hours ahead of Melbourne time)
15 June 2009 (Mon)
Departure: 5.50 p.m. Melbourne – Tullamarine Airport
Christchurch
Arrival time: 23:05
Accommodation: Christchurch - Admiral Motel NZ$25.50 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.admiralmotel.co.nz/accommodation.html
16 June 2009 (Tue)
Hang Gliding arrangement: Call 0800 PARAGLIDE (0800 727245)!!
Bungy call 0800 286 495!!!
Travel to GREYMOUTH
Christchurch – Hanmer Springs – Punaikaki- GreyMouth
133km(1:46) – 261km(3:17)- 45km(0:37)
Hanmer Spring
Adult Single Entry
NZ$15 each ( NZ$ 12 concession with 10adults)
More information: http://www.hanmersprings.co.nz/thermal/pricing/
Optional route
via highway 73 to Arthur Pass visiting the Cave Stream scenic reserve.
Punakaiki (Westcoast)
Pancake rocks and Blowholes
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/paparoa/
Accommodation: Greymouth - Noah's Ark Backpackers NZ$23 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.noahs.co.nz/
17 June 2009 (Wed)
Travel from Greymouth to Fox Glacier - 196 km – about 2 hours 40 mins
Glacier walk
Half-day walk
NZ$89 each
Duration: 4 hours (45 minutes well-graded uphill)
Available time: 8.35 a.m. and 1.35 p.m. [CONFIRMED- PAID]
More information: http://www.foxguides.co.nz/halfdaywalk.asp
Glow Worm Forest Walk
More information:
1. Fox Glacier
http://www.weblognz.com/20030422003448621.htm
Accommodation: Fox Glacier - Rainforest Motel NZ$34 [CONFIRMED]
18 June 2009 (thu)
Sunrise at Mirror Lake (Lake Matheson)
Travel from Fox Glacier to Queenstown - 625 km – about 6+ hours
On the way:
Sight seeing
Fox Glacier to Haast – Bruce Bay, Salmon Farm Café, Knights Point Lookout
Haast to Wanaka- Thunder Falls, Haast pass, Makaroa river, Lake Hawea
Accommodation: Queenstown - Earnslaw Lodge NZ$40 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.earnslawlodge.co.nz/accommodation/
19 June 2009 (Fri)
Queenstown
Gondola & Luge
More information: http://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/gondola/
Bungy jumping (30 minutes drive OR 2.5 hours if using AJ Hackett Bungy transport)
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
NZ$165 each (including T-shirt & transport)
43 metres high
Water touch option
More information: http://www.bungy.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/189
OR
Hang gliding (tandem)
3800 ft
NZ$195 each (early bird NZ$185)
Duration: 1 - 2 hours
OR
5400 ft (WINTER only)
NZ$235 each (early bird NZ$215)
Duration: 2 hours
More information: http://www.extremeair.co.nz/Main/hang_gliding_tandems.htm
20 June 2009 (Sat)
Sight-seeing at Skifield! http://www.nzski.com/
Sightseeing (9am - 4pm, one return ride, no skis or boards) Conditions Permitting
Pass Type Coronet Peak The Remarkables Mt Hutt
Adult $15 $15 $15
Starter pack at Coronet peak= 128 + 18 (jackets & pants) + 4 (equipment insurance) + 6 (gloves) + 10 (transport) = NZ$166
Queenstown Snow Centre
Ground Level The Station Building
Cnr Camp and Shotover Streets (across from the Sofitel)
Queenstown
P: +64 3 442 4640
Accommodation: Queenstown - Earnslaw Lodge NZ$40 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.earnslawlodge.co.nz/accommodation/
21 June 2009 (Sun)
Deer Park Safari ( NZD20 per car)
(Lord of the rings, Lake Wanaka, view of Mt Remarkable)
Accommodation: Queenstown - Earnslaw Lodge NZ$40 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.earnslawlodge.co.nz/accommodation/
Travel from Queenstown to Te Anau - 171 km – about 2hr 15 min
Accommodation: Te Anau - Te Anau Backpackers NZ$28 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.teanaubackpackers.co.nz/backpackers/TeAnauLakefrontBackPackers
22 June 2009 (Mon)
Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound - 117 km – about 1 hour 25 mins
Guide on driving to milford: http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/news/Milford-Sound-Brochure.pdf
Fiordland National Park
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/sights-activities/scenic-highlights/national-parks-marine-reserves/scenic-highlight-details.cfm/businessid/69836/highlightcategoryid/9/startrow/18/endrow/0/seed/111108.html
Nature cruise + Underwater observation deck
NZ$87.00 + NZ$ 28 (x7) each (depends on time) [CONFIRMED - PAID]
Duration: 2 hours
Available time: 12.55 p.m.
More information: http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/MilfordSound/
Accommodation: Te Anau - Te Anau Backpackers NZ$28 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.teanaubackpackers.co.nz/backpackers/TeAnauLakefrontBackPackers
23 June 2009 (Tue)
Travel from Te Anau to Dunedin - 290 km – about 3 hours 54 mins
Visit Cadbury Chocolate Factory 12pm- booking required NZD16 (student price)
More information: http://www.cadburyworld.co.nz/visit.html
Visit the steepest street in the world Baldwin Street. Located in Dunedin's North East Valley suburb. According to the Guinness Book of Records it is the steepest street in the world.
More information: http://wikitravel.org/en/Dunedin
Otago Peninsula: Penguins, Seals, albatross
Accommodation:
Oamaru - Chillawhile Backpackers & Art Gallery NZ$25 X 5 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.chillawhile.co.nz/index.htm
Air New Zealand (KX3L5H) NZ$112.50
Departure: 7.00 p.m.
Arrival: 7.55 p.m.
Accommodation:
Christchurch - Admiral Motel NZ$33.00
http://www.admiralmotel.co.nz/accommodation.html
24 June 2009 (Wed)
Drive back from Oamaru to Christchurch - 242 km – about 3 hours 28 mins
http://www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/penguins/distribution.html
http://www.bugpacific.com/destinations/oamaru.html
Flight Departure: 15.25 p.m.
************************************************************************************
Copyright reserved.
I am still amazed on the plan done by Nooi Hoay and I, without it....Noone can imagine how hard/complicated to organise a tour for 10 ppl in the quickest and cheapest way.
*********************************************************************************
New Zealand
South Island Tour
Date: 15 June 2009 (Mon) – 24 June 2009 (Wed)
Season: Winter
Average temperature: ≈ -5˚C – 8˚C
Time Zone: GMT +12 (2 hours ahead of Melbourne time)
15 June 2009 (Mon)
Departure: 5.50 p.m. Melbourne – Tullamarine Airport
Christchurch
Arrival time: 23:05
Accommodation: Christchurch - Admiral Motel NZ$25.50 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.admiralmotel.co.nz/accommodation.html
16 June 2009 (Tue)
Hang Gliding arrangement: Call 0800 PARAGLIDE (0800 727245)!!
Bungy call 0800 286 495!!!
Travel to GREYMOUTH
Christchurch – Hanmer Springs – Punaikaki- GreyMouth
133km(1:46) – 261km(3:17)- 45km(0:37)
Hanmer Spring
Adult Single Entry
NZ$15 each ( NZ$ 12 concession with 10adults)
More information: http://www.hanmersprings.co.nz/thermal/pricing/
Optional route
via highway 73 to Arthur Pass visiting the Cave Stream scenic reserve.
Punakaiki (Westcoast)
Pancake rocks and Blowholes
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/national-parks/paparoa/
Accommodation: Greymouth - Noah's Ark Backpackers NZ$23 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.noahs.co.nz/
17 June 2009 (Wed)
Travel from Greymouth to Fox Glacier - 196 km – about 2 hours 40 mins
Glacier walk
Half-day walk
NZ$89 each
Duration: 4 hours (45 minutes well-graded uphill)
Available time: 8.35 a.m. and 1.35 p.m. [CONFIRMED- PAID]
More information: http://www.foxguides.co.nz/halfdaywalk.asp
Glow Worm Forest Walk
More information:
1. Fox Glacier
http://www.weblognz.com/20030422003448621.htm
Accommodation: Fox Glacier - Rainforest Motel NZ$34 [CONFIRMED]
18 June 2009 (thu)
Sunrise at Mirror Lake (Lake Matheson)
Travel from Fox Glacier to Queenstown - 625 km – about 6+ hours
On the way:
Sight seeing
Fox Glacier to Haast – Bruce Bay, Salmon Farm Café, Knights Point Lookout
Haast to Wanaka- Thunder Falls, Haast pass, Makaroa river, Lake Hawea
Accommodation: Queenstown - Earnslaw Lodge NZ$40 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.earnslawlodge.co.nz/accommodation/
19 June 2009 (Fri)
Queenstown
Gondola & Luge
More information: http://www.skyline.co.nz/queenstown/gondola/
Bungy jumping (30 minutes drive OR 2.5 hours if using AJ Hackett Bungy transport)
Kawarau Bridge Bungy
NZ$165 each (including T-shirt & transport)
43 metres high
Water touch option
More information: http://www.bungy.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/189
OR
Hang gliding (tandem)
3800 ft
NZ$195 each (early bird NZ$185)
Duration: 1 - 2 hours
OR
5400 ft (WINTER only)
NZ$235 each (early bird NZ$215)
Duration: 2 hours
More information: http://www.extremeair.co.nz/Main/hang_gliding_tandems.htm
20 June 2009 (Sat)
Sight-seeing at Skifield! http://www.nzski.com/
Sightseeing (9am - 4pm, one return ride, no skis or boards) Conditions Permitting
Pass Type Coronet Peak The Remarkables Mt Hutt
Adult $15 $15 $15
Starter pack at Coronet peak= 128 + 18 (jackets & pants) + 4 (equipment insurance) + 6 (gloves) + 10 (transport) = NZ$166
Queenstown Snow Centre
Ground Level The Station Building
Cnr Camp and Shotover Streets (across from the Sofitel)
Queenstown
P: +64 3 442 4640
Accommodation: Queenstown - Earnslaw Lodge NZ$40 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.earnslawlodge.co.nz/accommodation/
21 June 2009 (Sun)
Deer Park Safari ( NZD20 per car)
(Lord of the rings, Lake Wanaka, view of Mt Remarkable)
Accommodation: Queenstown - Earnslaw Lodge NZ$40 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.earnslawlodge.co.nz/accommodation/
Travel from Queenstown to Te Anau - 171 km – about 2hr 15 min
Accommodation: Te Anau - Te Anau Backpackers NZ$28 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.teanaubackpackers.co.nz/backpackers/TeAnauLakefrontBackPackers
22 June 2009 (Mon)
Travel from Te Anau to Milford Sound - 117 km – about 1 hour 25 mins
Guide on driving to milford: http://www.transit.govt.nz/content_files/news/Milford-Sound-Brochure.pdf
Fiordland National Park
http://www.newzealand.com/travel/sights-activities/scenic-highlights/national-parks-marine-reserves/scenic-highlight-details.cfm/businessid/69836/highlightcategoryid/9/startrow/18/endrow/0/seed/111108.html
Nature cruise + Underwater observation deck
NZ$87.00 + NZ$ 28 (x7) each (depends on time) [CONFIRMED - PAID]
Duration: 2 hours
Available time: 12.55 p.m.
More information: http://www.realjourneys.co.nz/Main/MilfordSound/
Accommodation: Te Anau - Te Anau Backpackers NZ$28 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.teanaubackpackers.co.nz/backpackers/TeAnauLakefrontBackPackers
23 June 2009 (Tue)
Travel from Te Anau to Dunedin - 290 km – about 3 hours 54 mins
Visit Cadbury Chocolate Factory 12pm- booking required NZD16 (student price)
More information: http://www.cadburyworld.co.nz/visit.html
Visit the steepest street in the world Baldwin Street. Located in Dunedin's North East Valley suburb. According to the Guinness Book of Records it is the steepest street in the world.
More information: http://wikitravel.org/en/Dunedin
Otago Peninsula: Penguins, Seals, albatross
Accommodation:
Oamaru - Chillawhile Backpackers & Art Gallery NZ$25 X 5 [CONFIRMED]
http://www.chillawhile.co.nz/index.htm
Air New Zealand (KX3L5H) NZ$112.50
Departure: 7.00 p.m.
Arrival: 7.55 p.m.
Accommodation:
Christchurch - Admiral Motel NZ$33.00
http://www.admiralmotel.co.nz/accommodation.html
24 June 2009 (Wed)
Drive back from Oamaru to Christchurch - 242 km – about 3 hours 28 mins
http://www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/penguins/distribution.html
http://www.bugpacific.com/destinations/oamaru.html
Flight Departure: 15.25 p.m.
************************************************************************************
Copyright reserved.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Post-NZ trip syndrome
I am back from New Zealand South Island after a 10 days trip...and I am suffering from POST-NZ TRIP SYNDROME...
Definition: Mental depression after the trip to NZ south island when the 'heart' is still in NZ after the trip
Symptoms:
1. Vital exhaustion
2. Daytime sleepiness
3. Loss of Motivation to do anything
4. Spending all the time refreshing back to the trip
5. Looking at the pictures again and again
6. Dreaming of NZ in the sleep
Investigations:
1. History
2. Mini Mental State survey
3. Examination
Managements:
1. Rule-out RED-flags
2. Keep in for observation
3. If symptoms persists/worsen...PLEASE sponsor to visit NZ again!!!
Here is one of the best photos...
Definition: Mental depression after the trip to NZ south island when the 'heart' is still in NZ after the trip
Symptoms:
1. Vital exhaustion
2. Daytime sleepiness
3. Loss of Motivation to do anything
4. Spending all the time refreshing back to the trip
5. Looking at the pictures again and again
6. Dreaming of NZ in the sleep
Investigations:
1. History
2. Mini Mental State survey
3. Examination
Managements:
1. Rule-out RED-flags
2. Keep in for observation
3. If symptoms persists/worsen...PLEASE sponsor to visit NZ again!!!
Here is one of the best photos...
Monday, June 15, 2009
Happy Holidayssss
Finally it’s holiday!!! A much-anticipated holiday after an 18 week semester, I really felt that it's been really long and draggy....Cant imagine that we have no mid-sem break in the next semester,have to go through the whole 18week again!!!
Anyway, holiday time!!! These 4 weeks are the much-needed respite, as my friends and I will be on a 10 day trip to New Zealand, or should I say it’s a 9 day trip--minus half of today for flying!!! After a tedious planning with NH, now it’s the time to enjoy!!! I have ady gotten all my memory cards for a photography shooting madness. I wonder how many pictures will we take with at least 6 cameras among 10 of us! STOP daydreaming about NZ, I should get ready soon, cook lunch and finish the perishables in the fridge...and do my final packing!!
Hopefully this trip will be a very memorable one provided that
1. Swine flu swine flu GO AWAY!!! (since it’s sooo rampant in Melbourne right now!)
2. Everyone enjoy this trip...if not, maybe next time there won’t be a BIG group trip anymore :)
Everyone!!
For those who are still studying for exams, Good LUCK and All the BEST!!
For those having birthdays from tmr to 24 June (Yi Theng, YiJia, Matthew Gibney, YI CHin, Jenn Wei, Hash, Hui Chai, Zi Xiang/Daryl , Wei Yoke, Tian Xin and Han Yuen)----- Happy Birthday and hope all your dreams come true!!
Anyway, holiday time!!! These 4 weeks are the much-needed respite, as my friends and I will be on a 10 day trip to New Zealand, or should I say it’s a 9 day trip--minus half of today for flying!!! After a tedious planning with NH, now it’s the time to enjoy!!! I have ady gotten all my memory cards for a photography shooting madness. I wonder how many pictures will we take with at least 6 cameras among 10 of us! STOP daydreaming about NZ, I should get ready soon, cook lunch and finish the perishables in the fridge...and do my final packing!!
Hopefully this trip will be a very memorable one provided that
1. Swine flu swine flu GO AWAY!!! (since it’s sooo rampant in Melbourne right now!)
2. Everyone enjoy this trip...if not, maybe next time there won’t be a BIG group trip anymore :)
Everyone!!
For those who are still studying for exams, Good LUCK and All the BEST!!
For those having birthdays from tmr to 24 June (Yi Theng, YiJia, Matthew Gibney, YI CHin, Jenn Wei, Hash, Hui Chai, Zi Xiang/Daryl , Wei Yoke, Tian Xin and Han Yuen)----- Happy Birthday and hope all your dreams come true!!
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