Christmas Summer Holiday

Happy New Year 2010 everyone!


Here is the new year fireworks in Melbourne, I didn't take any photos as it's raining. Image credit of http://www.heraldsun.com.au

Year 2009 is over, and now it's time to reflect back my interesting and lovely year of 2009. Summer in Melbourne is so interesting, with the drastic change of temperature. For example, on New Year Eve, day time temperature was as hot as 38 C and drop to around 20s for the next day. And Boxing day shopping, was really mad, everything was on SALE and you would take up to 3 hours to purchase something due to the super long queue and crowd.

Officially I passed 3rd year of my medical studies in MONASH University and I'll be a 4th year medical student this year. And it's going to be a tough year ahead, with 4 major specialty rotations scattered around Melbourne metropolitan. Good luck everyone, especially when I saw the textbooks. For the past year, I was in Dandenong Hospital for my lovely Medicine and Surgery year. The experiences in this hospital were so good, for 3rd year students, with the rotations of Orthopedics, General Surg, Colorectal Surg and ICU. These rotations gave me adequate exposure for my further career and the patients were so kind and helpful! Furthermore, in Dandenong hospital, I met a great group of friends in my PBL and also the whole cohort of colleagues in Dandy! LifeLong friends!!

Now about my hobbies= travelling and photographing. With my family, we travelled to Bangkok, Thailand before Chinese New Year 2009 and also around Melbourne& Sydney in end of 2009. Lovely family time. I made my way to New Zealand (south island). With the big plan organised by NH and I, the 10days south island adventure went magnificently well. We really enjoyed the scenery and the joy of travelling. New Zealand, another country is now added in my list. Travelling around Australia is also one of my dreams. Up to date, I visited Western Australia (Perth), NSW (Sydney, Wentworth), Queensland (Brisbane & Cold Coast) and covered major parts of Victoria. My plan is to visit NT, SA & TAsmania soon. :) And with the newly purchased Nikon D90 DSLR camera, now I can further expand my interest in photographing. Furthermore, I can capture prettier photos for my travel diary and blog The Snacks of Life- My travel pictures blog.
Here is the first photo by my new Nikon D90 online.



All the best everyone, and good luck for the year ahead :)

A day of great savingssssss!!!!!

Free 1 San Churro Hot Chocolate, 25% off in HOG BREATHS cafe, free 1 loaf of Baker's Delight bread and 30% off in Asian groceries!!!

wanna to know how??
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Here u are!!!!....Register yourself as VIP members of Knox city shopping centre...to access those vouchers...
And there are more than 100 vouchers to choose from.....




Yday night, we had dinner in Hog Breath Cafe...with 25% off the main meals....for the world best ever medium rare steaks....

Next we went to San Churro Chocolateria for a buy 1 free 1 hot chocolate drinks!!! It's just $5.50 for 2 hot chocolates!!!

And we bought a sour dough loaf with a free traditional sesame wholemeal loaf for only $5.50, SAVE $3.50!!!

Finally when we saw there is an Asian Groceries shop closing sale, with 30% off all groceries!!!!!

What an amazing day!!!!

Wanna to save more with more than 100 of vouchers to choose from..visit http://www.knoxshoppingcentre.com.au/
AND
register yourself as the VIP members, you'll have the access to the vouchers!!!!!

HURRY, this promotion ends this Sunday, 20 September 2009 !!!

Week 7 now and 11 weeks to go!!

Sorry everyone... for this countdown..it may scare/stress someone off. But it's the reality that we still have 11 weeks to go to end our 3rd year!!! It's amazingly quicker than I thought.

And after the 5weeks rotation in Orthopedics, I can declare that I love Orthopedics!!!

Currently I am allocated to DARP (Dandenong Adult Rehabilitation Program) and Rehabilitation wards for 4 weeks. Time to relax and concentrate more on study, MCRs and tutes now...Really need to work harder now...
:)

1st weekof MED 3062

Here I come for this new semester, and I shall try my best to experience and get the best out of my clinical life, where I can practice and sharpen my skills & improve my knowledge as a future doctor.

Very early in the morning, 7 am I reached the hospital for the first ever ward round in Orthopedics. Interestingly, there are always so many doctors in the wardround, we couldnt have much interaction with the doctors, and even less with the patients. And seems like there are not much things to learn from the ward round... I am still contemplating that should I attend ward round every Early morning?
Other than wardround, the other orthopedics experiences are really amazing, from the simple fracture & plastering to complicated surgeries, are really rewarding.

All the best everyone...

Holiday is over and here I come into the 2nd half of my medical study

The 4weeks holiday finally comes to an end, and I enjoyed it so much.

Good luck everyone esp to meddies, here we come and get ready for the long 18 weeks semester!!

The Snacks of My Life

An official opening of my new travel + pictures blog, pls leave comments and advice.
Visit
The Snacks of My Life

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.

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