To The Land Down Under

Day12 (7 Oct’09). Bye Bye Wellington, Hello Brisbane.

The shuttle came at 4am in the morning and of cause this time around we are SMARTER! We asked for the contact number as well just incase they forgot about us, can’t miss out flight. But the services was excellent not only that he was superbly friendly but perky as well (at the wee hour! Wow!). Off we go leaving Rosemere Backpacker behind.

Our day in OZ wasn’t as eventful as our days in NZ, which is kinda good as needed the break from THE BREAK. Hahhahaa…. Reached Brisbane in the morning, decided to walk to the city and probably do a little shopping and buy our OZ souvenirs for friends and relatives. And also stop over at Hard Rock Café - we’re collector. Hint hint! :p

I’ll probably write a short entry for all blog during this stay. Hahhaha…

We stop over at Brisbane Market at Brisbane Square. Lotsa of local food product being sold, bought ourselves lunches ie bread. Kinda of nice, reminds me of my sis pizza baking skill. YUMMY!

We took a train to Nehrang, and the supposedly a bus to Surfers Paradise - our HRC quest! We met with this nice friendly lady with the most cutest daughters and adorable son. We chatted to past time.

Waited at Nehrang for half an hour (bored to death), finally the bus arrives, got in, another 1 hour drive to HRC…sigh… the train was 2 hours ride (we stopped for half an hour due to some issues involving police at 2 station after Sunnybank), the bus 1 hour ride… talk about passing the time. We must have prayed hard enough that god answered our prayers. He even gave us a few sprinklers of rain. :

Reached Hard Rock Café Surfers Paradise, snap a few pics as proof of execution (KIASU!) and ran in to shop! BUT, tak banyak design yang I like in L size…. Shucks! Got a black one instead (since it comes in L as well), even though I preferred the one I bought for Anna (purple - cantek, tapi tak ada size). Sigh…. Tak ada lar, her rezeki.

After done with the goods aside from the fact our substantial wallet damage, we took a walk on pedestrian mall. 3 things that caught our attention.

(1) Blonde & Sexy Baskin Robbins walking advertisement (the guys would wished they’re here huh!)

(2) Aquaduck Amphibian ride (Malaysia should have this, make banjir a tourist attraction, ahhahahhaa)

(3) Condom Kingdom (err…..)

Hehhee… interesting neh….. Strolled we did till we reached the beach area. Hemm…. How should I describe thing?.. I guess after being to Hawaii, this is nothing great or perhaps I did catch anyone surfing, maybe…

There! We covered the famous Surfers Paradise. Time to balik…. Penat!

Tomorrow - Movie World, Gold Coast!

Credits : Wikipedia, Movie World Myfun, Rosmere Backpacker

Almost missed the ferry to Wellington

Day11 (6 Oct’09). Tah-tah South Island.

The day started badly for us, we woke early as we don’t want the same thing happening again (almost missing the shuttle - woke up late). We did EVERYTHING RIGHT! We were even at the main road 15mins early JUST to be on the safe side. So so so early that we saw the garbage truck picking up the recycle garbage - So cute! Guess what!?!? I guess you can’t challenge god’s will. The shuttle to the train station DID NOT ARRIVE! We ended up MISSING our NZ$100++ Tranzscenic train to Picton. I was FREAKING UPSET!

But there was this kind and extremely helpful taxi driver - Ian from Mainland Taxi Service, he picked us up and speed all the way to train station hoping we can still catch the train (but you know lar, they’re very punctual people). Unfortunately we did not manage to reach on time, sigh…. However, he extended his help by asking the station on alternative ways for us to get to Picton as we have to catch a ferry to Wellington (in North Island). We ended up taking an Intercity coach due to 2 no show (this is also with Ian’s help - forever ever and ever so ever so grateful) to Kaikoura (apparently THE place to do WHALE WATCHING).

It was very kancheong when we reached Kaikoura (2 hours bus ride or so), the driver said we can still make a “dash” to the train stop ie about 10mins walk (more like run!!) to catch back our “missed” train. However, according to Andrea that about half an hour ago, the train and our bus was at parallel on the coastal road; hemm… did a little bit of deduction - our Asian size, our luggage PLUS tiredness, I doubt we’re able to do the so called “DASH” to the train station. True enough; the very minute we took down our luggage, we saw the train passing by the bus stop heading to the train station. Sigh….

Now the other panic! As we didn’t book a bus tix to Picton; we have to gamble that the next bus to Picton have a 2 vacant seats for us. PRAY! Lucky us, word got around that we missed our train (NOT US! THE STUPID DAMN SHUTTLE! We were 15 mins early!), with god's will… we got the 2 seats to Picton (tuhan kesian kat we all kot). And as we thought we are now safe (finally), next panic pulak!

The next panic…. Are we able to catch the same ferry we booked together with the train from Picton to Wellington (trying and praying hard that we don‘t waste all our monies)? Answer : Arrived just at the nick of time to catch the Interislander ferry! SCARY SCARED!!!!! Hate the last minuteness and suspense, ayoo…. my heart was pumping non stop from Christchurch.

Once we boarded the ferry…. We lepak for about half an hour then…. ZZZzzzzzzz. Must be the STRESS!!!!

BUT…. Before I dozed off, I DID manage to take loads of pics since I NEVER in my life board such huge vessel before. There are 10 deck - T.E.N! We lepak at the sun deck for while, konon konon macho lar but couldn’t stand the wind chill. Hahhahaa… padan muka!

Other decks consist of food court, bars, family area, covered sun deck, locker, info counter and a shop. By the way, this ferry can also fit cars!!! There are bigger model that even carry the whole train!

Reached Wellington around 4ish in the evening, took a shuttle to Rosemere Backpacker. I must say it was a culture shock to us (and to other backpacker in the shuttle as well) on the driving manners in Wellington, soooo different from South Island whereby the drivers and calmer, slower and patient.

Andrea was too tired and overwhelmed with the hectic and suspense odyssey that we just had that she decided to rest in the room. Since we only have that few hours (of daylight) in Wellington (our flight in 6AM next morning to Brisbane), I figure I might as well take a walk nearby and send some postcards and get me-self a souvenirs.

The town was 5 mins walk from where we stayed, passed by an old church unfortunately forgot the name (memang no mindshare with North Island), reached the busy street and went to look for souvenir shops OF WHICH I DID NOT manage to find any. Upset sangat! Saw a bookshop, went inside saw like 4-5 design of fridge magnets - jadilar. Bought few postcards as well, wrote it there and then and post in out immediately. Job well done.

Hemm... This will be the last time I spend walking down street of New Zealand, felt abit sad for I know I will miss and longing to come back. Sigh…

So long farewell, auf weidersehen good-bye
I hate to go and leave this pretty sight

So long farewell, auf weidersehen adieu
Adieu, adieu, to you and you and you

So long farewell, au revior auf weidersehen
I'd like to stay and taste my first champagne

So long farewell, auf weidersehen goodnight
I leave and heave a sigh and say good bye

Au adieu!

Credits : Wikipedia, Whale Watch, Backpackers Wellington

Went for Il Divo concert in Christchurch

Day10 (5 Oct’09). And to Antarctic during day time.

Sigh... Our LAST day in South Island.

Don’t think we can afford (ever) to visit the Antarctic thus we thought we should go to the closest location - International Antarctic Centre. To sum this experience up - FUN! EDUCATIONAL! ENLIGHTENING! ie LUCKY US!

What is International Antarctic Centre, right?

Established in 1992, the Antarctic Attraction is located in the heart of a working Antarctic campus here at Christchurch International Airport. It is from here that many Antarctic missions are organised. With this in mind the Antarctic Attraction is designed to bring a powerful and memorable experience of Antarctica to visitors in a fun, exciting, informative and commercially successful way.

That’s pretty much explains it right.

Well, I experienced the Antarctic Storm at 40 km/h winds and braved -18 degrees wind chill, but not to worry though warm jackets and over-shoes are provided. It occurs every 30mins. Really “COOL” stuff!

An of cause - the penguins! I meant the CUTE LITTLE BLUE PENGUINS! ALL 26 of THEM! The best thing is that these penguins are those that that have been rescued and cared for since chicks. This is due to physical disabilities that have left them defenseless; they probably wouldn’t survive a day in the wild. Aww….. Comei giler....

There are also articles, facts, myth and Q&As on penguins to educate us lar…. Not just penguin watching lor... After all it is not zoo mah

Last but not least….the bestest of best… the hugglund ride. I’ve seen this machine/vehicle before but never knew that it have a name till now (silly me!). Did some “research”, found out that this vehicle is from Sweden and basically it is a four-person vehicle with tank tracks instead of wheels. It can carry four passengers and they mostly operate over snow and ice terrain including sea ice and soft snow. If I remembered it accurately, it can go on 45 degree slop as well as glide in water. Yup! An amphibian. Since the entrance fee is inclusive of this ride and as usual am forever excited on rides… apa lagi kan. So kiddo huh!

We have to bid adieu to our dear “Penguin World” Antarctic Centre as we need to return our beloved car in the city, sigh… I did recommend most of the people I know to visit this place as there’s not much around, I suspect you can find another one at the exit port via South America. Update me if there is, it’ll be nice to know :D

We decided to get a quick bite after returning the car ie just before we go camera-clicking-session at Christchurch Botanic Gardens. Oh yah! I got my “Ugg” boot, well….. I bought the brand EMU as Ugg was too expensive for me :( Oh well! Better then nothing right, looking forward to wear it during my Hong Kong trip in December! Ops….Side tracked. By the way, found a Halal stall in Crossing Food Court, Yippee! And tried the New Zealand ice-cream in New Zealand itself. Same same jek taste dia, hemm….

Took the tram (again!) to the garden, since it’s valid for 2 days mah… why waste right. Double-checked, both batteries charged - here we go - photo-snapping-session! I won’t dwell on the “gardens” that we went but instead I will just highlight those that I like; else it will be pages loooooooooooooooooong. Trust me!

Besau…..Nye……

Eh! Loviiiiiing nyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee….. Pulak. Cam hindustani.

OK! I LOVE MY “HEART” flower, and PLEASE! DO NOT ask me the name of these flowers; I will be happy if you can educate me instead. Hahhahaa….. Am so proud of these pics. Terrer dak?

Another one pic that I like…. Is the all time favourite - SAKURA. As usual lar, my disclaimer - if I have a better dSLR, the pic would have been perfect. I know! Pegi je lar beli kan?! - BUT no money lerr…

Last but not least, jeng jeng jeng....it’s the punting thingy that we didn’t take… well, since we didn’t go for the ride. A pic of family kayaking will do lor. Not bad jugak. Should have just buat... sigh. Kan dah rugi.

Well, evening is approaching! Meaning IL DIVO CONCERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We rushed back to get ready, REALLY READY! ie CANTEK CANTEK READY! Unfortunately no pics of Il Divo as no camera allowed (however we did see many people brought it in - felt cheated). Anyway, seeing Il Divo soothed the fact that we “DIDN’T” take any pic of them. A perfect finale for South Island.

BYE BYE CHRISTCHURCH!

Credits : International Antarctic Centre, Antarctic Explorer & Il Divo