Heading to Christchurch

The trip didn’t really start very well. I almost couldn’t board to New Zealand. I was informed that I need a return ticket to go out from NZ and I am unaware of this policy, anyhow I ended buying the return ticket on the spot. Thanks to the helpful jetstar team. I was the last person to check in and the baggage carousel was already stopped by the time I wanted to check in. Someone from Jetstar helped me with it.

Finally, almost 2-3 hours flight I reached Christchurch. The weather is colder than in Melbourne. Without thinking much, I just hopped into the airport shuttle and reached the Coachman Backpackers Hostel. It cost me NZD 20.

I went for a walk around the city. By the time I finish walking it is almost 5 pm. It’s dinner and lunch time, I went to a Russian café called Red Square. I had buckwheat with mushroom in the hot pot. The taste was so-so or maybe it’s just it doesn’t suit my taste. It cost NZD 16.50. I will start hunting for a cheaper food tomorrow. Besides, I need to hunt for job too. I am living on a budget ..hehe..

Will post the pictures in the same blog entry later because I left my cable to transfer the pictures from my camera in the hostel.

Summer in Melbourne

The weather and the air is really nice here, during the day the temperature can be quite hot from 32 degrees Celsius and at night it can drop to 12 degrees. There a lot of flies here, even walking along the roads there are flies flying around my face. The place that I stay is in Clayton. A lot of Asian here, by taking a train to the city I can hear people speaking in Mandarin, Cantonese, Indonesian Malay and Korean. Melbourne is just like another small city of Asians. I can easily find Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Malaysian and Indian food here too.

I did not go to a lot of places in Melbourne because this is just a stopover I will visit more places in Melbourne when I return from Christchurch. In Melbourne, I spent most of the time walking at the streets and some windows shopping.

Spectacular view of the melbourne city from the top of the mountain(Skyhigh Mount Dandenong)

Giant Chair
St. Paul Cathedral
Trams along the Chinatown
Sorry I dont have sufficient time to align the pictures and the captions nicely. ;-)
I will be leaving melbourne tomorrow morning and will be heading to Christchurch.

Salted fish experience in Melbourne

My travel began at 24-November-07, 2 pm from Ipoh to KLIA. Reached at Melbourne at 25 –November-07 8.40 am (Melbourne Time) and was so tired and feeling jet-lagged. It made my day worst when I found out that someone bought some salted fish, some of the bottles got burst and the ‘seasoning gravy’ spilt all over my backpack. The stinking smell of the dead fish was really unbearable. I could even see the fresh of the salted fish stuck at my bag! At that moment I wish I can just throw the bag and get a new one!

It is a 13 kg backpack that I need to carry it on my shoulder and I have no choice but ended with the dead fish smell all over me. I felt so embarrassed by the smell, imagine I took a bus to the train station from airport and my bag ‘polluted the air’ in the bus! From there, I need to take another 30 minutes train.

I did everything I could to reduce the smell, I used some tissue to absorb the ‘seasoning gravy’ from the bag. I even used the hand dryer to blow it but it just doesn’t help. Luckily, I brought along a mini sized perfume. I used half bottle of it, it did help a little. I think the smell was reduced to 20-30%!

Personally, I don’t really fancy on salted fish and I don’t hate it but after this experience I doubt I will still want to eat it or not.

Notes to all salted fish lovers, I know you would like to share this ‘precious food’ with people around the world, but please seal it properly if you would like to check in to the plane!

It’s now or never

I know I must do it, if I don’t I will regret. Counting down for the day to happen, I m really looking forward for this day but I still have the fear that I need to overcome. After weeks of searching job in Christchurch, seems like it’s not that easy. My initial plan to get a job before flying to Christchurch failed. And I don’t want to wait anymore, I decided to go to Christchurch on 29 Nov. I will be staying at the Coachman Backpackers Hostel. I will fly to Melbourne on 24 Nov and from Melbourne, I will fly to Christchurch, New Zealand. I bought a Deuter backpack. My ‘everything’ will be inside this 65+10 liter backpack but it’s super heavy! Even though I keep telling myself to travel light but I still ended up with a long list of items to carry. ;-)

Good bye Penang

6 years in Penang is going to end tomorrow. I have been postponing the date to leave Penang. I always tell myself I haven’t finish packing my stuff and there are still many things that I have not settle in Penang. Perhaps, I am just giving myself a lame reason to stay longer in Penang.

It’s time to leave behind my friends and Penang. I remember seeing my friends leaving penang one by one and now I am following their footstep too.

Thanks to those who had been giving me love, guidance & help.

I'm gonna miss u all.

Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

I got a set of Olympic Games 2008 Mascot, Fuwa. It carries the message of friendship and peace. This Fuwa was given by my ex-colleague from China. (I am still not so used with the word "ex-colleague" yet) Even though I do not fancy this kind of stuff, but I feel great to have the collection of Fuwa. Moreover, I am no longer working in the company yet I still got my souvenirs. hehe...

I m free! I m free!

I joined Dell on 17 May 04 and yesterday it finally ended. Now, I am free .. Day and night I have been waiting for this day to come but when it came, I wasn’t felt as happy as I thought that I will. Sort of sad to leave friends in Dell. A friend told me that this is called “Post-resignation depression” .. ha ha ha…

Suddenly, life becomes so slow ... wat should I do today? tomolo? the day after tomolo?

Frankly, I am not so used the freedom I have now, I think I need to re-adjust my life. I also need to reset my alarm not to ring at 6.30 am every Monday to Friday. ;-)

My decision to resign & travel solo really gave a surprise to many of my friends. I do have fear to overcome but I want to push myself to reach the limit.

I understand that it is uncommon for Asian people to backpack alone to conquer the world, it is the time to break the tradition! I was bombarded with the same questions again & again. Perhaps, it’s good for me to drop down my answers here so that everyone can find the answer about my trip to NZ. :P

1) Travelling alone?
Yes

2) Do my parents agree with the decision?
After some sharing sessions, I managed to convince them to let me chase for my dream!

3) When I will be leaving Ipoh?
Have yet to decide, within 1-3 weeks time.

4) When I will be flying to NZ?
In Nov

5) Have I bought the flight ticket?
Not yet until I have a confirm job in Christchurch

6) Why choose NZ?
Cost of living is lower compare to Europe.

7) Why not Australia?
Australia government doesn’t offer Holiday Working Visa to Malaysian.

8) How long I will be in NZ?
2-3 months.

9) What kinds of jobs are available for backpackers in NZ?
Cleaner, waiter, receptionist, fruit pickers, data entry.. etc. It’s all depends on the location.

10) How did I apply for the visa?
Online. www.immigration.govt.nz/

11) Do I need to undergo interview in order to get the visa?
No

12) Why I want to do this?
Life is being too monotonous. I want to see how far can I go. Moreover, I had friend who did it before.

I’m gonna miss u, my second home.

Leaving Penang has never cross in my mind before. But, after all the ups and downs finally I have decided to leave. It was a difficult decision. Cleaning & packing all my stuffs including my heavy heart to make the move back to my hometown, Ipoh. I have been in this comfort zone for more than 6 years. (3 years studying & 3++ working). Times fly, and I have no choice except to run with the time. I must stop procrastinating, else I will regret for not doing what I want to do for myself. I asked myself “Am I able to get the same comfort zone that I am having now?”, I don’t know …

I had resigned from a multinational company, Dell.

So, I can’t turn back, I must move on …

The journey has begins and let’s welcome it with open arms. Life will become uncertain once again…

Life, can it be so boring?

Today is mother’s day, I did not go back to Ipoh because was tied with job commitment. I feel bored when I am busy, I also feel bored when I am free.

I really don't know why I always lose persistent in doing new thing.
I tried guitar, but gave up after 1 year and admitted that I really don't have talent in music.
Then, kick boxing & yoga came to my mind. I tried both too but now I only have yoga classes.

Why cant it stay long with me? There are still a lot of things that I haven’t try.. do I dare enough to try? Such as traveling solo… quitting my current job & go back to study … I really don't know…

I guess the longest thing that I stay in Penang and my work. I have been in the same job and same company for 3 years!

There is another interesting thing that catch my eyes right now .. is to join Toastmaster…

Haha… I believe it is an interesting club, to build a better me! Honestly, the interesting part is overcome the FEAR of public speaking!

Bangkok? Safe or not?

If life & death are fated, then I should go to Bangkok! ..

I believe I will still go as per planned even though I am still trying hard to convince myself that I am making the right decision. I owe an apology to those who care for me. I know u all are worry bout my safety. I promised that I will be careful and extra alert on my safety. Everything will be fine. :D

This will be my second trip to Bangkok. If possible I really don’t want to change my plan to go there.

Bangkok is well-known for elegant temples, delicious and weird food, riotous nightlife and shopping heaven. These are all the wonderful things in this city. It is just very sad to see this kind of thing happened in Thailand.

Bombing in Bangkok on 1 Jan 2007 that had killed 3 ppl
http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bangkok-bombs-deaths-reported/2007/01/01/1167500017897.html?page

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16414683

I will try to blog using my mobile if possible in Bangkok.

An eight year old handmade birthday card

It was 4 days holiday in Ipoh. Everything happened seems so fast. I missed my holiday.I found something while I was cleaning my dusty book racks. “A handmade birthday card” .. nicely kept in a box. Below is the box with the word “BIRTHDATE” .. (Artist - Huei Sei)




(Message from Li Yee)

It was made by my 3 close friends 8 years ago during my 17th year old birthday. . Recalling the things that we did when we were young and naïve.. It gave me a laugh by reading at the message and drawing. Haha.. Kawaguchi was my idol. I remember when I was young, everyone like to have someone they admired, be it an actor, singer or someone famous to become their idol.

Thanks to all that had contributed to tht 'piece of art' :D

8 years later, everyone has their own dream to chase. I have my own job living independently, some got married, some just graduated from master, and some choose to work in Ipoh while some migrated to some part of the world.

How long can I stay?

Why is it so hard to stay on the new endeavour?

It seems like I am lack of staying power with any endeavour.

I started with playing guitar, enrolling for a guitar class. It started with a blast.. very cool but it didnt stay long, the interest faded as times go by. And, I had abandoned it.

Now, I found another cool activity. Kickboxing - "Burn ur fear into power".. I am looking forward for each class but I doubt on how long I will stay this time.

The day that I lost someone tht had been with me for 25 years

It was a fine morning until I received a call from my dad telling me that grandpa had passed away.

I do not have a chance to say goodbye to him. I know he was old but it had never came to my mind that the last time that I will be seeing him was in the casket.
I tried my very best to hold back all my tears throughout the funeral ceremony. The whole event was really sad.. sending him to "another world"..

I lost him forever..

Everything was over, life has to move on. There is sunshine ahead, go and look for it .. :D

Money can’t buy love, but can money buy happiness?

I am just back from Bangkok. It was really a wonderful trip. I am indeed inspired and motivated towards life journey after this trip. I wonder how long this high spirit can last.

I have been traveling a lot this year. In Aug/Sept I was in Xiamen in Oct I was in Bangkok and there are more to come. I plan to travel to KL in Nov.

Money can’t buy true love but it certainly can buy happiness. With money you can enjoy the lifestyle that one desire. For example, if you like traveling and shopping then money can achieve the happiness that you want. On the other hand, if you don’t have money you can never travel to the dream place of yours and live the live you want.

Perhaps one day if I become a millionaire sitting at a luxury restaurant alone and yet still feeling empty inside because I am bored and sick of traveling and living in luxuries. By that time, I will say money can no longer buy happiness.

However, there are some people will still live happily and contented staying at home. Their happiness is a low maintenance type. Drinking a cup of tea in the cozy house will make them happy and they never request more than that. ;-)

Recalling my Xiamen Trip

Here I am, Xiamen. My flight was delayed and I reached at the hotel at 5 pm. This was my first time travel alone. Mixture of feeling, sort of nervous and excited. Xiamen is a quite developed city.

Everyday I go to the office by shutter and usually I am the only gal in the shutter. I do feel lucky being so young that I can travel to China under company expense. I guess anyone of them in the shutter should be older than me. Of course I work hard everyday when I am here. There were times that I was required to work till 6 am. My project delays due to some critical issue. Most of the pictures are taken without me in it because I am traveling alone. :-)

~My room in Crowne Plaza Hotel~

~View from the hotel windows~

When come to ordering food in the restuarant, it is always an advantage to be able to read Chinese because most of the menus available in the restaurant are written in Chinese.

Dinner at the Loong Yuen Restaurant in the hotel
~Appetizer~

~Steak~
Italian Food – T-bone lamb

~Seafood with soup~

~Bird Nest~
~Tempura at Sakura Restaurant~

~Teppanyaki - Small abalone~
~Teppanyaki – Scallop~
~Sushi Rolls ~
~Grill Eel~

~sushi~
~Chef is preparing the lobster~

~Lobster~
~Teppanyaki - ice cream on fire~

My advice, if you would like to go to this island try to go on weekdays, it is really crowded during weekend. You will be sweating getting the tickets for the sight seeing ferry tour.

~Gulangyu Island view from Xiamen. ~

~In front of the church in Gulangyu~


Gulangyu is just a small island. I can easily walk around to get to those places that I want.
No cars are allowed in this island to prevent pollution and only electric cars are allowed here.


~Cute tourist guide center at gulangyu~

~In the ferry, on the way back to Xiamen~

~Nanputou temple – front view~

~The lake in front of the temple~

Zhong San Road- Shopping Street
This road will be closed at night. You can shop all you want from clothes to food.

Zhong San Park – 15 minutes walk from Crowne Plaza

~Lake in Zhong San Park~

~Celebrating quietly in the hotel room~

~Birthday Cake~