Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul
~ William Ernest Henley (1849-1903) ~
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Time to get my own wheels
Lord, I just got in to work! And it's late! I'm just sooo annoyed right now at the taxi companies that I've decided that I've had it! I'm going to get my own car and I won't have to rely on unreliable taxi services in the future. I was ready since 8am and none came. What the heck is wrong with the traffic these last few days?! I called and called and called and in the end I demanded to know why there any a single iota of taxi passing my way and they told me that my distance was too short compared to other customers! This from the company I use everyday to go to work and sometimes I still have to walk out to the main road coz they "say" that there aren't any! ARGHHHHHH! Taxis and taxi companies have been spoilt for too long that they are allowed to choose customers. This is STILL what's wrong with Malaysia! Corruption down to the grimy wheels of overused cabs! In Australia, there is no such thing as choosing whether you want to go or not. There, everything is controlled by one department and if they dispatch someone to go and fetch an old lady from her house to her neighbour's, they go, no question asked! It's public service to them. Here, it's business, and that's what's wrong with this system! And I've not come across one taxi in Perth who asked for a higher fee. Here *snort* there are PLENTY of that kind of bad dealings around. Well, I don't want to play anymore. We should all car pool and let the taxi services ROT IN HELL!
Now what car should I get? My budget is low since I'm still earning peanuts. But I'm not too keen on a secondhand car though as you don't know where it's been. I still need to do a lot of research. What's the current interest rate I wonder? I think I shall go to a showroom this weekend.
Now what car should I get? My budget is low since I'm still earning peanuts. But I'm not too keen on a secondhand car though as you don't know where it's been. I still need to do a lot of research. What's the current interest rate I wonder? I think I shall go to a showroom this weekend.
Monday, September 27, 2004
Happy 26th Birthday Estella
It's Estella's birthday today and I'm trying to get her to go out tonight for a birthday dinner. The darn woman is so busy that she can't even pick up my call or reply my sms. Think I might have to go camp out at her office! Haha. Later people. I'll blog about it later after something happens. *grin*
Sunday, September 26, 2004
Test drive
I'm taking my baby for a test drive today at Starbucks Amcorp Mall now and he's divine and doing fine. Gorgeous piece of hot laptop power here. This is the virgin test of my air port card and he's purrrrringgggg. Everything is so fast I'mjust getting giddy looking at the status of my downloads. Whoooweeee... he's hot!
*GRIN* I'm so infatuated right now. I've never had the chance to use my air port extreme until now. Serious. I didn't have time. But when I woke up this morning, I was like "Darnit Sharon, when are you gonna use your baby properly. Take him out for a test drive TODAY!" So I did and here I am. Okay, okay, so I was a WIFI virgin. My old sweetie didn't have the ability to connect wirelessly, and then he fell sick, and I put him out to pasture a few months ago. Not that I don't miss the old sweetie, but this new baby... oolala! Running several applications in the background, with multiple windows open and loading, my iTunes blasting out fantastic music, and I'm also chatting at the same time... I do delcare, Mr iBook. You are simply divine!
Excuse me while I attend to my hottie. He needs a few updates. Need to restart now.
I know I'm acting like a nut but I can't help it. *rueful grin*
*GRIN* I'm so infatuated right now. I've never had the chance to use my air port extreme until now. Serious. I didn't have time. But when I woke up this morning, I was like "Darnit Sharon, when are you gonna use your baby properly. Take him out for a test drive TODAY!" So I did and here I am. Okay, okay, so I was a WIFI virgin. My old sweetie didn't have the ability to connect wirelessly, and then he fell sick, and I put him out to pasture a few months ago. Not that I don't miss the old sweetie, but this new baby... oolala! Running several applications in the background, with multiple windows open and loading, my iTunes blasting out fantastic music, and I'm also chatting at the same time... I do delcare, Mr iBook. You are simply divine!
Excuse me while I attend to my hottie. He needs a few updates. Need to restart now.
I know I'm acting like a nut but I can't help it. *rueful grin*
Friday, September 24, 2004
She's out of the woods
The doctor said that my sister can be discharged from the hospital today. But he will need take another blood test to see if her platelets count is up sufficiently. We normally have 270 - 280 but her's dropped to 70 a few days ago. But she's out of the woods now. She looked so much better last night when I went to see her and she's off the drips. She didn't need help taking a shower last night too. She's almost back to her old self now. Not so blotchy, red, tired-looking and weak. But she says that her skin still feel like it's sunburned under the skin. Any scrapping on her skin is excruciating. I can't imagine how that feels like. To feel like that all over your body and there is nothing the doctors can give you to take the pain away. Of course unless you numb the entire stretch of the skin, then maybe. Ouch.
So it's good news for us. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers. *HUG*
The old woman next to her, poor thing. She's in there for a nearly collapsed spine. They put her on 24/7 morphine but she still moans in pain from time to time. It's heart-breaking to hear her. She has her maid and her daughter with her, thank goodness. I hope that never happens to me or anyone I know. Being in constant pain, being helpless as a child who needs help to eat, sit up, lift her head... down to relieving herself in the bed pan and soiling herself in her adults pampers.
Then next door was a woman who had a skin disease and we could smell her from our side. I say was as she was moved to the ICU two days ago. She too was incapacitated.
The hospital is such a depressing place. You see all these poor and unlucky people and the fact slams into you that you might be one of them someday every time.
I don't ever want to be like that. I would rather go like that *snap* than having to suffer all kinds of sickness and diseases. I watched my father suffer and die of cancer and it is not a pretty sight. It's not just the pain, but the mental pain that one goes through knowing there is no hope left. There is never enough morphine to dull the pain as it eats away at your flesh and bones one inch at a time. At first the cancer appeared in his sinuses, he did chemotherapy and it was gone. Six months later it came back, in his brain and when they did chemotherapy on that part, they had to go zapped the infected part, making him do crazy things like wanting to jump out of the window to fly, things that nearly killed him earlier. After that, he was okay. Then it came back again but this time it was infecting his liver. You can't do chemotherapy on your liver. His last few weeks was a blur of pain, medication and prayers. He turned yellow. He drastically lost more weight. He lost his will to eat as he was always in pain. When he died, I remember hearing gurgling sounds coming from his chest as though he was drowning. Then when we tried to revive him, black stuff starting oozing from his mouth and nose. It was the dead cancer infected cells. It continued oozing even when we closed his coffin.
Being in the hospital brought those 3 years of suffering back. Even though I was just 11 when he died, I remember. All my 5 senses remember what it was like to be surrounded by sickness and see death.
The only good thing I can think of that came out of his suffering was that he was drawn closer to God through it all. It made him want to be a better servant, and he was.
So it's good news for us. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers. *HUG*
The old woman next to her, poor thing. She's in there for a nearly collapsed spine. They put her on 24/7 morphine but she still moans in pain from time to time. It's heart-breaking to hear her. She has her maid and her daughter with her, thank goodness. I hope that never happens to me or anyone I know. Being in constant pain, being helpless as a child who needs help to eat, sit up, lift her head... down to relieving herself in the bed pan and soiling herself in her adults pampers.
Then next door was a woman who had a skin disease and we could smell her from our side. I say was as she was moved to the ICU two days ago. She too was incapacitated.
The hospital is such a depressing place. You see all these poor and unlucky people and the fact slams into you that you might be one of them someday every time.
I don't ever want to be like that. I would rather go like that *snap* than having to suffer all kinds of sickness and diseases. I watched my father suffer and die of cancer and it is not a pretty sight. It's not just the pain, but the mental pain that one goes through knowing there is no hope left. There is never enough morphine to dull the pain as it eats away at your flesh and bones one inch at a time. At first the cancer appeared in his sinuses, he did chemotherapy and it was gone. Six months later it came back, in his brain and when they did chemotherapy on that part, they had to go zapped the infected part, making him do crazy things like wanting to jump out of the window to fly, things that nearly killed him earlier. After that, he was okay. Then it came back again but this time it was infecting his liver. You can't do chemotherapy on your liver. His last few weeks was a blur of pain, medication and prayers. He turned yellow. He drastically lost more weight. He lost his will to eat as he was always in pain. When he died, I remember hearing gurgling sounds coming from his chest as though he was drowning. Then when we tried to revive him, black stuff starting oozing from his mouth and nose. It was the dead cancer infected cells. It continued oozing even when we closed his coffin.
Being in the hospital brought those 3 years of suffering back. Even though I was just 11 when he died, I remember. All my 5 senses remember what it was like to be surrounded by sickness and see death.
The only good thing I can think of that came out of his suffering was that he was drawn closer to God through it all. It made him want to be a better servant, and he was.
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Baking lessons
I confess I'm not exactly a very faithful servant to Him and I do not always read forwarded emails on religion and faith. But this timely email sent by a friend, stood out among numerous despite it's title. I've been having a very bad week and after I read this email, it gave me a little more hope that the world is not such a bad place after all and it made me remember that God has much grander plans for all of us than we can ever imagine or predict.
--- start of email ---
Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God
have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's
failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is
moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she
would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your
cake."
"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her
daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by
themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make
a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go
through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts
these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have
to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
--- end of email ---
--- start of email ---
Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God
have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's
failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is
moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she
would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your
cake."
"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers. "Yuck" says her
daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by
themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make
a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go
through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts
these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have
to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
--- end of email ---
Monday, September 20, 2004
Congratulations Lydia & Yazid!
Lydia and Yazid has just won Best Doco at this year's MVA last weekend! Congratulations to both of you!
Their doco was about sex education in Malaysia... hee hee very provocative. Plus there's even a demonstration on how to put on a condom and all. Of course the condom-wearer wasn't a real-life, er guy, but rather a banana! It's a good doco, entertaining and provocative to a certain extent.
Yes, they should definitely make more films! Go here to congratulate them.
Congrats! *grin*
Their doco was about sex education in Malaysia... hee hee very provocative. Plus there's even a demonstration on how to put on a condom and all. Of course the condom-wearer wasn't a real-life, er guy, but rather a banana! It's a good doco, entertaining and provocative to a certain extent.
Yes, they should definitely make more films! Go here to congratulate them.
Congrats! *grin*
Bad case of spots
I've been as sick as a sick dog for the past one week, so I took the chance to rest last weekend. Saturday was good as I got to sleep the entire day. I felt so much better after that. Thank goodness I rested on Saturday and what happened on Sunday took nearly all my rested self to go through.
Sunday was an emergency day. Lee Hoon got a call from Lee Ling flying in from London that she was sick, very sick, that she couldn't stand and she had pain in her left side. The moment she landed in the Penang International Airport, they paxed her back to KL on the next available flight. We were there to greet her and took her straight to Pantai Medical Center. My god, she looked horrible when we rushed to greet her at the gate. She looked like she was going to collapse at any moment and her eyes were bloodshot and she was so hot to the touch. She was leaning on her cart like her legs were rubbery and the cart was not going in a straight line. We took her the emergency room and the moment the doctor saw her, they put her on drip. Took two bags before the doctor was satisfied. Later the blood test came back and the doctor suspect that it might be dengue. The pain in her left side could be an inflamed ovary but they will only do the test today. Lord, talk about sui (unlucky). After some more injection for the pain and nausea, she was better. We were at the hospital until 10pm last night. By the time we got home, we were bushed. I went to bed straight after my bath.
I'll be going to the hospital later right after work to help her bathe and eat. Poor girl. Really very unlucky, and for it to happened while she was a few thousand feet in the air and working... tsk. Geeze...
Sunday was an emergency day. Lee Hoon got a call from Lee Ling flying in from London that she was sick, very sick, that she couldn't stand and she had pain in her left side. The moment she landed in the Penang International Airport, they paxed her back to KL on the next available flight. We were there to greet her and took her straight to Pantai Medical Center. My god, she looked horrible when we rushed to greet her at the gate. She looked like she was going to collapse at any moment and her eyes were bloodshot and she was so hot to the touch. She was leaning on her cart like her legs were rubbery and the cart was not going in a straight line. We took her the emergency room and the moment the doctor saw her, they put her on drip. Took two bags before the doctor was satisfied. Later the blood test came back and the doctor suspect that it might be dengue. The pain in her left side could be an inflamed ovary but they will only do the test today. Lord, talk about sui (unlucky). After some more injection for the pain and nausea, she was better. We were at the hospital until 10pm last night. By the time we got home, we were bushed. I went to bed straight after my bath.
I'll be going to the hospital later right after work to help her bathe and eat. Poor girl. Really very unlucky, and for it to happened while she was a few thousand feet in the air and working... tsk. Geeze...
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Happy Birthday Sis!
Today's my sister's birthday. Wish I can do something for her but then, I'm as sick as a sick dog so I can't do much. Maybe I should take half day off and go home to sleep. I've been sick for a couple of days now and I only got 1 day MC for yesterday. So I'm back to work today. *sigh* Anyway, Happy Birthday Sis! Lova ya lots! *virtual hug*
Monday, September 13, 2004
Bumped out of the lane!
I agree that we have some of the most HELLISH drivers in Malaysia. Not only did my sister encounter one, we encountered one driving a cement truck. The whole of Saturday was kinda nice, and sister decided to drive me to KL and drop me off for Lydia's film screening at the MVA at the National Art Gallery in KL. Anyway, we were already running late and we weren't too sure how to get there either. The only way she know was the Lebuh Ampang way. So fine.
Anyway, we got stuck in that traffic snarl for half and hour and after that we had to follow a not too informative map by my housemate. Long story short - we got lost, hopelessly lost. Then when we finally see the NAG, it was on the other side of the road AND we missed the turning to the Pahang Roundabout. THAT was a big mistake.
We were suppose to go down to the Fed Highway but the road was closed! Roadwork. All cars were diverted to this one lane flanked by those neon plastic water dividers. Anyway, all the cars were converging into one lane, when a huge cement truck started squeezing in beside us. Short of reversing a little distance, we couldn't do anything. The passenger of the truck was leaning out of his window when the bloody darn stupidly stupid and terribly horrible f***ing IDIOT decided to barrel in regardless of the fact there wasn't any space! The bloody darn stupidly stupid and terribly horrible f***ing IDIOT driving his cement truck then squeezed his fat assed truck into the space and by doing so, he uncaringly shove our car out of the way with his fat assed truck. I should have given the passenger the finger but we were too shocked. I tried to get the licensed number but it was covered in mud! We should sue the bloody company for its reckless drivers. The guy looked foreign too! Go back to your own country you stooopid mother f**kers!
After that, we got down to assessed the damaged - the side mirror was broken, and the side of my sister's car was slightly dented and scratched. The damage was minor but it's the whole thing that got to us. Of course, my sister was mad and she took it out on me. I had to bit my tongue and not remind her that she wanted to drive me there anyway! I was all ready to call it a night as she was driving recklessly and unthinkingly by then. She was mulishly adamant that she will send me there else it would be a waste that her car got into a scrape for nothing! By the time I got there I was 2 hours late and I was a mess mentally. My night was shot to from then on. I couldn't concentrate and I couldn't stop running the entire thing in my mind. Zona had already left by the time I got there too. *sigh* What a crappy start to my night.
But later, we went out for drinks to celebrate Lydia's success. At first it was hard to enjoy it all, my mind was a mess as I had a fight with sister knowing she was blaming me for the whole thing, but the alcohol helped heaps. It ended up a pretty fun night.
Anyway, we got stuck in that traffic snarl for half and hour and after that we had to follow a not too informative map by my housemate. Long story short - we got lost, hopelessly lost. Then when we finally see the NAG, it was on the other side of the road AND we missed the turning to the Pahang Roundabout. THAT was a big mistake.
We were suppose to go down to the Fed Highway but the road was closed! Roadwork. All cars were diverted to this one lane flanked by those neon plastic water dividers. Anyway, all the cars were converging into one lane, when a huge cement truck started squeezing in beside us. Short of reversing a little distance, we couldn't do anything. The passenger of the truck was leaning out of his window when the bloody darn stupidly stupid and terribly horrible f***ing IDIOT decided to barrel in regardless of the fact there wasn't any space! The bloody darn stupidly stupid and terribly horrible f***ing IDIOT driving his cement truck then squeezed his fat assed truck into the space and by doing so, he uncaringly shove our car out of the way with his fat assed truck. I should have given the passenger the finger but we were too shocked. I tried to get the licensed number but it was covered in mud! We should sue the bloody company for its reckless drivers. The guy looked foreign too! Go back to your own country you stooopid mother f**kers!
After that, we got down to assessed the damaged - the side mirror was broken, and the side of my sister's car was slightly dented and scratched. The damage was minor but it's the whole thing that got to us. Of course, my sister was mad and she took it out on me. I had to bit my tongue and not remind her that she wanted to drive me there anyway! I was all ready to call it a night as she was driving recklessly and unthinkingly by then. She was mulishly adamant that she will send me there else it would be a waste that her car got into a scrape for nothing! By the time I got there I was 2 hours late and I was a mess mentally. My night was shot to from then on. I couldn't concentrate and I couldn't stop running the entire thing in my mind. Zona had already left by the time I got there too. *sigh* What a crappy start to my night.
But later, we went out for drinks to celebrate Lydia's success. At first it was hard to enjoy it all, my mind was a mess as I had a fight with sister knowing she was blaming me for the whole thing, but the alcohol helped heaps. It ended up a pretty fun night.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Flew into a haze
I'm back in Malaysia. Whoopeedidooo. Sigh. I miss the clean and fresh air of New Zealand. I can't believe how hazy it is in KL. What the heck happened? Did the cloud of dust and dirt and heaven knows what else just suddenly decided to become a permamnet fixture over the Klang Valley skyline? Sheesh.
Anyway, I'm at work still. I'm supposed to be on leave today as my flight got in late and I knew there were things to do before we could all sleep the jetlag away. I couldn't sleep. I was worried about work, so I came in today. There's a hip-high pile of newspapers that I have to go through, heck a lot emails that I have to attend to, calls I have to return and then there's website. *sigh*
So yeah, I've been pretty busy the past 10 hours. I think I should go home now and sleep. Am so tired. I'll look into posting pictures on my blog soon, I promise.
I've been doing the papers since morning and I'm down to half the pile. Seriously, I think my eyes are crossed from too much speed-reading and scanning...
Anyway, I'm at work still. I'm supposed to be on leave today as my flight got in late and I knew there were things to do before we could all sleep the jetlag away. I couldn't sleep. I was worried about work, so I came in today. There's a hip-high pile of newspapers that I have to go through, heck a lot emails that I have to attend to, calls I have to return and then there's website. *sigh*
So yeah, I've been pretty busy the past 10 hours. I think I should go home now and sleep. Am so tired. I'll look into posting pictures on my blog soon, I promise.
I've been doing the papers since morning and I'm down to half the pile. Seriously, I think my eyes are crossed from too much speed-reading and scanning...
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Blogging in New Zealand
makes all the difference in the world. How? Coz it's recorded as such. Nah, I'm just a blog addict according to someone. Hmm... so far my holiday here is okay. I wish I had a computer everyday that I am here so that I can blog it all down day by day so that it would be more detailed. Now, I'm just too lazy to be detailed. Oh give me a break, I've been traversing up and down Auckland City for the past 8 hours. Plus later on, I'll probably forget about it when I get back onto the guinea pig's 'wheel'.
Day 1
Arrived in Auckland. Took Super Shuttle to Aspen House where we stayed the night. It's a boutique budget hotel. Yeap, you read it right, go figure... But to me, I don't think you can call it budget with the price we paid - NZ$120 for a triple room.
Day 2
We went to pick up our Toyota Corolla with CD player *grin* from Avis on Nelson Street. We went up, we went down and then we went across and across and across again and found it. It was a relief when I finally sat my butt down in the comfort of a toyota cushioned seat. =P From there, we swung back to Aspen House to pick up our luggage and drove down to Hamilton. We reached Hamilton around 4pm. Drove around, saw the town a bit, and went to look for a motel. Went into a few and inspected them. We finally settled on a motel called Camelot. *grin* We couldn't resist and the owner Warren was very nice and amiable. After getting out keys and dumping our stuff, we went to the local; Pak & Save to get food for dinner. I cooked lamb steaks what else.
Day 3
Left Hamilton early and stopped by Matamata for Hobbiton. I know, I know. I didn't want to go bu my sisters were adamant. So we went and then we found out they were charging $50 per head just to see some torn down and bare structure. Too bad. But we snapped a couple of pictures of the Hobbiton signboard. Suppose to leave for Rotorua. Sister and me got into a colossal fight in the car, in public. (Window was down) Fight and argument lasted for THREE HOURS PLUS in the car. Lots of tears and accusation. Note to self: Never, ever travel with eldest sister ever again. She agrees too - said our characters clashes too much. I agree. Mutually agreed to shelve the issue for now until we can get her back safely to Malaysia, else she goes nuts on us again.
We then made our way to Rotorua and got to the Visitors' Centre just before they closed. We managed to booked ourselves onto the Tamaki Brother's Tour of it's Moari Village, as well as a place for the night - Capri Court.
We rushed to the motel and changed just before the bus came to pick us up for the tour and dinner. The bus driver, I forgot his name - really long, is very good. He said Kia Ora (hello) in 48 languages, Malaysian included, with it's proper accent and all. He then took up step by step through the maori culture and customs.
It was a good night. We saw the haka, the dances, the weapons and all. The song and dance was the best of all - the cadence is strangely soothing yet provoking at the same time. Later at dinner, we had hangi - food cooked the tradisional Maori way - in the ground. And it was COLD. It's amazing how strong these dancers are - they aren't wearing much whereas we tourists were all bundled up nice and warm. Very robust people.
Day 4
We decided to stay another night, but this time at a motel of my choice - I chose Cedar House Lodge and boy was it a very nice place. For a lesser price , we got a lodge all to ourselves. Later we went to Hell's Gate, a place of thermal activities. It was amazing to see all those thermal activity going on - the hot bubbling pools, the sulfuric pool, the Devil's Bath, the mud pools, etc. We spent almost 2 hours walking around the entire park. Later, we stank of sulfur from head to toe. But after a while, I think I got used to the smell that I didn't give it much thought until I got back into town and a saleswoman asked if we were just up at Hell's Gate. *grin* They must see it sooooo often.
Day 5
Drove to Coromandel, and ohmeegawds, why didn't anyone tell me how very dangerous and tedious the drive is??? Coramandel town is just 54km from Thames and it took us 2 hours to get there on account of the very windy and wet roads in darkness and on the edge of the sea and some parts mountains! By the time, we pulled into town, we were cold with sweat. Thank god it was Lee Na driving and not Lee Hoon. Anyway, we checked ourselves into the Central Motel in town - the least dodgiest looking motel we could find at 9pm at night. Small town. We didn't even bother with dinner, we just grabbed bread and butter and fell into bed and slept until dawn.
Day 6
Walked around Coramandel. Lots of quaint shops and nice people. But we decided we had to head back to town as the roads weren't as easy as we thought. We headed up to Auckland at 12pm and we reached Auckland around 3pm and we wentr straight to Onehunga to shop! Yeah, shopping is one of the other reason we are in a foreign country. Dress Smart is one of the best shopping I've ever done. Imagine, I got 2 pairs of Jeans West Jeans for $40! *grin* Am very please. I got a few more stuff but whose counting? Hee hee...
Later, we went to CityLife Hotel. I thought I had a resevation there but they couldn't find my name in the system. So we had to shift to The Heritage while I sort out my reservations problem. That's why I had to go online the other night and pay through my nose for the Internet fee. So we are staying at The Heritage now and it's not so bad.
Day 7
We did nothing but shop today. Bought a few stuff.
Day 8
Took a taxi to Kelly Tarlton's - expensive 5 minute taxi ride. But the aquariums there were good, though not as good as Perth's AQUA. But nonetheless, I still enjoyed myself. There were King and Gentoo penguins, lots of fishes, stingrays, turtles and sharks. And the lobsters were HUGE!!! I've never seen such large living specimens. Seriously. All this just makes me miss diving... sigh...
Tomorrow, I think we should either got to Auckland Museum or the Zoo. Haven't decided yet. I'll be back in Malaysia by Monday night.
...continue...
Day 9
We finally decided to go the Auckland Musuem. At first Lee Na didn't want to go - she wanted to go to Victoria Market and see more local scenery and all. She suggested we split up. I said okay. But then later, she was all undeciding and all and making a fuss and questioning my decision to go to the Musuem. In the end hey decided to follow me. *roll eyes*
The Auckland Museum is situated on top of a hill that overlooks the entire city and the view is fantastic. Plus, the park there was... wow. Very scenic walk up to the museum from Ayr Street in Parnell. And the Parnell district is really pretty and quaint. Did some shopping after the museum thing - we wanted to go to Onehunga but Lee Na took so long to wonder around the exhibitions that we lost her and had to wait for her until she came out too late to catch the next bus to Dress Smart - walked all the way from the musuem and almost back into the city. My feet was hurting so we decided to take the bus the rest of the way back, and it was just a short distanct to Britomart from where we were! Sheesh.
Day 10
Hired the Super Shuttle to ferry us to the airport. Got on plane and now I'm home. *bah*
Day 1
Arrived in Auckland. Took Super Shuttle to Aspen House where we stayed the night. It's a boutique budget hotel. Yeap, you read it right, go figure... But to me, I don't think you can call it budget with the price we paid - NZ$120 for a triple room.
Day 2
We went to pick up our Toyota Corolla with CD player *grin* from Avis on Nelson Street. We went up, we went down and then we went across and across and across again and found it. It was a relief when I finally sat my butt down in the comfort of a toyota cushioned seat. =P From there, we swung back to Aspen House to pick up our luggage and drove down to Hamilton. We reached Hamilton around 4pm. Drove around, saw the town a bit, and went to look for a motel. Went into a few and inspected them. We finally settled on a motel called Camelot. *grin* We couldn't resist and the owner Warren was very nice and amiable. After getting out keys and dumping our stuff, we went to the local; Pak & Save to get food for dinner. I cooked lamb steaks what else.
Day 3
Left Hamilton early and stopped by Matamata for Hobbiton. I know, I know. I didn't want to go bu my sisters were adamant. So we went and then we found out they were charging $50 per head just to see some torn down and bare structure. Too bad. But we snapped a couple of pictures of the Hobbiton signboard. Suppose to leave for Rotorua. Sister and me got into a colossal fight in the car, in public. (Window was down) Fight and argument lasted for THREE HOURS PLUS in the car. Lots of tears and accusation. Note to self: Never, ever travel with eldest sister ever again. She agrees too - said our characters clashes too much. I agree. Mutually agreed to shelve the issue for now until we can get her back safely to Malaysia, else she goes nuts on us again.
We then made our way to Rotorua and got to the Visitors' Centre just before they closed. We managed to booked ourselves onto the Tamaki Brother's Tour of it's Moari Village, as well as a place for the night - Capri Court.
We rushed to the motel and changed just before the bus came to pick us up for the tour and dinner. The bus driver, I forgot his name - really long, is very good. He said Kia Ora (hello) in 48 languages, Malaysian included, with it's proper accent and all. He then took up step by step through the maori culture and customs.
It was a good night. We saw the haka, the dances, the weapons and all. The song and dance was the best of all - the cadence is strangely soothing yet provoking at the same time. Later at dinner, we had hangi - food cooked the tradisional Maori way - in the ground. And it was COLD. It's amazing how strong these dancers are - they aren't wearing much whereas we tourists were all bundled up nice and warm. Very robust people.
Day 4
We decided to stay another night, but this time at a motel of my choice - I chose Cedar House Lodge and boy was it a very nice place. For a lesser price , we got a lodge all to ourselves. Later we went to Hell's Gate, a place of thermal activities. It was amazing to see all those thermal activity going on - the hot bubbling pools, the sulfuric pool, the Devil's Bath, the mud pools, etc. We spent almost 2 hours walking around the entire park. Later, we stank of sulfur from head to toe. But after a while, I think I got used to the smell that I didn't give it much thought until I got back into town and a saleswoman asked if we were just up at Hell's Gate. *grin* They must see it sooooo often.
Day 5
Drove to Coromandel, and ohmeegawds, why didn't anyone tell me how very dangerous and tedious the drive is??? Coramandel town is just 54km from Thames and it took us 2 hours to get there on account of the very windy and wet roads in darkness and on the edge of the sea and some parts mountains! By the time, we pulled into town, we were cold with sweat. Thank god it was Lee Na driving and not Lee Hoon. Anyway, we checked ourselves into the Central Motel in town - the least dodgiest looking motel we could find at 9pm at night. Small town. We didn't even bother with dinner, we just grabbed bread and butter and fell into bed and slept until dawn.
Day 6
Walked around Coramandel. Lots of quaint shops and nice people. But we decided we had to head back to town as the roads weren't as easy as we thought. We headed up to Auckland at 12pm and we reached Auckland around 3pm and we wentr straight to Onehunga to shop! Yeah, shopping is one of the other reason we are in a foreign country. Dress Smart is one of the best shopping I've ever done. Imagine, I got 2 pairs of Jeans West Jeans for $40! *grin* Am very please. I got a few more stuff but whose counting? Hee hee...
Later, we went to CityLife Hotel. I thought I had a resevation there but they couldn't find my name in the system. So we had to shift to The Heritage while I sort out my reservations problem. That's why I had to go online the other night and pay through my nose for the Internet fee. So we are staying at The Heritage now and it's not so bad.
Day 7
We did nothing but shop today. Bought a few stuff.
Day 8
Took a taxi to Kelly Tarlton's - expensive 5 minute taxi ride. But the aquariums there were good, though not as good as Perth's AQUA. But nonetheless, I still enjoyed myself. There were King and Gentoo penguins, lots of fishes, stingrays, turtles and sharks. And the lobsters were HUGE!!! I've never seen such large living specimens. Seriously. All this just makes me miss diving... sigh...
Tomorrow, I think we should either got to Auckland Museum or the Zoo. Haven't decided yet. I'll be back in Malaysia by Monday night.
...continue...
Day 9
We finally decided to go the Auckland Musuem. At first Lee Na didn't want to go - she wanted to go to Victoria Market and see more local scenery and all. She suggested we split up. I said okay. But then later, she was all undeciding and all and making a fuss and questioning my decision to go to the Musuem. In the end hey decided to follow me. *roll eyes*
The Auckland Museum is situated on top of a hill that overlooks the entire city and the view is fantastic. Plus, the park there was... wow. Very scenic walk up to the museum from Ayr Street in Parnell. And the Parnell district is really pretty and quaint. Did some shopping after the museum thing - we wanted to go to Onehunga but Lee Na took so long to wonder around the exhibitions that we lost her and had to wait for her until she came out too late to catch the next bus to Dress Smart - walked all the way from the musuem and almost back into the city. My feet was hurting so we decided to take the bus the rest of the way back, and it was just a short distanct to Britomart from where we were! Sheesh.
Day 10
Hired the Super Shuttle to ferry us to the airport. Got on plane and now I'm home. *bah*
Thursday, September 02, 2004
RM25.67 per half hour for Internet usage!!!
This is by far the most expensive internet fee I've ever paid! I'm in The Heritage Auckladn and I had to get on the net to check our hotel reservations and I had to pay this much as the nearest Internet Cafe is a few blocks down and it was dodgy! The I checked my email for the apartment reservations only to see:"Sorry, the owner opted for the other longer stay period." ARRRGGGHHHH! She only emailed me after I left for Auckland. But then it was my own fault not to have a backup. Bah. So now we are stuck here with no where else to stay. This hotel is NOT CHEAP... I'll have to find another place and I have 20 mins left on my $10 per 30 mins password.