C'est LA viE

so is this time of the year again...is Easter holiday!! =D

I think i will definitely miss this next year, as i wont get public holidays and long weekend for Easter in Malaysia...=(

Oh well, i guess that's life. Having 6 Easter holidays was a fortune for me especially that I am not even celebrating it. XD

So this is the 3rd time of Easter outing for me since I entered career life.

This time, it is a road trip together with wann zhen and her family, oh Yvonne joined us too~

First of all, i actually travelled via bus by myself to Strafford to meet them, and saw this special clock tower...

It plays Romeo and Juliet musical at certain time, i was pretty lucky that i witnessed this as for the one hour i spent at Strafford

Basically Romeo and Juliet (the dolls) just opened some doors on the clock tower, and spoke their scripts with Romeo and Juliet musical background

and eventually they come out together from the largest door at the bottom of the clock tower.

I dint really hear what were they saying as the whole musical seems very old and the track neither clear nor high quality

well that's nothing really special about that, but quite impressed there are something like this at this small rural town.

then, all of us gathered about 4pm, and we gone to Taranaki national park!

Well we were not planning to climb the mountain, we actually just spent like an hour for a loop walk.

Found the water-fall!!

It was actually an easy relaxing walk, but the coincidence was everyone of us was starving as we didnt have proper lunch.

Although my bus did a rest-stop at Whanganui, i dint get to lunch as most of the restaurant/cafe closed due to Easter (again, this is only NZ will do that!), and i was struggling to find a pie/sandwitch etc.

So we just refused to do any trampling and we were craving for fine dinner after the loop walk.

Here we go, our dinner!!

Gutted we missed the famous Strafford house restaurant due to highly demand over Easter, we couldnt get any table, end-up we gone to Garlic Press at New Plymouth city.

The garlic press has a very comfortable environment, is like a joint of bar and restaurant. We were saying the kitchen (with red circle) is so small and all 3 chefs were working at this small space....XD

Meal was pretty up standard, the only dissapointment was most of the meals were very salty....

we ordered 2 entrees of the day to share, a mussels provencal and a possin confit. The mussels were very fresh, i assumed the chef caught them just right at New Plymouth coast? haha.  Well for the poussin confit, it was very tender, but actually seems a bit unethical and cruel to eat that.

I think this was also my first time eating poussin, okay fyi, poussin is a 28 day old chicken. So i actually still feel very guilty now =S

and this was the main I ordered, is a scotch fillet, it was tender but i think the mushroom sauce was too salty, just as what i said most of their food is very salty.

But it was a pleasant meal, i think food taste the best when u are really hungry. We were complaining the meal was too salty, but we still finished everything.

Anyways, it was a pleasant night, and i got a lot of fun from the new monopoly card game, wow, it was so much fun compared to the old board version. Please try them out if u find them =D

So time passed so fast! Finally today enclosed the last day I at Perth.

After the bus ride to city yesterday, I tried to go city with another convenient way - Ferry!

Nicky told me that every city in Aussie was designed/built beside a river/harbour, and I can just ferry-cross the Swan river and reach city centre from South Perth, where Nicky staying at.

here's come the ferry~ Is quite big!

There are many seats and the compartment is really comfortable! Apparently I also paid the ferry ticket using the travel card, is something like 'snapper' in NZ, very convenient (way conveniener than NZ one), it can just tag on when we hop onto the bus/train/ferry, but just have to remember to tag off when we get out from the transport, or else, haha, yr card will be a total lost! (It assumed u always on the transport! =P)

The ferry just took me 20mins to arrive Swan Bell tower, which is the first destination after get down from the ferry.

There are not whatsoever special about the tower, well, I arrived very early (the tower was not opened), yet I dint even consider going in for a look.

Surprisingly, there are couple love padlocks around the tower, hmmm....what about single who seeking for lover? =S

Well today I also got to explore some nice building around the city:

Kangaroos statues hopping around....hmmm, definitely Aussie aye!?

And I really love this place! London Court!

Is a narrow 'little London' at Perth city centre, selling most england items...

Here's my breakfast at a 2nd floor cafe in the city before I headed to Fremantle.

I had to take train to Fremantle, I must say even a 'small' city like Perth, the railway station and system is really well-organized!

After nearly an hr train-ride, tada, here I am at Fremantle!

It is really a historical beach town, even the railway station impressed me!

Why Fremantle is so historical? It is because Fremantle was the first area settled by the Swan river colonists, that's why there are so many heritage buildings around, and historical prison and round house also marks the highlight of Fremantle!

Well, apart from that, there's also a university at Fremantle!It is named Notre Dame University. Wow, how lucky are those students to study at this relaxing beach town!

so the giant chest board is here as well, is it an Oceania icon? Haha, this is almost able to be found at most big cities in NZ too.

so the middle end building is the round house, where is the first permanent building at Fremantle, what so even popular about it was it was built for colonial and indigenous prisoners....

this really scary man!

well actually there's a tunnel underneath the round house, which can go to the beach! It's remind me of tunnel beach at Dunedin.

And the ball thing on top is the Fremantle time ball, just located behind the round hse, it will be dropped at 1pm.

well after crossing the esplanade and ferries wheel, is lunch time!

I had fish n chips, lunch at a fish n chip store, but i ordered scallops, crab stick and crumbed prawns! Very fresh and juicy!

this was where I sitted and have my lunch, and here the view!

awesome! There are different restaurants/cafes seated around the harbour, well, Little creatures (refer to previous blog post), also is one of them

I also had gelato later on, lol. Guess which 1 i had? It was fish n chip flavor! the first right one at the front~ It was alright...haha

Well, I spent the entire morning and mid noon at Fremantle, it was a very a good day.

And the fulfilling feeling remain until dinner time!

Australian Snow crabs!!! Thanks Nicky, u such a great host for me!

I had a very awesome trip at Perth these few days, really appreciate what Nicky offered and I could feel her love for me =)

Thanks so much my dear, friendship forever!!

So basically I explored the world currently ranked at 9th most livable city today by myself as Nicky had to work.

Well, I am very comfortable with travelling by my own, though a company will be happier to spend time with.

But I guess, this was a great opportunity for me to travel alone in this beautiful city too.

Before taking bus to the city center, i had breakfast in this cafe recommended by Nicky.

Have a vegetarian breakfast, was quite similar to what i had in NZ tho.

Perth is a very relaxing city, and it reminds me of NZ a lot.

Different from Sydney, Perth is easy to go around and somehow pretty boring lol.

I just spent my whole day at Harbour town today, which is a 2-storey building with different shop outlets.

Nicky was assumming i will spend my whole day there as most of her frens does.

Oh well, I guess I am way too special =P, I finished going every store around 2pm....==

oh I also had a very unpleasant and expensive Japanese lunch =(

And also learnt that Psy is really everywhere now

Still, I really dislike 'Gangnam style' and clueless how it become so popular ><

well, dinner was better. =D

 Is it bcz I have company? Nicky joined me after work for dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant.

Then, we walked around Northbridge, and just happened that's Frindge Art Festival....

Well, but we dint spend much time around there....as it need entrance fee. =S

ALso learnt that Heath Ledger is a Perth-born actor, and there's a Heath Ledger theater with very good design.

Oh well, that's my 3rd day in Perth =D

now i can claim myself have gone to Aussie, hahaha, cz i finally met the Aussie's favourite - koala and kangaroos!!

I gone to Caversham Wildlife Park today with Nicky and her fren, Pao Wen.

I must say this was a good and worthy trip because I could encounter these rare animals so closely! It cost me AUD25, actually it was reasonable to you stay unconvert the currency. Well, Aussie Dollar is getting huge, so everything there would be expensive. But, see what I've done today!!

I was lucky that the 2 baby koala were so active today, and they even posting for me for a good snapshot! Great!

Koala is actually very abdorable when they were young, but to be honest, they gone ugly after they aged tho. Hmmm, but I still think they are cool. We are not allowed to hug them anymore TT, did touch its back, very fluffy and coast fur they have. =D Besides, we were told to not touch the eucalypt leaves which are the Koala's food. It was said that once we touched it, the koala wouldnt eat the whole tree anymore as our human smell will be left on the leaves. Wow, such a picky diet, lol =P

I would like to stay watching for the cute koala longer, but there are too many cool animals to be checked out in the park. I gone to the Kangaroos!!

U never believe how tame and friendly kangaroos can be, they are so cute!! I love them so much now! (I was even wanting to try their meat before I come, shhhhh...), of cz i will never ever eat them anymore since this encounter, just like i will never try rabbit meat.

Back to topic, kangaroos are too cute. They just approached me when they smelled food on my palm, and while they chewing the food provided from the park which i placed on my palm, they were so gentle and definitely dint hurt me at all. I was very happy with the park's facilities by providing the food and allow us to do that. This is such a cool place!

 no worries, it's still alive, it just slept like a pig...haha

Well, apart from the abdorable kangaroos and koalas, look what I found？

 a golden possum! I guess this is the first time I saw possum so closely, and is a golden one! It is so cute!! (What?, u cant think of other words except 'cute'? ;P)

and also wombat~I dunno why the wombat I saw was so different from what wikipedia said, the wombat I saw was not that flurry and cute (again ==)!

after the park, we gone for yumcha at NorthBridge, which is claimed as the Asian area in Perth.

Dim sum was alright, I realized I am not longer a big fan of yumcha anymore, so I am pretty alright with everything.

We dint go anywhere at noon, basically it was dinner time when we went out again.

Gone to 'Little Caesars' for pizza....I must said the pizzas were fantastic!

Dont ask me to compare with other pizzas which I had, basically I think pizza just cant go wrong unless you left it overnight. Perhaps I am not picky on pizza?

But this dessert pizza was way too much......of sugar!! It just caramel pieces spreaded on top of the whole thing, every mouth bite is sugar!

damn it, i regreted! I should have followed what they said which was the safer one and cant be wrong. oh well, we left 3/4 pizza uneaten. ><!

Nicky and I end the second night with night view of Perth,

Tada!!

Thanks Nicky, it was an amazing night, thanks for sharing me all the stories, and also yr scary but productive training experience, hope yr leg recovered asap and u able to work hard on yr training again.

I am glad that there are many good frens helping u out in Perth!

Lastly I wont forget this scary staircases, pls promise me you wont hurt yrself at here =S

Well it was not that bad at all which was not I unable to sleep well, it was just too much fun that I couldnt help but stay awaken for almost 24 hrs...

It was such a long day for me, I swear I am not going to be cheap and take international flight from Wellington if in the end I still need to fly via Auckland.

U might have considered how stupid am I, for just saving perhaps 50 dollars, I ruined my sleep and woke up 3am this morning to prepare get on the bus departing to Wellington at 4.50am.

I was really pissed of myself, why??! Luckily i slept after I hopped on the bus and in the end i dint save much as I took a taxi to airport! I just couldnt border go to the bus stop to catch the air-flyer to wellington airport.

For readers who confused, here is the story...I bought a Wellington - Perth flight ticket instead of Auckland - Perth ticket as I wanna save money from getting a bus ticket from Palmy to Wellington which cost me NZD20 instead of getting flight ticket from Palmy to Auckland which cost me NZD100 +, but actually the Wellington - Perth flight is just an extra flight from Wellington - Auckland, the final transport way to Perth is the same. So perhaps I saved around NZD50 (given that i paid NZD20 for taxi to airport), I have to wait for 3 hrs at Wellington airport for the flight to Auckland because I planned to arrive that earlier in case the bus broke down on the road, on some incident just happened (I am over thinking right?), well the point is I COULD NOT MISS THIS FLIGHT!!! So, i ruined my sleep, and waste my time for waiting, the end....=S

Oh well, is passed anyways. This was also the first time taken AIR NZ international flight. The seats are very comfy and I did sleep for sometimes during this 7 hrs flight. The food was ok and entertainment was not bad. I was lucky enough to sit by the window and no one beside me!! Yeah!! This is ideal for me as I can get off to the rest room easily without requiring people get out from their seats too =).

and above were the meal I being served, the main lunch was a lamb with rice with complimentary food, then later few hrs followed by an afternoon tea with just 2 bread-like food and some fruits.

I arrived Perth in the evening and waited Nicky for nearly 2 hrs at Perth airport. Well, just realized how expensive in life in Aussie.

This stupid small and nothing special mineral water cost me 4 Aussie dollars!!

Well, anyways it was dinner time upon my arrival and I met Adeline for dinner at a korean restaurant. Then we went to this nice place named : 'Little Creatures' at Fremantle, where is famous with its well-preserved architectural heritage and beaches.

Little creatures is famous with it own brewed beer, and just amazing their brewery just inside the restaurant and we can just drink their fresh brewed beer directly from the brewery tap!

I ordered the famous in hse pilsner and shared a warm bread pudding with Adeline. Actually I am not a big fan of warm/hot dessert, oh well this one was alright, still I am not a fan of warm dessert =P

This is a romantic places for couple and relaxing places to cheer out with frens. Have a very good talk with Adeline since we farewelled at Auckland airport 1 year ago, time passed so fast and such dramatic changes to both of us. Really happy to meet an old fren at a new place, the experience was just amazing and unbelievable. I hope she can decide her future path and be strong for the upcoming life waiting afront of her. Good luck my fren!

Here's some photos showing the daily' little creatures'....it is such a good place..with many creative design around.

yes the whole 3 blocks are linked and all belongs to 'Little Creatures", spot the name from the left block, that block and the middle block are both restaurant and bar, while the right block is the brewery + bar-only~

I specifically love this corridor...it just link to the beach!

with this keggs hanging on top of the corridor....

and here's there brewery, taken from outside....don't doubt, there's a brewery inside!

The night did not end with just little creatures, I went out with Nicky and her frens to China town for supper at 1am!!

Guess what, we ate and only finished our night nearly 4am!! Couldnt believe how I stood the whole night with listening all the conversations and oily food surrounding me....but it was a good night!

I just realized I had stayed at Auckland for nearly  a week! Amazingly unbelievable, lol

Well, actually just like other big city, there's nothing much to do besides shopping...=.=

See what's wrong with me?! I am crazily turning into a shoppaholic....no confession needed now, as I had proven it with this!!

yep, i bought 3 pairs of high heels!!! and i actually also bought 3 dresses!! (photo not shown)

Frens were telling me this is the effect of losing weight, but if so, i will take it as a good consequences rather than a side effect =D

haha, i am very happy with what i bought, and grateful they fit me well =D haha

Hmm, what else i have done apart from shopping? EAT!!!

i guess all of my close fren knew that i am a foodie, so wherever i go, whatever i eat!!

Well, Auckland has so many nice food compared with boring Palmy, where I live, but i will just showed some of the good places i had meal.

finally was able to try out the famous white lady burger at Auckland, the promotion man was so passionate and super-friendly! Burger was actually good, but not surprisingly awesome.

I was more impressed with this! This pizza is super huge, from Sal's authentic NY pizza

Apart from that, of cz i had nice Asian meal like korean, chinese dim sum, japanese udon...but i dint really take photos...

I also have bought this!

from the japanese shop at Queen st, it is the japanese traditional wagashi, mochi with red bean paste within..it is called kusa mochi~

It is very chewy and yummy <3

There were not much exciting things happened to me in Auckland for the remain trips to be shared, however I did have a good time....

well ready for work now in 2013~

Time flies, and today is the last day of our trip....but happy that our trip had run very smoothly so far.

We dint go many places today, just gone to Auckland domain, Mission Bay and North Shore.

Photos to be shared:

Auckland domain is such a nice place, it was also the first time I been there...Never expect the winter garden was so organized and all those flowers grow so beautifully! <3 

Mum and I just couldnt stop taking photos as those flowers are so beautiful, and the entry is free!

What I really like about NZ was the natural preserved well done especially there are so many free botanical gardens around.

Dad was relaxing in the garden, looks like he owned the whole garden~ I was asking him at this bench: 'Pa~ what do u think about staying here (as in NZ)?'

Dad was like: "hmmm.....one to two wks were alright...bt not long term...' Yea, i guess that....

lol, truth is this relaxing place was not really ideal for us, who are a total busy and easily get bored Asians...

Oh well, Auckland domain is still a relatively good place to visit.

Lunch time....

We went to the De Fotein Belgium cafe at Mission Bay for Mussels!!! YUM!!

This is definitely my favourite mussel place so far, family were also very impressed with the freshness and juiciness of the mussels

we ordered 2 plates of grilled mussels and 1 pot of 1kg steamed mussels~

After lunch, we just chilled out at the beach~

Later, we gone to North shore just to kill time before I meeting my other fren, Jennifer who travelling up to Akl

Our family trip end after my family checked in at the counter at Akl International airport around 10pm...

I actually hold my tears, yea i really couldnt stand the farewell especially with my precious family.. TT

however, i will eventually see them in February! I cant wait now!!!

Overall, I am very happy with my family trip, especially that I was able to use money i earned to treat them for a pleasant trip!

I am proud that I able to make my family stayed at hotel/motels every night, and have good meals every time.

As compared to last family trip, while i was still a bloody poor student, i was not able to treat them, moreover we stayed at backpacker all time =(

Really sorry for them last time, so i just made a 180 degree changes this time, lol

the only bad thing was there were not much scenary in North island compared to South, but anyways, we had a relaxing trip as we were not rushing to see many places which was good.

I am inpatiently waiting for the next family reunion now =D

Yep is time to drive around Auckland, is a packed and filling schedule today!

First we gone to one tree hill~

Then we gone to Mount Eden....

Lastly we spent the rest of the day at the zoo!!

This is also the first time I went to Auckland zoo, is really a worthy visit as there are many animals and the zoo is very huge!

Just realized I had gone to zoo twice this year, wow, suddenly felt like I back to a kid. hehe

We were very lucky bcz we able to view the blue kiwi feeding show....omg they were super cute.

They knew the feeding time too well, they ald started lining up front of the door which the feeder will come out from with their favourite fishy food!

finally the feeder came out and see how those penquins were inpatiently followed her

well food time!

I also just discovered that they have bad vision, the feeder must feed the fish right into their beaks bcz when the fish dropped on the floor, they dint spot it....wow..

There's also an orang utan trail at the zoo~

I was amazed that the zoo was very great organized, different types of animal were divided into different zone precisely, with very natural and beautiful decoration around.

Then, we also lucky enough to spot the kaka (a bird) feeding, which actually not recorded on the animal show lists.

Well, there were too many photos to be shared, I would just showed some unique animal we saw:

this leopard was real tame, i guess it had itchy toungue, and just approached this zoo keeper and licked on the comb...haha very rare scene~

We had great fun in the zoo and stayed up to 5pm, just half an hour bfore the zoo closed.

What a nice day~

Is boxing day today, which means is shopping day!!!

Well, but we dint buy much thing today...I guess we just enjoy the overwhelming shopping waves around the city....plus get around the city.

Spotted the sky city tower of cz....

Then also gone to the Auckland Viaduct Harbour....

Not many great attractions beside shopping today, and my mum even thought that the xmas atmosphere was not very 'hot' compared to Malaysia

LOl, is true tho, bcz except the huge santa, we dint actually see anything... =S

But we did have a tiring feet today due to the long walk whole day, should get some good sleep tonight!

Merry Christmas!!!

Our family trip continued today, we left Taupo and went up to Akl via Rotorua, Matamata and Hamilton.

However, before our road trip began, we gone to the famous Huka falls at Taupo.

We actually struggled to find the access car-park to the closer view point of this attraction

Finally we able to view the power of natural through our lens~

Weather was quite good, many tourists visited here too.

Then we started our road trip, 1 hr later we arrived Rotorua.

We actually ran out of time, so we only stopped by the free Kuirau geothermal park to view the natural thermal pool

Well done for the development for this park! But apparently this park is very dangerous to be visited...

My parents refused to go to the rainbow spring bird park bcz it is too expensive, they did save me a lot of money =S

Later, we gone to Matamata, where is the hobbit land!

Of cz we dint join the Horbitton trip as my parents think the trip is far too expensive. Actually i did agree with them, it was used to be NZD45 per tour last yr, however, just less than a year, it gone up to NZD75 per person!!!!

U bet it was due to the heat wave of Hobbit, given that the Hobbit is a trilogy, i dont think the price will be going down in the future...

Well photos around Matamata was well enough, this small rural town was alive becz of Hobbit. The i-site is just like one of the Hobbit hse~

Dad come up with an idea, let's go to the Hobbiton movie set place, I only realized it was not where Hobbitton is, it is just the meeting point for ppl who want to join the Hobbitton tour. 

Well, but we kinda like known what's Hobbit land looks like along our journey....

So basically, they just put a hole on those small hills....I guess.

Therefore, that's end of some middle-earth dream....we continued our journey.

A short stop at Hamilton garden.

Then eventually, finally we arrived Auckland!!

The Chatham apartment I booked for my family is very nice and warming, worthy stay!!!

I guess same as other big city around the world, staying at the centre of city definitely would be challenging for a good dream, as the city is always noisy, all of us dint sleep very well bcz of the loud crazy scream from drunkers....well, is not chatham fault anyways~ =P

Well, we dint spend the entire Xmas eve at Taupo, we stayed Palmy for half day before we drove up to Taupo.

I showed my family my working place, and also around Massey University.

Then kill sometimes at Victoria Esplanade...

My parents even played badminton with the local kids, really surprised!

Alright we travelled up to Taupo after lunch at Noodles and Dumplings. The road was quite smooth to drive, as according to my dad.

Well, i did had terrified when come to some narrow mountain corner road, but compared to the road we gone through at South Island 2 yrs ago, I think North Island road trip is easy peasy.

Glad that dad was not that tired on driving....we did experienced some foggy and watery weather upon our arrival at Taupo.

Luckily the rain stopped when we arrived, and Lake Taupo is really HUGE!!

You wont believe this is a crater lake! The volcano underneath now is considered dormant rather than extinct according wikipedia...

I really cant imagine what will happen if the volcano erupt, omg, that would be a huge disaster!

And actually i must blog this, there a mini golf at lake taupo too, but guess where is the hole??

Is located on the lake, so u actually golf to the lake (see the arrow), apparently the winner got very attractive prize....creative isnt it.

The Taupo town is small but very beautiful~ The tree at the round about is so beautiful!

Think frsh protect Lake Taupo!

even the mcdonalds is special!

Well, although we are not christian, we were at a western country where Xmas is a big event, so why not treated ourselves an awesome dinner for the special occasion?

We had great meals at Lone Star! My parents were so shocked with the huge portion size, lol

I am so used to the big portion size served in NZ, and I heard US actually got even larger portion size..

My dad enjoyed his first NZ rib-eyed steak a lot!

Mum ordered this meal named 'Rock the boat', i must said the fish fillet was very fresh and tasty!

And my brother really the most greedy one, he got this huge lamb shank!! And my dad kept on praising how tasty is the lamb, lol

While I, just gt a salmon, I think I can cook better than the chef ==. lol, well, is just felt not worthy to order it cz the salmon fillet is so small! And seriously, it was not that yum....

Anyways, great night tho!! We had such a full tummy and enjoyed a good walk along the largest lake in NZ.

The sunset was awesome!!

This moment, I felt how grateful and lucky I am to have my family with me (it would be best if my elder bro was here) viewing this magnificant scenary~

Love world, PEACE!

Yep, our road trip begin from today~ before we picked our car in the afternoon, we gone to the famous water front Sunday morning market!

My family enjoyed the mussel fritter so much!! I also firstly discovered that the frittle is really fresh and yummy!

I also bought my favourite Hungarian Chimney cake for my family, grate that they like it too <3

Then we spent sometimes hanging around water-front and also bought the famous Kaffeii ice gelato for my brother.

Thank god the car picking process was really smooth, i was so afraid that the car i rented was not good enough.

Because I actually got so many failed attempts before i successfully rented this car, oh well, luckily Omega car rental provided very good and friendly service.

They also kindly reserved this Mazda Premacy for me, and we did experienced so problem when we gone to Weta cave before we started our road trip to Palmy

Apparently the tyre wheel plate was not very fit to the car and produced some weird noise, thank god a kind lady warned us about the noise and we went back to Omega car rental for help before we gone to Palmy.

Oh well everything gone fine, and by the way we did have great time at weta cave~

creative ceilling, all great artworks were hanging...

This is also the first time I gone to Weta Cave studio, where most of the film that Wellington studio involved...There are so many cool iconic movie production displayed in here.

I am really happy to visit here, Weta Cave done a great job preserving these nice art work from those films, and we were able to view all these for free!!

with Gandalf~

Spotted the Hobbit contract!! This is the contract that Bilbo signed for the Hobbit trip~

Actually is the hobbit's feet that huge? ==

Of cz not just hobbit and LOTR, Wellington Studio actually involved in some great film production include KIng Kong and Avatar

Same  as yesterday, our trip dint really followed my initial itinerary, we dint go to Oriental bay and Lyall bay due to time constrainst.

But we did go to Mt Victoria, however we dint able to see any magnificant view due to a very foggy, cloudy weather....

We back to Palmy like around 6.30pm, really felt sorry to my dad that he had to drive along the trip, I am really regret that I dint learn to drive more precisely

sigh...dad u really the best.

I was meant to show my accommodation to my family, too bad the old flat i live in is having electric problem again

The only lucky thing is the dining room light was still functioning....but whatever then..

I guess my parents were really like to see the environment where I had live for nearly 2 yrs, that's why this short trip include Palmy as an overnight stop too.

Luckily we gone to the airport early this morning, it was such a long queue!!!

Jetstar airline really disorganized, well for the sake of saving money this time according to my mum (no doubt, I paid everything =)), we flied with a cheaper airline anyways. Really grateful we dint have any delay or cancel flight~

My family also got the first try of kiwi breakfast~

Had chat with my dad about my returning to home plans through out the whole flight, at least my heart is secured now....well will bring this topic on my coming blog posts.

We were welcomed by the huge Gollum at the airport upon our arrival at Welly.

After dropping our luggage at hotel, I brought my family to a vietnamese restaurant.

of cause spotted the massive Gandalf on our way to lunch~

I got headache when come to bring my parents for meal, as my dad got diabetes, it is essential to maintain a healthy and strict diet.

Thus, my dad has a tricky taste bud, while my mum is actually widely open to food. My younger brother of cause not having any problem because he eat EVERYTHING!

haha

great that they enjoyed the unique Saigon flavor, mum was really impressed. ^^ Guess what, they forgot what food they eaten during their Vietnam trip last yr ==

Then we gone to Te Papa museum, and my family also got impressed with the giant squid!!

Some photos~

Then we just gone for a short walk around water front....

my family of cz dint miss out the cherries season, they were so enjoying the sweet cherries sold along the street....and having them at the water front.

Actually my initial plan was to bring them to Parliarment for a guided tour, and also cable car up to botanical garden, however got refused, lol

surprised that my dad was not really interested on get into Parliarment....=P

Then I also cancelled the cable car trip as the botanical garden is pretty normal and required some steepy walk which is not good for my dad who having a sore le atm.

We had a dinner together with Paya at Cha, well we did have a good night =)

Yes, finally the day has come, i had taken a day off and gone to Auckland to meet my family tonight!!

Well, they wont be arriving until 12am tomorrow, therefore I chose a long-tiring bus ride instead of plane~

The bus ride today was alright, the bus was actually fully occupied, i guess many ppl had started their xmas and new yr holidays...=)

I dint take much photo today as i am trying to save my camera battery as also my energy, i slept over sometimes on the bus.

Not a pleasant and deep nap of cz, i think i am also too excited to sleep, i just cant wait to arrive auckland as soon as i could...lol

oh anyways, i arrived Auckland, but it was a 30mins delay, i ran all the way to britomart (auckland transport centre) as I need to meet Carmen at Sylvia Park (at East Auckland)

Well thank god I just managed to get the on-time train to my destination, and thanks Carmen purposely left her company xmas event and come for me

She already have a full dinner but still accompanied me to have a meal at Momotea.

Then I killed the remain times before my family arrival at Wann Zhen's hse, yep, just realized Carmen also had moved into her hse.

Anyways, I gone to Auckland International airport around 12.15am, really thanks Carmen for being my driver.

I thought I might arrive late, but actually it took 1 hr + for my family to go through all the custom and bag check.

Eventually I was so grateful I met my family at the arrival gate, had been waiting for an hr, seeing stewardness from various airlines, but not MAS

haha, great!!!

We had to stay a night at Ibis Budget hotel which is very close to the airport, as there are no any flight midnight....u guess that, NZ...

anyways, it would be a short stay, we are going to Wellington tomorrow....

I would definitely sleepless tonight, still very excited having my family with me now.=)

Lastly this is the view from our room, Auckland airport spotted!

I am not a local, but had been staying Palmy for nearly 1 and a half year, I guess is time for me to tramp the Manawatu gorge.

Well luckily the social comittee from my company organized this tramping event, and is totally free!!!

The last time I went for tramping had been a while ago, it was last summer, omg, means I ald missed tramping for nearly a year, wow.

I used to love tramping a lot, but somehow my lazy bugs in my body really annoyed from long distance walking, lol.

But today, is time!!

So there are like nearly 40 of us, all from the company, a small number are the employee's partner.

We splited into 2 groups, one started from the Ashurst end, another group started from the Woodville end.

My team started from the Woodville end, we started around 8am.

The weather was brilliant!

these kind of cage with an egg inside are found many times along the side of the track, it was used to catch posseums.

The track actually really easy, and it dint take much time to finish the half way....

why half way? haha bcz the 2 teams supposed to meet during lunch time to exchange car keys, well bcz it a long track but not a route.

So we eventually will arrive the end which the other team departed from....And this is the meeting point! The windmill farm!

but the other group was so slow, we waited for nearly an hour at the meeting point, eventually we rang them, and decided to continue our track.

Finally, all of us also met each other!  

after exchanged keys, we continued the track~

Actually we could see many native bushes and plants along the track....but too bad I dint able to see any native unique birds...

mushrooms~

huge fern leaf!

This is the gorge!

even got this, hole in a big tree! I went in, and actually used my torch on my phone to look what's inside.

Spider webs!!! Very dark and scary~

the track really well maintained, and very safe.

But never knows that the track ended via highway! woo....

I must confess that I really like Wellington, but I must confess too, I dint really expecting this trip....

well, is just for grabbing the GPS from Chyi Mei, or else I wont go to Welly.

The worst thing was I already wasted 2 bus tickets, so nearly 40 bucks lost. Well, long story, just felt like really sick of sorting those tickets thing.

Eventually I followed Jessie's car down to Welly instead of taking the earliest bus on Sunday morning, I kinda like joined the begining of Jessie's family trip at Wellington.

Weather of Wellington on Saturday was really good, and I was shocked to know that Jess's mum actually saw the sea for her first time in her life!

Wow, i felt myself was so lucky and grateful. =)

Christmas atmosphere also hitting Welly, we accidentally passed by this show room which different special Xmas trees were exhibited.

coffee xmas tree?

Xmas tree on the beach? Definitely suited and matched Summer Christmas in NZ!

I also wrote down a wish on one of the xmas wishing tree by donating a gold coin.

Other than that, I followed wherever Jess gone, I finally gone to the Parliament tour.

Well, no photo was taken, except for the look of the parliament. The tour was very detailed, and knowledgable, glad to know many NZ history and politics development which i just discovered from this trip.

Besides, also gone to Rose garden for the first time, wow even though I ald been to Welly so many times, I still discover new thing everytime. =)

The roses bloomed very well....

Well not much food to share this time except for this 'simple, not attrative' dessert at Simply Paris, but dont be blinded by it's apperance, it was very good!!

Forgot what it called tho, but really thumbs up!

Then of cause I dint forget the purpose to come down Welly, I actually meeting Chyi Mei on the second day (Sunday), slept with Jess in Mercure on Thordon, well, actually room was just alright, seriously doubted the standard as for 'Mercure'...==

And we actually got very heavy rain on Sat night, but I had a very deep and good sleep~

I met chyi mei for a brunch this time at Drexels, which is famous with their waffles, pancakes and french toast.

I ordered both, apricrot on french toast, and simple waffle, and they are so filling!! Taste was alright, still missing the soft pancake which I tried at Pancake on the rocks, Sydney.

And really thank you to Chyi Mei, always bringing me to taste so many great food, and also lend me her GPS for my family trip.

She also brought me to Moore Wilson, and again although i gone there before, still discovered some new thing this time!

Desserts sold there are so attractive, but I was too full to have a sweet tooth.

also the toy department at Moore Wilson, I saw this awesome Harry Potter Lego statue!

and I dunno the lego nowadays had bcome so advanced and high tech!

no wonder now everyone in Malaysia are so excited about legoland!

even cretionary!! Just mocking the pictionary...==

Oh well, I was nt that super fan of lego, i am more a LOTR fan!!

Lastly I want to share some photos about the <the Hobbit>! The hobbit fever was hitting Wellington this December too!!

As since the world premier of <the hobbit> last week held at the Embassy theater last week, Hobbits were still all around Wellington!!

Post office! Yes apparently the Hobbit collection of stamps had been released, and I also planning to buy it!

Of cause I dint miss out the huge Gandalf right outside the Hobbiton at the Embassy theater, it was placed for the premier, and hope it stays longer!

forgot what's this, but is somehow describing Wellington in the middle of the earth!

And luckily I gone to Te Papa this trip as well, the trolls from the hobbit movie also 'attacking' Te Papa museum!!

even Starbucks is on the trend! What a creative and very xmas feel idea!

Well, apart from the Coldplay concert, I also hanged out with Chyi and Sze at Auckland

Must admit that Auckland is way more fun compared to Palmy, Welly or Dunedin, and I am definitely a city girl, =P

First, start with my flight journey to Auckland, I just realized I was so 'blue' before boarding,

but I am definitely not 'blue' in mood, as the weather was awesome!!

I was able to spot Mt Taranaki!!!!

Chyi and Sze were very on time in terms of picking me up at the airport, we went to have dim-sum straight away.

We had dim sum at New Market, and wann zhen, and also Johanna come along and join us!

Well, Jo was quite busy and not joining us for window shopping at New Market, but we dint really do window shopping, more like bumping around.

But before she gone, she directed us to this cool cupcake store - Petal cupcakes!!

Haha, I am actually not a muffin or cupcake person, but the beautiful rose appearance still attracted me!

Eventually I bought one to be shared with Sze, we bought a chocolate one, which was the fast-selling-out one, it was delicious, but I was very pleased to just sharing one with Sze as I think it was just too much...(too sweet and creamy ><, sorry cupcake fans)

Spot this Mrs Higgins Gelato!! Never know they have gelato too!!! The shop was real artistic!!

Gelato was alright, I have a taro-flavored gelato...very soft!

 That's for the first day when we were at Auckland, because after the gelato, we mainly just gone for the concert.

On second day, we mainly done some shoppings at DressMart at Onehunga, and omg, I bought something again!!

Then have a pleasant meal at Number 1 BBQ restaurant at Auckland city

I wouldnt say it was yummy, but the portion was definitely HUGE!!

Followed by the meal, we went to Botanic Down for another shopping, lol.

Then we were fated to meet this event!! - 'Share a coke with' campaign....well sze was mentioning in the morning and suggesting that we could go, but eventually all of us forgot about this activity, and then, boom! We were at Botanic Down without planning, we came mainly because we have nowhere to go~

I think actually we were really lucky that we are in NZ and have this special Coke event (simply click the link 'share a coke with' on top to find out more), and thumbs up for the good marketing strategy of Coca Cola. For us, we were even luckier as we just 'accidentally' gone to Botany Down and met this campaign!

I felt silly at first to line out for this, well, recently there were so many ads and people talking about this share a coke with....

then, i think, it is actually a cool thing~ See how CHyi and Sze were so happy!

Well, basically we just get coke at Botany Down, we dint do any shopping at the end.

After that, we gone to the NorthShore night market!! (FINALLY!!!)

You wont believe this, it is located at the car park in Glenfield MAll!!!! I remembered I gone here so many times with Huey Yee, or by myself to get grocerries!!

That was like just a year ago, and it changed dramatically! The night market just started after I left!!

SO unfair!! haha, well, still feel lucky I am able to return to the same location, well a bit goosebump with the changes which Glenfield and I have.

Mainly the night market is flooded with yummy, mostly Asian food stores!!! Our eyes just *bling bling*!!

I got this special takoyaki, well forgot their names, they contain shrimp and crab!!!! Yummy!!!

Sze and I also shared this ramen, it was alright, well since I had the ramen at Sydney, I couldnt find any ramen that is better than that.

I also bought one of this, roasted quail eggs! It was my first time saw this, and very fresh taste and texture!!

Apart from that, I also bought one of the yummy tarts.....it was so cheap and so many varieties compared to those I had at Simply Paris, Wellington

I bought the banoffee tart, it was super light but yummy!! It only cost NZD4 compared to NZD7 + at Wellington!!

Oh well, too bad I couldnt spend more time at the night market as I need to catch my flight!!

I really thankful to Chyi and Sze, they had to sacrifice their time at the market as well because they were actually flying on the next day.

Sigh, my wonderful advanced planning skill gain a grab-a-seat flight ticket, but actually I was able to take another day off and fly on Monday instead of Sunday night if i bought the ticket later.

Well, fated, and I dont think I miss anything anyways~

Still had lot of fun at Auckland!!

yea, just come back from my first fishing trip!!

This fishing trip was partly organized by my supervisor, Sergey. We found this special offer from a fishing company at Petone, Wellington, which we able to go for full day fishing trip at Cook Straight at half-priced rate.

I was interested in trying fishing although i never done before, but somehow just feel like is good to try out! So I just followed my supervisor fishing trip, eventually there are 14 of us, and 11 of us are from Fonterra.

Plus, we actually take a day leave for this trip! Imagine 11 people are not working on site....haha, actually no one cares =P

Actually went down to Wellington with Ping and Antony yesterday afternoon, and stopped at Otaki for shopping at those outlet shops.

Also has a small filling lunch. Spinach and feta fillo~

Arrived Wellington around 3.30pm, did some shopping at Queens-gate mall at Lower-Hutt, however, not getting anything this time.

However we got a good motel unit at special price!

 Haha, Antony just enjoying the bed. I dint take photo of my comfy bed, my room actually is at another room. It is a huge unit =)

Then we also have a good dinner at Sushi train at Courtney Place!! I just realized there's another sushi train place in Wellington, I only tried the one at Cuba st, but feel so good got to go this sushi train place.

Food was actually just alright, and as I sat just right beside the chef, I could realize the sushi on train were actually not very fresh....

Hmmmm, actually I do know that sushi train actually is a rip-off, and money can be just spent like in instant, however, somehow I still like it, because I am a sushi fan!

Ok back to the fishing trip that I just back today!

weather was pretty good in early morning.....at petone...(is definitely different after we gone out to sea)

All of us!! When we still look 'healthy' before we depart. We departed at 7am....

and this is our charter boat!

We just enjoyed the sea-view as soon as we departed, but....

many of us were 'green' or 'white' after 2 hrs.

OMG! SEASICK!!!

Many of us started feeling unwell, dizzy and also most of us just puked over the boat...=S

Our captain also started putting up baits on every fishing rods' hooks, the bait was a fresh squid flesh which should able to attract big fish!

Ok, anyways, I still able to fish.....for two attempts...=(

It was not that simple which what I thought about fishing, we actually have to wear a 'fishing-gear' for sea-fishing!!

This fishing-gear is called a fish fighting-belt and harnesses, it actually helps eliminate strain and provide the angler with support and comfort in every fishing situation, of cz, this allow us to catch a big fish! =)

Then, we just dropped our baits into the sea as deep as the fishing line 'stopped', (I was thinking that I need to throw my bait like what we always see as ppl do when fishing ==) Anyways, we just dropped our fishing line, and although the captain told me the fishing line will 'stop' once it reach the bottom of the sea (and u can imagine how deep!!), I just felt like the fishing line is endlessly dropping down...==, so when I should stop the fishing-line going down and locked the reel??

Hmmmm, I actually just gone with my feeling, then the hardest part come.

If any fish got attracted by my hook, of cz my fishing rod will be shakened, but it dint....Basically the first fishing spot we stopped (in the middle of sea of no where!), so Captain decided to move to the second spot, and we were told to reel in our fishing line. That's the hardest part.

Dropping down the line is easy, as it just dropped automatically, but reeling in, sorry u need to use yr strength!

Oh my, just tiring, and my other colleagues was teasing me what would happen if I really caught a fish? Yes, I will be exhausted! Perhaps my fishing rod will lost as well...(dropped into sea ==) haha.

Of cz it dint happen, as I dint catch one, and after the second attempt again, I was super dizzy, and seriously not well.

So I.....

Hmmm, but at least I dint puke like what others did. Was just tired and slept for a short while, plus the weather oh my! Thank god the weather was fine, and very sunny at Wellington. However, once we got out to sea, at middle of no where, it was super cloudy and freezing cold!!!

Luckily I wore my thickest jacket I have, still....very cold!!

Anyways, regardless that I get nothing and pretty much just sitting for the whole fishing trip like what others (almost 10 ppl on the boat puked out and sitting for the whole trip too) do, the rest were trying real hard on getting massive fish!

Bravo for Sergey, he caught the biggest fish!

It is a blue-nose fish. HUGE!!!!

Actually, the lucky lady-god was on our side, we caught so many fishes!!! These were just part of them....

I was turning better after resting for sometimes, but while I started standing up and walked near the boat, I felt dizzy again...Oh my, this seasick really terrible.

Believe me, I was really tempting on continue for my 3rd attempt on fishing, but I was real uncomfortable...><!

We stopped fishing around 2pm, and head back to Petone. The captain just kept on fillet-ing and scaling the fishes we caught throughout the returning trip back Petone.

I was counting how many fishes he scaled, and oh my, 31!!!!! And all fishes are real big!!

His scaling and fillet skill really awesome and efficient, and when he threw those internal organs or unwanted parts from the fishes to the sea, all those seagulls just come in group and fighted btw each other for the flesh! Is this part of Darwin-selection?? Hmmm, scary to watch that!

The seagulls actually just followed our charter boat along our returning journey to Petone.

Anyways, we got many fish fillets!!! I never expected that all the fillets will be evenly divided to everyone on the boat!

Isn't this considered reap without sowing?? LOL...

I got some fish bones too, but not the fish-head, cz they were too massive! I couldnt be border to cook them, i know many my dad will definitely say: what a waste!!

But not many ppl got those fish head, is just westerners dont appreciate the goodness of fish head....

Anyways, is a big acquisition today! We were also told that the other fishing trip that hold one week before us dint catch any fish....oh my, we were very lucky then!!

I think I brought like 2kg fish fillets back home!! Got some for Kylie too, as I dont think i am able to finish them

p/s: the fish fillet really fresh and yum! totally different from what I got from Supermarket!!!

yea, I went up to Hamilton again this yr labour weekend...for the same purpose - meeting Jessie

I miss her so much, so felt quite excited to be able to see her again!

Was supposed to take the overnight bus up to Hamilton like last year, but my current condition was not really able to overcome the long ride on bus

Although i actually lost my money for the bus ticket, I was still happy to be able to catch a flight up to Akl, and then caught the intercity bus at Manukau

Anyways, it was an adventure for me, lol.

It was my first time catching bus from Akl airport to Manukau city, surprised to know that the Manukau bus is so much cheaper compared to the airbus (connecting airport to city centre)

I nearly missed the intercity bus, my flight was delayed, and I only have 2 chances to catch the Manukau bus if I arrived on time.

Yet, I actually arrived quite on time despite of the 15min delays, I think Akl airport really likes me, I always rush in this airport!! (Recalled what I have done last time when back from Sydney, ran like a freaking mad lady....!!!)

The Manukau bus just come across me once I got out from the terminal, thank god!!! I was super lucky!! I caught the 1st chance!!

Then, the remains journey to Hamilton from Manukau city was very smoothly, got to take a small nap on the bus (was waking up like 5 ish becz I took the earliest flight to Akl)

Jessie came to pick me up and we spent a good time for lunch at this recently opened restaurant named 重庆小吃

Food was quite tasty, just very oily....and we really underestimated our stomach, thought that we were able to finish all these dishes!!

It was hard for me too as I am having a hard condition atm....hmmm...travelling making 'business' hard.

Anyways, I supposed to enjoy instead!

Went to The Base Shopping Plaza later after lunch, I did lots of shopping again!!!

looks up the clothes I tried on!! I had to say, Palmy is really tiny compared to Hamilton, you can straight away spot the difference while shopping in the same shop, the Glasson, Temt, Cotton On....etc have so many varieties and stocks here!!!

One of the reason I couldnt stop myself buying clothes was because Jessie kept on teasing me that she still able to come and buy her dream dress when the price got down but not for me as I am not living in Hamilton. Good one, Jessie!

I am broke, but I am happy =) I bought the first 2 clothes, and another one which was not captured. I tried on the last one (purple dress) bcz I have one that very similar, but in white color. I love this purple one so much! But, I ald have one that similar, well, my dear purple dress, let me just keep u in memories...==

and just spotted this merry-go-round at the outdoor of The Base.

Soon after that, we decided to have something, my sharp vision (haha, I am proud of it!) spotted the ice-cream store at upstairs beside the cinema, then we just gone for one!

The chocolate-mint gelato is so yummy, I am not a fan of mint but I have to say it was really good!

Basically that was the first day upon arrival at Hamilton, Jessie's room is very comfy and her flat just very flash and warm!

Second day

I was super tired today, as we went up to Akl!!  No way, I just gone to the same place again after yesterday....

Along with Jessie's flatmates (a sweet couple), four of us drove up to Akl for shopping, a very random decision made upon my arrival yesterday.

the road was so familiar for me, couldnt believe that I just have done a return trip within 24 hrs...==

Too bad the weather was real bad, but we had a great dim-sum at Greenlane...

Then, we went to Hannah's outlet to see if we could get any cheap and beautiful shoes, eventually we dint ==

We headed back to city centre for cellphone which Jessie's flatmate wanted, this was also the main reason we come to Akl

However, I guess we were disorganised, the shop was closed on Sunday. Hmmm....

It was a very bad day, the sweet couple just lost their interest instantly, and just not enjoying what else they could get in Akl

Jess and I were just helpless with that, and it was not fun at all to shop with them as they were very moody and feeling bored.

I still think that it would be better if Jess and I refused this 'passionate' trip invitation and stay in Hamilton instead.

Not mentioned that I fall down and hurt my elbow while running across the wet and slipper road in Akl city centre!! OMG, is super embrassing!!

anyways, I got something special today,

Is my fortune chocolate!! By taking action now you will succeed!!! I guess it really mean something to me =)

And I got a very deep and long chat with Jess this night, she is such a good frens, her advices were so meaningful for me.

Last day!

I was actually quite dissapointed, I missed the Zealong tea house!!!

It was closed on Labour day!!! I should have come on my first day of arrival....so super dissapointed!

I was craving for their famous high tea set for so long time, omg, just cant wait to get myself back there again!!

We went to a Taiwanese restaurant instead (the Japanese restaurant which is my second option also closed!)

Got this dessert, deep fried ice cream after our mains.

The conversation last night actually continued today, somehow Jessie's words really inspired me, and motivated me..

I guess is time for a change. Keeps follow my coming posts, my followers....^^

Lastly, before leaving back to Hamiton, I went back to Hamilton Garden again, just recalled the memories we had one yr ago

time flies, and changes so much! The garden actually remains the same condition, every corner is still so familiar to me, the only difference is the changes of ourselves.

There were 5 of us last yr, and now just only Jess and I. I have to say 物似人非。。。

Then we headed to airport, Jess brought me to this cool outdoor cafe located on the way to Hamilton airport

We had a delicious home-made berries frozen yoghurt! Oh my, it was my second scoop of cold dessert today!

SO that's my Hamilton labour weekend, it was really nice to catch up with Jessie again, and I am happy that she is developing her career and turning back to the strong and modern lady again! Keep it up, my dear fren!

Will see u on yr big graduation day!! Til that, take care!

just realized the departure fee from Palmy airport had been cancelled, but also realized I need to pay NZD5 of departure fee at Hamilton airport....==

Actually was not just a day off, I stayed at Welly for the weekend and yes I took a day off on Friday...

well, Welly was not that attractive until I could take a leave for going there....

This day off was mainly because i was forced to take leaves as I mentioned in my last blog before, check here

So that's the reason I visited Welly today! It felt so great as I not need to work on Friday...

even it was just a day, I still felt magnificient!

Thanks to Paya, she come to meet me even she needed to finish her thesis asap...we went for lunch straight away~

Since I just recovered from food poisoned, we had vegetarian meals for lunch....I didnt take any photos, since the portion size was really tiny and it dint taste great...=(

Then, I basically just killed remain time at Massey while Paya gone back to her office continued her freaking annoying thesis =P

Actually, I should have gone to Botanical garden to view the blooming tulips....*regret*....=(

Then the Friday night market at Cuba!! That's the reason to stay at Welly on Friday!

I finally bought this famous Hungarian Chimney cake!!!

This was highly recommended by ChyiMei....she was like kept on telling me how great it is...

It was a long queue when we arrived, and since we started lining up, the line behind us was even longer!

here come our turn, some snapshots of the baking process....

basically, they putting a thin pastry on a cylinder shaped baking stick, and put it in the oven...

finally I got it!!

It was real yummy~~  it just like helix-shaped pastry taper towards the end...

Is best to consume it while hot! If u would like to know more, see here (wikipedia is always a good resource!)

I also bought these 2 japanese roll cakes, it was not cheap tho, NZD4.50 for 1. I bought it because, yep is baked by Japanese....

Paya was speechless about that~ But actually they did taste good, good portion and with good filling! ^^

Then, we met up with Paya's fren, Jeanie...she is a taiwanese who moved to Welly from Auckland this year

She is so abdorable, regardless of her age, she is very straight forward and has a 'young-heart'

we had pizzas for dinner, I couldnt believe that Hells pizza had upgraded their vegetarian pizza selection, there are so many varieties to be chosen!

Even sides also provide may options!

See what we had!! We ordered 2 regular pizzas (I really forgot what we ordered), and 2 sides....the corn fritters were so yummy!

yep, I couldnt consume too much greasy food (at this stage), so i just had 2 slices of pizza, and full~==

we chat so long, until 2am on Friday night! Love this feeling, just like girl's night, had a very sincere, deep talk...

This time, despite of staying at Paya's place at town, all of us stayed over Jeanie's place, at Seatoun.

Time flies, on Saturday, weather was amazing!

We went to lower hutt like lunch time, since we woke up so late...haha

This was my lunch, teochew style vegetarian steamed fish....it was yummy even tho I cant taste the real fish. (U might wonder why I had so many vegetarian meals, this is because Jeanie and Paya are both vegetarians)

then was planning to go beach, but the weather suddenly turned bad, typical Wellington weather!!

We end up just staying at home....back to Seatoun

At night, I actually met up Chyimei at town, in a Vietnamese restaurant!

Paya and Jeanie was really nice, they purposely dropped me at town. (Seatoun is far far away from town...)

Anyways, the vietnamese meal was quite pleasant, but i still miss the Saigon's meal at Dunedin.

I had 'Bun cha gio thit nuong', which is a Saigon style combination vermicelli, lettuce, mint with spring rolls and grilled pork.

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos, it must be because Chyimei and I had a good chat and was starving lol

We had such a good conversation, and we continued it in another bubble tea cafe. =P

So that's was basically my Saturday~ ^^

While on Sunday, actually I also spending time with Chyimei because Paya and Jeanie had other stuffs to do.

Chyimei and I went to Regal for dim sum, finally found a good place for dim sum!

Then, we gone to the Sunday market! That's the most favourite place I like in Welly!

Weather was real good, I bought another chimney cake again =P, but this time with extra cherries!!

We had a good afternoon before I departed back to Palmy with naked bus....(is just the bus company, dont be misleaded)

Besides, I finally received the snow skin moon cake (冰皮月饼), yes it is called as snow skin moon cake (try type on wikipedia)

Chyimei bought me one as I harrassing her before when I saw her posting the famous HK brand, MeiXim snow moon cake photos at retail shop at Porirua, where she is working.

So nice of Chyimei, she bought the most popular mango flavor moon cake for me!

 It has a chocolate skin, and with mango paste filling and shreded chocolate chips! YUMMY!

will definitely buy it next time if possible!<3