28 DAYS IN NEW ZEALAND - ROTORUA-WAITOMO-TAUPO

Lily and me at Lake Taupo

Sunny, partly cloudy, 20^th July 2010, Tuesday, Yes, I was ready for the adventurous activity today. After departed from Rotorua, we went ahead to Waitomo, glow worm caves, which is 30 million years old. There are few activities you can do here like black water rafting, abseiling into cave, and glow worm cave walking. I chose the glow worm cave walking while I worried the black water rafting will too freezing to me. Unfortunately, I chose the wrong activity while I didn’t see any special on the walking. I will say black water rafting will be more fun. Maria told me it was fun and she saw massive of glow worms L. Anyway, the walk wasn’t too bad. After the walk, we head toward to Huka Fall, a stream of throwing over 200,000 litres of water each second. Those in for an adrenaline rush will have the chance to try out the jet boat on the Huka river. We make the rest stop in Taupo, situated on the edge of a lake bigger than Singapore. Taupo is a small town, nothing much we can do here except lake walk. It is a lovely town to relax and retire. At night, I cooked dinner with my Hong Kong friends, Carol and Ivan. We make T-bone steak as our dinner and it was absolutely delicious.

Picture from up to down: entrance of the cave, Huka Falls and T-bone Steak

28 DAYS IN NEW ZEALAND - AUCKLAND - THAMES - ROTORUA

Sunny, 19^th July 2010, Monday, it was my first day with Magic Bus. Glen was my bus driver, cum tour guide for the North Island journey. He is a fun guy with always repeat “Sweet As” at his mouth. I reckon he speaks more than 100 times of “Sweet As” in a day. When I stepped in the bus, I couldn’t understand what the meaning of “Sweet As” is while he was talking with me. I tried to skip and ignore him. But, he don’t let me go until I response the same the same word– “SWEET AS”. Hey Hey! This is the first new word I learn in Kiwi Island. It means “cool” or “good”

Piture from Left to right - LP bottle, Redwood Forest, Museum of Rotorua

I missed out of the scenery view of Mt Eden while I waited the bus at Manuka Shopping Mall bus station at nine in the morning, where is a stop in between Mt Eden and Rotorua. The first place we went was L&P bottle. This is a typical NZ drink where it only sells in New Zealand, “NO EXPORT”. This is the place where “all of us” met and started our friendship. I met Matleena from Finland, Carol and Ivan from Hong Kong, Maria from Canada, Elodie from France and Lily from Japan. The bus went ahead to town Hobbiton. If you are the fan of LOTR, you can have a chance to take the picture with the statue of Hobbiton and you can join the optional Hobbiton tour. Sorry, I am not the fan of LOTR. The bus spent 20-30 minutes in the town and then we go ahead to Rotorua, where Maori culture and thermal activity combine to make a very unique destination. Rotorua is also famous in hot spring. I chose an unusual activity where I have never done before – Mug Bath. This is also a place where our friendship was getting better. Maria, Elodie, Matleena and I were the only person joined the mug bath, and it is also a place where strengten our friendship. We had lots of fun in the dirty shower. Before we get into the mug bath, Glen took everyone into the stunning Redwood Forest. The forest is really amazing with the mature redwood. We took lots of stunning pictures, with the stunning redwood trees, and stunning people. Super cool!!

Picture from left to right - Lake Roturoa, Mug bath

I spent first night in YHA Rotorua(Good).

Happy Chap Goh Meh

Time is flying fast, and today is the last day of Chinese New Year. It has been a period I didn't write anything on my blog. This year is my first year where I celebrate my Chinese New year at Aussie. Honestly,, I hope it wouldn't be my last year. Celebrating CNY here is even more happening and fantastic that celebrating CNY in Malaysia. On the day one, I went to the town. However, I was not alone. There are heaps of visitors on the street were celebrating this special festival with me. Lion and Dragon dance was circulating the china town and red cracker can hear anywhere on the street. I went to a Hong Kong restaurant and ordered a "Char Sui", Duck noodle for the first day of my meal. Wait .... Before I start my proper meal. I got a "肉干" while I was strolling on the street. It charged me AUD3, just for a piece.

3 dollars 肉干

After finished my meal, I went back to my restaurant and start my daily work as usual. I got a permission to wear in red from my boss. That day, I was the only Men-in-Red among all the waiting staffs(Day 1 mah, must wear in red). Sunday night is always not a busy day in the restaurant. Everything was smooth on that night until we shut the shop. I took a bus to meet a friend and his family who was just arriving to Melbourne city. Surprisingly, by the end of the day after we did some "eight" talk. He gave me a huge"Ang Pau", with AUD 20. This is my first Ang Pau of this year, and I have not received any "Ang Pau" apparently after that day. The red pack is very meaningful for me, not because of the money. But, I hope it brings me a luck and prosperity for my whole year. I keep it into my wallet and treat it as my "平安符". Within the CNY, there was nothing special thing happened on me. I am glad I can peacefully finish these 14 days. I hope my next 351 days will stay in good as well.

Red Pack, by Ah Seng

Another exciting news was happening on last Monday while I was working at the restaurant. I met a traveler who is working in the ship, he(and his girlfriend) came and dined in the restaurant. He gave the tips in USD dollar. I talked with him for a while before he hops back into the ship and going to travel to Hong Kong soon. Again, it is not an issue of money. However, It was my first USD I have earned in Aussie. As a memory, my boss made a signature on the note, and it turns as my souvenir now.

1 dollar USD, with Angela signature

Well, today is the last day of Chinese New Year. I think I am too late to wish everyone in the first day. But, I hope I am still able to wish everyday for the remaining days of the tiger year.

虎年行大运，最重要得是身体健康 。。。


Lantern decoration at Crown Casino


Lion and Dragon Dance on the street


Dragon dance was circulating the China Town