miss jalan jalan

Every year, typically my husband (R) and I will do something special for our wedding anniversary. Year 1 – we went diving in Bunaken: one of world’s most amazing dive sites. Year 2 – went backpacking to Osaka and Hokkaido in Japan; where we saw the most beautiful flower fields in places that most people don’t even know exist in this world. Year 3 – we went to a secluded beach in Belitung; which is a dead ringer to Seychelles but much value for money. And for Year 4 – we decided to go back to where we spend our Year 0; a.k.a. going back to where we had our honeymoon the first time *smile* Value for money has always been my priority. But of course, money was tighter back then as we just started our ... read more

I hate goodbyes. But the end is near, and I can feel it in my spine. Tomorrow I need to catch my flight back to the concrete jungle and leave this beautiful country. So does M. Tomorrow doesn’t count. In my mind, today IS the last day. I try to wipe away the bitterness, but another gloomy day really doesn’t help. We ran out of luck, and ran out of sunshine. I was secretly hoping that with some magical cosmic power, the parade of blue skies will come back. But it never did. It ended the minute we left South Island. If before I kept asking “Dude, where’s my shoes?” (as I prefer to be shoeless in long journey in car), now I’m asking “Dude, where’s my luck?” I try to pick myself up. Hey, I’m ... read more

Rotorua was a compromise. I was more intrigued by Dunedin’s old European style buildings, those wild penguins on the beach and perhaps a quick visit to Cadbury museum to buy NZ’s original chocolate for my dear husband. But one discussion leads to another, and I’m willing to scrap Dunedin for Rotorua. Some say life is full of compromises. I’d say – you can’t win them all (if you want everybody’s happy; or at least, kinda happy). And the most efficient way to cramped NZ’s highlights in 2 weeks is to fly between the 2 islands. So we flew to Rotorua from Christchurch. Air NZ check in was sooo cool! From start to finish you can just do it yourself. (note: for Singapore Airlines, although you online check in, you still have to talk to the officer ... read more

Gosh, I really have to be careful with what I wish for, am I? Every time I passed Lake Wakatipu (which is just right in front of my hotel), I was like “Hmmm… wouldn’t it be nice to jog along the lake? Must be fun rather than the regular cardio session in the boring office gym.” Well I got what I wished for! Again! I’m running and huffing and panting because otherwise I wouldn’t be able to catch the TSS Earnslaw boat that’s supposed to leave at 10.15. After my sunrise photo shoot this dawn, I catch some sleep and woke up late. From afar I can see the black smoke already starts to puff from the top of the vessel. And I don’t even have a ticket. But…of course, I made it! Just in the ... read more

Jamie: OK, so what I want you to do – is run as fast you can and jump off that cliff. Me: What?... THAT cliff? *shock in terror* Jamie: Yes. Me:… no, no… I can’t do it… *silently thinking of backing out of this* Jamie: Come on, you need to put more commitment to it. Run, and then jump. Is that man crazy? No, I’m the crazy one. Because I paid that guy 176 NZD to push me off a cliff (it’s already early bird discount price, btw – from original of 199 NZD). It’s New Zealand after all. You’re bound to do something crazy at least once. I admit I don’t have the balls to do skydiving, or bungee jumping. So I chose the “gentler” option – which is Paragliding. Tandem, that is. With ... read more