Into the last month of 2015

I didn't realised we are nearing the end of 2015. I thought we still had a few more days to December. I  had been back in Hong Kong for a few days. It is good to be back to routine though Melbourne has been great.

Melbourne has always been fun for me despite the weather. The buildings, the street performances, the tram rides, the food and etc. There are so many cafes now. I was stuffing myself with coffee (long black) this trip and most of the time, I might be caffeine high.

It was supposed to be summer, but Melbourne weather is unpredictable. Some of the days were as high as 31 degree, while some were 17 degree. This also meant that I needed to pack for 2 seasons. I went with 20kg of luggage.

The weather is not the most annoying thing, the flies are. They were everywhere, even attempting to fly into your mouths. I have decided I like winter more, even though I will most likely freeze to death. One thing good about summer, the sun set around 8.30pm. You will feels like you have more time.

Docklands

Night view from the observatory tower 

Beside federation square, temporary noodle night market. 

Hello Melbourne

It's been a while.

New Zealand: Taupo

I din't really get to travel around New Zealand. We only went Auckland, Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua(briefly). I really like Lake Taupo. It is a small town with a few restaurants. Okie, my fondness for Lake Taupo might got to do with our accommodation. We stayed in this really gorgeous apartment. The name of the apartment is Sacred water if you are interested. We stayed in the 3 rooms apartment with 2 toilets. Let me show you why I am in love with this apartment (I can't decide which is my favourite, Auckland apartment or this). This might be more expensive than the rest of the accommodations but it is worth it(in my opinion). 

The view when you come out of the apartment. Imagine waking up in the morning, before a long day ahead, take a walk with this view. J and his friend went for a run. They really had a good time. The view is surreal. 

This is the apartment we stayed. Check out the big dog. 

As Lake Taupo is near the Volcano, the naturally heated up. We went during winter, so there is no one  in the water, except 

the Ducks. 

They will go near you, thinking you will feed them. Actually there are black swans as well but I din't take any nice photo of them, so I am not going to post it. 

We had a lot of good food here as well except the "indian cuisine". Stick to the local/western cuisine and you won't go wrong. Typing this entry make me miss Lake Taupo so much. I want to go back!

I am sharing this to pay forward the goodwill of other travellers online reviews. 

New Zealand: Auckland

One of my favourite photo of Auckland

It was a really good and easy trip, maybe minus the part I was the last to get ready almost everyday. I can't wake up early to save my life. Everyone was easy to get along, the house was noisy most of the time, never ending alcohols and food or fruits, dangerously loud laughters. 

All of us would really appreciate a good view from our apartment, so we splurge on the accommodation if possible. 

Check out our view

Sometime I would sneak out with a hot cup of green tea to refresh my mind. I think we stayed in one of the most expensive area in Auckland. I am glad we went ahead to book this apartment. If you are interested, the name is Auckland Waterfront Service Apartment. It is right beside Hilton Hotel. I love staying together if possible. Be sure to check for the number of toilets. It will be torturous if there is only 1 toilet for  a group of 3 and above.

Took this photo while on the way to one of the sleeping volcano. The sky looks picture perfect. 

I took quite a few photos for this trip. Hopefully I will be motivated to post them up soon. =D For now, I will just leave you with these few above. 

A break from my break

(credit to photo online)

Will be traveling to Auckland, New Zealand in 2 days time. I have absolutely no idea how to pack or what to expect, but i am excited about it. Been a few years since I am traveling with these group of people. Hopefully it will be another adventure in my memory.

Of good food and good company

Flew over to Seoul for a family trip 2 weeks back. This photo is one of the famous temple in Busan. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed Busan. The pace in Busan is much slower and you get to light up fireworks yourselves.

I love sea view. 

I did not take much photos but we did a lot of bonding with each other this trip. Due to some mishap, we only managed to walk around Seoul for 1 day. 

Only these 2 photos are worthy to be posted. I don't seem to do well with my new camera. The photo on the top is a pavilion found in one of the palace in Seoul. The bottom is my favourite Ginseng Chicken in Seoul. These few photos pretty much sum up my trip to Korea. 

Sticky sticky weather

I am back in Hong Kong from my 2 weeks long vacation. I miss my Singapore home. I miss drinking Kopi-o and eating BCM. =(

Lucky for me, there is toast box in Hong Kong, so I had Nasi Lemak. It was actually quite good.

The weather in Hong Kong is terrible. I sweat like mad walking around the house. And guess what, the air-cons in the house start dripping dirty brown water. Right now, the air-con maintenance uncle is  cleaning up the 2 air-cons. He looks very professional with all his tools. I wanted to follow him into the room and spy how he clean the air-con but that would look like stalking/distrust he can do his job, so I am sitting on my sofa typing this entry.  I am looking forward to the cold air already.

I can't wait to start posting photos from my trip. I better do it fast else it will be like the last time, i did not managed to finish for all the places i went. =_=!!! I got distracted/lazy easily.

Below is one to start!

Istanbul. The tower is Galata Tower. 

Okie, I have to go back to spy the Air-con uncle =)

Italy: Venice Part 3

Now, my favorite photos of Venice.

My favorite Sun ray shots.

I love the feel of this photo.

Awww. Love is in the air. Venice makes people fall in love. =)

And Lastly

A girl taking photo of me, taking photo of her.

I hope you will fall in love with Venice like me.

Italy: Venice Part 2

Continue....

Rialto Bridge.

Another bridge. 

Bridge of Sighs.This is the last bridge the convicts will pass before going to prison. While walking through the bridge, the prisoners will look out and sigh because that's the last time they will see the beautiful Venice before going into their cells.


Bump into this nice building while rushing to St Mark's Basilica Tour. I was late.

 Piazza San Marco or St Mark's Square. 

I did not managed to take any nice shot of St Mark's Basilica, so I will leave you with 1 shot of the interior of St Mark's Basilica. 

The Wow interior of St Mark's Basilica.

The narrow canal. It is fill with mystery. 

The day view.

The night view.

Giorgio Cini Foundation. An Art Center.

The view opposite one of the restaurant I was having dinner. It was really nice but i was freezing my ass off. Haha. 

Okie. I will do a part 3 with my favorite photos of Venice. =) 

I will brush up my photography skill though. Give me some time.

Italy: Venice Part 1

Venice / Venezia is another world from Amsterdam. Rolling my luggage along the uneven road, Overcrowded boat, rundown houses, dark and narrow alley did not impress me much initially. You get it, It wasn't love at first sight for me.

Bit by bit I venture out, bit by bit, I fall in love with this beautiful place. There are actually so many things to love. 

Door to our hotel. Inside is totally different. But if I were to go again, I will book a bigger hotel. Of course, if it is your first time there, try the local, smaller one. It is different.

Pathway right outside the hotel door.

Grand Canal. It is the main canal for the whole city.

Stucky.I want to stay there next time. With the sunset, it is so beautiful.

Gondola Workshop. The place they make the gondola.

Gondola and his Gondolier.

Here we go.View on Gondola.

The beautiful sky, view from the Gondola. Love love love the color of the sky. I never knew this is real till I see it with my own eyes. <3

There are too many photos to be shared. Will do up a part 2 soon. Looking at these photos now, makes me want to go back again.

Hello Hong kong

Food in Amsterdam

If you know me personally, yummy food is one of my top priority regardless where i am. Did a research on Amsterdam, and boy, too many. I only managed to try out a few. Sad but well, i want to go back!

Seriously this is my favorite food in Amsterdam. This is smoke herring fish. If you love smoke fish, pls remember to try this. If i ever go back, this is my first choice. If you ever go to Amsterdam, pls remember to try this. I tried 2 different stores. One was too salty, so try more to get the right one for you. It is so Gooood.

Stroopwafel. It was freshly made. We tried a few stores as well. The best one is the one outside the Rijksmuseum. If you happen to see the store in the picture, try it. no regret there.

 

 We walked pass this meat-selling store that was really crowded. Since we are there, we tried their food. Well, it is just normal and a bit dry. Personally, i think i wasted my calories on it. 

Vlaamse Frites. The store i tried was Manneken Pis. They are actually fries but in different texture i think. I love potatoes, so maybe i am bias when i think they taste wonderful. 

 

And cheese!!! I love cheese. Haha. Amsterdam cheeses seems to be milder or should i say less smell compare to others. But i might be wrong as i did not taste so much to conclude. Let me try more. The reason for this is to remind myself, i like the cheese i had in Amsterdam. 

These are not all the food I had ate. There were actually much much more but I realised i did not take photos of them. Like the fried food vending machine (I like it because it is fried food plus vending machine), different kinds of waffles and pancakes, sandwiches (I love the beef tartar sandwich), Heineken and etc. I don't know why no photo was taken. And now, I only have myself to blame. =_=