Dear pipsqueaks,
As I'm on holiday, I haven't been keeping up with postings simply because of all the traveling. Even so, I do want to do a short recap of my visit here n hopefully spark some interest for others to visit...but that'll have to wait until after my holidays! For now, I wish you all a belated Merry Christmas and a very very festive New Years!
*sending my best wishes*
Cheers,
Jess <3
P.S. to recap: work trip in Queenstown & holidays in Taiwan
29 December 2011
14 December 2011
Sydney's "Chance To Impress"- Australia 2011- Day 4
Dear pipsqueaks,
The last half day in Sydney- I wanted to make the most of it. Except, I couldn't wake up earlier than 8am *sigh*. Must have been tired from all the walking! The funny thing with humans: we have the ability to complain about everything. Office job? Too much sitting. Non-office job? No sitting. Work? Want to go on vacation. Tired from vacation? Want to go home. Such odd creatures to please! But it's true, one can become "tiresome" of vacation. It's the constant eagerness to make the most out of ur time here/there/wherever that u literally burn out. Like everything in life, balance is key!
So yes, as I was saying, I didn't really have much of a plan today, n this was how the hop-on hop-off bus came in real handy. Just as I exited the hotel after breakfast, I saw a red double-decker stopping at the light, so I quickly ran over, knocked on the door, n hopped on. Please note that this is a dangerous action n should not be attempted by the ill-fit to run zig-zaggidly between cars to reach a bus. Can't say I'm trained but it happens from time to time, lol. But unfortunately, the bus was actually not heading in the direction I thought it were because there was a loop just ahead, so I ended up covering another part of the city that I hadn't previously. I also managed to get decent picture of the famous coca-cola sign at kings cross (actually, it used to be called queens cross but the next reigning monarch- can't remember which one- found it unfitting because it challenged his manlihood- n forever changed it to kings cross). If ur looking for a place to party out Patong Beach, Phuket-style, here's the place to be. LOL! That reminds me of this funny simile (not sure if that the right term to use in terms of english literacy) used on the harbour guards. They were also called pills because they control the berths at the harbour!
The last half day in Sydney- I wanted to make the most of it. Except, I couldn't wake up earlier than 8am *sigh*. Must have been tired from all the walking! The funny thing with humans: we have the ability to complain about everything. Office job? Too much sitting. Non-office job? No sitting. Work? Want to go on vacation. Tired from vacation? Want to go home. Such odd creatures to please! But it's true, one can become "tiresome" of vacation. It's the constant eagerness to make the most out of ur time here/there/wherever that u literally burn out. Like everything in life, balance is key!
So yes, as I was saying, I didn't really have much of a plan today, n this was how the hop-on hop-off bus came in real handy. Just as I exited the hotel after breakfast, I saw a red double-decker stopping at the light, so I quickly ran over, knocked on the door, n hopped on. Please note that this is a dangerous action n should not be attempted by the ill-fit to run zig-zaggidly between cars to reach a bus. Can't say I'm trained but it happens from time to time, lol. But unfortunately, the bus was actually not heading in the direction I thought it were because there was a loop just ahead, so I ended up covering another part of the city that I hadn't previously. I also managed to get decent picture of the famous coca-cola sign at kings cross (actually, it used to be called queens cross but the next reigning monarch- can't remember which one- found it unfitting because it challenged his manlihood- n forever changed it to kings cross). If ur looking for a place to party out Patong Beach, Phuket-style, here's the place to be. LOL! That reminds me of this funny simile (not sure if that the right term to use in terms of english literacy) used on the harbour guards. They were also called pills because they control the berths at the harbour!
13 December 2011
Sydney's "Chance To Impress"- Australia 2011- Day 3
Dear pipsqueaks,
The morning was an early one, having to wake up around 6:20am to finish a quick breakfast n be waiting at marriot for the Sydney bus tour pick up at 7:10am. Surprisingly, it wasn't as painful as I had imagined, but possibly because, like a good girl, I was in bed by 10:30pm! Don't get me wrong, there are quite a few areas to go (ex. Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Circle Quay etc.) but for a fact that the girl's dorm shower was just so inconveniently set up, I took longer than usual to take showers. Staying in a dorm, it's just a matter of being considerate of others. So yes, I called early nights during my 3 sleeps in Sydney.
As I've always been a punctual person- simply because I don't like to wait for others, so I don't make them wait for me- I was standing outside marriot by 7:05. The bus that came to pick us up wasn't actually the tour bus, but rather, these busses pick up all the tour attendees from all over the hotels n meet at The Star casino where the Grayline headquarters are. After we've all split up n got into the right tour busses, our tour begins! That's actually a better idea than to have one bus picking up all tourists per particular tour because that'll mean some busses will have to go to the same hotels for pickups, n that's just silly! With their system, u'd only have to get a few busses to do area pickups n we'll all be on our jolly way sooner than u can say "koala!"
The morning was an early one, having to wake up around 6:20am to finish a quick breakfast n be waiting at marriot for the Sydney bus tour pick up at 7:10am. Surprisingly, it wasn't as painful as I had imagined, but possibly because, like a good girl, I was in bed by 10:30pm! Don't get me wrong, there are quite a few areas to go (ex. Darling Harbour, Kings Cross, Circle Quay etc.) but for a fact that the girl's dorm shower was just so inconveniently set up, I took longer than usual to take showers. Staying in a dorm, it's just a matter of being considerate of others. So yes, I called early nights during my 3 sleeps in Sydney.
As I've always been a punctual person- simply because I don't like to wait for others, so I don't make them wait for me- I was standing outside marriot by 7:05. The bus that came to pick us up wasn't actually the tour bus, but rather, these busses pick up all the tour attendees from all over the hotels n meet at The Star casino where the Grayline headquarters are. After we've all split up n got into the right tour busses, our tour begins! That's actually a better idea than to have one bus picking up all tourists per particular tour because that'll mean some busses will have to go to the same hotels for pickups, n that's just silly! With their system, u'd only have to get a few busses to do area pickups n we'll all be on our jolly way sooner than u can say "koala!"
12 December 2011
Sydney's "Chance To Impress"- Australia 2011- Day 2
Dear pipsqueaks,
What could possibly be worse than waking up to rain on the morning of ur "The Rocks" walking tour in a couple of hours n an evening harbour bridge climb?! Seriously a traveler's worse nightmare: the uncooperative weather. Oh wells, there're always indoor attractions to visit without the weather's random tantrums. It's ironic that I'm from rain-couver, yet, I'm still quite bothered by the gloomy clouds n their teardrops. Except, I'd mostly be driving my baby when I'm at home, so it's a little different for a fair comparison. Anyways, just a quick morning update. Gotta get ready for rain-dney. Catch up later tonight.
Thinking back, despite the rain, today was a very "tourist-productive" day. With my dinky new dinky 3-fold umbrella (that also broke down during the day- note: never to buy umbrellas in Malaysia), made it to the tube, hopped on, arrived at circular quay n randomly found "The Rocks" walking tour that I was actually suppose to find 25mins later. Oh wells, good to just shake off the weather for a bit indoors before heading out for the 1.5hr walk around the first area that non-indigenous people settled down. Usually, I'm not too attracted by any history ranging less than thousands of years, but I did give this a chance. It was actually quite funny to learn that 2 convicts ended up on australian dollar bills n crazy how the last convict to arrive in australia died in the 1930's. Also, I bet u didn't know that the sydney harbour back in the day was actually more like the east hastings in Vancouver- aka slums- n had definitely upgraded big time since. But yes, it was a rather interesting tour indeed with our traditional australian tourguide in her long red raincoat- kinda resembles an imaginary character. Nonetheless, worth braving the rain for.
What could possibly be worse than waking up to rain on the morning of ur "The Rocks" walking tour in a couple of hours n an evening harbour bridge climb?! Seriously a traveler's worse nightmare: the uncooperative weather. Oh wells, there're always indoor attractions to visit without the weather's random tantrums. It's ironic that I'm from rain-couver, yet, I'm still quite bothered by the gloomy clouds n their teardrops. Except, I'd mostly be driving my baby when I'm at home, so it's a little different for a fair comparison. Anyways, just a quick morning update. Gotta get ready for rain-dney. Catch up later tonight.
Thinking back, despite the rain, today was a very "tourist-productive" day. With my dinky new dinky 3-fold umbrella (that also broke down during the day- note: never to buy umbrellas in Malaysia), made it to the tube, hopped on, arrived at circular quay n randomly found "The Rocks" walking tour that I was actually suppose to find 25mins later. Oh wells, good to just shake off the weather for a bit indoors before heading out for the 1.5hr walk around the first area that non-indigenous people settled down. Usually, I'm not too attracted by any history ranging less than thousands of years, but I did give this a chance. It was actually quite funny to learn that 2 convicts ended up on australian dollar bills n crazy how the last convict to arrive in australia died in the 1930's. Also, I bet u didn't know that the sydney harbour back in the day was actually more like the east hastings in Vancouver- aka slums- n had definitely upgraded big time since. But yes, it was a rather interesting tour indeed with our traditional australian tourguide in her long red raincoat- kinda resembles an imaginary character. Nonetheless, worth braving the rain for.
(Me in my most tourist form)
11 December 2011
Sydney's "Chance To Impress"- Australia 2011- Day1
Dear pipsqueaks,
(To avoid confusion, please read the note on "Queenstown"- even I got a bit disarranged skimming through my trips!)
This morning was so brutal, it wasn't even funny. Apart from the call that stopped ringing when I forced myself to pick it up- around 5:30am- I was under attack by horrendous allergies! How weird that I'm perfectly fine in KL, but when I come to a place with clean/fresh air, I get allergies. Can't say I miss it, but possibly, I'm just not fit for spring. It does match my personality quite well as I don't like changes much either. But yes, obviously, I looked like I could use a month vacation this morning- although, aside from meetings n touching up minutes, I found it quite relaxing. So I'm not too sure why I'm getting all these symptoms of being sick- allergies, breakouts, n soreness. Maybe it's true! Once u've started to hit the gym regularly, ur body'll need that type of burnout in order to function properly. Since I've ran everyday while I was at home, doing absolutely nothing on top of all this excessive eating n stressing out...I guess it could be! Well, I can't wait to get back to gym!
But, before that, I gotta go Sydney n before that, I gotta somehow shove everything back into my luggage. It's one of those very peculiar things, really. I'm not sure if other's experience the same, but somehow, with the exact list of things, putting them back in just doesn't seem to fit. Yet, when u packed for the trip, it all kinda tetris-ly n harmoniously come together in the perfect shape that is ur luggage. Even so, I successfully packed up n headed down for a quick breakfast before finishing up the last few postcards. Yes, I admit I'm addicted to writing postcards! It's just an exciting feeling to share ur adventures with ur friends n to remind them they've been missed. Now that I think about it, I do spend quite a lot on postcards n stamps! But it's all good. I'd think a postcard would be more meaningful than something material anyways. Too bad, that's how Jessy shares her love. Take it or leave it :P
(To avoid confusion, please read the note on "Queenstown"- even I got a bit disarranged skimming through my trips!)
This morning was so brutal, it wasn't even funny. Apart from the call that stopped ringing when I forced myself to pick it up- around 5:30am- I was under attack by horrendous allergies! How weird that I'm perfectly fine in KL, but when I come to a place with clean/fresh air, I get allergies. Can't say I miss it, but possibly, I'm just not fit for spring. It does match my personality quite well as I don't like changes much either. But yes, obviously, I looked like I could use a month vacation this morning- although, aside from meetings n touching up minutes, I found it quite relaxing. So I'm not too sure why I'm getting all these symptoms of being sick- allergies, breakouts, n soreness. Maybe it's true! Once u've started to hit the gym regularly, ur body'll need that type of burnout in order to function properly. Since I've ran everyday while I was at home, doing absolutely nothing on top of all this excessive eating n stressing out...I guess it could be! Well, I can't wait to get back to gym!
But, before that, I gotta go Sydney n before that, I gotta somehow shove everything back into my luggage. It's one of those very peculiar things, really. I'm not sure if other's experience the same, but somehow, with the exact list of things, putting them back in just doesn't seem to fit. Yet, when u packed for the trip, it all kinda tetris-ly n harmoniously come together in the perfect shape that is ur luggage. Even so, I successfully packed up n headed down for a quick breakfast before finishing up the last few postcards. Yes, I admit I'm addicted to writing postcards! It's just an exciting feeling to share ur adventures with ur friends n to remind them they've been missed. Now that I think about it, I do spend quite a lot on postcards n stamps! But it's all good. I'd think a postcard would be more meaningful than something material anyways. Too bad, that's how Jessy shares her love. Take it or leave it :P
(my 5th currency this trip...confused-much!?)
09 December 2011
No More Template Problems Please!
Dear pipsqueaks,
I'm not too too sure what happened, but if u see a "stop sign" at the top n the bottom of the website...i'm confused too, but i'm getting blogger help on it! But seriously, i've been busy all week with meetings in Queenstown that i haven't been able to do any updates until now (more detailed updates will come soon). But seriously, the first things i noticed were those ugly signs!!! what in the world...i haven't touched the template or anything *annoyed*. so if anyone knows how to fix it...plz shout it in the shoutbox...thanks a million in advance for saving me from more stress!!
will update soon on Queenstown visit!
Murphy's law: if something can go wrong, it will go wrong. *facepalm*
I'm not too too sure what happened, but if u see a "stop sign" at the top n the bottom of the website...i'm confused too, but i'm getting blogger help on it! But seriously, i've been busy all week with meetings in Queenstown that i haven't been able to do any updates until now (more detailed updates will come soon). But seriously, the first things i noticed were those ugly signs!!! what in the world...i haven't touched the template or anything *annoyed*. so if anyone knows how to fix it...plz shout it in the shoutbox...thanks a million in advance for saving me from more stress!!
will update soon on Queenstown visit!
Murphy's law: if something can go wrong, it will go wrong. *facepalm*
03 December 2011
STILL On My Way...
Dear pipsqueaks,
To a very long day n a very tired me: still waiting at Singapore Changi Airport for my flight to Sydney. But seriously, no kidding, I should’ve taken a hint that today was just gonna be a very difficult day in general. See, to be completely honest, I wasn’t being fair to myself by staying out late n didn’t actually jump in bed till 3:30am. Even so, I prepared to have a short night, waking up around 8:30ish or 9 to start packing my luggage- yes, I didn’t want to pack the day before just because if I did, I’d end up bringing too much. So I’d like to give myself a short time span to pack everything I need, except, more likely than not, I’ll forget to bring something as well. No worries though, I’ve brought what I need to “wear”- the rest, I can just pick up from a convenient store if necessary.
From the moment I opened my closet n started to think about what to wear to the meetings, there was a feeling of absolute tiredness. Ever since I’ve been traveling with a limit of only a backpack- for a maximum of a weekend trip- preparing for a 14-dayer was just one big headache. Not only do I have to figure out what formal wear to bring, I gotta pick out appropriate casual wear too (can’t just be walking around in my short-shorts n t-shirt; if anything, it’s gotta be at least somewhat semi-formal). For one, even though the events states “casual” or “informal”, u can count on people dressing up anyways. So, of course I can’t be too sloppy on this one. After a mess of almost an hour n a half, I had officially finished packing. By then, it was already past noon. With a flight at 4:30pm n approximately an hour-ride (without traffic) from where I live, I’d pretty much have to be on my way in an hour. But of course, if only things were that easy.
To a very long day n a very tired me: still waiting at Singapore Changi Airport for my flight to Sydney. But seriously, no kidding, I should’ve taken a hint that today was just gonna be a very difficult day in general. See, to be completely honest, I wasn’t being fair to myself by staying out late n didn’t actually jump in bed till 3:30am. Even so, I prepared to have a short night, waking up around 8:30ish or 9 to start packing my luggage- yes, I didn’t want to pack the day before just because if I did, I’d end up bringing too much. So I’d like to give myself a short time span to pack everything I need, except, more likely than not, I’ll forget to bring something as well. No worries though, I’ve brought what I need to “wear”- the rest, I can just pick up from a convenient store if necessary.
From the moment I opened my closet n started to think about what to wear to the meetings, there was a feeling of absolute tiredness. Ever since I’ve been traveling with a limit of only a backpack- for a maximum of a weekend trip- preparing for a 14-dayer was just one big headache. Not only do I have to figure out what formal wear to bring, I gotta pick out appropriate casual wear too (can’t just be walking around in my short-shorts n t-shirt; if anything, it’s gotta be at least somewhat semi-formal). For one, even though the events states “casual” or “informal”, u can count on people dressing up anyways. So, of course I can’t be too sloppy on this one. After a mess of almost an hour n a half, I had officially finished packing. By then, it was already past noon. With a flight at 4:30pm n approximately an hour-ride (without traffic) from where I live, I’d pretty much have to be on my way in an hour. But of course, if only things were that easy.