Trip to New Zealand

Queenstown, bungy-jumping, Source: Wikipedia
Touring New Zealand was an amazing experience, one huge adventure, really. The more than two-week vacation took us from Auckland on the North Island to as far south as Dunedin, the principal city of the Otago Region in South Island. Along the way, our guided tour of South Island took us to other touristy cities and interesting places including Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Mount Cook and the Franz Josef Glacier where we took a flight up on a small plane for a bird's eye view of the glacier and surrounding areas.  That was awesome except that motion sickness spoilt the fun for me.

My girlfriend and I spent five days in Auckland on free-and-easy mode. One of the days, we drove ourselves in a little blue Suzuki City to a Maori Cultural Centre.  We were there just in time to catch a performance. Not sure how the organizers knew, they welcomed the two us by name on the PA system and mentioned where we were from.  Well, that was certainly a surprise, we thought.

The next few days, we did a little touring on our own of downtown Auckland, watched the beautiful sailboats at the harbour and visited the Kelly Tarlton Sea Life Aquarium - first ever experience of having sharks and giant stingrays gliding nonchalantly overhead.

What's travelling without a little shopping, eh?  So, we did some shopping for souvenirs for friends and family back home.  We each bought paua shell products including rings, brooches and pendants, leather wallets and kiwi-feather purses. Strangely, at that time, we were not aware of Greenstone Jewelry otherwise we would surely have expanded my purchases to include them, but no matter, everyone loved their paua shell presents.

Even though paua shells are synonymous with New Zealand, the range of nice products you can find in New Zealand nowadays include articles made from greenstone.

Greenstone, also known as Nephrite (jade) and Bowenite (serpentine) is used to create many fine products.  The Maoris call greenstone Pounamu and it is highly valued for its beauty and spiritual quality. The stone is shaped into ornaments, weapons and tools and over time acquired status as treasured possessions.

Take for instance this Maori jewelry Greenstone Jade Manaia Pendant. The Manaia is the carrier of supernatural powers.  It is the spiritual guardian which protects the wearer from evil. This is a beautiful piece that is carved on both sides.  Though greenstones come in various shades, this piece is black.

From Auckland we flew south to Christchurch where we joined a South Island tour with a tour-group of about twenty of us comprising mostly Australians, three Americans and two of us from Malaysia. Like typical of all tours, we covered a lot of ground from city to city enjoying the different attractions each had to offer.

At Christchurch, I remember most the beautiful Christchurch Cathedral and how I struggled to get the entire height of it into a shot.  If you remember, the cathedral had to be demolished after the last quake a couple of years ago.  Sad.

The long drive took us past quiet woodlands, across country roads - where on one occasion, we had to stop to allow sheep crossing - to snow-covered fields of frozen dry flowers.  This one at the Mount Cook National Park and is a sheer delight to see.  We got down from the coach to pick the flowers (so many different kinds, shapes and sizes) with the intention of bringing them home but had to abandon the idea when we realised they were too bulky. Alas!  We also passed by hills of those yellow flowers.  Pretty sight.

We put up at different kinds of hotels, some big resort type, others medium-sized but very comfortable no less. It was late September at the time so it was end of Winter/early Spring and the weather was still cold and windy.  From the cold outdoors, the room heater was something we were thankful for once indoors.  The hotel was properly insulated, of course.    In places with cold climate, home insulation is necessary unlike here in our tropical climate where we need air-conditioning instead. Home Insulation means a healthy, warm, dry and energy-efficient home.

Beautiful Queenstown is not to be missed when you visit South Island and I wouldn't mind visiting Queenstown again but I can't say the same for Milford Sound.   I find travelling such a long distance is not worth the prize at the end of the journey, maybe because our boat didn't take us out to the ocean to view dolphins.   But I can at least say, I've been there, done that.

Selamat Hari Raya Haji & 2013 Public and School Holidays

The weekend comes early this week as today is the last day of work for the week. Tomorrow is a national public holiday as Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Adha or Aidil Adha or commonly-known here in Malaysia as Hari Raya Haji.

Hari Raya Haji is the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar. It marks the end of the annual hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca.

Let me take this opportunity to wish everyone celebrating this happy occasion Selamat Hari Raya Haji..

And to you who are along for the ride, Happy Holiday..

From now until the end of the year, we will get to enjoy four more national public holidays. The next national holiday is on Nov 13 (a Tuesday) in which Hindus will be celebrating a religious festival, Deepavali or Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

Planning for next year's vacation? The 2013 Malaysia National Public Holidays and School Holidays schedule may be what you need. Happy planning!

Bustling Port Dickson

Kuala Lumpur being located inland provides little or no real opportunity for sunset views on ground level. Fortunately for highrises, beautiful sunsets can still be viewed though not over the horizon.

Port Dickson, a coastal town southwest of KL provides great sunset views however. Just an hour's drive from the city, PD as it is commonly-known, is now seeing a lot of development with a coastline now lined with hotels and holiday resorts.

Just like oak island nc real estate, Port Dickson real estate is now much in demand. This little town once laid back and quiet is now bustling with holiday-makers and an increasing local population. Have you been to Port Dickson lately? You would be surprised at how lively it is now.

A Vacation home provides more flexibility

Nowadays, people plan better for holidays or at least they know exactly what they want with regard to going on a holiday.

We were talking about holidays at breakfast last week and the choice between free-and-easy option versus a guided tour. Most of us prefer to go on a guided tour, me included. The thinking is when we go on a holiday, it is supposed to be enjoyable and not having to run around (albeit on the Internet) searching for the best travel packages, itineraries, hotel and transportation reservations and the like.

Most of us at breakfast agreed that free-and-easy is preferred when there is a friend or friends in the holiday destination familiar with the place. On a free-and-easy vacation, vacation homes do work well as they are something like a home away from home. I came across some Vacation homes in Kissimmee, Florida, online recently and thought they would make great accommodations on a trip to Disneyland. Staying in a vacation home would allow for more flexibility in schedules and could significantly reduce the holiday expenditure.

What about you? Would you prefer to stay in a vacation home instead of a hotel room?

Orlando on Dwellable

Friday Frolics - What's Your European Summer Vacation?

How does a summer vacation grab you? I know, we don't have summers here but just the sound of "summer vacation" rings happiness. LOL!

This Friday's quiz says Rome is the place I should be heading to for a European summer vacation. What's your European summer vacation destination? Take the quiz to find out..

Your Summer Vacation is Rome

You are warm and welcoming. You will go the extra mile to make someone feel included. Hospitality is important to you. You like to feel welcomed by strangers. You are people focused and extroverted. You know what's going on in everyone else's life. You are family oriented. Some of your best memories revolve around the family dinner table.

What's Your European Summer Vacation?

We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

Medical Insurance - Don't leave home without it

We are talking about medical insurance here but a little digression first.

The Thailand border towns are common holiday destinations for Malaysians. Hatyai and Songkla are popular towns where Malaysians visit by the busloads every year. Buses leave Kuala Lumpur at night, reaching there in the morning. It is a long ride. A flight would reduce the journey drastically and AirAsia, the local Low Cost Carrier, does have great ticket prices.

Many people travel without travel insurance. Making it a point to at least sign up for medical or health insurance can stand you well financially in the event of an accident. Recently, a Malaysian tourist had to cough up over RM90,000 to settle medical charges at a hospital in Thailand after being involved in a road accident.

When shopping for insurance, I believe the best rates are from an insurance agent that offers Wholesale Insurance for a comprehensive coverage. A wise shopper shops around for the best deal.

Diving in Layang-Layang, Malaysia

Diving. It must be an awesome feeling swimming among schools of dolphins and colorful and unusual-looking fishes or among sharks and manta rays in the deep blue sea. If you are a diver, you would be able to experience this, I believe, one of life's rare delights.

A girlfriend who goes on diving trips with her boyfriend (both in the local waters as well as overseas) can't wait to go on the next one each time she comes back from a dive. With its mysterious allure of beautiful creatures, plants and corals, the water world is just as, if not more, mesmerizing as the sights we have on land, I imagine.

Come on! Come with me on a pseudo-dive at Layang-Layang, off the coast of Sabah, and experience the thrill of swimming alongside these awesome sea creatures or have them hovering above you. Woh!!

Related article:
Sipadan Island


Image source: Avillion

Take A Caribbean Vacation with a Difference - A Super-Inclusive Package

Contrary to popular belief, a Caribbean vacation need not cost an arm and a leg; not if you take advantage of one of those excellent value Super-Inclusive Caribbean vacations at Breezes Resorts & Spas.

What is a Super-Inclusive vacation package?

Super-Inclusive means you need only pay one price and that one price covers not only your room, with a choice of deluxe accommodations, it also includes everything else: all entertainment, all meals and snacks, unlimited premium beverages, land and water sports activities (aided by professional instructors) and tours. No tipping allowed and no wallet needed. At Breezes Resorts, Super-Inclusive is not only about more, it is about better.

Caribbean resorts like the ones at Breezes offer the finest beach locations and the most comfortable accommodations. You will be greeted by the friendliest smiles and the warmest wishes when you leave. You can expect to taste excellent food and a variety of choices from the world-class chefs, and improve your golf or tennis game with the help of their world-class golf and tennis instructors.

If you and your family or friends are looking to enjoy the Caribbean water and sun, Breezes Resort has a resort for you.

Breezes is also the place for company functions with their state-of-the-art equipment including projectors, A/V equipment, flip charts, microphones, podium and office supplies. Together with their unparalleled selection of sporting activities and entertainment venues, Breezes Resorts is ideal for incentives and group meetings. Take advantage of their Caribbean vacation special offer. Save up to 35% off Breezes Resorts & Spas from Apr 16 to Dec 23.

Egypt is a popular tourist destination... but not now...

This image is on the frontpage of The Star today. At first glance, I thought the big patch of brown was a swarm of bees. They are actually Egyptian anti-government protesters gathering in Cairo’s Tahrir Square yesterday as they mark the 16th day of protests against the 30-year-old regi me of President Hosni Mubarak.

Egypt with her rich history and interesting attractions is a popular holiday destination but sadly tourists were seen leaving the country when the protest started. I read that close to a million tourists have left the country. There goes the tourist dollar, and lots of it too.

What do we normally associate Egypt with? The pyramids come to mind, don't they? The pyramids even made it into the Transformers movie, Revenge of the Fallen, which incidentally, is being shown on HBO this month. The Nile River cruise, according to my friends who have taken the cruise, is a must-do when visiting Egypt. Let's hope all this will come to an end soon and life can pick up where it stopped for their citizens.


Image source: The Star..Protesters believe military won’t shoot them

Island of Penang, Pearl of the Orient

As you can see from the image below, Penang is quite devoid of steel buildings. Picture was taken last December. Woke up early and the view form my hotel room looked so peaceful outside so thought I would take a picture to capture the moment.

The tall building on the left is Komtar (Kompleks Tengku Abdul Rahman) and is the tallest building on the island of Penang.

Here is another Penang exclusive, the tram that services Penang Hill. The service is currently taken down for upgrading and supposed to be operational again in time for the Chinese New Year or thereabouts (in Feb).

Penang is a charming idyllic island, great for a holiday with its lovely beaches, colonial setting, historical sites and abundance of great Penang food.

The monsoon is here

In certain parts of the Klang Valley, it was raining cats and dogs yesterday. Now that the monsoon is in full swing with heavy rainfall especially along the east coast of the Peninsula and in East Malaysia, we would be paying more attention to weather forecasts and reviews than lipofuze reviews, I'm sure.

The Met Department yesterday issued a yellow alert indicating that there would be intermittent rain across Kelantan as well as Tereng­ganu until Friday. This might result in floods in low-lying areas and along river banks as heavy rain and strong winds are expected to continue over various parts of the country until Saturday.

Bad weather is also affecting Pahang and Tioman so it would be best to avoid the east coast. Trips to the islands off Terenganu (Pulau Redang, Pulau Perhentian, et al) and Pulau Tioman will have to wait until after the monsoon, probably after January. Cub Med is closed from end of Sep until Feb, I think, but best to check their website to confirm.


Image source: The Star

Visiting Australia soon? Check out The Weather Channel

Visiting Australia soon? When planning a holiday, we would want to know the weather conditions, particularly in relation to average temperatures and rainfall of the place we will be visiting. Here is one source that has weather forecast information around the globe. Better yet, as Australia is a popular holiday destination for Malaysians, The Weather Channel is just the perfect resource to aid holiday-planning.

The Weather Channel, launched in 1999, is Australia’s premier 24-hour meteorological media outlet providing subscription television viewers up-to-the-minute local, state and national weather reports together with LIVE detailed coverage throughout severe weather events. Viewers can expect the most up-to-date commentary and analysis from their expert team of Meteorologists and Presenters 24/7. While you are at it, do check out their blogs. They are chockful of interesting and realtime weather information you wouldn't want to miss. The Weather Channel has become a leading voice of meteorological commentary across Australia.

Looking for weather forecast information is practically effortless on The Weather Channel site. The set of navigation buttons on the homepage allows you to easily scroll to any town or city of your choice to get weather forecast for Now, 3-hourly, Today and Tomorrow. Weekly weather forecast is also available.

Do bookmark The Weather Channel to easily access the latest weather forecast and information to save you time and help you plan activities in advance. The site not only provides weather forecast, it also has other useful information including breaking weather news like the flooding in Queensland right now. For rural Australians, the Country Skies Report has the most up-to-date data. You can also get to know about great travel deals. For photography enthusiasts, check out the amazing images submitted by their viewers. The Weather Channel, everything weather forecast and more..

December shopping and breakaways

Here in Malaysia, the school holidays are in full swing and will stretch until early January of next year. Shopping malls and complexes are abuzz with locals and visitors alike looking for great shopping bargains.

Besides the Mega Sale Carnival in August and September of each year, December is also a great time to go shopping. The school holiday is reason enough for malls to hold sales in which parents can go shopping for school supplies including school uniforms, bags and shoes for their school-going children. Chinese New Year being either in January or February of each year, the December sale is just the right time to go looking for bargains for the Chinese folk celebrating the Spring festival. Oh yes, not forgetting December-shopping for Christmas gifts. December is indeed a merry time at the malls. It is also a great time for trigger-happy people - talking camera here, of course. The festive and beautiful Christmas decorations everywhere sure are a sight for sore eyes.

The school holiday is also a time for parents to schedule in family vacations. There is a myriad of holiday packages and getaways that families can choose from. Branson getaways provide lots of thrills and spills for some great family vacation fun. Besides Disneyland, Branson parks, like the Silver Dollar City, offer some of the best in fun and entertainment.

Going anywhere?

A Super-inclusive Breezes Caribbean vacation will have you go back for more

If you are looking into a tropical holiday away from the cold in Winter or simply just need a holiday, a caribbean vacation could be just the thing for you. Holidays are not only a time for relaxation or getting away from the cold, they are also the best opportunity to put a little adventure into your life. You will find the Caribbean offers an extraordinary range of fun and exciting activities.

Better yet, join one of the super-inclusive caribbean vacations offered by Breezes. Super-inclusive doesn't mean more, but better. You'll get the finest accommodations and the best beaches. It also means all your meals, all your drinks and all your entertainment are included in the package and no tipping is allowed for attentive, friendly service. Dine on delicious cuisine from tempting buffets and specialty restaurants serving different cuisines and enjoying unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

For sports and activities, you can choose to participate in an incredible variety of land and water sports including snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, rock climbing, tennis, bicycling, a fitness center and more, and with professional instruction. There are classes offered in aerobics, trapeze, trampoline, tennis, even Merengue dance and reggae dance. All these and more are included in the super-inclusive vacation package at no extra cost. The fun and excitement doesn't stop when the sun goes down. After hours the fun continues with live entertainment, dancing, and karaoke. Whether you are travelling with family or friends or on vacation alone, all the activities found on these Breezes caribbean resorts and super-inclusive vacations will surely make your Caribbean vacation one vacation to remember for a very long time and a place you will come back to year after year for more good times.

Check out Breezes.com today for that well-earned, unforgettable vacation either with friends or family or alone. At a super-inclusive Caribbean vacation, you will never have to worry about finding entertainment or getting a good meal because all your needs are covered in one simple price at all inclusive Breezes vacations.

A Vacation that includes Golf

Are you up for some vacation time and thinking about incorporating a few rounds of golf into your vacation?  If that were me, I'd know where to make that vacation come true.  This would be the site I'd go to for reservations:   http://www.myrtlebeachgolf.net. Yeah, spending my vacation at Myrtle Beach which includes golf.

I'm always for less hassle when making vacation plans and with a holiday at Myrtle Beach, you can also book Myrtle Beach golf packages when you make reservations for accommodation. There are many great golf courses at Myrtle Beach so including golf on vacation here will ensure a most enjoyable holiday experience. While you play golf, the family can enjoy other equally fun activities and attractions available.

A little about Myrtle Beach Golf Courses..
MyrtleBeachGolf.net has the most comprehensive guide to Myrtle Beach Golf Courses where you can browse over 80 of Myrtle Beach's top golf courses. Navigation on the site is easy. You can see a description on each golf course plus videos, course statistics and details. There is also information on restaurants, attractions, and everything you need to know for your perfect Myrtle Beach golf vacation.

Gay travel hotspots

Are you looking for gay hotspot holiday destinations for some vacation time? Here's a site you'd want to check out.

Gaytravelbuddy.com has information on the ins and outs of a number of cities in the United States, and the list is growing. You can get information on airports, taxi services, transportation, (even parking do's and don'ts), gay-friendly hotels, shopping, city's attractions, restaurants and coffee shops, friendly gay bars to hang out for drinks and lots more.

What you read here are real-life experiences so you can get invaluable tips and useful information to enhance your vacation experience.

Almost everyone who visits the US either visits the Las Vegas area on the west coast and New York City on the east. The information on Gaytravelbuddy.com will come in handy to help you make reservations at the right places to stay, eat, visit or basically hang out. Believe me, it pays to be well-informed and well-prepared to ensure a super, hassle-free well-deserved vacation.

Travel.com.au offers Cheap Flights

Planning a holiday? Here's a travel site you don't want to miss.

Travel.com.au is a public-listed travel company based in Australia, that has been providing travellers with great service and even greater domestic and international cheap flights for more than 10 years. You can also book cheap hotels, hire a car, book cruises and buy holiday insurance - practically a one-stop travel shop!

Cheap flights mean more savings so do check out their sale fares to many parts of the world including cheap business class flights. There is currently a fare sale with fare slashes on many airlines including Qantas, Singapore Airlines and more. In fact, there are hundreds of Special Deals available. This clean and easy-to-navigate travel site is a must to check out for their super deals, the convenience of vacation-planning and helpful customer service.

Towers at North Myrtle Beach

Towers at North Myrtle Beach is the perfect place if you are looking for a golf getaway or even just for the weekend. In fact, a vacation at Myrtle Beach is perfect for the whole family, including non-golfers. There are attractions to keep everyone happy and enjoying the vacation - a waterpark, the lazy river, dinner shows and concerts, museums, theaters, shopping and more.

Towers at Myrtle Beach is a relaxing oasis of comfort, convenience, and carefree oceanfront living. Guests have a choice of either one, two or three bedrooms with views to the oceanfront, angled oceanfront, or boulevard that stretches out across the salt marsh landscape. You will enjoy your own private balcony, full kitchen and stylish furnishings.

If you are playing golf, do ask about their discounts, stay-and-play packages, last-minute specials, and other money-saving offers. Myrtle Beach is a paradise for golf with a choice of many golf courses and for different levels of play. A vacation at Towers at North Myrtle Beach will have you relaxed and rejuvenated. Visit www.towersatnorthmyrtlebeach.com for more information.

Golf Holiday at Horizon at 77th, Myrtle Beach

A holiday at a beach in summer can be just the vacation you and your family would enjoy. If you are planning on staying at a beach resort and playing a few rounds of golf, Myrtle Beach would be just the perfect place for you.

Myrtle Beach is well-known for its great beach accommodations and one popular Myrtle Beach hotel is Horizon Myrtle Beach. The Horizon at 77th resort, one of Myrtle Beach best hotels, lies conveniently in the heart of Myrtle Beach, at a tranquil place where you can dash easily in your bare feet and bathing suit out the front door to the beach beyond, only a few feet away. This resort offers one of the best oceanfront rooms.

While you're out golfing in one of the 80 golf courses available, your family can enjoy theatre, a concert, take it easy down the lazy river in the waterpark, or simply go shopping. There's something interesting to keep everyone busy and enjoying the vacation.

Booking a golf package can easily be done online at http://www.horizonmyrtlebeach.com, plus if you register using your email address, you'll receive discount alerts and special promotions reserved for online users. Make your booking today. Make it a beach holiday this summer!

Avista Resort at Myrtle Beach

Summer's here again, are you thinking of taking the family on a holiday to spend some quality time together? Why not go to a beach resort? Why not go to Myrtle Beach, North Carolina? With so many great resorts in Myrtle Beach available, securing accommodation at Myrtle Beach won't be a problem.

If you are a golfer and has plans to include a round or two of golf in your holiday, Myrtle Beach hotel, Avista Resort, is the resort that fits your holiday needs. Avista Resort in North Myrtle Beach, offers customized golf vacations for every golfer, different golf packages that meet all your golf vacation needs.

Myrtle Beach is packed with activities and attractions for all ages. So, while you play golf, your family can have their own thrills and spills at the various attractions which include the beach, the waterpark with its pools and lazy rivers, the Alligator Adventure, La Belle Amie Vineyard, Ripley's Aquarium, shopping and many more. For more information on Avista Resort, visit http://avistaresort.com