Finally got time to process the photos from Beijing, check it out @ Travelogue album

A very important changes happened this year, that’s my wedding @ 28th September 2008. Hence, we were always planning for a honeymoon trip. Initially, we are targetting either Tokyo or Hokkaido in Japan but due to air ticket unavailable, we then switch our focus towards China and end up chose Beijing as our honeymoon destination. Since we are buying our air ticket, we decided to extend the trip a little, it’s a 11D10N trip with a 8D7N guided tour in between.

18 Dec 2008
We are flying MAS Business Class, this is the first time for my wife to go on Business Class and she enjoy the MAS Golden Lounge in KLIA! Since we arrived one day prior to the guided tour, we took the subway from Beijing Capital International Airport to downtown then a change of line brought us to Beitucheng station where Holiday Inn Express Mingzuyuan is just 300m away.

After check-in, we spend the evening in Wangfujing shopping area and pamper ourselves with the famous Beijing roast duck at QuanJuDe.

Travelling around Beijing in subway is really convenient and cheap, just 2 Yuan per trip regardless how far you travel.

19 Dec 2008
After breakfast, we head over to the famous shopping spot for cheap (i.e. fake) branded goods – Silk Street. We were amazed by the way the shop keeper approach customer and the variety of bags, clothes and jelwery. Practically, you need to bargain and pretend walk away to get the price you want, you will be amaze by the discount you can get

We had Thai food for lunch before heading back to airport to join the guided tour arriving from KL. In the evening, we start the tour by watching an Acrobatic show in a theatre follow by a “very vege” dinner.

20 Dec 2008
The luxury of guided tour to us is the bus transport, it brought us to our destination without much walking. We depart at 8am, first stop – National Theatre (Bird Egg), TianAnMen Square, Forbidden City. All together it’s about 4 hours walking and photo shooting, then lunch. In the afternoon, “Temple of Heaven” where the emperor pray for better future. Most of the days, the last activity will be dinner. We were starting to get use to the dishes served during lunch and dinner

21 Dec 2008
Weather getting colder, wind getting stronger, we were told to wear more and more! The first stop before Great Wall was a Jade factory. When we reach Great Wall, the wind is even stronger and we can hardly walk! Anyway, we still given the chance to climb up and enjoy the cold breeze. After lunch, we move on to Ming Tomb. This is one of the emperor’s grave from Ming Dynasty. In fact, you won’t enjoy most of the attractions in Beijing without a very knowledgeable tour guide. We were lucky that our tour guide was great, he manage to explain and relate very well. Before heading for dinner, we went to a medicine factory for the famous “Bao Fu Ling” cream.

22 Dec 2008
“Summer Palace” – the resident of emperor’s mother. There’s a huge lake in this place and the surface is frozen with a thin layer of ice on top. There is a long corridor about 700m full of painting from the olden days, very nice but very cold! Before lunch, we were asked to pay extra RMB 250 per person for 7 additional attractions where 3 of them are shopping place. As expected, everyone joined so we just follow the crowd.

After lunch, we go to JingShan park, a huge park behind Forbidden City where we climb to the hill top to get a good view of Beijing skyline and bird-eye view of Forbidden City. Then, we were given a chance to visit one of the old Beijing “Si He Yuan” house follow by Trishaw trip along the hutong (small alley) in the village. Later on, we were brought to first shopping spot and given 75mins to do some quick shopping at YaShow before dinner.

After dinner, touring the famous ChangAn Jie in our bus to get a night view of TianAnMen Square (the biggest square in the world) then head over to WangFuJing for a quick walk including the famous DongAnMen snack street.

23 Dec 2008
First stop for the day, Tian Ya Hong Qiao shopping mall. The tour guide suggest we do last minute shopping for more winter gear before we head to ChengDe in the afternoon. This place is similar to  YaShow and Silk Street but review says you can get better bargain here since there’s less crowd and they willing to let go at a lower price. After lunch, we start our journey to ChengDe, it’s a 4 to 5 hours ride. We were given a toilet stop halfway thru and the toilet cleanliness was “world class” :p

Soon after arriving in ChengDe, dinner then check-in to a local hotel for one night stay.

24 Dec 2008
It’s Christmas Eve but the surrounding doesn’t look or feel like it. We were told X’mas wasn’t a very big celebration in China, even the capital city – Beijing, there won’t be much decorations and events. There’s 2 attractions in ChengDe, the Bishu Shanzhuang Imperial Palace and Small Potala Palace (Temple). We get to enjoy walking on top of frozen lake in Imperial Palace and taste some local delicacies in Small Potala Palace. There goes the whole morning, after lunch journey back to Beijing!

Despite a little hiccup on the bus tyres on the way back, we still manage to make it to Silk Street for 2 hours shopping before dinner. Great!

25 Dec 2008
We found a wonderful companion for Christmas – The Panda! There’s two Panda Zoo in Beijing featuring Asian Games and Olympics. There are about 15 Panda being brought from its home town – Si Chuan. Then, we head over for a foot bath and massage (we were told this is a FREE gift from China Government). After lunch, bus ride to a light industry town 150KM away from Beijing, that’s Tian Jin. Another 2 so called attractions but since we were late, there isn’t much to see. Dinner in Tian Jin, one of the dishes was the famous “Gou Bu Li” bao/dumpling.

26 Dec 2008
The tour guide thinks we didn’t had enough shopping so we were brought to Tian Ya Hong Qiao for last minute shopping but before that, we visit the famous Silk factory where we had some good understanding how Silk is made from the very begining.  This factory was once producing the emperor’s constume.

Both of us spin off from the tour as they heading to the airport and go home! As planned, we extended 2 more nights in Beijing just to get some personal time around the city. We walk to the nearest subway station and jump off at one of the up-market shopping district – Sanlitun Village. It’s just right next to YaShow market, my darling enjoy browsing some of the finest quality goods compare to the cheap (a.k.a fake) stuffs we seen for the past few days. Early dinner in a HK Herbal Cafe at the top floor in Sanlitun Village then head back. It’s an early finish since we were rather exhausted with the busy and packed schedule with the guided tour.

27 Dec 2008
Another late start since we were on our own, plan to check out the Underground City. Do some googling in hotel then took subway and stop at the nearest station. After 15mins walk, we realise the Underground City was closed for refurbish since April 2008 and there’s no sign of when it will be opened. Thanks to Lonely Planet! Hene, we wander around the vicinity, browsing some mid-market shopping malls…

Lunch in Ajisen Ramen and continue shopping at SoShow mall, a “Sungai Wang” like shopping mall around the corner. Spend the evening in WangFuJing (yes, again!), laze a bit in Starbucks and end up shabu-shabu for dinner.

28 Dec 2008
Initial plan was to check out MingZuYuan which is just a stone throw away from our hotel but really don’t feel like going out after breakfast. Eventually, just enjoy the free internet from hotel, busy updating facebook, blogging, chatting, etc. Check out and leave the hotel around 12noon, took the airport express train to BCIA Terminal 2. Call it “A Trip”! Yay!

The story started when I was posted to Taipei for work. I’ve been going there back and forth for few trips, on the third trip, before I depart, my darling actually say she wanted to join me there during a long weekend holidays in KL. Eventually, she booked China Airlines ticket and flying on her own from KUL to TPE and I pick her up in Tao Yuan International Airport on the 27th April 2007. That’s the starting of this trip…

Upon arrival, we took a taxi heading back to hotel and grab a dinner nearby the hotel area. We had noodles and siu loong pau.

28th April 2007
After breakfast, we started our journey by taking a cab to the nearest MRT – Jingan station. From there, we head down to S.Y.S Memorial Hall (our first stop), spend about an hour there, we managed to catch the changing of guards at 10:00am. Later, walk to the shopping district of Taipei, that is Shin Kong Mitsukoshi (SKM), this is a 4 blocks multi-storey shopping center, this is more like up market stuff. Besides, we walk to Warner’s ViewShow Village, New York New York, Neo19 and Taipei 101. After plenty of shopping (although we didn’t buy anything), we hop on to MRT from City Hall station, next stop – Ximen.

This place is more like our “Bukit Bintang” area where mostly youngsters and tourists. There is a large pedestrian area covered with shops, food and entertainment. We spend the rest of the afternoon there till about 5:00pm. My darling manage to get some souvenir for her friends.

In the evening, we went to Long Shan Temple where the famous Hwa Hsi Tourist Night Market located, had a brief walk and end up eating Pork Rib noodles in one of the road-side stall.

Our day end around 7:00pm and back to hotel. It was a tired day though!

29th April 2007
It was a warm morning. As usual, we start our day with breakfast and another memorial hall, that’s – C.K.S Memorial Hall. Surprisingly, all their famous memorial hall has a MRT station attached which make visitor absolutely hassle free. Again, we manage to catch the changing of guard at 10:00am, the style was slightly different from S.Y.S Memorial Hall but again it’s a new experience to us. Later, we wander around the historical hall of C.K.S.

It’s lunch time! We decided to visit the famous siu loong pau restaurant – Din Tai Fung. We walk along Xin Yi road and finally found the restaurant, guess what ? The waitress told us to wait 70 minutes for a seat. Obviously, we have no choice since the queue simply make us think that the food must be awesome. In the end, we waited about 90 minutes before we were given a table in the restaurant. Of course, the food is really nice!

After lunch, next stop – Dan Shui. This is the last station in the red MRT line. It tooks us about an hour to reach this place, it’s by the sea. We stroll along the seaside market with lots of food, souvenir and those “fun-fair” entertainment. At the end of the street, it lead us to the famous Dan Shui old street, a place with many shops selling all kind of so called “cheap” items. Later, we walk into their night market and eventually reach the MRT station. There is no proper dinner for us but as we go along we bought many food (not to forget the well known – MuaCi), our stomach still full by the time we reach hotel.

30th April 2007
It was a monday and I need to work. Hence, my darling spend her day in the hotel. Nothing much happen beside she walk out for a mixed-rice lunch and visit the business center in hotel to clear her email inbox and had a chat with her mate.

In the evening when I came back from work, since it’s a rainy day, we went for a shabu shabu dinner which is located near our hotel. It’s really nice to have some hot food during such a cooling weather.

01st May 2007
Our day started with a trip down to Xindian MRT station, the main purpose of this trip is to check out the suspension bridge across the Xindian river. In fact, the view on top of the bridge was really a nice one. We walk across the bridge and it lead to a small town of Xindian with a few chinese temple. Later, we decided to jump on the self-paddle swan boat to enjoy the spectacular view of Xindian river, the mountain grow straight from the water. Also we saw many little animal like tortoise, birds, etc.

After approximately an hour of boat paddling, we hop on to MRT to Taipei Main Station. First thing after getting off the station, we visit the nearby Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Departmental Store and looking for food. The rest of the afternoon was spent shopping in this 13 levels shopping mall.

Around 5:00pm, we reached Jiantan MRT station and our target is – Shilin Night Market. Apparently, this night market was not as good as what my darling expected. She didn’t manage to buy many things from here. Later, we settled at Ah Chung Rice Noodle for dinner and grab some finger food before going back to hotel. On the way out, we saw a pork rib soup stall, my dear and I went for a try. Not bad after all…

02nd May 2007
Woke up around 4:45am, she is getting ready to go airport. Flight CI 655 departing 8:20am to KUL. I remain in Taipei to complete my job assignment. Trip end!

P/S : My lovely mom was along with us thoughout the trip, she stay thru my third trip in Taipei =)

We started planning this trip back in January 2006, numerous research via the Internet has been done. Initially, we thought of backpacking all the way. Later, we came across the budget camping tour – Kelana Convoy which we find it’s really a good deal. Then, we changed our mind with camping tour then extend our trip with some backpacking on our own around the UK.

It’s really a good experience for both of us even though it’s quite tiring. All in all, it’s nice! Check out our route as below…

30th March 2006
Nothing much for today, yinmay still working for first half of the day, but I am on leave the whole day. We took Cathay Pacific CX 724 (5:25pm) to Hong Kong enroute to London (BA 026)

31st March 2006
Arrive at Heathrow 5:00am. Bought 1 day London Pass and Travelcard. Head down to Bayswater and look for Astor Quest Hostel at Queensborough Terrace. 8:00am brekkie at Astor (continental, not too good tho!). Next, checkout the meeting point for Kelana Convoy @ Speakers Corner. With London Pass, here we go…

• St. Paul Cathedral
• Millenium Bridge
• Tate Modern
• Shakespear Globe Theatre
• Borough Market
• SouthWark Cathedral
• Britain At War Experience
• HMS Belfast (WWII Warship)
• Tower Bridge
• Tower London
• London Aquarium
• London Eye

1st April 2006
Join Kelana Convoy @ 8:00am. This tour has 49 members (47 muslim malays + 2 of us), 3 tour crews (Hairul, Harry, Akmal) and 1 driver (Peter). Travel all day long from London to Dover, cross the sea using P&O Ferries to Calais (France), head down to Carrefour to get some sleeping bags and food, continue our journey to UITDAM campsite at Amsterdam. Arrive around 8:30pm (10 hours of bus ride), get our cabin respectively and lookout for shower area. Gosh! It cost 1euro to get 5 minutes of hot shower (cold shower is FREE, but who wants that?). At last we didn’t shower, just do some washing at the basin in our cabin. Dinner – soup daging and rice. Can you believe we actually eat by the sea? It’s freezing cold, bloody windy…but we still eat because all of us are just DAMN hungry!

This is the first night of the 9 days camping tour, it’s just make us feel so horrible! But it’s a good experience after all

2nd April 2006
In the morning, breakfast – french toast by Harry (in the tent). We were brought to cheese and clogs factory, a stone throw away from our campsite. Then, we head down to Volendam – a small fishing village in Holland. We had some “seafood” lunch there. Afternoon, we were in Central Amsterdam taking a canal cruise to have some insight view of Amsterdam from water. Since I been this place before, quickly, I bring yinmay to checkout the Manneken-Pis fries, really famous in Amsterdam (long queue!) After touring around the city, we were happily coaching back to our campsite. But! Our cook tent crashed as a result of strong wind blowing by the sea. No cook tent tonight! Good luck to crews :Þ

3rd April 2006
Left Amsterdam for Brussels. First stop – Mini Europe in Bruparck. This place was magnificient! With all the miniature buildings around us, it’s just like having a quick tour around the Europe. Nice! Many shots taken here, checkout the photo section! Next, we head to Brussels (the capital of European Union). Visit the city center, to name a few – Grand Place, Monument of Manneken-Pis. Lastly, we settled down in a campsite along the way to our next destination tomorrow – Luxembourg. HURRAY! Hot shower in this campsite is FREE OF CHARGE and bathroom is in our cabin! Not to forget our dinner menu by the “woohoo!” guy – AYAM TOMYAM

4th April 2006
Around 9:30am, depart from Brussels campsite heading towards the next destination – Luxembourg. We were given about 2 to 3 hours city sightseeing. Hairul (the boss) show us the “Fortress” where the entire town was between two cliffs. From the top, we can see an overall spectacular view of the fortress! Next, continue our journey to Switzerland which took about 7 hours (including several stop for toilet and snacks). On the way up to Lauterbrunnen, we were told (by the woohoo! guy) the view surrounding is very nice but since it’s dark, we have to leave it for tomorrow. Checked-in and dinner is De Pasta!

5th April 2006
Today, it’s the snow mountain excursion day, 2 options – Kleine Schedegg (40 franc) or Jungfraujoch (130 franc). Most of us opt for KS while several more wealthy dude head up to the TOP OF EUROPE! For me? KS too! It’s 2061m above sea level and the weather up there is freezing cold with strong wind blowing everywhere. We had some hot meal in one of the restaurant with Azman and family. Then, catch up with some of them playing snow slide. Lastly, we go down to Wengen, another small town on the way back to our campsite – Schützenbach. We do quite a bit of shopping over here since there are many shops open and it’s not so cold (at least not snowing) at this place. On the way walking back to campsite, we visited the watch shop in Lauterbrunnen town and yinmay bought a swatch! It cost 70 franc. Many nice shots has been taken along the way, do checkout at the photo section…

6th April 2006
It’s the travel day again, a whole day from Lauterbrunnen to Paris. The long long journey took approximately 10 hours with few stop over several services along the motoways. Sightseeing in the bus, Teka-Teki from everyone, stories from the old gang (orang lama), onboard entertainment Arrive at campsite at Joinville-le-Pont around 9:30pm, the name of the campsite – Camping du Tremblay. Harry say this is the 2 stars campsite which the cabins are really small and no proper cooking facility. Kelana Convoy crew again show their power in “speed-cooking”! Dinner – Sardin fish plus vegetables with rice. Both of us really eat plenty of rice (never before!), it’s hot and filling although the actual taste of the food is “so-so” only. Hot shower in this campsite is FREE but it’s about 3 minutes walk (under such a cold weather) away from the cabin. Another tired day…

7th April 2006
Whole day thrill out at Disneyland Paris. We went to Disneyland Park (while there are Disney Studio and Disney Village). In Disneyland Park, again there are Adventure Land, Fantasy Land, Discovery Land, Frontier Land and the Main Street USA. We took many rides, shows and bought some souvenir too! Lastly, we get a chance to take photo with Disney character – Minnie and Tigger (yinmay’s favourite!) It’s really a fun day. Since we are out the whole day without the crew, our beloved cook – Mr. Woohoo! has more time to prepare the dinner – nasi kenduri with chicken.

8th April 2006
Second last day of the tour, we go around Paris city center. First of all, the Eiffel tower. We went up to the top where we can really have a bird-eye view of the entire Paris. Then, with Mobilis travel card, we go by Metro to Avenue de Champs Elysees, this is the main shopping district with many fashion outlets and coffee shops. Next, Musee Du Lourve, the largest museum in the world! We almost got lost in there, I bet without the map you won’t be able to make your way out! Many historic stuffs here, especially the Monalisa painting by Lenardo Da Vinci. We were told the metro subway is “world” complicated in Paris but after a day travelling, we still think this is manageable In the evening, we get on to a boat cruise along the River Seine for final sightseeing on many of the historic buildings in Paris. Dinner – Ayam masak merah (ter-masin) with rice.

9th April 2006
Kelana Convoy tour end today, starting from 9:00am depart from Paris, crossing at Calais to Dover via P&O ferries again. Arrive at London around 5:30pm. We took bus 148 from Park Lane to Bayswater. Stay a night in Astor Quest again. This time, we went to Tesco Express to get some “prepared meal” and heat them up in the kitchen at Astor. At least it’s some hot and proper meal. Going without the group, we are more relax, at least we don’t have to rush for food. Followed by a hot shower and had a great sleep! Coming up next – Bath.

10th April 2006
Breakfast – Tomato soup with pot noodle (from Tesco). Checkout at Astor, took bus 148 from Bayswater to Victoria Coach station. Looking at the coach station, all I can say is “it’s hundreds time better than what we have in Puduraya”. Our bus depart at 11:00am to Bath, enroute are all wide motoways, nothing special. This bus stop at Heathrow, Chippenham. Swindon and lastly arrive at Bath around 2:20pm. Pulling our heavy luggages walking with the help of map and ask around, finally we found YMCA (hidden behind buildings). Check-in and settle down, walk around Bath city center, visit the Abbey (a church) and donate 5 pounds to them. It’s a nice church with lot of history behind it. We even sit thru a short service session. While walking, we came across a Hong Kong Bistro – a chinese restaurant that serve oriental food. That’s great! But for that night we still get ourselves some cooked food from Mark and Spencer – egg fried rice and chicken curry.

11th April 2006
There is a continental breakfast include the the price of our room. I would say the continental breakfast served here is much better than Astor (of course the room is more expensive too!) We plan to meet up with Amanda, she arrive at the Bath Spa train station at 9:30am. Three of us bought the hop-on-hop-off city sightseeing bus ticket to tour around Bath. First stop, we hop-off at Royal Crescent, walk around…Amanda show us the so call charity shop (i.e. Oxfam, Shaw Trust, etc) Things selling in there are much cheaper as those are used items donated by the public for fund raising. Then, we sit in a coffee shop chit-chat and catching up as we haven’t met each other for quite some time. Next, we go to the famous hot spring – Roman Bath. Since it’s a rainy day, most of our time spend in the city sightseeing bus touring around Bath and surrounding. Not much photo taken tho!

12th April 2006
Today, we suppose to go to the next destination – Windsor. This time we travel by train (just to get different experience). A high speed train send us from Bath Spa to Reading, took a local service train to Slough and change again to Windsor Central Station. A great walk from Central Station to Alma house B&B. This is the best accommodation throughout the trip, twin bed with shower and breakfast in room. Around 2:30pm we walk along the town center to Windsor Castle. This suppose to be the largest and oldest occupied castle in the world. It’s really nice! We manage to take photo with the famous British Red uniform guard. Two main buildings in there, St. George Chapel and The State Apartment. Believe it or not, this is still a working palace where the Queen will occasionally spend her private weekend here. In Windsor, there are more charity shops where you can get cheap cloth (if you like). Mainly most shops in the UK closes around 6:00pm, especially Easter is around the corner. Dinner (cum lunch) – Burger King.

13th April 2006
It’s the Lego day. From the town center, we took a Legoland shuttle straight to the one (out of four) Legoland in the world. From the map it look small, however, it’s quite big and seperated into several “lands” and “cities”, it works just like Disneyland. Both of us took some thrill rides and watch a few stun shows including the well-known 4D movie (you feel the real snow!) And, not to forget yinmay got herself a UK driving license here in Legoland (just to drive the Lego cars). There is a land call the Miniland where many famous attractions were built by Lego bricks. It’s just like Mini Europe in Belgium but this is the England version. We end our day with dinner at Thai restaurant in Windsor.

14th April 2006
We decided to visit those charity shops to see whether we can get some cheap stuffs before flying back. However, it’s raining in the morning. Also, today is Good Friday and long Easter weekend, many shops open late and close early. We walk a bit in the town as the rain getting heavier, without thinking twice we get on to bus 77 and head straight to Heathrow waiting for a couple of hours in Terminal 1 to board our flight – BA 025 at 6:05pm to Hong Kong enroute to KL via CX 721. In Heathrow, we manage to try on the famous English Fish & Chips, not that great after all but we just feel the trip is not complete with trying that.

15th April 2006
17 hours of flight plus waiting time (in Hong Kong). Finally we touched down around 6:30pm at KLIA. We are back!

Sabah, a state of Malaysia located at North Borneo. This became our choice for vacation in year 2005 because we don’t really have any proper planning. Everything came up “quite” last minute and just too many “unexpected” things happen throughout the year.

Few years back, I went to Sabah with my colleague in CPM and we stayed in Nexus Karambunai Resorts. It’s a nice hotel and best of all YM can get real good deal with her company’s corporate rate. So, we go Sabah!

It’s a 4D3N trip (28th Oct 2005 ~ 31 Oct 2005) and we fly AirAsia from KLIA to Kota Kinabalu (Terminal 2). This is first time we fly on lost cost carrier and the flight was delayed for about 1 hour. The flight took about 2.5 hours to reach KK and refreshment serve on board is chargeable. Nevertheless, we bought a pack of Ribena juice just to have the feel of it (buying stuffs on board).

KK T2 is a terminal without aero-bridge. We have to walk down from the aircraft towards the terminal building. It’s a real “touch-down” feel. We took a taxi straight from airport to the hotel and it cost RM 65.

Nexus Karambunai, a nice hotel with magnificient sea view and all sort of 5-stars facilities. Unfortunately, it’s raining when we checked-in but at least we get a chance to see raining in KK In the evening, we walk around to explore the hotel. At night, we get a chance to watch the Kadazan and Bazau dancing at the hotel lobby, check out the photo gallery for some nice shots with their so called “hero”…

Highlights of the trip will be…

• Cheap live seafood cooked at your favourite style
• Monsopiad Culture VIllage
• Filipino Market

Besides that, we went to check out their local departmental store, not much different from what we have in KL. The only significant difference will be the crowd, where you can see the skin colour is different as most of them are quite dark compare to us. Not to forget, KK is Celcom’s territory! Oh ya, we met a friendly hotel staff who send us to the downtown after our trip to Monsopiad Culture Village.

At last, the same taxi driver (Mr. Leong) pick us up from the hotel lobby to the airport.

Since this trip was quite a while back, it’s lucky that I still can keep the itinerary (copy from the travel agent’s website). Although this is not as detail as the europe’s but at least this could recall our sweet memories back in those days.

There are three of us joining this trip (cc, YM and YM’s brother). The group is about 10 people with one couple (on their honeymoon) while the rest are Genting Bhd’s staffs. Some names that still fresh in my mind while typing – Terrence, Ron (the driver)…

I still remember we were brought to chinese restaurant everyday till everyone was complaining to Ron. Next, we go on our own to Milford Sound on the free day rather than follow the group who also go to Milford Sound . Not so much to write here but overall NZ is a slow pace country which definitely good for retirement. For youngster like us, this place don’t come with many entertainment except for some lakes and mountains.

06 July 04         Singapore – Auckland – Christchurch (Meals On Board)

Your exciting New Zealand Holidays begins with a pleasant flight to Christchurch via Auckland.

07 July 04         Arrival at Christchurch (Dinner)

Haeremai! Welcome to New Zealand

Your tour begins with CHRISTCHURCH as you are driven through acres of well-kept parklands, gothic-style buildings and Elizabethan mansions. See for yourself why this city is also called “the most English city outside England”. Your city orientation includes visits to the famous Cathedral Square, Museum of Canterbury and Art Centre. Time permitting, we will also visit the rugged Cashmere Hills where you can view Christchurch city in its splendor. At night, you can test your fortune and try your luck at the Christchurch Casino. (Dress code: Formal Wear, No Jean & Sport Shoes Allowed)

08 July 04         Christchurch – Queenstown (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Your tour will now take you south through Ashburton and over the Canterbury Plains. Along the way, you will be passing Geraldine, center of the prosperous farming regions, reaching Fairlie and then crossing Burke Pass to arrive at Lake Tekapo.

Make a stop at the CHURCH OF GOOD SHEPHERD, and enjoy a photo moment with the memorial there set against a spectacular backdrop of snow capped mountains and turquoise waters facing the lovely glacier-fed Lake Tekapo.

A visit to the PUKAKI LOOK-OUT will present to you a closer look of MOUNT COOK, also known as “Aorangi”. And if the weather permits, you may even want to take an optional helicopter flight up to the glaciers and experience the thrill of landing on a sparkling white snowfield.

Continue on with your scenic drive through Lindis Pass and Tarras enroute to CROMWELL where we will make a brief stopover at a FRUIT ORCHARD. You can purchase some of New Zealand’s finest seasonal fruits there.

In the evening, you will arrive at the major resort town of QUEENSTOWN, nestled beside the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. At night, you may wish to try your luck again at the casinos.

Accommodation :  Sherwood Manor Hotel or A-Line Hotel or similar class

09 July 04         Queenstown (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Take a pleasurable cruise on the Lake Whakatipu and visit the high country sheep station at WALTER PEAKS STATION. You will be enjoying a pure New Zealand barbeque lunch before returning to Queenstown. From the afternoon onwards, you are free to roam around Queenstown at your own leisure.

10 July 04         Queenstown – Freeday (Breakfast)

A day to be mesmerized with the beauty of Queenstown. Spend an exciting day doing everything you have seen on TV with the dozens of activities here :

Check out the bird’s eye view of Queenstown with the Skyline Gondola

Feel the thrill of jet boating in New Zealand rivers or the adrenaline rush of white water rafting

Take a helicopter trip through the river chasm, or a casual trek along the spectacular walking tracks and horse treks

See the Kiwi Magic Show

And if you are daring enough, take the plunge with bungy jumping

Accommodation :  Sherwood Manor Hotel or A-Line Hotel or similar class

11 July 04         Queenstown – Christchurch (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Our tour will now take you to ARROWTOWN, a vibrant historic gold mining town established in 1862. The discovery of gold in the Arrow River attracted miners by the thousands into the district resulting in the formation of settlements adjacent to the gold mines.

After you have experience on of New Zealand’s history, we will be heading back to Christchurch.

Accommodation :  Camelot Cathedral Hotel or similar class

12 July 04         Christchurch – Auckland – Singapore (Breakfast)

Time to bid farewell to New Zealand so you can share your memories and holiday photos with your family and friends back home. Transfer to Christchurch Airport for your flight to Kuala Lumpur via Auckland.

We hope you will be bringing back with you sweet memories of an enjoyable holiday with New Zealand Holidays.

Things happen back in year 2003, Hong Kong is our first destination oversea. It’s also where we started our annual trip. Everything was planned is about 2 to 3 weeks time, i.e. tour booking, Internet research, etc. This is a 5D4N (25th December 2003 ~ 29th December 2003) Free & Easy trip with half day city tour.

Still remember, Tommy – our tour guide in HK greet us in the airport. We were then sent to Stanford hotel (Soy street, Mongkok) check-in and have a short rest. During this short rest (about 1 hour) YM and I head straight down the famous “Lady Street” which just 100m away from the hotel. We found that this place is really a shopping heaven as most items are “quite” cheap. Then Tommy bring us to the “Wong Tai Sin” temple, Repluse Bay, etc (the half day city tour).

The rest of those days, we were at our own following the pre-planned itinerary going around Kowloon and HK island. Medium of transport is MTR and of course we do walk quite a bit. Not to forget we also try out the ferry crossing betweem Kowloon and HK island. Getting around in HK is not hard at all as long as you can speak Cantonese and read Chinese.

Food in HK is great, at least we get to taste what we always saw in TV drama (i.e. HK dimsum, SenZhen roast goose). We spend one full day in the Ocean Park taking thrill rides, watching dolphin shows, etc. Also we revisited Lady Street and Temple Street several times for cheap (and nice) shopping. Some other attractions we visited are …

• Aberdeen
• Sogo, Time Square…
• Lan Kwai Fong
• Tsing Yi Maritime Square
• Harbour City

Overall, Hong Kong is a place where  we will definitely return for second, third, forth (perhaps many) times. We love the food, the forex rates, the people, the shopping complex…in fact it’s a real shopping paradise! The MTR is so convenient with Octopus card in hand. Next time around, we shall plan for a long stay in HK

P/S : This trip was organised by Skyworld Travel