Paragliding Over Queenstown, New Zealand

Whee..I am flying

Technically, I didn't paraglide over Queenstown town area but from Coronet peak, which is around half and hour from the town. It's actually a long story as after our guide, Hyge dropped us at the peak of the Queenstown gondola and we happily waiting for our turn to paraglide. I was quite sceptical in the first place as I have major motion sickness and some fear of height. And when they told us that the wind was too strong to fly, I was quite happy to have the activity cancelled. But since they relocated to Coronet Peak to fly, I had to go ahead.

It was a tandem paragliding and the four of us including Lin, were put with a partner who controlled the glide. I got myself a Venezualean guide who kept asking me whether I am ok and kept saying the view is beautiful. Actually deep down in my heart, I think my heart almost fell out once we kicked off from the hill. I practically had to run to start flying and it was really scary. After getting used to the height, wind and fear, I began to enjoyed the view. Too bad, the guide behind me started to be funny and tried to fly higher and doing some acrobatic moves. I can feel my motion sickness kicked in and yet my guide kept doing his spin. Sigh, until I had to resort to blackmailing him that I am going to vomit in the sky, that he finally stopped spinning and looking for the spot to land. Pheww....

But the view from the top is amazing and the feeling of wind rushing through felt good. If someone ask me whether I would recommed this activity, I will say yes. It's a very good experience if you can't take bungee jump or skydiving.

For information, we flew with G Force Paragliding in Queenstown. There is a counter at the top.

Strapped on

I getting dizzy

When are we going down?

Crazy things I did in New Zealand

Bungee Jump - Nope

Skydiving - Nope

Canyon Swing - Nope

White Water Rafting - Nope

Zorbing- Nope

So what crazy things I did in NZ?

The title itself a bit anti climax though. Although New Zealand is famous for extreme activities, the only things that I dare to do when I was there were paragliding in Queenstown and black water rafting in Waitomo. Well, Tongariro Crossing is considered another crazy thing as it was a 7 hour hike non-stop. Other that day, sightseeing pretty much sums up all the things that I have done in New Zealand.

Speaking of that, I haven't not even look at my paragliding video and photos which I have paid NZD40 for them. Problem now is I need to recall where I have left them.

Since I wasn't sure where I have left my paragliding photos and video, black water rafting is the only thing I can share for now. There is no photos or videos but it was one of the best experience I ever had although I almost drown at the part where we need to leap from the waterfall. Not very tall waterfall but considering that I DO NOT know how to swim, I was terrified. But after seeing all the glow worms in the Waitomo caves, I have to say this is the best way to experience the glow worms in the dark.

Tourist boat, not a fun way to see the worms
Picture credit to waitomo.org.nz

Cruising along the river in the caves
Picture credit to contiki.com

This is how I need to jump from the waterfall
Pic credit to smartertravel.com

There is one part where we switched off our headlights and we practically wowed at the sight of the worms glowing in the dark. And doing that while drifting away along the river inside the caves. Definitely something that everyone should do when they are in New Zealand and visiting the Waitomo Caves.

Just for info, we signed with The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.

Bangkok in 5 Days

This trip was end of last year and frankly speaking, I know some have actually gone to Bangkok multiple times but this is the first time I was in Bangkok and in Thailand. Coincidentally when we were there, Bangkok was having some rough time with protesters on the street. I guess somehow we were lucky that these protesters decided to take a break during the New Year and let us, the tourists to have roam freely on the street.

Grand Palace

We flew in to Bangkok via Airasia and landed in Don Mueng airport. When we asked the counter staff for the transport to the city, she pointed out that we should take a cab and the fee was around THB 900 that time which was equivalent to RM 90! Me being the super kiam auditor decided to follow some foreign Mat Salleh backpackers and see where they went to take the bus. I read before that there is a bus to the BTS station- Mo Chit. Finally, we found the spot and luckily we took the A1 bus as it cost us only THB 30 each which was orange in colour. The station is just outside of the airport. As we were staying at Bangkok City hotel which is near to Ratchethewi station, we decided to take the subway to the station from Mo Chit subway station. The hotel that we stay is superb, 3 start quality with super cheap price. For a King size bed room, it cost us only around RM130 per night with breakfast provided. The breakfast was nothing to shout about as it was mostly American. But the location is so convenient that we walked to Platinum Mall and nearby almost every night! And not forgetting lots of massage parlour along the way and plenty of yummy street food. Not going to show much of the photos of the hotel. Can just refer to the link provided.

Damnoen Floating market

What I am sharing will be mostly on the itinerary for the 5 days we had in Bangkok.

Day 1- Arrival and we didn't do much except to walk to Platinum Mall and had our taste McD samurai pork burger. Ok ok..a bit expensive and that was the only time we had it. Thn we had supper at some of the shops along the way back to the hotel.

Day 2 - We went to the Grand Palace area, Wat Pho but missed out on Wat Arun. Instead of taking a cab as most cabs refuse to take us there, we took a subway and then change to boat. Will blog about the details in another time. Then at night foot massage which only cost THB 200. The shop is located just outside of the hotel on the right side. The staff there were in orange uniform.

Day 3 - Floating market and etc. Why I wrote etc because before getting to the floating market, we were brought to the elephant camp for ride, some jewelry shop, snake show. And we only spent like 1 hour at the floating market. Felt cheated with the day tour package we booked.

Day 4 - Chatuchak. Spend almost a full day here since it's Sunday and the market is at full swing. First time, seen my hubby became a shopaholic and bought almost 10 pieces of polo tees at the market. Well, they were cheap and good quality. As for me, I manage to grab a Grade A Prada, haha. Too bad, no money to buy the real one. After that we went to Siam Paragon to get Naraya as I was kiasu to see so many people buying so much from that shop. After googling, only then I realised it's a Thai famous brand. Not bad quality though. Tonight we went to full body massage at the same shop for THB 200.

Day 5 - Just sleep in at the hotel as our flight is at 2pm.

So, how's the Bangkok trip? Now I can understand why everyone crazy about Bangkok shopping and food. I think I am addicted and vow to go back at least every year.

Random Updates

I guess my blog is dying slowly. Haven't got the time to properly sit down and jotting down my thoughts on my travel and yet in a month's time, I will be going to Japan for the Sakura viewing. It's something I have been looking forward since I knew the existence of Sakura and it's something that I need to do for myself. Truth is, the past few months had been very tough mostly due to personal relationship issues. I went through emotional rollercoaster for several weeks and months since beginning of the year up to the extent that I regretted some of the decisions I made over the last two years. It's a shocker for someone like me, who doesn't regret much things/events that happened in my life. I am more like the person who regret not buying that shoe than regret buying. And now coupled with haze, water rationing and missing plane, I came to realise that life indeed is short and unpredictable. In fact, I have been living according to the expectations and want from people around me up to a point I realised I wasn't happy anymore. If I were to die tomorrow, I hope I would not have regrets in my life.

A Hobbit For a Day

It's a dream comes true for me to finally see one of the famous LOTR filming locations which is the Hobbiton. Hobbiton is located at Matamata (which also meant police in Malay) and can be reached via tour bus from the main town nearby.

According to our guide, it's built on Alexander's farm and it was actually torn down after the filming of the LOTR finished. It was only after the Hobbit trilogy is filmed and owner of the farm received many requests for the tour, that Peter Jackson and the farm's owner decided to make the location permanent for tourists.

Truth to be told, I feel a bit disappointed with the tour as it was full of tourists when I was there. And we were mostly given an hour to finish the tour and for free drinks at the Dragon Inn. As we were taking a bus from Rotorua, we had to be back by lunch.

Hobbiton welcoming us

One of the hobbit hole

It's actually empty inside

Before the filming start, the workers have to repeatedly walked to the clothing line to make a pathway

Samwise Gamgee's house

Dragon Inn

Hobbiton overview and the famous party tent

So pretty

Going for a free drink at the inn

Love all the sky reflection here

Hobbit on duty

Kaikoura to South Bay

So before my big hike at the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, our tour manager suggested us to do the small hike from Kaikoura to South Bay along the Kaikoura peninsula. He offered to send us to the starting point which is at Point Kean carpark but since we wanted to practise for our big hike, we decided to walk from the town to the starting point which we took around an hour. Along the way, we actually saw our tour manager driving past a few times and I think at one point of time, he was getting worried that we had not reach the starting point, haha.

From the Point Kean carpark, we set off for the hike along the Kaikoura peninsula to some of the stunning view points, Whalers Bay and Sharks Tooth point. We had so much fun taking jumping shots and enjoying the view at the same time. After a while, we finally reach the South Bay town, which is at the other side of the peninsula. From here, there is a short cut which is an hour back to the starting point.

source: virtual-kaikoura.com

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

wow..I practically left my blog for the past two months. Although I am back since end of Dec last year, but another year end trip to Bangkok had me being away from the office for a month. Such a bliss.

Tongariro Alpine Crossing

I spent almost 3 weeks in New Zealand starting from the South Island and travel all the way up. One of the highlight of my trip is not the sight seeing in the South Island but rather this place in North Island. I signed up for 19.4km hike, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing which is one of the best one day trek in New Zealand and some even say the top ten in the world. I have not been to many treks but as a die hard LOTR's fan, this is even better than Hobbiton as Mt Ngauruhoe or more famously known as Mt. Doom in the movie is located here.

Never regret doing this although I had to carry almost 3 kg of weight on my shoulders while dragging my big ass 7D along. Not even 2 km into the trek, I had started cursing myself for bringing such big camera and signing up for this. 

Distance and altitude of the trek
Source: www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz

Map of the trek
source: www.themissingyear.com

For those who is interested, it's not entirely an easy trek and there is a reason why it was renamed to include the alpine word into the trek as it was previously just Tongariro Crossing.This is to show those who is interested to trek that this is a serious trekking whereby one should prepare for the sudden cold at the top of the mountain. 

For us, we were very lucky as the weather was forecast rain for the next few days. Come the day of the hiking, it was sunny, not too hot and not too cold. As part of the optional trip that we signed up with Haka Tours, there was a shuttle picking us up from our hostel around 6am in Taupo, and from there it's about an hour plus to reach the starting point of the trek, Mangatepopo around 730am. Before we left the bus, the driver told us that the 3 volcanoes are still active and cautioned us to run as fast as possible should they erupted. The last time one of the mountain, Mt. Tongariro had just erupted in November 2012. Truthfully speaking, I didn't know about it until it was told by the driver. Ignorance is a bliss!

Still flat and I was unaware of the hell in front

Mangatepopo to Soda Spring

We started the trek around 730am and from Mangatepopo, the trek is fairly easy with almost flat land. We stopped for toilet break at Soda Spring, the last stop for any usage of toilet before the next one in Ketetahi Hut. I didn't have much extra water to go for a toilet break but since everyone was going, I joined in the crowd. After that, the nightmare began. 

The start of the Devil's staircase

Soda Spring to South Crater (or famously known as the Devil's Staircase)

There is a reason why it was called that way. I was having such a hard time climbing up stairs after stairs and having extra weight made the journey more difficult than ever. It took me quite some time to finally reach the South crater and some flat land before another nightmare awaiting!

Finally at the Red Crater

It is quite scary to stand at the edge with strong wind blowing 

South Crater to Red Crater

This is considered the toughest part of the trek as there are no defined steps or stairs. Just rocks and rocks and many small pebbles. It is also quite dangerous here as I was climbing the rocks, the wind was very strong and almost blew me away. Once I was up at the top of the Red crater, the view is stunning as I can see lakes and mountains afar with such good weather. Took some rest here and my lunch as well. Just chocolates and energy bars. 

Blue Lake

Emerald Lake

Red Crater to Blue Lake

From here,I can fully see the greenish Emerald lake and the Blue lake and it is one of the best scenery during the entire trek. After here, it is a descent but as it was again full of small stones and quite slippery, I fell on my butt a few times. Finally, I had to slide and run down. 

Mt. Doom from far

Blue Lake to Ketetahi Hut

It was quite easy from here onwards but I suffered from leg cramp. Must be walking too much and looking back the view while I sat down to rest my leg, I can see Mt. Doom, the Red Crater and another snow capped mountain from here. 

Mt. Tongariro which is still churning out smoke 

Clear blue skies all the way

Looking tired and eager to finish the trek

Ketetahi Hut to Ketetahi car park

This is one very long descent into the tropical forest and we took almost 2 hours as we need to cross rivers, jungle and keep walking and walking and yet to see the sign of the car park. When we finally saw it, it was 230pm. We took almost 7 hours to finish the trek.

I were quite worried in the beginning that we would not be able to catch the last bus back to Taupo. That is the reason why we keep walking and did not take much time to rest or eat. 

Felt like I was transported into Middle Earth

To sum it up, like my friend said, we felt like we were in the LOTR movie as Sam and Frodo in the quest to destroy the ring. It's one hell of an adventure!

For more information, can check out this official website for the weather and volcano eruption warning