韦一の动漫专区

好久没有blog了，这次开了一个新的‘韦一の动漫专区’，记得捧场哦！

Swine Flu

Click the following to see who is the culprit.

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/6342/littlebastarde.jpg

Kia Ora, NZ!

Kia Ora (Maori version of Hello, I think haha)!

I was planning to go to NZ to meet with Jeffrey, but due to unforeseen circumstances it has become my own backpack holiday. Once I arrived at Auckland Airport I went to the I-SITE information centre and thanks to that Chinese staff I joined Stray. I don't know where it will bring me to, but anyway I am travelling by myself so who cares. (Note - Stray is a tour company, but a bit more flexible, with smaller groups). I totally missed all the attractions in Auckland city, only manage to take some pictures at night...

Auckland Sky Tower

My trip started right on the next day, and the driver-cum-tour guide-cum-organizer is called Tyke, an English playboy (muahaha). He is easygoing, quite good. I got to meet some backpackers like me, but the difference is that they are travelling to many places (some even travel around the world), haiz. We departed from Auckland city first to Mt Eden. It is an inactive volcano, and we went straight to the top to have a view of the city. After that it was a bit boring, we went to the Stray office listening for a 15 minute talk about Stray.

The Stray bus I was taking... (really stands out)

Me and Mt Eden + Auckland city at my back

Tyke then drived to Cathedral cove, a nice little beach with some cave-like structures. Next, we stopped at a small town called Thames to have lunch and buy some foods before heading to Hahei.

Behind me is a small take in Thames

Tyke and I in front of Cathedral Cove, he said I am like him, what do you think?

Hahei is an even smaller town, and we stayed at a campsite with some cabins. A very good evening indeed - we went to Hot Water Beach, but we have to endure the cold waves while digging the hot water haha.. Everyone said it is better to take a hot shower. Later at night we had a welcoming barbecue, and Tyke is bragging about himself (I would have expected..).

The next day's target is Raglan, the surfers' paradise in NZ, but before that we stop at a small little town called Paeroa, the place where L&P was made the first time. I have never heard of this drink before, but it is quite nice. $3 for 500ml, not bad I think..

The large bottle of Lemonade & Paeroa (aka L&P)

We arrived at Raglan and stayed at a small resort near the mountain. From here we can see the nice surfing beach. However I dont know how to surf so I just have some walks around. We also went to the small Raglan town, and there is a nice little lake with some shops. Nice place to live huh? Beautiful sunset can also be seen here, wakaka!

A nice lake in Raglan

After Raglan, we headed to Waitomo cave (forgive me is spelling is wrong). I didnt join the cave-in experience tour as it is $120 (too expensive for me, sob sob). There is one 'spellbound' trip that is cheaper but sucks it is cancelled during winter time. I have no choice but to go to the nearby town called otorohanga, a town with just a small street, a library (with free internet yay), and some shops. I walked by myself to a nearby attraction called Kiwi House, and saw some real kiwis running around hahaha! They are really cute!

These are not real kiwis. Kiwis are nocturnal so it is kept in dark and pictures cant be taken..

That evening we headed to Uncle Bob's place in Maketu to watch a Maori cultural show. First of all we were served with Maori-style meal called Hangi. It is supposedly to be cooked on the ground, since NZ is famous for geothermal activity. Quite a healthy meal, and we had desserts too (a bit off culture). After that is the show itself, featuring a local Maori family performing Haka (men dance) and poi-dance. It was quite nice, and we were even taught how to perform (dont want to put photo here! We were ask to dance half naked..)! That was a nice experience that I will never forget, especially the pukana. We slept on the floor on that day in a traditional Maori hut.

Traditional 'Hangi'

The boys (or men?) performing Haka

All of us showing Pukana!

Nice sunrise in Maketu

The next day is Rotorua, the city that 'stinks'. No lar just because it has lots of geothermal activity, so it has the smell of sulfur (eggs) throughout the city (I cant imagine how people can live there, yuck!). But before that we stopped at Huka Fall and watch some people rafting.

Huka Fall??

We went to a small geothermal Maori village, and god I couldnt believe it. Smokes come out from ground everywhere, with lots of hot water pool (?) and traditional Maori houses. Again we watched a show, but this time by professionals. When asked to try, I volunteer myself to perform (muahaha have to show off a bit lar, since I learn it last night). We also tried hot corn cooked in the geothermal pool (it was really hot!!) We leaved Rotorua then and head straight to Taupo. I regretted not staying a day or two in Rotorua (but I couldnt stand the smell I believe).

In front the village (it has the longest name, but shortened as Whaka)

A Maori geothermal village (smokes all round)

Haha!?

Me (red shirt) showing off Haka

Andy (from Bristol) and me. He is kinda quiet, but nice boy (younger than me wakaka, but look old, bleh~)

Taupo is a large town with lots of shops and a lake called Lake Taupo, the largest lake in NZ. We arrive there in the afternoon, and we are asked to do skydive (oh my god, it is too expensive and too scary) so I didnt join. I had a walk around the lake, chat with fellow travellers blah blah, and that day we stayed at a normal backpackers.

After Taupo, here comes National Park. It was a shame that the weather was so bad that the famous 6-hour Tangariro crossing is cancelled. Having no choice, we took a couple of shorter walks, but that was less strenous I believe.

In the middle of the walk..

In front of all the shrubs..

We also went to Mt Ruapehu, a famous ski-field in North Island. Me and another girl (name forgotten) took the lift and went to the top, and the view is nice!! She said this is the first time she rides a lift down the slope (coz normally people will ski!)

Me and Name-forgotten (from Finland) in a ski-lift

Behind is Mt Ruapehu..

We leaved Mt Ruapehu and checked in a most luxurious backpackers I have ever stayed. Each room is 'double-storey' with ensuite bathroom, wardrobe, chairs and table, plus a public spa, a large kitchen and super large living room and dining room. I took a couple of shorter walks around, and found myself cheated by Fisher Rd (isk isk!). I went to sleep quite early that night, coz the bed is too comfy!!!

Tyke is playing golf (he is an amateur haha). It is a competition - if u hit the ball and reach a small island in the lake, you win a car!

Lake Taupo

The next day we had to go to Wellington already, quite sad as I have to start my own trip. I bid farewell with my fellow friends in a bar at that night, and ask for Facebook (muahaha!). Wellington trip by myself is a bit boring I believe. I can even list out all the places - Queens Wharf, Te Papa Museum, Wellington Museum, New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, Parliament Building + Beehive, Karori Wildlife Sanctuary, Cable car Museum + Botanical Garden, Civic Square, Massey Uni, National War Memorial etc. The must-see place is Te Papa, coz it is more than a museum.

National War Memorial, in front of Massey Uni..

Beehive (executive wing)

Te Papa Museum

I must say it is a bit sad to go back to Australia. Until we meet again, New Zealand.

归家

夜，已深。
坐在窗前，脑袋突然膨胀。
这一刻，好想好好地睡一觉。
总觉得好累，好烦，好头痛。
好想休息一下。

再也无法理解什么是人类，虽然自己也是一个人。
出来以后，看见了很多人。
跌了很多倒，绊了很多脚。
很累。
是时候，归家了。

(modified from Grissom)

Latest updates

A lot of things happened recently, and finally, I made it halfway through.

Firstly, all of a sudden my landlady asked me to move out a few weeks ago. I was so shocked when she told me this, since I thought I am gonna stay here for the rest of my degree course. She informed me this just 1 week before my first exam, and do you think I will still have mood to study?

I spent about a few days to look for advertisements about room letting, calling various landlords, inspecting the selected rooms etc. It was exhausting both physically and mentally, as you have to juggle with study and room finding. Finally I found a room near Fruitgrove train station and oops, the rent is $100 a week (compared to $65 a week now). Haiz, have to accept, but anyway the room is bigger and near to the train station meaning it'll be convenient for me to go to uni next year. The funny thing I found was that the street name is 'Plum st' meaning '李子街', haha suit my surname!

Next is about my work. That is kinda busy and boring at the same time. I couldnt learn a lot coz I have to deal with the increasing webster packs. Good news is, my colleague is gonna travel during the winter break, and I will work 2 days a week compensate his leave! Hihi extra pay + extra learning experience. I am also very happy coz I receive my badge from my boss, maybe it is not a big deal for any employee, but for me it is kinda recognition as a staff member.

Next thing is about my exam, I have sit a 4 exams and 2 more to go. I would say I did my best to prepare, since I was worried about moving during my study leave. Haiz I did my best for my first few papers, and I believe I'll at least make a pass. Hopefully the next 2 wont be as hard and I can easily sail through.

Today is Tuesday, and tomorrow I have a day break - haiz have to study... Then Thursday I'll have my last exam and my 2nd year first sem is over!! Life may not be easy as you think, you may think I'm gonna go home and sleep, play PC etc? Totally wrong! First I have to go for a hair cut I believe (long hair like ghost now already). The next thing is to go back and pack my stuffs so I can move out ASAP. Imagine packing up all my things, it gives me headache. Next I am gonna finalize my itinerary to NZ if i have got any time left on Thursday.

Both Friday and Saturday are gonna be devoted to working in pharmacy, I hope it is not as busy sob sob.. Probably can do something when I come back at night? Sunday will be the day I move out, so bye bye 134 chester Rd and lets go to 11 plum st! On that day also I need to pack my stuffs and get ready for my NZ trip - I ll be flying there on the next day - Monday morning!

Couldn't imagine what will happen in these few days... Do you think I will still have mood to take the following exams?

Later. Take care.