::[ kampungkai ]::

Saturday, June 28

Red n Blue

Freedom! dropping that heavy weight off my shoulders never felt better. 25 June 2008 was the big exam that summarised my knowledge of 4 years in one day. In two months' time, we shall see whether i'll sob or cheer when the results are out. Fingers crossed!

Now that i've more time to spend on the net, i shall update this corroded and outdated kampungkai blog, give it some spring (chicken) cleaning and new readings.

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Most of you would know of these two liveries on MAS aircrafts, do you? For those of us who have seen it with our own eyes in KLIA or overseas, would u agree with me that it's such a beauty? especially the one in blue, which is called by the name of HELICONIA (
named after Heliconia leaves)

For those of you who have not seen these two liveries, i'm very sorry to say that the Red Hibiscus is G.O.N.E! boh liao! ELEK! MAMPUS! you'll never get to see it again in real life. As for the blue heliconia, time is clicking, and it's going off very soon. So i highly suggest that u try your luck in KLIA and look out for it.

WHY no more? that must be running in your head. Well, in aircraft engineering & maintenance's explanation, together with the finance department, my bosses have came to a conclusion that the extra and heavier paint required to paint the aircraft is contributing to a higher fuel consumption. Therefore, after doing a very good job by bringing Malaysia Airlines' name to the world for approximately 4 years, it's time to go. Sad indeed, but thanx to the soaring fuel hike, it had to go.

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To share a little more technical knowledge with you, the Hibiscus was painted on two Boeing 747s and the Heliconia on one Boeing 777, each bearing the aircraft registeration of:

Hibiscus:
1) 9M-MPB (said as Niner Mike - Mike Papa Bravo)
2) 9M-MPD (Niner Mike - Mike Papa Delta)

Heliconia:
1) 9M-MRD (Niner Mike - Mike Romeo Delta)

So two red birds are already down and paint stripped, leaving one 'blue bird' (try saying in hokkien) flying in the sky.

Which do u think is prettier? the blue? or the red?

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Sunday, January 6

New Zealand

It was year end, i had wanted to go for a holiday, but didnt know where to visit. Everywhere seemed packed, especially having air ticket to famous countries sold out.

And i ended up in New Zealand - the land of the long white clouds. It was a backpacking trip with my schoolmate (Yih Heng) and his younger sister (Christine). So the three of us set out to the island and searched for 10 days of great fun!

Having a Lonely Planet book was our mobile tourist info centre. Evertything is listed in this bible, from accomodation, food, transport, to history, tourist must see spots and recommended way of tour. It is a must for any backpackers!

We started off in Christchurch, South island and went one round. Followed by north island, moving up all the way to Auckland. One word to explain NZ? Beautiful. Transport was by rented car.


DAY 1 - Christchurch

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Christchurch

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An old man setting up the chess set for public use

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Tram in the city. Not for public transport, but for tourist..

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Gondola cruisng down the stream. Romantic ya?

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Enjoying a scenic view.

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Flowers at the park.

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Birds everywhere. Just prepare bread crumbs and they'll be there.

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On the way to Lyttelton, 30 mins from Christchurch.

DAY 2 - Mount Cook / Twizel

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NZ human population: 4.1 mil
NZ sheep population: 39.9 mil (and growing)

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Bluish purple wild flower all along the road to Mt Cook.

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Lake Tekapo - the turqoise colour lake.

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Aerial view of Lake Tekapo from Mt John

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Unbelievably blue.

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Mt Cook - highest mountain in NZ and Australasia.

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Waterfall. It was raining in Mt cook because we were in the clouds.

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Smileeeeee :)

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Melting glasier with soil on it.

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A place we call home. Omahau Down farmstay, Twizel.

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To the salmon farm.

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Freshly cut salmon sashimi from the pond! mouth watering.

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Clay hill. I guess this hill will vanish a few centuries later cos it's just clay. Rain and shine will bring it down easily.

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my buddy!

DAY 3 - Queenstown

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In the cable car. Bungy jump in the background.

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A view of Queenstown from the mountain. So beautiful.

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I like Queenstown the most among all towns.

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Town at the foot hill.

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Sat in the kart and zoom down!

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Hold tight! sharp corner ahead!

DAY 4 - Franz Joseph

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Franz Joseph Glacier

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Floating ice

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A sunny day with big smiles.

DAY 5 - Kaikoura - town of sea creatures

This town is by the sea. Very famous for whale and dolphin watching. Too bad the tours were fully booked, therefore we only managed to see fur seals which was free entry, because they were laziing on the beach. Next trip, i'll definitely join the swimming with dolphin tour!

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Fur seal

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ZZZzzzZZZzzz...... dun disturb.

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Ferry from S-N island. 3 hours 20 mins ride.

DAY 6 - Wellington - capital of NZ.

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Wellington City.

DAY 7 - Lake Taupo - largest lake in new zealand.

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First time playing on a round pool table, boy it's tough!

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Swimming pool water isnt as clean as this.

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Waterfall. Perfect for white water rafting.

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Never ending water flow.

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My new desktop wallpaper.

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From the opposite end.

DAY 8 - Rotorua

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Llama?

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Am i handsome? furry...

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Dam.

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Water released at noon daily.

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Sheep shearing show. They stink!

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mehhhhh... mehhhhhhhh

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Zorb. I didnt try it cos it was dear on the wallet. But Christine did, she had fun! jealous-nya....

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Hot spring. Very stinky because of the high sulphur content.

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Caving at Waitomo Cave. Pictures in the cave have yet to arrive on my hands. We absailed 30m down the cave, sat on tire tubes and float down the cold pith-black stream, crawled here and there, saw glow worms (like fireflies), and rock climed back up 30m. Took about 4 hours to finish. Enjoyed it alot.

Day 9 - Auckland - biggest city in NZ

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Sky tower in the background. Also the 1st country to celebrate new year, with fireworks shot out from sky tower.

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Any double chin? hahaha...

So that's about it. My 10 summer days in New Zealand from 14-24 December 2007. We really enjoyed it alot, and i highly recommend anyone who is reading this to visit NZ one day. It's a must see ok!?

The biggest drawback of our trip was that we didnt visit Milford Sound because of time constrain. It's the most beautiful and breath taking part of south island. Visiting Milford Sound is like u've completed NZ, to bad i've yet to complete NZ. But it's ok, i'm looking forward to visit NZ again one day!


Click me : Google pics of Milford Sound.

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Waterfall at Milford Sound
(Pic from internet)

p/s: i spend RM2500 for 10d9n backpacking, NOT INCLUDING air ticket.

I have an ex-colleague and also a friend who blog about her trip to NZ too. Do check it out at http://lilmspinky.blogspot.com In fact, if u wanna go travelling to anywhere in the world, you MUST read her blog first. She's finish 6 continents of the world, go check it out.