New Zealand 2006 - Exploring the North Island...

"Happiness is in the heart, not in the circumstances..."

05 June 2006
Day-1 : The Thermal Wonderland

(Our spacious 2-berth caravan)

Arrived at Auckland International Airport at 11.00 a.m. We decided to rent a campervan that will allow us to explore the beuty of New Zealand lush green landscape at our own pace. The Apollo Motorhomes Holiday sent a pick-up at the airport and after some paper works at the office, we were off on our journey in a cute and well-equipped Cheapa-campa, a 2-berth campervan. The day was sunny and the weather cool and wonderful!

(Serene beautiful morning)

Drove to Manukau Supermarket for provision. On the way to Rotorua we stopped in Hamilton for a fillet-o-fish lunch at McD. It was already dark when we reached Rotorua. Rotorua is situated on the shore of the lake Rotorua, the thermal heartland of the volcanic central North Island. We camped the night at Holidaypark Campsite. After dinner, we slept in like babies. The heater in the campervan kept us warm till late morning.

(Misty cool morning drive)

06 June 2006
Day-2 : Maori Culture

(A photo shot with the furry)

We had bread and scrambled eggs for breakfast. We drove to Rotorua Agrodome for Sheep Shearing Show and bought some souvenirs. Other attractions include a helicopter ride for a breathtaking view of the vast sheep farms and a tour of the organic farm.

(An energetic cultural show)

Next attraction was the Tepuia Thermal Wonderland to watch the Maori cultural show with contemporary song and dances, including the welcome ceremony, stick dance and the ferocious haka, the posture dance.

(A scary stance)

Later we joined a guided tour around the Ngamakaiakoko Mud Pool and the world famous Pohutu Geyser, the largest of several geysers within the valley. The Pohutu geyser erupts on average once or twice each hour and can reach heights of up to 30 meters.

(The crater of the moon)

We later took the Thermal Explorer Highway to Taupo. On the way we stopped at Waikato River’s biggest Huka Falls. Arrived Taupo around 4 p.m. and stopped at the lake side for a rest. We filled up petrol and bought some provisions. Took the lonely dessert road to Turangi. The road was winding wet and some parks covered with frost. We had McD dinner in Bulls. As it was already late and the weather was extra chilly, we stopped at Sanson Caravan Camp for the night.

(The helipad at the Agrodome)

07 June 2006
Day-3 : Windy Wellington

(Cloudy dark sky)

Breakfast with cereal and scrambled eggs. We drove to Palmerson North through Levin and Otaki. Stopped at Puikura Beach for a short rest. We continued to Wellington and headed to Te Papa Museum. Visited the Lord of the ring Exhibition. We had a sumptuous lunch at one Thai Restaurant.

Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, sits near the North Island’s southernmost point on the Cook Strait. A compact city, it encompasses a waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and colourful timber houses on surrounding hills.

(Calm blue water at the Lambton Quay)

Called Kid Noraini and promised to arrive at her house in Churton Park by 3 p.m. Her Consulate husband was at work but their chidren Muhamad and Sarah were home. Stayed for a while and she packed Nasi Briani and beef curry for us. We drove to Napier, but on the way we stopped at Waipikurau Campsite for the night.

(At Kid Noraini's house with Sara and Muhamad)

The weather was wonderful and we had a good night's rest.

(Lake Rotorua - scenic view)

08 June 2006
Day-4 : Shadow of the Sun

(Cool nice weather in the morning)

Breakfast with bread and beef curry. Drove to Napier and stopped at Pak n’ Save and the Bank to exchange some foreign currency. Took a rest and photo shots along the beach. Drove direct to Taupo and had late lunch at the lake side. Toured around the Crater of the Moon, steam vents and boiling mud pools at Wairakei Terraces. Drove along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Auckland. Reached Manukau Campsite late night. Dinner was bread and chilli sardine. The weather was wonderful and we had a good night's rest.

(The iconic statue by the beach)

09 June 2006
Day-5 : City of Sails

(Rough white water rapids)

Early morning we drove to Devonport and parked our camper at the car park and took a ferry across to the Ferry Terminal at Auckland City. We took the Hop-on Hop-off bus for a 1-hour tour of scenic views around the Auckland City.

(Auckland view from the ferry)

After the tour, we took the ferry back to Devonport and drove to Whangarei along the Twin Beach Discovery Highway. Drove back to Auckland and stayed another night at Manukau Campsite. Before we sleep we packed our bags, Our flight tomorrow is at noon but we need to return the campervan before 10 a.m.

The holiday is coming to its end. Kia Ore...

👈 2006: Madinah, Saudi Arabia

2006: Bratislava, Slovakia 👉

Slovakia 2006: Bratislava - An Old Historical City...

"Failure doesn't mean you are a failure... it just means you haven't succeeded yet..." - Robert Schuller

(Blooming tulips)

The day-excursion to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia began at 7.15 a.m. we saw vineyards on the slopes of the Little Carpathian Mountains, where they meet the Danube River. The Austrian border is almost within sight of the city and Hungary is just 16 km away. Many beautiful monuments survive in the old town to tell of its past under Hungarian rule, and Bratislava's numerous museums are surprisingly rich.

(A Jewish Synagogue)

When we arrived at the main bus station, a guide took us to the old city and the castle area which are the best parts of Bratislava. The old city is packed with museums such as the Municipal Museum which comes complete with torture chambers and the Museum of Wine Production and Primate's Palace and the Mirbach Palace.

(A poster on the wall)

The castle, built above the Danube, was a frontier post of the Roman Empire from the 1st to the 5th century. Since the 9th century it has been rebuilt several times, most recently between 1953 and 1962. Up the hill are the very interesting Slovak National Museum expositions within. The Natural Sciences Museum of the Slovak National Museum and the Slovak National Gallery on the river are also worth a visit.

(A horseman marble statue)

Hviezdoslavovo námestie Square is a convenient orientation point, with the old town to the north, the Danube to the south, and Bratislava Castle to the west. Bratislava's main train station, Hlavná stanica, is several km north of town. The Old Town offers numerous good places to eat and a rich nightlife but we took the afternoon bus so that we could spend more time in Vienna.

(Brass sculpture at the man-hole)

👈 2006: New Zealand North Island

2006: Budapest, Hungary 👉

Hungary 2006: Budapest - The City of Spas...

"A fool despises good counsel, but a wise man takes it to heart..." - Confucius

(Unique architecture heritage)

Today we drove through the enchanting countryside of western Hungary to Budapest, a city rich in traditions. Hungary is a landlocked country in central Europe. Hungary is bordering with seven countries, Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Budapest is about 250 km from Vienna and the road trip took about 2.5 hours. Buda and Pest blend several centuries of architectural and cultural heritage with all the innovations thrown at it by modern life. Historic buildings and monuments are renovated and restored.

(The view of Buda and Pest)

The Castle District, the River Danube embankments and the whole of Andrássy út have been officially recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The Castle District in Buda is the ancient kernel of the capital's right-bank settlement.

(A viewpoint in the city) 

The whole area within the ramparts is protected as an ancient monument: the lines of the streets and the foundations and architectural remains of the buildings retain the atmosphere and memories of the medieval and eighteenth and nineteenth-century capital.

(Visiting the attractions around town)

A panoramic view of the whole city from the Fishermen’s Bastion is an absolute must! In Pest, the most important sight is Andrássy út. As far as Kodály Körönd both sides are lined with large shops and flats built close together. Between there and Heroes’ Square the houses are detached and altogether grander.

(The Police Headquarters)

Heroes’ Square is dominated by the Millenary Monument, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in front. To the sides are the Museum of Fine Arts and the Palace of Arts, and behind City Park opens out, with Vajdahunyad Castle on its own island in the little lake, and further off the Zoo.

(A rest in the garden)

There are many sights to be seen just from riding along the embankment of the River Danube, Pest side, the Matthias Church, the Fishermen’s Bastion, the Castle District, the Chain Bridge, Elizabeth Bridge, Gellért Hill, the Gellért Hotel and Baths. Just before the Lágymányosi Bridge the new National Theatre and Palace of Arts.

(A small chat with a local)

On the return journey there is the Corvinus University building, the Central Market Hall, the Vigadó Concert Hall, and the Gresham Palace and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences both on Roosevelt Square.

👈 2006: Bratislava, Slovakia

2006: Wachau, Austria 👉

Austria 2006: Wachau - Scenic Romantic View...

"Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss..."

(Scenic view from the cruise boat)

Today we took a full-day excursion to Wachau, Northwest of Vienna. It boasts Austria's most dramatic wine landscape, stretching for about 20 miles between the towns of Melk and Krems and hugging the Danube River. The first part of the trip from Vienna was by bus and second part by boat. The journey drived through the beauty of Wachau scenery full of history and legends of the Danube.

(Absorbing the view from the Danube)

The Wachau is a stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems, a landscape of high visual quality. It preserves in an intact and visible form many traces in terms of architecture, monasteries, castles, ruins, towns and villages, and agricultural use for the cultivation of vines.

(On the cruise boat)

The romantic boat trip started from Spitz, winds its way past charming old villages and steep wineyards. The old castles, one of them the Durnstein is famous because here King Richard the Lion Heart was imprisoned, while waiting for his ransom to arrive from England.

(Visiting the Abbey)

The heart of the Wachau is the old wine-merchants’ town of Krems. The highlight of the visit is Melk, the magnificient Benedictine Abbey.

(The huge library)

👈 2006: Budapest, Hungary

2006: Vienna, Austria 👉

Austria 2006: Vienna - Fine Arts and Natural History...

"To be old and wise, you must first have to be young and stupid..."

(The Austrian Note Printing Plant)

7 May 2006

Day 1: Dinner at Ken’s

Arrived at vienna at 6.15 p.m. with hotel transferred already prearranged. The Astoria Hotel is situated right in the middle of Stephanplatz. Allen and the Philippines’ team have checked-in earlier. Dinner was at Ken’s, a Turkish Restaurant where we had nasi briani and lamb kebab. Roger and wife, Gernoit and Wife and Dr. Raluca, from the Austrian Mint team joined us

8 May 2006

Day 2: Visits the Austrian Mint and Printing Plant

(Murals on the wall)

Picked-up and transferred to OeBS at 8.30 a.m. General presentation was by Oliver F on Company profile and products. Together with the Philippines’ team visited the origination team, National Analysis Center, production department and finishing department.

Transferred to the Austrian Mint and visited GSA and listened to a briefing by G Maier. Visited the precious metal casting and blanking, proof production and auto packaging system. End of day dinner with K Meyer, the Director of the Mint at the Wok, a Malaysian Chinese restaurant.

(KTM, the Austrian motorbike)

9 May 2006

Day 3: Witness dies destruction

The Philippines’ team flew to Zurich this morning. I was picked-up and transferred to OeBS at 9.30 a.m. Expert presentation was by Dr. D Schwarzbach on security features. Transferred to the Austrian Mint and toured the plant with B Wohletz. Later witness the destruction of dies and signing of certificates. Lunch was with B Wohletz and Bridget at a seafood restaurant.

(Beautiful and clean park)

By 3 p.m. I was back at the hotel and dear hubby was already in the room waiting for me. His flight from KL reached Vienna very early in the morning. We had ample time to have breakfast before my appointment with the OeBS and the Austrian Mint. 

The Astoria Hotel is situated at the center of Stephanplazt, with rows of shops and famous Viennese cafes. For those keen on shopping there are plenty of flea markets and shopping streets to browse through. At the end of Stephanplazt stood the Gothic Imperial Chapel, houses a wealth of art treasures where the Vienna Boys’ Choir performs during High Mass on Sunday, is also a remnant of the Imperial Palace during the Middle Ages.

(Chelsea and historical buildings)

Places of interest

Vienna has plenty to offer for everyone. The world capital of music was home to numerous opera, operetta and musical composers. In 2006 Vieana is celebrating Mozart's 250 birthday. In the center of the old city, you can admire the splendor and magnificence of the daily life of the noblest family of the Habsburg monarchy. The Imperial Palace, which until 1918 was inhabited by the imperial family, was originally a castle built in the thirteenth century. The Vienna Opera House has a world-wide reputation for its first-class opera performances and is also known because of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. A night at the State Opera is one of the most impressive events any visitor to Vienna can experience. The building itself closely resembles Italian Renaissance, as this epoch was immensely important for art and music. The first operas were written and performed in Italy during the 16th century.

Vast Heldenplatz, Square of Heroes, situated next to it, is very impressive, too. Equestrian statues of Archduke Karl, who won the battle of Aspern against Napoleon's troops, and Prince Eugene of Savoy, who defeated the Turks, attest to Austria's glorious past. Heldenplatz is more than a square, it is one of Austria's symbols of national identity. The trip turn around the old city, we could see Otto Wagner's Post Office Building, the Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna's City Park, the Vienna State Opera, the Imperial Palace, the Museums of Fine Arts and Natural History, Parliament, the Burgtheater, the University and the Stock Exchange.

👈 2006: Wachau, Austria

2006: Bordeaux, France 👉

France 2006: Bordeaux - Lunch with the Mayor...

"When someone is going through a storm, your silent presence is more powerful than a million empty words..." - Thema Davis

(A walk in the park)

4 May 2006
Day 1: Free and easy

The transfer from Paris to Bordeaux was by TGV high speed train. The journey took more than 3 hours and we slept all the way. We have to wait for an hour to retrieve baggage and look for missing bags. From the train station we were transported in 4 buses to our hotels.The evening was free and dinner was with the Thai delegates at one seafood restaurant. Those who lost their luggage got theirs at 2 o'clock in the morning. A call for celebration and a round of free drinks to all.

(Live music while having our lunch)

5 May 2006
Day 2: Wine and dine
'

(A visit to a famous winery)

Early morning we went for a river cruise along the Garrone river. Later we departed from Bordeaux to Pessac by bus to visit Proditec's facilities. At noon departed to Bordeaux City Hall to have lunch with the Mayor of Bordeaux. The lunch was hosted by Proditec. In the afternoon we went for a tour to a famous wineyard chateau. We had dinner hosted by Samlerhuset MDM at chateau Giscours.

6 May 2006
Day 3: City of St. Emilion

(Spending the afternoon at the beach)

We departed for Arcachon seaside resort and visit the Bassin d'Arcachon by boat. Lunch at the seaside, hosted by KME. Returned to Bordeaux to join the tour on foot and visited the historical city center. At 7 p.m. departed by bus to the old city of Saint-Emilion. Dinner was hosted by Schuler Pressen in the clos des Dominicains accompanied by a live band.

7 May 2006
Day 4: Goodbye Bordeaux, hello Vienna

(Collections of rare coins)

Took a cab to Bordeaux airport and flew to Paris. Transited in the business lounge and rested for 4 hours before my next flight to Vienna.

'TRAVEL
'

The road is ruined,

but my feet are strong

My steps are taken,

slowly in this new land

'

Tears fill my eyes,

with wanderer's joy
The joy of discovery,

making this land my own

'

Every place I go, I own...

this is my home

'

(Author Unknown)

👈 2006: Vienna, Austria

2006: Paris, France 👉

France 2006: Paris - Mint Directors' Conference...

"The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation, but thoughts about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking..." - Eckhart Tolle

(Night view of the Eifel Tower)

I was in Paris for the Mint Directors' Conference with a a few delegates from the PRI. After the conference, the participants took the train to Bordeaux for a few site visits. From Bordeaux I flew to Vienna, Australia for a working to Austrian Mint.

Dear hubby flew in and met me in Vienna for a week holiday.    

30 April 2006
Day-1 : Cruise on the Seine

All the conference venues and exhibition rooms were at Hotel de la Monnaie. Global and Technical sessions were held in the Dupre room, Marketing sessions were in the Museum’s conference room. The participants were provided with a welcome pack and later we visited the museum for the exhibition of CRO coins. Later in the evening we had dinner cruise with music on the Seine River.

(The grand opening ceremony)

1 May 2006
Day-2 : Dinner with George Bush Sr.

(Dinner in the palace)

The opening ceremony was grand. The first session started at 10.30 followed by the visit of Monnaie de Paris’ facility. Lunch was hosted by Munze Osterreich. After lunch there was a photo session of all the Mint Masters. Afternoon sessions were technical and heavy.At 7 p.m. we gathered for departure to Chateau de Versailles. Dinner was hosted by Poongsan with a concert at the Chateau with a mandatory black tie dress code. Guest of honor was George Bush Sr.

(On the River Cruise)

2 May 2006
Day-3 : Lunch with the Minister

The morning started with internal affairs session for MDC members only followed by concurrent global, technical and marketing sessions. At 11.45 a.m. the participants gathered for departure to the Ministry of Finance where we had lunch with the Finance Minister. After the afternoon sessions we departed for the Salons de Boffrand de la Presidence du Senat for dinner hosted by Saxonia Eurocoin.

(Dark sky in Paris)

4 May 2006

Day-3 : Goodbye Paris, hello Bordeaux

The morning started with 2nd internal affairs session followed by the plenary session and flag ceremony. We had free time for lunch and later at quai de Conti to depart for the Montparnasse station. We boarded the TGV train to our next destination.

The Journey to Love

The path to true love can often be

Long, winding and somewhat rocky

The journey can be easy at times,

But difficult at others.

The journey can be short for some,
But long for others.

The journey will never be the same for each other,

Because every one of us is different.

None of us will ever know what this path is like

Until we have to travel it ourselves.

(Sharon L Norris)

👈 2006: Bordeaux, France

2006: Bali, Indonesia 👉

Indonesia 2006: Bali - Yoga and Meditation Retreat...

"I would rather be amongst forest animals and the sounds of nature, than amongst city traffic and the noise of man..."

Bali, Indonesia

(30 January - 3 February 2006)

(Oil painting of three young dancers)

30 January 2006

Day-1 : The Island of dreams

The plan for the holiday was made in haste but it turned out lovely and wonderful. Even the Kuta and Jimbaran bombings did not marred Bali's tropical loveland image.That morning we drove from Putramas Apartment early and parked our car at KLIA. Our flight was at 9 a.m. and we reached Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport around noon. As soon as we stepped off the plane we could sense the difference. There were the combination of the friendly people, the smell of flowers, and in the distance you could hear the sound of gamelan music.

(The ladies with their offerings)

We were greeted by our friendly tour guide, who brought us to Wina Cottage Hotel in the Kuta area. After we checked-in and freshened-up, the guide brought us to Arum Spa for a 2-hour relaxing aromatherapy massage and scrub. The spa session offered rejuvenation of the both body and soul. After the spa treatment, the driver sent us to a Nasi Padang Restaurant where we had our late lunch. He later dropped us at Kuta Square, Bali shopper's paradise particularly selling t-shirts and casual clothings, locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques and artifacts. In fact, prices are so cheap, and bargaining at the street markets is a must. The sun sets early in Bali so we walked along the Kuta beach and watched the beautiful sunset…

31 January 2006
Day-2 : Kintamani Volcano Tour

(A painting of paddy harvesting)

Today we had a full day tour to Kintamani. The tour bus picked us up at 9.30 a.m. and there were two Chinese families from KL joining us for the tour. Our first stop was at Batubulan for the Barong and Kris Dance. This Balinese dance is about a contest between the opposing forces of chaos and destruction, the "Rangda" and the "Barong". After the show we visited a famous coffee factory and ended buying aromatic tea instead. We stopped at the gold and silversmith village at Celuk and the batik traditional hand weaving at Tohpati.

(A stone guard of a Temple)

(An old historic temple)

A scenic drive over small roads overlooking beautiful rice terraces brought us to the mountain village of Kintamani. The journey took nearly two hours. It was raining very heavily and it was cloudy on top of the mountain. In between the rain, cold and cloudy conditions and some aggressive souvenir sellers, we had a chance to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Batur and its lake. We listen to a local boy playing the flute, while we were having lunch at Batur Sari, a restaurant overlooking the majestic volcanic cone of Gunung Batur and the lake that fills half of the surrounding, one of Bali's most spectacular landscapes. On the way back we stopped at a suppliers’ shop and the Art village at Ubud.

(The 16th Century Temple on an island)

We reached the beautiful rock temple at Tanah Lot just before sunset. This picturesque Balinese temple was built in the 16th Century on a huge rock off Bali's West coast and is surrounded by the sea during high tides. The temple silhouetted against the setting sun, perched on a rocky outcrop at the sea's edge. The Scenery is nothing less than spectacular. At the foot of the rock temple is a spring of holy water. We could see thousands of tourists visiting the temple during sunset.
It was already dark when we reached Jimbaran. We dropped the chinese family at one of the seaside Spa. The rest of us went to Roda Seafood Restaurant and had a sumptuous dinner of seafood platter of fish, crab and prawns while being serenaded by a local band.

1 February 2006
Day-3 : The 'Mother Temple' Tour

(Bersakih old temple)

The van picked us up at 9.30 a.m. and we started off immediately towards Besakih. Today’s tour was arranged especially for the two of us and we have the driver and the van until night. The journey to Besakih took more than two hours. The scenery along the way is so picturesque and immaculate it could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps, volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical jungle and friendly people who don't just have a culture but actually live it. Half way up the mountain, we stopped to have lunch at Puri Boga Restaurant which offers the peace and tranquility of a resting place high in the hills with spectacular landscape. When we reached the entrance of the oldest temple, we were asked to wear a sarong to show respect. The "Mother Temple" in Besakih is Bali's most holy and Indonesia's biggest Hindu temple. It was build in the 11th Century in an altitude of 1,000 meters on the slopes of Mount Agung – Bali's holy mountain – is also regarded as one of the eight chakra points of the world.

(The trance dance)

Gods and spirits have been an important part of Bali's daily life for hundreds of years and in this temple we witnessed people coming with offerings on their heads and solemnly worshipping their gods.We passed picturesque rice terraces on the way back. In the villages we noticed the quietness and wisdom in old people's faces, and the interest and respect in the young's. Old men sit at the roadside caressing their fighting cocks. We witnessed a religious procession where beautifully dressed women walk proudly carrying offerings on their heads to the temple. On the way we stopped to see the famous painted ceiling at the old Palace of Justice in Klungkung and visited an old Balinese house. With the sunset as the backdrop, we watch the Kecak Dance, a ritual dance combining the chorus of the "Sanghyang" trance dance with a story from the "Ramayana" legend. Two little girls danced in trance followed by the Fire Dance where a male dancer exorcised by spirit danced barefooted among glowing coals. The show was very impressive with its circular chorus of over 100 bare chested male singers. After the show we had dinner at one of the famous Nasi Padang Restaurant.

(The Kechak Dance)

2 February 2006
Day- 4 : Time Sharing Packages

This morning we skipped breakfast as we were promised a free breakfast for two at a holiday villa in Jimbaran. A tour guide picked us at 9 a.m. and transported us to Jimbaran where we were brought to a restaurant for a hearty breakfast while a salesperson briefed us on the Holiday time-sharing packages. We were shown a beautiful chalet and inspected the facilities. Of course we were really interested to listen to get more information but time was running short. We have to be at our hotel for the Airport pick-up at 11 a.m.

👈 2006: Paris, France

2005: Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai, Thailand 👉