Monday, June 13, 2011

The Museum, Polynesian Spa & Hells Gate @ Rotorua

当我们从Tongariro National Park 启程到Rotorua时,一路上天气是阴暗的(如同天气预测一样),还下雨呢。抵达目的地的游客中心,拿了我们要的活动配套,还是下雨(结果下了一整天的雨),所以我们就往博物馆避雨顺道参观参观。。。呵呵。。。然后就泡了好几个小时的温泉。人生的第一次温泉啊!爽!
When we left Tongariro National Park in the morning for Rotorua, the weather was a bit gloomy. We reached Rotorua and it was raining. It almost rain the whole day! So what did we do? After we checked out the i-Site, grabbed the tickets of the activities, and started our itinerary that suits the rainy day – Museum & Spa!
下雨啊,大家都没拿相机出来,这是博物馆网页下载的。博物馆不大,最令人印象深刻的就是那小小电影院,讲述毛利人的祖先如何来到新西兰,火山爆发时椅子会跟着摇晃的叻!(我们觉得厉害因为那迷你电影院看起来有点陈旧,没想到有这等现场效果,呵呵呵)
We didn't take out the camera due to rain, so this photo taken from the museum's website :) Museum itself is not huge, and the mini cinema that shows how the Maori settle down in New Zealand impressed me the most. The chairs will move and shake in line with the movie's story (volcano explode...)

逛了博物馆后还是下着雨,可能老天也觉得我们该休息休息,暂且告别户外活动,所以我们也‘顺应天命’,泡温泉去了!我们选了Deluxe Lake Spa,有四个不同温度的池让顾客浸泡,虽然放眼望去并无什么特别的美景,不过还是很舒服的。此时天空下着雨,冷冷的雨水打在脸上,顿时让那被熏得昏昏的脑袋清醒过来。。。
一泡就是好几个小时,那硫磺的味道久久挥之不去。。。
It was still raining after we finished exploring the Museum, probably God want us to take some rest and no outdoor activities today. Hehe, so we went to Polynesian Spa to try out the hot pool spa! We took the Deluxe Lake Spa package whereby there are 4 different temperature's pool for you to immerse in it. Felt so good when the cold cold rain dropped on my face while body was warm... we were here for few hours, so long until we can still smell the sulphur few days after :P

第二天傍晚因为没什么事情做所以我们就跑去试一试这‘泥泉’以‘定惊’(至于惊什么嘛,下回分晓)。这里贵多了,而且地方比较小,又只有一间更衣室,如果是多人的话应该要排长龙等着梳洗。原来泥泉不是我们想象中那么浓稠的,呵呵,要从池底把泥捞起来再‘贴’在脸和身上。。。最厉害的是,浸完泥泉后得冲冷水把身体冲干净才能去普通的温泉,真的是冷到...
Well we did this on the 2nd night @ Rotorua after our extreme daily activities (to share in the next post). We went to Hells Gate for its mud pool spa. But it didnt turn out to be so nice as the Polynesian Spa and its pretty costly. Lucky it was low peak season, otherwise, I guess their relatively small size of pool and only 1 fitting room facilities might not be able to cater for large volumes of visitors. The mud pool was not like how we imagine it (full of thick sticky mud :P ) the mud was laying on the bottom of the pool that u need to 'grab' it to put it on your face etc etc  :P
因为时间和天气的关系,我们没能去乘筏子,留待下次咯!呵呵。。。这里的‘国际青年旅馆’(YHA) 棒极了,以后背包旅行都会考虑这旅馆,超有水准又不贵,非常值得推荐哦!

Due to weather & limited timing, we did not try the white water rafting here (good reason to re-visit huh? :P) Gotto mentioned a bit about the YHA Backpacker Hostel here, its really of great value, clean & nicely setup, I will definitely consider YHA if I ever backpacking again!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Never SenHeng Electric Again! Consider LH Emart!

Especially the Bandar Puteri Branch. Why? Because they staff can give you all sorts of excuse (including personal problem???!!) to delay your warranty claim, to FIND your replacement parts and best is never call you to follow up as PROMISED.

What did I do? After travelling few times back to the shop and with N times sms to the staff. I gave up. Login to the Consumer Right Association Portal, type a complaint, click 'send'. That's it.

Will I get a reply? I will perhaps, but of course not too soon, but at least I take action.

Here is what happened:
30 April - Send my cordless phone for warranty claim, was charged another RM5 for the new phone warranty. Fine, I paid. Was promised can get a replacement phone after a week.
11 May - Travelling back to the shop, was told that, sorry, phone not arrive yet. Fine, I wait again since they said next week I can get it.
18 May - I went there again and wow, they told me the phone is 'ON THE WAY' to the shop, I can get it 'THE NEXT DAY'
19 May - I went to NZ, so my brother went there to take the phone. Result - Sorry don't have the phone, please wait again.
19-31 May - Brother went there again - Sorry, no replacement phone yet.
4 June - I finally get back my replacement phone BUT THEY LOST THE BASE! No base, can't charge battery, how to use???
4 June - 12 June - forgot how many sms I've send, how many promised I've been given, I still haven't get my base back.

WTF???!!! Enough is enough. Complaint. That's it. Some people just tend to take advantage when others are being nice.  Such an attitude in servicing line, man, they should have close down the shop so that less consumers suffer from their lousy services.

What I wanna say here is, go LH Emart (especially SS2 Branch) to check out their electric goods, the price are amazing, you dont even need to waste time to bargain! Senheng?? Never again!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Tongariro Alpine Crossing @ Tongariro National Park, NZ

其实整个旅途我都觉得我们很幸运,因为该看的都看到,该做的也做到了,住宿安排也如预期中满意,老天爷配合的很,感恩哪!这一天也不例外。听说我们出发的前五天天气很不好,蓝湖都看不清楚,天气预测,过了这天,接下来的五天天气也不好,我们却偏偏捞到这最漂亮的日子,幸运!

这是新西兰其中一个最壮观的步行道,全程大概19.4公里,出发点和终点不一样,所以一定要安排交通。7-9个小时就可以完成(视你走多快,停多久。。。),至于风景如何,来看看吧!
This was another lucky day of us. We were told that 5 days before our tramping, the weather were not so good and people couldn't even see the blue lake! Yet we had a super Sunny and Windy(blow away the glooming cloud) day! God Bless!

A little fact of the crossing. This is one of the most spectacular tracks in NZ. About 19.4km walk, starting from Mangatepopo Hut and ended at Ketatahi road, so you'll need a transport for the crossing as the starting & end point is different. It takes about 7-9hrs walk (depends on your pace), and how's the scenery? It's awesome awesome awesome! Take a look!
吃过令人精力充沛的早餐,带上旅店为我们准备的水、三文治、小吃和水果,准备出发!
After the energetic breakfast, we brought along the prepared pack lunch, ready to go!

这时Lorraine(旅店负责人)再次大喊“好啦好啦,不要拍太多照片,该开始了!记得三点钟一定要离开Ketatahi Hut!”。开始我们都觉得为什么她那么紧张。后来才知道原来她觉得我们亚洲人太爱拍照啦,常常因为这样而延误行程(前一天就有一班亚洲人因为拍照所以耽误了时间),而我们的国家又热,她觉得我们不会常常走路运动以保持身体温暖。。。哈哈哈。。。紧张也是一种关心吧?
At this point of time, Lorraine (the lady who send us here) kept shouting "not too many photos! Start walking, remember to leave the hut by 3pm (repeated N times before we depart)".
While on the way back only we understand why -- coz she think we Asian take too much of photos (a day before the group delayed their journey due to taking too many photos ==|| ), and we do not have the fitness (coz our country is hot woh, so she assumed we don't keep walking to keep the body warm. hahahaha), thats why she kept shooing us to start...hahahahahaha...

再次觉得自己在 Discovery Channel 里,说我大乡里也好,真的从来没有想过我也有机会走上这么一趟!激动的很哪!这背景,美的太不真实了,美得像布景一样!
Again I felt that I was in the Discovery Channel! Never never thought that I would have a chance to experience such a beautiful sceneric walk. Excited and felt so blessed...The snow mountain was too beautiful to be real, that always made us felt that it was just a wallpaper background... 

来到这里之前有一个‘止步!考虑回头’的告示牌。回头?想都没想过!
There is a 'Stop! Consider Turning Back' Signboard before we reach here... Turning back??! Nah... no way!

好大的一片云海!我人生中的第一片云海。。。
(以前一直想去林明山看,不过就是没机会)
The very first 'Cloud Sea' in my life...
that I always wanted to see it in 'lin ming shan' here in M'sia but no chance...

阳光普照却凉凉的,四周环境又有沙洲的荒凉感,感觉真的很奇妙和特别 (再次大乡里 ^_^)
雪迹在和我们打招呼
The Sun was so strong yet it was windy and cozy, a desert-like plateau, the snows were waving to us...

沿着雪山行走,一路向上,人类在大自然中变得越来越渺小。。。
Walking along the mountain, all the way up! Human become so little in front of the mother nature...

觉得这里和Mt KK的顶峰有点像哦!不过KK高的多了!
Looks very similar with Mt KK's peak huh? But KK was way higher!

鞋子进沙了耶,哎哟。。。好一个画面!拍照的,加分!哈哈哈。。。
Some little sand(stones??) went into my shoes... hmn, such a photo huh? Plus point to the photo shooter. Hahaha


令人心神为之一振的蓝湖,高雅的,宁静的呈现在眼前。。。
The mind lifting blue lake shows up, presenting itself in a calm, serene and elegant way....

翡翠湖一点也不逊色,让人徘徊。。。
A beautiful Emerald Lake, mineral leached from surrounding rocks contribute the emerald...

书包做三角架,手套顶着不让强风吹走我的相机,就为了这难得的合照!
Backpack as my tripod, gloves to prevent the strong wind blow away my camera, just for this special moment!

我要把挡风外套脱掉拍照!哈哈。。。现在不做些白痴的事情等几时啊?和冷风打着架拍照呢!
Wind Breaker Off! Yeah baby, if we don't do something stupid now, when shall we do it?? Here we go, fighting with the wind and made post and say 'cheese'!

这张为自己留念,不知何时再有机会‘discovery' 嘛
A memory for myself, as not sure when will have the next chance to be in 'discovery channel'...

我们在这里用餐,呆了。。。有半个小时吧?那么漂亮的景,不急着离开啊,反正我们走在预算时间前。。。
Had our sandwich here, stayed about...30mins? Such a beautiful scenery, why rushing to continue while we were way ahead our schedule?

回望一景,慑人。那斜斜的松石路很考‘定’力。。。
Looking back, kind of a breathtaking...the descending path are all lose stones, pretty testing on your balancing and momentum... 

过了蓝湖,这就是下半段路的主要景色,高山植物保护区。。。Lorraine说,这里的高山植物两百年才长那么好几吋,所以一路都有告示牌提醒行者不要乱踩,要沿着山路走。。。
After the blue lakes, these will be main scenery... the alpine sensitive area. Lorraine said the trees in the alpine area only grow a bit for 200 yrs, thats why they put up all the 'alpine sensitive area' to alert trekkers stick to the path and do not simply step on the alpine trees...


到达Ketatahi Hut,休息,吃苹果,劳烦德国的朋友为我们拍照!时间多得是嘛,谁说我们体能差来着?:P
Arrived Ketatahi Hut, rest, enjoyed our apple, and the Germans were kind enough to help us take some group photos :)
Eh, we were still plenty of time ahead, who said Asian do not have the fitness eh? :P

要做这个举动很久了!很白痴不过就是要试!跳得不错嘛(这是老外应该在暗暗摇头。。。哈哈哈。。)
Wanna do this long ago! Yes, looks very idiot but man I wanna try it! Not bad mah right? ( I think the westerns were controlling not to shake their head now...)

嘿,这样的路,有好三个小时多叻!都别说不让人压抑。。。
Hmnm, walking on this kind of route for 3hrs plus, what say you eh? Kind of depress leh...hehehe...

最后一段路进入了和热带雨林很相近的森林,有如回到马来西亚一样,不过因为是秋尾,很快就天黑。三点多感觉傍晚就要来临一样。。。加快脚步的走着。。。
Last part of the walk very much similar with the tropical wood, just like those in M'sia, but Autumn here the sky get dark very early, 3pm something we already felt like evening is approaching...

完成了!呵呵,还有证书和T-Shirt 呢,晚餐那苹果派让我无法忘怀。。。
Ta da! Done! And we've got a cert and a t-shirt, and a wonderful dinner!
小小资料分享,路线图
Crossing trek info

途程的高低一览无遗
Gives you the idea of the altitude across the track
来过,走过,人生无憾
 Been there, Done it, No Regrets.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

另类萤火虫 My First Encounter with Glowworms @ Te Kuiti, NZ

开始搜集资料时还以为它们和这里的萤火虫一样,后来才知道摆了乌龙(真是不好意思)。在Waitomo一带有大概7家观光经营者,配套多的是。选择了保罗,因为在TripAdvisor里他的名声最好,而且又可以视我们的能力作出配合改变。结果证明我们的决定是对的!

I thought they are same as the firefly here, as they glow as well. Of course I was wrong (really blur =='). Around Waitomo area there are around 7 operators that bring tourists visit glowworm cave, with lots of different packages. We choosed Paul as he has the best comment in TripAdvisor and is flexible enough to customized our route based on our ability. Proved that we made the right choice, its a fantastic adventure!

保罗提供所有服饰和‘武装配备’。呵呵,
这一身超‘可爱’的衣物把我们包的暖暖的,在洞里绝不怕被冷着。
Full suits provided. Looks funny right? But its damn practical, those clothes kept us warm in the cave!

先来个实习,熟悉如何操作配备。。。
Paul let us practised to familiarize the equipment...

开始了!心跳一百为百尺缘绳下降掀开序幕!
Here we go... 100 metres abseiling as starting point!

觉得自己在Discovery Channel 里一样,化石叻。。。
Felt as if I was in the discovery channel... seeing the fossil in real...


和洞里的岩石纠缠一轮后,我们来到了这第一拍摄点。。。
保罗是个地质学家,但对摄影也有一番心得,这是他用闪光灯助我们拍下的照片
Arriving at first photo shooting destination after many magnifient views.
Paul is a geologist, yet he is good in photographing as well. This is the photo that he helps us snap using his flash gun..



感觉好像在摄影棚里拍的一样huh? 我个人超爱这张。。。
Just like in the studio huh? I particularly love this photo...

再次心跳一百(自然反应啦)。不过这关有点沮丧,下到一半我仍然无法明白保罗的指示,还好不是第一个下去,不然另外两位仁兄有排等。。。呵呵呵。。。
Again heart beat increased. Here I got stuck in the middle a bit as my brain got stuck with Paul's instruction (shame shame shame). Lucky I was not the one who went down first, else my two other friends really gotto wait...


来到这里已经看过荧光虫了,但还没拍照。只是好好的体验。。。为什么叫它们做荧光虫啊?因为个人觉得它们和萤火虫不一样嘛,一样的呼唤好像有点混淆,所以私下把它们称为荧光虫咯。
Alread seen glowworms when we reached here. It was really amazing... beautiful, wonderful. No photo shooting yet, we just stay quietly and enjoy it...with our snacks of course :)


这姿势是保罗的注意哦
That was Paul's idea...

继续迈向不知明的期待,期待下一个大自然的惊喜。。。
Kept walking to another wonderland, a surprise from the mother nature...
Oh, Paul said there is no snake at all in New Zealand! Phew (coz we asked when we walking through a path where the grasses tall enough to reach our knee...)

再次庆幸自己没有超重,否则卡在半中间真的是呜呼哀哉。。。
Again I felt so blessed that I am not over weight, else stuck in the middle of it really 'no eye see'...



当我们把头灯都熄掉时,荧光虫陆陆续续的展现在眼前,漂亮极了。保罗为我们讲解虫的种种,然后我们就静静的欣赏这独一无二的景色。流水,岩洞,和浩似星星的荧光虫,一切都那么的梦幻。。。
Reminds me of the song, starry starry night... this is the scenery when we all off our headlamp, its the glowworms! Wonderful isn't it?
 


如果有超级相机,效果应该更棒。不过我朋友这半自动的傻瓜相机已经很厉害了!
If only there is SLR camera... but then my friend's half manual camera already very super :D Thanks to him, else we won't be able to snap any photos here...


这张感觉也很棒!
Like it!

不一样的绿
Different kind of green...

又怎么会想到这平平无奇的草原下会隐藏着那么多的惊喜呢?保罗和孩子们以大自然为游乐场,还会抓蜗牛去喂鳗鱼呢!反观我们这里,人小小已经是电动神童了。。。唉。。。
Who will ever think of under such a normal grassland hidden so much of surprises?  Pau & his kids have the mother nature as their playground, feeding the eels with snails. What about us? Our younger generation nowaday is already a gadget freak even before school...  

总的来说,我绝对推荐这一趟刺激又梦幻的行程,是不容错过的!
保罗的网址:http://www.greenglow.co.nz/
All and all, I would really recommend this trip if you ever visit North Island of New Zealand! If it is summer, you can even do rock climbing!
Paul's website: http://www.greenglow.co.nz/

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