Date: 13 07 2006
Day: 14
Today is the day where we have to return back to Perth. But we are not going to just end here without anymore fun. Everyone got up at 4 am in the morning and head down to hop on the hot air balloon. After almost a week of booking, we finally managed to get the tickets and the weather permitted us to go up in the air. Yeahh!!. When we got to the waiting point, it was freezing in the morning. We were jumping around to keep warm. There were like 2 U.S. teenagers who only wear slippers and broad shorts. I could literally see them standing on the ground and just shivered.
After, we got to the take off site. The guide took out a huge balloon from his truck. He told everyone to lent a hand and start unwrapping the balloon. It took us about 1/2 hr to set-up and heat up the air to get the balloon air borne. Once the balloon is air-borne, no one waste any time. We all sat in the 12-seater basket and up up again we go.
The view up in the air is magnificent and breath-taking. The forest were covered thick with the morning mist which give it kind of a Lord of the Ring feeling. It is as if something mystical is about to happen. As we flew further down the path, dogs were barking at us and we could see what every household has in their backyard.
The most exciting part is to land the balloon. The guide picked an open field and we were all crossing fingers. A bad landing means the basket will crash onto the field and everyone will be throw out of the basket. The worse part is not the idea of being thrown out of the basket. But rather, the field was covered with horse dung. No one want to get dung on them !! But we had a safe land. But while keeping the balloon, we roll in a few couple of dung in too. I hope the next group who will be unwrapping the balloon, don't get dung in their hands.
Soon, it was time to say goodbye to Sydney. We had enjoyed our 14 day of stay here and seriously speaking we don't even feel like going back to Perth anymore.
Date: 12 07 2006
Day 13:
It was a lovely morning. The snow storm has stop and the sun is out.
Check out the snow flake. Every Snow flake is unique. You cannot find two snow flakes that has the same design.
The tour guide bought us to a different ski ground but no one on the bus wish to go ski. Almost everyone legs are still very sore from the yesterday trip. So, we just walk around and enjoy the day. This ski ground is so much better as compare to yesterday. This has a much even slope and I feel it is so much better for a beginner. The one where we went to yesterday has bumps all over the places. Anyway, we had a snow ball fight. Ouch and it is painful!! We also managed to build a snowman. But it took us hours just to roll two big ball. It was a brilliant holiday and ski trip.
Date:11 10 2007
Day 12 ~~ Ski time.
It was freezing when we got up. According to the tour guide, there seems to be a snow storm throughout the night.
The slow gradually changing environment until we see Snow.
It was so awesome to see Snow. Yet, it is freezing. It was snowing like X'mas. Everyone just feel like jumping off the bus and start running around. The minute the bus stop, that's what everyone did. We put on our gear and waste no further to start running around while the tour guide head down to the ticket office to get the tickets. Well, we waiting outside in the snow storm for about 2 hours before the guide came back with out tickets. Gosh, talk about effective. I could have spent those time learning how to ski. Good thing, Lat had some experience in how to Ski. At least, those 2 hours was not wasted.
The mountain is packed with tons of people. I must say it is not easy to walk about with our ski gears on. Everytime, I tried to walk up a slope I just had those feeling of sliding down. Man, it is very very tiring. After a few hours of gliding and sliding and falling, I managed to get a hang of it. I wouldn't say I'm become very proficient. But, YES !!! I learn how to ski. As the place was crowded, there was a couple of times where a kid just came dashing out in front of me. I have to reacted instantly. I managed to swirl like a professional and avoid the kid. Glide further down the slope before I start rolling on the ground. It is soooo fun.
After 5 hours of ski, my feet begin to feel sore. We headed into the cafe to enjoy a nice hot meal and tea.
At about 5pm, we packed up and headed back into the hotel. All these while, even until the point we got back to our hotel, the snow storm just got stronger and stronger. Excellent !! More ski to come tomorrow.
Date: 10 07 2006
Day 11:
4 backpacks
Yes !! Yesss !! The day is finally here, the one and only ski Trip. Here we are waiting for the bus at 8 am in the morning for Thredbo. It is just so excited.
After 2 hours of bus trip, we had our first pit stop. We stop by at this small town. Everyone just got down the bus and find a spot to stretch out their leg. There was this saying Perth was the windiness place in Australia. But I hold on to this quota first. This small town was even windy than any of the spot I've been to in Perth. Not to mentioned, it was freezing.
Our next stop Cockington Garden.
Next stop, we were given a choice either to head down to the capital Exhibition Hall or the Science Centre. Well, we choose the exhibition Hall since it was free.
We sure did not regret it. It was such a lovely afternoon walk and we managed to shot alot of pictures. After the walk, our tour bus head straight down to Parliament House. This was my first time in another country's Parliament house. And Australia Parliament house is full of heritage. It was like an art house combine with a museum.
Next stop, the War Memorial House. Here is a place dedicated to the World War Soldiers who have fought bravely and died. I must stress this part. The Australian has great respect for the soldiers who have sacrifice themselves for the country
At about 6.00pm, we finally arrived at our hotel to rest for the night.
We are this close to the mountain for ski. Yeahhh !! But, first time to rent some gears.
Lastly, this would be the mountain where we be heading out to ski. Can't wait until tomorrow come. ~~
Date: 09 07 2006
Day 10:
Korean Fusion
Seriously, one cannot get sick of Korean food in Sydney. It's just simply delicious. Even more, the sides are refillable and they don't charge you for it.
Date: 08 07 2006
Day 9:
Shopping on a Saturday Morning.
Check out ways people are trying to avoid break-in
Lastly, more chocolate Strawberries. Yummmy.
Date: 07 07 2006
Day 8 in Sydney:
A little brunch we prepare
Japanese Ice-creams
Ikea in Sydney
Well, what is a trip without visiting the Ikea in Sydney. We love to see does the designs varies differently in different countries.
Date: 06 07 2006
Day 7 of our Sydney trip, we just spent most of the day shopping.
Remember those American Tv series whereby they always have those chinese take out in a box? We managed to find this store that sell it and ,man,I do have to admit it does taste nice.
What is it like travel without visiting the Casino. I must admit that the Casino in Sydney do look so much better than the one in Perth. For a Starter, it is smoke-free. And as usual, I make to make a bit of money using a dollar playing the jackpot machine. Lucky me !! X )
After all the gambling and walking, we decided to end the day with a nice hotdog. Lat drove us to this spot which was supposedly to be the best place for hotdog.
The truth is: It is indeed one of the few best hotdog I ever have. Yummmy. Hoootdooog .....oooooo
Date: 05 07 2006
Craving for Korean food? We know we did. Good thing was that Sydney wasn't lack of these. Lat bought us to one of the best Korean BBQ Buffet I have had for years.
Where on earth are you going to get $22.90 worth of Korean food buffet. It is not only cheap and the food has begin marinated to the perfection. Splendid !!
Date: 04 07 2006
Our Breakfast
Today is the day, we going to head out to visit the aquarium. Yeahh...
Enjoying a cup of Green Tea with cream.
Taking a bus
Outside the Aquarium
It was abit wet today. However, this does not damp our mood.
Our VIP entry
Good thing we made a booking before we head down. Not only it cost cheaper, we can skip all the queue.
Enjoying the fishes
After enjoying a few hour inside the Aquarium, we continue our excitement by heading down to take the power boat ride. We enjoy the scenery from the harbour and get very wet.
Lastly, to end our day, we had a nice pancake meal from the ROCK. yummy.
