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.