Skydiving #YOLO #WHPost4

It's just amazing!

I'm crossing out another 'MUST-DO' from my long to-do-list. Skydive checked.Hehe. Another expensive experience wtf. But since it's a #YOLO kind of thing so don't care lol.

12,000 feet man! Why choose 12,000 over 9000 or 15,000 ft? Main factor goes to price, 15,000 costs $439 while 12,000 costs $339, hundred dollar cheaper. 9000 ft is not in consideration at all due to its height.

Btw, we booked through JJ House Limited and got $17 discount each pax. That's $322.This is certainly a good way to save.We checked in half an hour earlier in NZone Queenstown at 8am coz we were in the first session 8.30am! Apparently we planned to book for 930am but it's fully booked =(

Nzone skydive really 'laku' (means fast-selling) even on weekdays.

Basically they made everything speedy to make sure no delay.

Checked in. Bus departed on time to NZone Dropzone which is 20 mins from Queenstown. Double confirmed our booking and photo request. Have us put on the gown. Short briefing about correct posture to jump--BANANA shape. Quick video shooting.One time no NG. Next thing is board.

Introducing my coach...

We somehow requested to have a marker man so that we could write some words on our hand. One of the staff helpfully helped us with that. But the whole thing had been quite pushy as Xt got to write his properly while me was just left with a pen.

So I did my left hand using my right. But it's impossible to do my right with left hand. So I asked my photographer but he said he got to do the video shooting thingy so he got no hand to help. Then I shyly asked my coach while the plane precipitously accelerated to 12,000 ft.

Me:'Can you please write #YOLO on my hand?'

Him: 'What does that means?'

I tried to explain but I think it's way too noisy that he probably didn't hear me.

So #YOLO is Asian kind of thing?

Btw, back to the dive.

To be frank, I neither in too much excitement nor fear, not until 2 minutes before getting out the plane.

Coach:'we are now 2 minutes from the dive.' There's where I feel the rush of my adrenaline but not too much though. One thing I keep reminded myself-- Don't scream; keep smiling to keep the photo nice. (failed it though, I will tell you why later, but at least I put in effort to try looking good )

There I realized we (me and coach) are the first to jump. Being the last in the plane means the nearest to the plane door and the first to go.


I basically tightly connected to the coach. So wherever he goes, I follow. What he did was to push me through the plane door. I was not given another second to hesitate. The next second I was out of the plane falling into middle of nothing.Nothing, I was floating in the air.

12,000 ft was promised to 45 seconds of free fall. (1 minute for 15,000ft)

Just embrace the fear. Well, there's nothing much to fear. Becoz......I was multitasking up there in the sky. I don't have a second free to fear, to be frank.

That's a super panorama view, giving a full gaze of Queenstown and snow mountains.One good thing to skydive before the weather gets too warm is you got snow mountains in the photo!!

Don't have much time admiring the view though. The next second my photographer glided towards us and gestured me to pose.

So I try to smile and pose. Remember the principle? To look good that's all matter. Btw...such a failure my cheek got too much of flesh and they all got blew up and left distorted despite my big grinned smile.  

15 seconds or probably 10 seconds later I say goodbye to my photographer. He will be in the dropzone waiting for us to land. This left me and my coach.

My perception was that we were gliding gracefully left and right above the horizon. Haha.True or not I'm not sure.

Coach: 'I will let you take control.'

So I was then holding a loop yellow in color. Two hands up--Full speed, that's what they call while flying. Pull down one side, either left or right will lead to accelerating spins.

Coach: 'Do you have motion sickness?'

Me, bravely answered:' No.'

The answer NO was leading to a few more spinning. Left and right. Right and Right. It was fun in the beginning but I started feeling a bit nauseous later. Though it's still bearable.

From jumping to landing probably only lasts for 2-3 minutes I supposed.

Surprisingly Xt's coach didn't let him in charge of the parachute.

That's it! I DID IT. Life is too short to wait. xD

This video basically recorded everything from the beginning to the end.

#YOLO

Cardrona Ski Day #WHPost3

5 weeks after my first ever skiing experience, I was back to ski field once again, this time Cardrona. Partly because Xt has finally arrived in NZ that he anticipated snow long before his arrival; and a part of me have been wanting a snowman so badly but I had not have adequate time to build one properly.

We are acting quick just in case spring gets too warm to melt away the snows.

 FYI, there are quite a few of ski field in the region, namely Cardrona, Treble Cone, The Remarkable, Coronet Peak, Ohau and probably more?

My kiwi colleague raised in the region has recommended Cardrona for new learner like us. 

This time I'm going to be Xt's teacher and pass down what I've learned from few weeks ago. Just the easy peasy basics, how to move and stop. Don't expect much of a 2nd time skier. 

Our plan of taking shuttle bus from Cromwell to Cardrona was called off due to unscheduled trips, we made a few phone calls to other shuttles in Wanaka but we just couldn't be in time for any of them so we decided to drive up the ski field ourselves.

'Human can only plan, God will do the judgement.' Soooo true man.

Weather was good in the morning that snow chain is not needed. But then it snowed heavily at 1pm that we need to fix a snow chain to get down from the hill.

Let's the video do the talking.

Ohaiyo!

Coz you only live once

Start to roll

Our end product! Mr.Impassive

Till next time.

What's up in Queenstown? #WHPost2

Queenstown is a scenic town in NZ South Island, well known for its spectacular view. What's on Queenstown?

My first time driving to Queenstown was adventurous and my boss reminded me (again and again) for not departing too early in the morning as the road is going to be very frosty before the sun shines. It's just a 45-50 minutes drive from Cromwell to Queenstown. Apparently, I am managed to do this and keep myself all safe ;)

1. Gondola and Luge
Gondola is the easiest mean to get you up the hill for amazing Queenstown view, effortlessly, just pay for the uphill cable car ride and up you go.

Luge on the other hand can be thrilling for the very first time haha, Then the second time the excitement subsides a little bit and get too predictable the third time. The fourth time is going to bored you up so I guess 3 Luges ride + Gondola is optimum for $48. (That's what I got for myself, later on I figured out Singapore has this similar Luge as well, but okay lah, YOLO)

The snowfall was a flurry one, not really obvious to be noticed but beautiful enough to be seen with naked eyes... soooooooo romantic..

The view is sort of obstructed by trees and the building itself to be frank, which is why I prefer doing no.2 (scroll down please,,,,LOL)

Look at the overcast sky, Queenstown is looking all dull and gloomy without sunshine; but I'm still happy to be compensated by the snow flurry 

They are the reason I'm in Queenstown for the first time !

To get on the Luge track ;)

2. Queenstown Hill Walk
'Breath-taking' walk (take my breathe away literally） but the hiking totally worth the efforts as the scenery from Queenstown hill was simply too magnificent to be described, not to mentioned about the unexpected stacked rocks and a small hillside lake. We happened to bump into a herd of wild goats as well.

This track grades a medium as in difficulty-  the path is quite steep and demand a lot of energy. I've met a lady who accidentally sprained her ankle while heading downhill but we couldn't really offer a hand to her. Takkan want me carry her on my back....

Queenstown Hill lookout offered a wider angle panorama than Gondola and I seriously feel that this should be the way to overlook splendid view of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu, with Mountain Remarkable on our left.Gorgeous day indeed!

There were few times Jay said we should stop climbing up (b'coz I'm dragging my body slow behind him) but I insisted that we should made our way to the summit. No work should be done halfway but to complete the task was the ultimate goal, otherwise all our efforts would be wasted!

p/s This is the first and last time i'm doing this.

Look at the view!

3. Lake Wakatipu
Lake Wakatipu is one of the indispensable element adds up to splendid view of Queenstown. Just stop at any spot along the roadside near YHA Queenstown Lakeside will lead you to this beautiful tranquilizing lake.

Sit back and watch seabirds flying around and waves splattering to the shore like you're looking out at the ocean  is one of the most relaxing and thrifty activities one could ever do in Queenstown.

The snow mountain ranges definitely add some marks to this scenic place. I wonder how would Queenstown look like after all its 'icing sugar' melts off, it would look all bald and sandy? That's not very interesting....

Seabirds come into picture as well. I wonder why lake got seabirds huh

The lake is in breathtaking aquamarine.

The lake's vastness and its waves seem an ocean to me.

4. Ferg Burger

Forever long queue, forthever crowded with people, this best described Ferg Burger. You'll be astonished by the crowds regardless what timeyou pass by Ferg Burger in the day , as if the people in the town are forever hungry.

Some rated Ferg Burger as the best burger in the world, it's time for us to explore whether it's true!

To avoid waiting long, we decided to go for an early lunch. Spot the menu below, it comes in a range of burger from chicken, beef, lamb, fish, venison to even tofu!

I'm attracted to Southern Swine (don't be deceived by the name, not anywhere close to pork) at the first sight, it comes WITHOUT cheese, If it isn't for me, then who else? LOL. It comes with beef, bacon, lettuce, tomato, avacado, onion and aioli sauce. ;)

A big smile before I gave it a big bite.

Such a big one that I couldn't finish it on my own. The leftover was just good for tomorrow's lunch.

Jay's Sweet Bambi, which is highly recommended by a lot of bloggers. Not really my cup of tea, not to him, either HAHA. 

p/s: Chips come so good with the aioli sauce.Yum Yum

To be frank, I personally think that this might be the best burger in Queenstown, but definitely Malaysia's burger is still the best I've came across. While I'm typing, Penang Spade's Burger, Mugshot Cafe's Bagel and Dayumm's Burger were popping up in my head one by one...Gosh, they are so mouthwateringly delicious!

HOMESICK lol

5.Patagonia Chocolates Ice Cream

Patagonia Ice Cream is one of the must-try in Queenstown and I'm very much into their pistachio & figs flavor. 

My favorite flavor

Jay was having Dark chocolate with macadamia which is very yummy as well!

Pistachio & figs + Strawberry & Cream

That's pretty much sums up my footstep in Queenstown, not to forget Kosco, the Asian Market in Queenstown ;) Till next time

#WHpost1

Aloha, it had been a while since the last post. /.\ And yoohoo, I'm now on working holiday in New Zealand (my all time favourite dreamland).

It's my 2nd month + 1 week in NZ. Well so, just a brief post about what I've been up to....

1. I've got a job, opps, TWO.

Ever since I decided to depart in winter time, I've came across with a lot of blogpost / people telling me off not to go at this time----the scariest sentence ever 'You will never get a job during winter' ,  'I spent 1 month to look for a job'.  

I  started to work on my 3rd day of arrival in a lily bulb factory. But there's trick behind this, I went to Canstaff (this factory recruited through workforce agent,Canstaff) almost every day after I arrived in Ashburton and talked to their supervisor, just to make sure they remember my name. And the key is I emailed them long before the job started in  March! 

Basically, my job is to separate the lily bulbs so that they can be processed by the machine. Ultimate goal: Make sure the machine works smoothly.

Basically we just stand there from 8am-6pm doing the same repetitive gesture---my hand got swollen and sore eventually. I'm such a diligent and self dedicated worker, phew. 

 This job only lasted for 3 days that I decided to leave. It was a lightning-fast decision. I tried to email my current employer again (I had been emailing them for quite a while),  expressing my interest and decided to give them a call.

 Apparently they were in need of manpower, I packed all my stuffs in hurry that night and boarded on a bus to Cromwell for an unknown future--an interview. And then I was hired!

I couldn't see all of these coming in fact. I just keep trying and trying.

p/s: Later when I talk to other backpackers, I learned that all seasonal job can be unstable ._____. Haha.

2. For 23 years of living my life, I've came to see the most spectacular and magnificent view

And I've got the chance to travel with my roommates, Amy and Wen Hui  to Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and Mount Cook on 28/6.

 Living in a tropical country on the equator, my first time seeing snow was exhilarating and seeing all these places covered with snowy white snow was just like a movie scene. I felt like walking/ driving into a painting, everything was so beautiful to an extent I couldn't believe they were being real!

 Gosh, they were just soooo breathtaking.

Lake Pukaki shimmers in milky blue colour; the glacier flour (grounded rock particles from glacier) gives colour to the lake. to   Its's one of the filming location of Lord of the Rings. 

Big Smile. Cheese :D

I love places that make you feel so tiny. We are just stardust so care less!

YOLO

Loveliest place I've ever been!

Church of Shepherd.

Guess it's enough for photobombing >.<

Not to forget about the milky way! I'm definitely not good at shooting stars but I was managed to capture this...... o.o

The first day I arrived in Ashburton on 23/6, managed to capture aurora at Lake Hood. Lucky girl.

3. I bought a car, settled down in a homestay and work in a fruitstall

Sometimes when you're sailing in the sea of life, you will realize that you actually are capable of something you believe you don't.

I never think of buying a car, living alone in an unfamiliar place, travel so far across the Earth to an obscure area where no one knows me and I know no one, clueless about the next city i'm driving to and whom to meet the next...Two months ago, I was still the girl who was freaking nervous about driving from Ipoh to Penang. LOL.

The truth is when you have no one else, growing up happens precipitously on you...Well, it has to be this way.

I like my current job though. It's different from lily bulbs, not boring at all but full of fun. I meet people from all over the world and enjoy talking to them; I enjoy surprising them by speaking the languages they speak and I enjoy telling them off I am Malaysian who can speak Malay, English, Indonesian, Mandarin and Cantonese.

I learn about different types of apples, pears, kiwifruits and others I've never seen before tangelo, tamarillo, nectarines etc. LOL, And I enjoy making not-good-looking icecream after all. Hehe.

4. Ski? Checked.

Clearly stated on the board, LOL, beginner.

Ski was in my must-do checklist for long, I used to look up Korea Ski Tours in the newspaper and felt excited for just checking them up and comparing the price. And yeah, my dream came true. :D

It was in Treble Cone Ski Field, the largest ski field in South Island. It was renowned for its beautiful lake views from the Ski field. Tham, Yi (my ex-colleagues) and me signed up for the first time beginner lesson for $99, this included the ski boots, equipment and 2 hours ski lesson.

But me, being the tai tao ha (big headed prawn) forgot to bring my ski jacket to Wanaka so I have to rent the jacket as well. That made up to $119. Add together the shuttle bus ticket $35, this made ski quite an expensive sport wtf.

FYI, you will need a pair of waterproof pants and gloves, goggles or sunglasses (to protect your eyes from noxious sunlight traveled through the broken ozone layer at south pole wtf? ) , helmet (optional) and ski jacket.

Well, all equipped and ready to go.

Being the first time skier was awkward though, coz most of the people here ski like a BOSS. It was so easy to tell if someone is a regular skier and who's not--we were squirming most of the time and had a hard time dragging our body with a kinda bulky ski boots on our feet and bloody heavy equipment.

I thought it would be freezing up the mountain so I put on a total of 6 layers (3 thermal wear Gosh！）. Never do that coz you're going to regret it! As soon as I started to move around with the ski board on, I got really warm. I hesitated for a while but later I dashed back into the office and put off 4 layers, leaving just 2 layers.

To stop, form a triangle. if fall down, keep the skiboard parallel. To turn right, bend towards left and vice versa. It's  considered a vigorous exercise and be prepared to expend tremendous energy!

It's highly recommended for people like us--first time skier to go for a beginner lesson coz without a proper guide you might not know how to get on/ off from the lift, what to do when you fall, what to do to get yourself up and even what to do to your ski boards!

It's so difficult to get off a lift chair properly. I've tripped up a few times before I got it right but as soon as I thought I had a safe landing, I slid down the slope uncontrollably and then the whole line stopped coz of me! Oops, i am so sorry, just bear with first time skier.

Though there's awkward moment when you stumbled uncontrollably after getting off from the pass but overall we had a lot of fun!

We came merely for the view. 

Picturesque

Nice view huh!

Spotted a Kea. The world's only alpine parrot. (Spoke to a colleague about Kea and I said it looks pretty much like a parrot, then she replied 'It's a parrot!' No wonder lah, wtf.)

My phonecase matched perfectly with the turquoise skies!

LOVE life.

4. Finally, I'm glad I'm here for winter
NZ totally fits in the picture that I envisioned I'd travel during childhood time-especially snow mountain, snowy white landscape, bald trees, gracefully falling snows and snowman building. It would all been a dream if I never take a move and make it real!

Winter could be all dull, boring and freezing cold for others, but for first timer like me,  it just brighten up my day whenever it snows! Haha.

p/s: Winter is almost over. Spring is coming in 2 days time!

p/s: Would like to update more often but chilly weather made people really lazy ,dizzy and succumb to bed wtf. Maybe Spring's not?