Sydney - One day sightseeing (Part 2)

Queen Victoria Building

Some history of the QVB Building

The Queen Victoria Building, now affectionately known as the QVB, was designed by George McRae and completed in 1898, replacing the original Sydney markets on the site. Built as a monument to the long reigning monarch, construction took place in dire times, as Sydney was in a severe recession. The elaborate Romanesque architecture was specially planned for the grand building so the Government could employ many out-of-work craftsmen – stonemasons, plasterers, and stained window artists - in a worthwhile project. Originally, a concert hall, coffee shops, offices, showrooms, warehouses and a wide variety of tradespeople, such as tailors, mercers, hairdressers and florists, were accommodated.

Over many decades, change saw the concert hall become the city library, offices proliferate and more tenants move in, including piano tuners, palmists and clairvoyants. Drastic 'remodelling' occurred during the austere 1930s and the main occupant was the Sydney City Council. As recently as 1959 the Queen Victoria Building was threatened with demolition. As it stands now, in all its glory, it is testimony to the original vision for the building and the superb craftsmanship of the artisans who put it all back together again

Impressive dome at the center of the building (above). Inside the mall (Below).

Darling Harbour

After visiting the QVB, I just walked like 10 minutes to Darling Harbour. It's a nice place to take pictures, relax and chill out. There are many cafes and restaurants nearby. Many kids will be playing with water at the area below. From the picture, you can see Sydney tower at the far end too.

Sydney - One day sightseeing (Part 1)

I'm at Sydney now. It's only 5:30pm on Sunday and I have no idea what to do.. Guess it's the best time to update my blog. I have lots of entries to catch up but I'll just leave those later. I'll talk about Sydney first.

This is my 2nd trip to Sydney. I came here before when I was 13. That was along time ago huh.. So I think I'll have to do the sightseeing once again. My initial plan was to cover the city in 2 days but I managed to do all of that just in 1 day.

Harbour Bridge

This is one of the iconic place in sydney. Many people just take pictures of the bridge from afar. What you should do is to actually walk across the bridge. I did not drive down to the city but took the train instead. I got out at Milson Point's station and walk across this bridge towards the Opera house following the walking path called ' Cahill Walk'.


Along the walk, you'll be able to see the bridge up-close and of course the opera house from afar. It's good to take this walk in the evening. I did this in the afternoon at about 12. It's so hot and the sun is burning.. Can get dark easily..




The Rocks @ Weekend market


After completing the bridge walk, you'll reach The Rocks. It's in between the bridge and the Opera house. During weekends, you'll find a weekend market there. Lotsa interesting items for sale. Got some souvenirs here.

Sydney Opera House

After walking around the market, next stop. The opera house. Along the way to the opera house, you will pass by Circular Quay. The interchange station for buses, trains & ferries.

From Circular Quay, you'll be able to catch a good view of the harbour bridge. So time for some camwhoring.

Present

I should have posted this in December but since it's a 3 in 1 gift, it's not too late to post it today. hehe

My birthday, Xmas + Vday present (3 in 1) from Paul.

Indonesian Project Gone LIVE!

I'm finally done with this project after working on it for 7 months. I no longer have to go back to Indonesia. :) Hope it doesn't come back to haunt me. Phew!


Why it was a nightmare??

-It's the one who caused me not to update my blog as frequent as I used to.

-It's the one who caused me to have emotional & mental breakdown at some point.

-It's the one who made some of my weekends miserable

-It's the one who made me worked extra long hoursss

-It's the one who made me "swim" all alone in the deep blue ocean -> I survived.. :)

Cameron Highlands (2)

Apart from snacks, one musn't miss the steamboat. Plenty of fresh vegetables for you to choose from and the weather to go with steamboat is excellent.

Another MUST-GO site is the tea plantation. There are several tea plantation that you can choose to visit at Camerons. The most famous plantation is the BOH tea plantation opposite Equatorial hotel. I gave it a miss this trip. I went to Cameronion tea plantation instead.

After that, we went strawberry hunting. One of my friend was desperate to get strawberries for his girlfriend. In the midst of the mission, we saw a signboard which leads us to another BOH tea plantation. I did not know there're 2 BOH tea plantaion at Camerons. So we checked it out. Recommend to go to this plantation too if you would like to get a good view of Camerons. There's a spot whereby you'll get a very good view of Camerons.

Cameron Highlands (1)

I needed a break.. and managed to fit in a 2 days 1 night trip to Cameron. That's a very good place to relax. No hectic activities.. Enjoy the cooling weather, enjoy tea, and the best of all.. eat, eat and eat :D

There are many gardens/farms to visit at Cameron. The cactus garden, the vegetable farm, etc. Since Rose Valley was the nearest to where we stayed, we chose to go there first.

After that, it's the beginning of the Eating trip.. Lots of delicious food which I couldnt resist.. SweetCorn on one hand and another fried mushroom on the other.. (How can I not get fat :0)

The we had fried sweet potatoes too.. Yummy..

Then the steam ones.. Sweet...


After that, dessert time.. Strawberry ice cream

It's Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!!!!

I did not go "partying" this year but instead gathered at my friend's place for a drinking & gift exchange session.

The presentsss for the gift exchange. :) The box in red is from me. Do you think I'll be able to get back my own gift? Coz I would like to have it.. haha

Paul received a gift during his Xmas party at the office and he gives it to me as a Xmas present. (How nice of him huh...) It's a box of chocolate anyway... So I opened it up and shared the chocs with everyone.

The time has come to unwrap all our presents.. I got an inspritation book titled 'Believe'. Wow.. How does Santa know I need that? You Believe you can.. means YOU CAN! :D hehe

Anyway.. Have a wonderful Xmas!!

Bdayyyyy

Happy Birthday to myself! I'm officially 26 today :D

My second home

The below room has been my second home for this year. I "shift homes" pretty often these days.. hehe Let me show you a glimpse of my second home.. :)

My King size bed with 3 pillows always positioned that way every night..

and my sleeping companion... My beanie dog.. (I decided not to bring my beanie bear anymore.. The hotel staff is torturing him. hehe ) Look how adorable by dog is..

If I go to the balcony, I'll have a good view of the swimming pool. It's really noisy every morning.. Kids laughing.. shouting.. etc.. A good alarm to wake you up.

Lastly.. the television... That's the only thing I can do in the room.. Online & watch tv.

I'm BACK!!!!!

I've been MIA for a few months but now I'm back.. :)

I'll start to write again because I miss it.. I miss blogging and I think it's one of the best medicine to de-stress as well. ( I've been really stressed lately with my job. I've been working for 6 years .. and I can say that this time is the worst.... :( )

Anyway, look what I got for myself at the airport today while waiting for my flight back to Surabaya.

....

......

........ TADA

SMARTIES!! with cinderella :)

Teddy - Part 2

Everyday after work at Surabaya, I looked forward to go back to my hotel room to check out 'Teddy'. Why? Because I have a cheeky cleaner who puts 'Teddy' at different places with funny positions.

On Monday evening, I found by 'Teddy' doing some Yoga pose..

On Wednesday, 'Teddy' is too tired.. So he just lie flat in the middle of the bed.

On Thursday evening, 'Teddy' was sleeping at the corner of the bed.. waiting for me to be back. :D

Teddy relaxing

When I got back from a day's shopping at Surabaya, I saw Teddy lying on my hotel bed in that position. :)

So relaxed... on a Sunday :) Crossing his legs and also with his hands behind his head resting.

Stressed... Busyyyy

I've been really stressed and busy lately until I have no time to blog.. Will try to find time and write again as I've got so many entries to share..

Day 3 - Seoul, "Dai Cheong Gam" movie set & Nami island

I'm sure most of us have watched this famous korean series 'Da Cheong Gam'. I visited the place where they filmed it. The place is a bit run down because it has been there for many years. I heard that they are going to tear down the place soon.


My handsome... hahahah


Shooshhh... I'm busy preparing meals for the king.. ;)



After that, we went to another famous place called 'Nami Island'. This island was made popular by another famous korean series 'Winter Sonata'. I haven't watched this series before though. :P

Not sure why is there a mermaid in front of the entrance of the island.

I think this is the main actor & Actress of Winter Sonata. aww.. so deeply in love eh..



The weather was freaking cold when I was there.. Shiverring most of the time but the scenery is good. Check out the pictures I took below. You can come here 4 times a year. Reason for that is because the scenery is different in every season. When I was there, it was Spring. So all the leaves are all Green. If you go few months later, the leaves will turn red. Then during autumn, everything will be brown. Not too sure how it looks like during winter. I think you'll just see branches without leaves? :)

Day 2 : Jeju-do

On the 2nd day in Jeju-do, we visited "Yongduam" or known as the Dragon Head Rock.

This rock is a Basalt formation. Why is it called the Dragon Head Rock? It is said that a dragon that lived in the Dragon King's Palace beneath the sea and in its desire to reach heaven, was turned into stone. Do you believe this legend? ;) Who knows ya... From geography point of view, this oddly shaped structure is the result of solidification of flowing lava during a volcanic eruption many years ago.

After that, we went to the cliff. It's something like the Uluwatu cliff in Bali which I went to in March. :)

In Jeju-do, you'll be able to see many yellow flowers field. Nice place to take pictures. We managed to stop by one of the fields to have some snapshots.

We went to a waterfall too. Cant remember the name of the waterfall though. Nothing spectacular about this waterfall. So many Korean students there.. Can't really have a good shot. I stayed there not more than 5 minutes. :P