Creepy Crawlies

Of all the times that I've visited Melbourne, I haven't actually been to the museum. I didn't even know where it was and I've read and heard that its quite a good one to go to. I'm sure its a million times better than the Sabah Museum that I've recently visited while I was in Malaysia anyway.

It turned out that the museum was actually a couple of blocks away from my lodging. I was wondering around town and the botanical gardens, searching for bats so I took the free tourist shuttle that I also did not know about to the museum.

Surprisingly I enjoyed the 'Bug Alive' section of the museum a lot more that I've expected. For those of you who knows me or have lived with me, you would've seen me run away and scream like a little girl when I see a spider.

They certainly had plenty of those here at the museum....EEEeeeeeeee....




They even have an area that is not enclosed where potentially a spider could jump out and bite you! OoooOOoooOOoo .... I did not lean too far into this enclosure of course ... But yes, you could see little and BIG spiders climbing up and down their webs here ... I wonder how many have escaped into the museum. YIKES!

Look at the size of these anacondas OoooOoOoo

... and just a few snakes over here ...

I also liked the look of our furry friends section


...and the not so furry ones as well ...


This was quite a large museum. It took me a good 2 hours to walk around the whole museum, not paying much attention or reading all the interpretation of course.

I had lunch at the food hall at David Jones Department Store. It was pretty nice. I went back there on my last day to have a nice, late lunch because I know what the Jetstar meals are like.


I also walked pass this shop today for all those rejects out there ... there is a place for you after all ... How cruel ....

Melbourne Austraaaaaalia

18 days after my 3 week Malaysian holiday, I managed to scam work into giving me another 9 days off so I can go and have another holiday to get over the last one. I went to Melbourne this time and because I was there less than a year ago, I did not have the urge to go buy things and eat up large like I did last time. Most people go to Melbourne for this. At the end of the day, we all have things to get pass so why buy some more??? The credit card also had a big dent from 3 weeks in Malaysia so it was wise not to blow all my money away on this trip.


I booked myself into the Plum Carlton Serviced Apartments on Swanston Street for AU$93 per night. The serviced apartment is in a great location with a tram stop right outside. If you are looking for something that is nice, clean and cheap to stay, I totally recommend this place. I don't think you can get a 1 bedroom serviced apartment that is in the CBD for this cheap.

I've always liked Melbourne and perhaps one day in the not too distant future, I may consider moving to his arty farty city that is full of people, exciting things to do and well....arty farty stuff.



The city is also currently developing the an area that is called the Docklands ... Its not really finished yet but from what I can see, its going to be a great place.





They even have a cow in tree ...

I've also heard that there are bats that flies around the botanical gardens so I was being hopeful and wanted to see them live in action. The day that I went, all I saw as women in push chairs and screaming kids....Perhaps they've scared all the bats away??? I did pop across the road to a monumnet/building that was built to remember the ANZAC soldiers.


The view from the top of the building was pretty good.

I shall post some more about my visit to Phillip Island and the Melbourne Museum later on....

Sausage Anyone?

POISONED SAUSAGES ALERT!!!

"Residents being warned to watch out for poisoned sausages at a suburban Auckland park which have caused at least one animal to get sick.


Poisoned sausages with blue powder in their centre have twice been found at Craigavon Park in Blockhouse Bay, 15km southwest of downtown Auckland.

Auckland City Council was first notified about the sausages when a dog became ill after eating one in early May.

It was told about a second poisoned sausage on Monday, from which a council environmental health officer took a sample.

The blue powder could not be seen until the cooked sausage was cut open, the council said.

Police and animal control have been notified, as has the Auckland Regional Public Health Service, which has arranged testing of the powder.

Temporary signs are in place to warn the public about the sausages and maintenance contractors are to monitor the park. A wider search has found no more of the sausages.

"The public should not touch any food items seen in the park, but report them immediately to the council so they can be removed to prevent possible harm to the public and dogs ," the council said. "

Lets all do our bit to keep an eye out for those bad sausages that are hanging out there. Note to self, don't take sausages offered by random guys at the park .....

What The?!?

"Blow-up dolls and dressed-up dogs are among the "buddies" North Shore drivers have used to get around transit lane rules.

Private vehicle drivers can only use the lanes if there is a minimum of three people in the car or face a $150 fine.

The lanes, which can also be used by buses and taxis, are there to help to ease traffic congestion by encouraging carpooling.

Some drivers have put blow-up dolls and mannequins in the car, while others have dressed up dogs in children's hoodies.

Another driver quizzed about the whereabouts of a third passenger quipped "he's in the toolbox in the back seat", Mr Dannhauser said."

Let's leave your blow up dolls in your bedroom and let your dog be a dog boys and girls. Obey the rules or find some human friends! LOL .... Bloody NZ Drivers

sNOw SnOW sNoW

It snowed in Christchurch on Saturday. We don't get snow in the city that often during the winter so it was pretty exciting to get a dusting. Most people knew it was coming because it was it was strangely warm the day before and I think it went from 16'c to 1'c within the matter of minutes at about 4pm.

Its quite pretty ....






I'm not looking forward to this winter. It feels like its going to be a nasty one. Its my first winter in Christchurch in 5 years as I have managed to escape them. Bring on the woolies .... brRRRRRrrrrr

Jumpa Lagi Kota Kinabalu

SATURDAY 03 MAY 2008

Today was a rather sad day. It was the end of the our holiday and was time to say goodbye to everyone again. Like always, someone's got to cry and make it even sadder.

Our flight was originally at 8:30am but it got delayed for an hour so we had breakfast at this self service cafe which was not so self service after all. How can I serve myself when there is a glass bit in front of me? Stupid.

I also bought Steve the cute and furry turtle at the airport LOL

I was also quite excited to see what the new airport is like and it is 1000000 times better than the old one. Can't wait to see it when it is all completed next year....well...hopefully I will be rich enough to see it soon...I doubt it though LOL. NZ hotels don't pay a lot.



The flight was delayed again for another hour so I had plenty of chances to explore the new bit of the airport.

The funny thing was that when the plane arrive, clever Royal Brunei have flown in an A320 instead of a Boeing 767. My seat did not exist on the plane because it was not long enough. It turned out that several other confused tourists also had the same problem. We resorted to taking a seat where ever we could find one. Good job the plane was quite empty so we did not have to fight like we did on Air Asia.

As we flew into Brunei, we had a great view of the imperial palace of the Sultan of Brunei...nice....We had a 2 hour transit in Brunei and suprised suprised, the flight got delayed again. They did send us to the airport restaurant for a free lunch though which was great.

The delay in Brunei in KK and Brunei was actually quite good. It meant that our 6 hour transit in Auckland was cut to only 3 hours.

Check out this Hotel SO sign at Auckland airport! Its MASSIVE! Its almost too big to see it....it just looked like its part of the wall hehe

I arrived in Auckland at about 4am in the morning....about 5'c outside...in my t-shirt, shorts and jandles....Not wise hehe....I must remember not to do that next time.

I had a Fabulous time away. It was great to just go back and holiday, see a few people and enjoy some time off. The last few times we went back was because someone had passed away or someone was sick. I must also thank everyone who had put up with us LOL, driven us around, took us out for fantastic meals and loaned us cars over the last few weeks...You guys are great!!

So....end of one holiday and 18 more days till I start 7 day trip to Melbourne.....Great!

MmmmMMmm Island ......

FRIDAY 02 MAY 2008

They day has finally come for me to visit some islands. I just knew I wanted to visit some but I actually haven't made up my mind on which ones to visit. There are about 5 that you can visit I think ....

Anyway, I strolled to Jesselton Jetty to catch the boats that takes you across the water rather than using those ponsy ones from the resort because the ponsy ones charges you 3 times more. As we walked into the office at the jetty, there was a man standing there already asking us to go visit the islands LOL ..... I couldn't be bothered selecting one of the many boats that will take you there so I used him.

It was about RM$30.00 to visit 2 islands ... We've decided to visit Pulau Manukan (the biggest and busiest island) and Pulau Mamutik, which is small but has a nice beach and good for snorkling because of the corals there.

As we walked to the boat, we met up with Hello Titty .... It look like she was dead ... or may be she is just putting on a show for the tourists to take photos

The 15 minute boat ride was quite an experience. I've never had such a bumpy ride. My ass was sore by the time I got to the first island LOL

Just as we thought, Pulau Manukan was the tourist island, jam packed with tourists trying to feed the fishies under the wharf. I was one of them of course and we all played the 'lets put food between our toes so that the slimy fishes can eat off them' ... its actually funner than it sounds.


This one did not come and eat though .... I wonder why ....

After playing with the fishes for bout half an hour .... We did the whole relax on the beach, swim and relax more on the beach thing of course.




We then later took another sore ass boat ride to the next island for a week look ...

Pulau Mamutik was a lot more quieter with less people so it was quite enjoyable....Didn't get a chance to snorkle though....Perhaps next time...

The boat ride back to the city was a bit of a laugh. It was so slow that we all got drenched from the sea spay ... The boat also ran out of gas and had to change tanks half way through LOL .... It gave me time to take more tourist photos.....

Overall, it was a great day and nice end to the holiday. Sea, Sun, Sand and Tan .... can't really complaint.

Very Nice .......