Trip down to New Zealand is surely interesting and refreshing. The Country is clean, kina freezing at times and people are awfully friendly. Its a much slower pace country compare to Singapore with lotsa fantastic view of the greens and blues. Went over on a Sat night to Palmerston North to settle my Education in Massey University. Its a 10hours flight down to Auckland, thereafter, 1 hour flight over to Palmerston North. By the time i`m there with an aching back and terrible messed up bio-clock, its already Sunday's late afternoon and shops were all shutted at 5pm. New Zealand is 5 hours ahead of Singapore!
The Signature Clock Tower that stand tall and proud in the midst of "The Square"
Travelling around Palmy is pretty easy. If you are going over to the sch which is at the other end of town, juz take a bus from the main street which will cost around NZ$2. Else, cab will be a more direct way of travelling but it will cost you quite abit. Abit more expensive then taking a cab in Singapore but the cab drivers are really friendly and safe! Else, walking will be the best way to travel in Palmy. Everything is build around "The Square". Shopping Centers, Church, Information Center is right at "The Square". So its not to bad to have strong legs and start walking. Another way of travel is to get a car, prices from NZ$19 to NZ$60 a day depend on what kind and how big you want your cruiser to be!
Other interesting place to visit in Palmy will be the Ruby Museum on Cuba St, abt 10 to 15mins walk from "The Square". Its the home ground of the All Blacks Ruby Team and it has a rich history of Ruby Championships and International games. Its free entry to the Museum and photography is allowed! Next will be Ongley Park on Fitzherbert Ave. Its an award winning park in New Zealand for running 4 years if i'm not wrong. Great place for photo taking and enjoying the view. In General, Palmy is a University Town with lotsa young kids and international students. Lotsa interesting avenue can be found around Palmy but it will surely take a long time to show and tell. Therefore if you are goin to Palmerston North for visiting or juz travelling around, head to the information Centre and check out the stuff.
I also went down to the Capital of New Zealand which is abt 2 - 3 hours train ride away from Palmy, Wellington! Taking a train early in the morning at 0615 from the train station is really no joke. Gona take a 20mins walk from where i stay in the freezing cold with the sun still rising off the horizon. Train ride cost around NZ$22 to Wellington and if you are stopping at any other stops before Wellington then its different cost. There is only one train ride from Palmy to Wellington, if you missed it then you can always go down to the main street and take a bus which will cost around NZ$35 for one-way ticket. Which will take slightly more than 3 hours! The Station is located on Bunny St and you can have some breakfast around the area since the shops will open around 1000hrs.
Some pretty important delegate from Argentina are in the area, so there are lotsa police officers on the streets.. But i'm surprice their TPs are using BMW bikes..
Shopping is a must in Wellington. Main shopping streets are Cuba Street and Lambton Quay! Cuba street is like 2 rows of shops that sell funky stuff and Lambton Quay is like Orchard Road..
Although Wellington is known as the Capital of New Zealand, Auckland is considered the hub of all international trades and acts as the 2nd Capital of New Zealand. Auckland is covered with Asian people, especially Japanese and Chinese. I was living on Victoria Street which is one street away from the main shopping area of Auckland. Travellers were everywhere and i can often hear Japanese or Chinese language being spoken on the street.
This is the Sky tower, which is the tallest building in Auckland. You can do Sky Jumps, Sky walks or juz go for the observatory to take some photos or have a cup of coffee at the highest point. This is also the place for Casino 24/7! Went in to take a look and wasn`t really that bad.

Breakfast was serve at this Masala Dosa Store in Aotea Market. Aotea Market only open on Sat and Sunday. Juz like a Flea Market but their products are mostly first hand and hand made but the owner or local factories.
There are soo much more to do as well in Auckland, like Bungy Jump off Auckland Harbour Bridge for NZ$100, pick up point from viaduct harbour, Rainbow's End Theme Park at Manukau City; not to far away from Auckland city or you can try Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter Underwater World, pick up from Sky city Atrium NZ$2 for bus fare and NZ$29.50 for admissions. If simple outdoor adventure will do juz fine then you can try 4 wheel motor bike Safaris by 4 track Adventure, off Auckland City, pickup from Central City and bus fare is NZ$40 event is like one full or half day worth pricing at NZ$135 to NZ$235.
Shopping Areas are on Queen Street area, Aotea Market and Victoria Park Market. Drink your day away at the Viaduct Harbour as you can find good food, good music and awesome drinks.
More information can be found in all information centre located in all cities. That will and must be the first place to visit to equip yourself with locate area information, maps and important information to make your trip worthwhile.
Well, New Zealand Trip has open up more outdoor adventure sports to me and sure enough if i ever go over to study, my end of semester trip will most likely be working and travelling to these activities. Any frens who are interest can let me kneo we can go over some great adventure..
Next will be LimeSonic Bang at Sentosa. It was a local band party on the beach starting as early as 1300hrs. Till late or rather early the next day 0300hrs the next day. Was the day where i have to condition myself back to the local weather. It damn hot!!
This Ipod shuffle isn't something i bought off the shelve. Its my first present won from LimeSonic Bang.. Yup, there was apparently some Aids contest thingy where they asked some question over the sms and the first one of the set of question will win an ipod shuffle. And i'm the first proud owner to win the first set of question. If i knew, i wun get my Zenstone Plus or Ipod Nano. hai.. now I got some many Mp3 player.. damn...
Finally coming to the end of my travel blog on New Zealand. There is juz soo many photos and information to share but if you guys wanna kneo anything juz msg me! Wld love to help as much as i can! Next stop will be Japan... Kawayi, Kiray des shi.mai...
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