30.6.08

got myself a new job as a cleaner at one of the backpackers and they pay me bucks!~ how sweet is that? thanks to my jap friend whom intro me the job. more income for paying my weekly rent and food! bad news is i can't get as much working days at the thai restaurant as they are hiring more ppl now but the boss and staffs there treats me real nice! and the boss is a super nice too! occasional free shots from the boss (he makes really nice shots! as in alcohol)
everything is fine here except my back is still sore from the fall 2 weeks ago and shoulder and front chest injury from snowboarding. my right leg is starting to take in the pain.
i can't say enough...i'm really missing home now but not wanting to go home just yet. this morning while walking to work, i saw the mountain was all white. white powdery snow is all i think of. cold but sunny up there! fuhs, the snow is 80cm thicker than before!

see you in the powder!

23.6.08

let it snow. let it snow. let it snow.

today will be my last day at YHA Methven. i am moving to another backpacker to stay and this time I will have to pay for accommodation. it's $130 a week and i think it's quite pricey but i was told they are the cheapest weekly paid backpacker in town. i will try my best to look for a flat (single room) to rent. looks like everyone is looking for a flat here. it's really hard to be honest. i also got myself a new job at a thai restaurant. i get paid 10 dollars an hour. 1 free dinner and 1 free meals from the menu after work. it's not too bad. i really think if i work hard for this job, the boss/manager will be happy and recognize my effort.
the snow up the mountain is 18cm thicker after last night~! this is good news for the boarders and skiers! i might hitch hike to go up later when i'm done packing and moving to the new place. so much has happened along this journey. sometimes i really do feel like giving up but good souls always keep me on my toe. keeps me positive! that no matter how hard or the situation is, i myself have to be in control. life isn't always so smooth as u think for me. some bumps and hick-ups r necessary for growing. i am starting to feel a bit homesick. i miss the warm sun. mamak. family. friends. but still, this is something i will look back and not have any regrets on later in life! this is what i do. this is what i want. embracing every bit of the moment as i go.

18.6.08

was in methven for 2 days and i found a job and a place to stay on the 3rd day. it was somehow a blessing. guess i count my blessing too soon. i work for accomodation. in other words, i get free stay and breakfast as long as i do the chores at the backpackers. i started working today and it was alright. easy stuffs. preparing breakfast, doing beds, washing and drying laundry...the thing is i like this job, its easy and i have time to go up the mountain after morning chores. my job starts at 6.45am and probably ends at 11am or so. well, i like the place, cosy place and clean kitchen...though my sharing dorm stinks of "i-don't-know-what". my boss is alright but sometimes a bit over "kin tio"... this morning while doing the hostel's laundry and my own laundry...he turned off the drying machine and came to me a bit upset telling me i shouldn't use the drying machine as the weather outside is sunny. the thing is...the cloth hanging lines are all fully hang by the bed sheets...so i thought its ok to use the drying machine as the is no more space left to hang. while having my late lunch, he came to me with a harsh tone: "there is a big problem...when i said something, i meant it...." u can imagine the rest. i wasn't happy...but i know its saving powers and stuffs. he was briefing the rest of the staffs and i this morning about saving powers in the hostel... i am just using drying machine like once a week...(that's how i usually do my laundry..) it's not gonna take so much of the bill is it?...why making such a big deal out of it... i am quite thankful that he took me in for work because i was just asking for job the day before and he had to let go one of the guys cos he can't speak good english. i need this job and place to stay as i'm gonna go up the mountain as much as possible since i already bought the winter season pass! anyway, this will pass. i shall not like this beat me. (for now i must "tao tao use pc in my dorm"...can't go outside liao cos he will sure nag about using too much electricity again... :(

anyways, photos from snowboarding! enjoy.




onigiri for lunch


mist in the evening. it was so thick the we can only see many metres ahead of us at ground zero.

8.6.08

breathing life

last weekend was the queen's birthday and it was a long weekend. some friends who works together at the pack house invited me to Abel Tasman National Park. it was a 3 days get away from the busy apples packing schedule.

edited: got a sms this evening from my younger sis. her bf proposed to her and she told me the wedding will be held probably end of next year. i'm truly happy for her! best part is, the ring was somewhat like tiffany & co. it was something she wish to have cos we were talking about the ring she would love to have months before i came backpacking in nz.

Pupu Springs (New Zealand largest natural spring)

Wainui Bay

Wainui Falls

Tata Beach


some harbour by Tata Beach


watching sunset...

the weekend crews: me, takuya, hiroshi, masato

catch of the day!

horse riding at Cape Farewell

we made wonderful dinner at Takaka: japanese dish; 3 colours rice & potato soup by Masato + Takuya, spaghetti bolognese by Hiroshi + me.

Bark Bay (we started off the Coastal Track by water taxi from Marahau and walk 6 hours back to Marahau) tiring but it was all worth it! not to mention we also spotted heaps of glow worms before the Marahau exit.

The Costal Track, which give wonderful view of the beach and surrounding of Abel Tasman National Park. I can't say i been to a lot of tracks but this is by far my most fave track! I've only done Tongariro Crossing at Tongariro National Park, Hooker Valley and Tasman Valley track from Mt Cook.

lunch at Torrent Bay (wrapped rice + miced beef)


banzai nippon! *rofl*

random jump off a tree bark!


7 more days to go before i see snow and feel snow! mt hutt, i'm so coming!