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Interests, Pastimes & Hobbies

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Taupo: Cliffhanger Swing and Sky Diving

News Updates from BBC (Backstreet Broadcasting Corporation)


Andrea: Here we are now at Taupo. We know that a lot of visitors who come here will definitely not miss out on the extreme activities. Right now our reporters are spread all over Taupo to find out the stories. Without further delay, let's first head off to the Taupo Bungy Jump area. Over to you, Mike.


Mike: Thanks, Andrea. Alright, I'm here right now standing on the platform of Taupo Bungy. Jumping.("AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAA"). OK, that won't be the only time you're hearing this. I've been standing here for just 10 minutes and I've heard worse screams. Now, I have here Ms. A.S with me and she had just had her turn. Tell us about your experience doing the bungy jump. Was this your first time?

A.S: Oh no, I didn't do the bungy but the Cliffhanger Swing. It was terrifying! Oh my God, my heart is still beating fast. But then again, the terrifying part was only when I was first released and went high speed free falling. That lady's so bad. She was asking a question and before I even got to answer, she let me off! That was freaking nerve wrecking! I was screaming aalllll the way down. But then again, after that free fall, it felt like I was swinging at a high level and it was awesome swinging and absorbing the spectacular view from where I was. ("AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAA") The water's so clear and blue. I would not mind diving and swimming in it, actually! *GRINS*

Mike: Will you do it again? Perhaps, the bungy jump this time?

A.S: Yes, I definitely will. I wish I could stay swinging there forever. *GRINS* Bungy..*HESITATING* Well, I'm not sure if I've the gut for that. That's like free falling aaalllll the way down and I'm not sure how strong my ankles are in order to support my body weight. I still prefer the Swing, I get to enjoy the view better.

Mike: Awesome. I'm glad  you enjoyed yourself. That must be a lifetime experience, aye! Back to you, Andrea.

Andrea: Thanks, Mike. We take a break now and when we come back, let's hop over to the sky diving site for another upclose report.



*COMMERCIAL BREAK* Have a break, Have a Kit Kat.


Darren: Hi guys! Now, I'm over here at Taupo Tandem Skydiving. Guess what, here I have A.S again!!! Apparently, she's just landed and she's all smiles!! Tell us about it!

A.S: Awesome, AWESOME, AweSOME! I want to do it again! It wasn't scary at all! I felt much safer as compared to the Swing earlier. Yes, there was also a free fall in this before the parachute was launched open  but since I had the girl strapped so close behind me, I felt extremely safe. Again, the views, how spectacular,. We had clear weather. The views...WOW! green pastures, blue lake, floating cloud puffs. WOW! I was enjoying the view aaallll the way down and we even did a 360 degrees flip to look around too. Nice, nice, NICE I wish it was longer!!

Darren: She said not scary at all. I guess she's right. Look  at that girl over there, she's all smiles too and she's jumping excitedly. Hey, you guys out there, if you're coming to NZ, give it a try and you'll know it for yourself. It's all fun and views, says our mate here. Well, thanks again, A.S, and I'm glad you had one of the best day in you life.

A.S: Thanks. I'm glad too, Darren!! If only I could do 7 times a day like the masters, but it's alright. Yay! *Both thumbs up*





Mike: Look, A.S is smiling at us! She has not realized 
what was awaiting!

Say "Cheese!!!"

Mike: Let's check out how others performed
in their Cliffhanger Swings!
This video is courtesy of 
TaupoBungyJumpers.


Darren: Mike, you only have one video to share? How about checking out sky diving videos I've gathered here.





Thank you very much and A.S hopes you enjoy your stay here. ;)



*A.S's current location*
Day/ Date: Wed/ Apr 25th, 2012

-A.S has been back in KL, Malaysia for slightly more than a month now. She admits she has a lot to catch up on her blog updates. Burdened with lots of thoughts, plans and to-dos, she'll still try her very best to keep this blog alive. Thank you so much for keeping up with her delays.

A.S appreciates you as an audience to her blog. It keeps her contented knowing she's not writing for herself. She welcomes you to drop in more often, share your thoughts and interact with her here at cyberspace. The posts may be a little behind but she promises to close the gap as much as she can, as she gets limited internet access and the time to update.


Be a fan today to get instant updates the soonest the next post is published!

It's EASY. At the right-most column of this page, you may either choose to:-
1. Receive blog updates by mail
2. Read her up-to-date posts at your MyYahoo, Google, etc. homepage by subscribing thru the links.

3. Read her up-to-date posts on your Facebook wall by 'Like'-ing the fan page A.S created specially for this blog (Scroll down page to search right-most column)

4. If you are a fellow blogger, link to her blog with the HTML code provided.




Thank you very much and A.S hopes you enjoy your stay here. ;)




Friday, April 20, 2012

Taupo: A.S's Top 5 Free Things To Do




1. Huka Falls
    A.S highly recommends this walk along the mighty Waikato River. There's no reason one doesn't like it. She could not help marvelling over how amazingly blue the water was as she listened to the thunderous sound of the falls. There are jet boat activities at this falls. It was also along this walk to the falls that she heard screams. 


2. Hot Pool
    The Spa Park Hot pools can be found along the Waikato River too as you walk from the town centre to the Huka Falls. It's a nice park with picnic tables and what's special about this park is there's a hot pool at one corner of the otherwise cold river water where you can dip in. Choose the spot with the temperature that suits you best. Go in the morning or evening if you'd like to stay away from the crowd. However, the weather can sometimes be cold in these hours. 
    

3. Aratiatia Rapids
    This is at the end of the river walk where you arrive at a hydro dam. The dam gate opens every 10am, 12noon, 2pm and 4pm in summer and 10am, 12noon and 2pm in winter. A.S has earlier posted a video of the rapids which you might want to check out. The water flows from Lake Taupo northwest into the ocean at Port Waikato.


4. Lake Taupo  
    Lake Taupo was the only attraction A.S knew about Taupo before she arrived. Thus, it was one of the first thing she looked out for when she arrived. It was not difficult to locate this renown NZ's largest lake as she walked down the slope and saw it there, serene and inviting. Thus, it's by no surprise popular among locals and visitors alike. You can watch people wind surfing, kayaking and sailing in the water. A.S did a walk along the track at the waterfront and also took the opportunity to swim in the lake. Coolness!

    
5. Mount Tauhara
    This mountain is located about 20 minutes' drive along the highway in the direction of Napier. First half of the hike is a farmland  filled with cattle. Be cautious and watch where you land your feet on a farmland like this. Just watch your way as you watch your destination - the peak. You would not regret the hike as it was awesome. NZ has many of these to offer and this was one of the best A.S have seen. Another reason is there were no crowds. Stay right there. Enjoy your well deserved nibbles. Look out far and beyond. Listen and feel the breeze as it sweeps your face and dry your clothes.

5 is not enough? Here are more free things to do in Taupo.




Yes, you will definitely see the lake on your way to the next town.


The first half of hiking Mount Tauhara.


Come, sit with her. Enjoy some nibbles. Listen and feel the breeze.
Maybe some of you would enjoy the tan too.


Too hot after coming down from the mountain?
Join her splish splashing in the freezing cold water.


Wanna stay dry? Join her for a separate walk along the waterfront.
Watch the flocks of different birds cruising across the tranquil water.






*A.S's current location*
Day/ Date: Fri/ Apr 20th, 2012
-A.S has been back in KL, Malaysia for slightly more than a month now. She admits she has a lot to catch up on her blog updates. Burdened with lots of thoughts, plans and to-dos, she'll still try her very best to keep this blog alive. Thank you so much for keeping up with her delays.



A.S appreciates you as an audience to her blog. It keeps her contented knowing she's not writing for herself. She welcomes you to drop in more often, share your thoughts and interact with her here at cyberspace. The posts may be a little behind but she promises to close the gap as much as she can, as she gets limited internet access and the time to update.



Be a fan today to get instant updates the soonest the next post is published!


It's EASY. At the right-most column of this page, you may either choose to:-

1. Receive blog updates by mail

2. Read her up-to-date posts at your MyYahoo, Google, etc. homepage by subscribing thru the links.

3. Read her up-to-date posts on your Facebook wall by 'Like'-ing the fan page A.S created specially for this blog (Scroll down page to search right-most column)

4. If you are a fellow blogger, link to her blog with the HTML code provided.


Thank you very much and A.S hopes you enjoy your stay here. ;)





Monday, April 16, 2012

NZ: Lake Taupo On a Cruise

Breakfast time at the hostel..


A.S: Hi, good morning. *sweet smile, as she sits herself across the table*

Girl: Good morning. *returning her sweet smile*

A.S: What're your plans today?

Girl: Well, I don't know. I might just walk around the lake in the morning. I'm going for my second sky diving later in the afternoon.

A.S: Nice, and that'll be your second!

Girl: Yeah, I loved it. They gave me a discount for the second one.

A.S: Sweet! Would you be interested to join me on a cruise at 10.30am? It takes about 2 hours. I've got 2 vouchers I got from a deal site.

Girl: Really? I'd love to!! Thanks! I sail a lot with my family back in Germany.

A.S: Cool! I've found the perfect person to join me. They're picking us up at 10.15 a.m. See you here then. I'd better get prepared. *grins*










*A.S's current location*

Day/ Date: Mon/ Apr 16th, 2012

-A.S has been back in KL, Malaysia for slightly more than a month now. She admits she has a lot to catch up on her blog updates. Burdened with lots of thoughts, plans and to-dos, she'll still try her very best to keep this blog alive. Thank you so much for keeping up with her delays.



A.S appreciates you as an audience to her blog. It keeps her contented knowing she's not writing for herself. She welcomes you to drop in more often, share your thoughts and interact with her here at cyberspace. The posts may be a little behind but she promises to close the gap as much as she can, as she gets limited internet access and the time to update.



Be a fan today to get instant updates the soonest the next post is published!


It's EASY. At the right-most column of this page, you may either choose to:-

1. Receive blog updates by mail

2. Read her up-to-date posts at your MyYahoo, Google, etc. homepage by subscribing thru the links.

3. Read her up-to-date posts on your Facebook wall by 'Like'-ing the fan page A.S created specially for this blog (Scroll down page to search right-most column)

4. If you are a fellow blogger, link to her blog with the HTML code provided.


Thank you very much and A.S hopes you enjoy your stay here. ;)

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Taupo: Geothermal Power Plant and Dam

Let A,S tell you a story.

Long, long time ago, there was this little girl by the name Akira. She knew what plants were, of course, and they were green.

"Plants are very good for you," she was told.

She knew what a dam was, too. It's a place with lots of water but 'cikgu' warned, "No swimming in it! It's dangerous!"

So, one day, Akira was so lucky. She had the opportunity to check these 2 places out in one day.

"Hooray!" she rejoiced.

"Plants are good and they're delicious. Dams are dangerous. 'Cikgu' said no swimming in them, but it's OK, I can just eat my plants." she thought.


"We have arrived at the plant."
. "Which can I eat?" she asked.

"This is a plant made of steel. Nothing edible, not even the
steam, which can cook you,  lil' Akira!"

"WOW, this is HUGEEEEE!" she marvelled.

"Do you know Akira, the significance of the steam?"
"Do you know how factories get steam when they don't get it from the ground like this?"

After then, on the way to the dam, Akira passed the water reservoir.





"Akira, we're standing at a higher ground. Did you realize that?"


"We all love admiring the water," Akira thought.







*A.S's current location*
Day/ Date: Tue/ Apr 10th, 2012


-A.S has been back in KL, Malaysia for slightly more than a month now. She admits she has a lot to catch up on her blog updates. Burdened with lots of thoughts, plans and to-dos, she'll still try her very best to keep this blog alive. Thank you so much for keeping up with her delays.






A.S appreciates you as an audience to her blog. It keeps her contented knowing she's not writing for herself. She welcomes you to drop in more often, share your thoughts and interact with her here at cyberspace. The posts may be a little behind but she promises to close the gap as much as she can, as she gets limited internet access and the time to update.







Be a fan today to get instant updates the soonest the next post is published!






It's EASY. At the right-most column of this page, you may either choose to:-


1. Receive blog updates by mail



2. Read her up-to-date posts at your MyYahoo, Google, etc. homepage by subscribing thru the links.


3. Read her up-to-date posts on your Facebook wall by 'Like'-ing the fan page A.S created specially for this blog (Scroll down page to search right-most column)



4. If you are a fellow blogger, link to her blog with the HTML code provided.




Thank you very much and A.S hopes you enjoy your stay here. ;)













Friday, April 6, 2012

Rotorua: Okareka Estate Adventures


At 8.30 a.m in December 2011...

"Are you A.S?" she was approached when she was playing pool at the lobby of the hostel.
"Yeap!"
"Are you ready for the fun?"
"Absolutely!" with 2 thumbs up.


Breathtaking!
at Okareka Estate.
 Can you see the grazing sheep?
They are the living lawn mowers which keep the lawn perfect for golf.


Cold weather but the work out kept her warm.
This time, she enjoyed the views from a low level.

"Would you like to be the captain?
Now, drive in between that 2 poles."

The only 3 participants having just arrived at the mystical looking hot water beach of Lake Tarawera

"Find the temperature where you're comfortable with.
The deeper you go, the colder the water.
Beware of extreme high temperatures.
You can get burnt." she was told.


"If that's not good enough, let's soak in the natural hot pool in the bush."





-A.S has been back in KL, Malaysia since end of Feb '12. She admits she has a lot to catch up on her blog updates. Burdened with lots of thoughts, plans and to-dos, she'll still try her very best to keep this blog alive. Thank you so much for keeping up with her delays.


A.S appreciates you as an audience to her blog. It keeps her contented knowing she's not writing for herself. She welcomes you to drop in more often, share your thoughts and interact with her here at cyberspace. The posts may be a little behind but she promises to close the gap as much as she can, as she gets limited internet access and the time to update.


Be a fan today to get instant updates the soonest the next post is published!

It's EASY. At the right-most column of this page, you may either choose to:-
1. Receive blog updates by mail
2. Read her up-to-date posts at your MyYahoo, Google, etc. homepage by subscribing thru the links.
3. Read her up-to-date posts on your Facebook wall by 'Like'-ing the fan page A.S created specially for this blog (Scroll down page to search right-most column)
4. If you are a fellow blogger, link to her blog with the HTML code provided.

Thank you very much and A.S hopes you enjoy your stay here. ;)
















Tuesday, April 3, 2012

NZ: Blue Lake in Rotorua



If you knew A.S, you'd  know that she enjoys swimming.


Whenever there's a chance to do it, she will!

Swimming in a lake is not something she normally does but lakes in NZ were just so inviting!

Temperature wise, yes, it was freeeezzzzzing cold even in summer, but well... often, the temptation got the better of her.

The freedom of it was just so unexplainable.  

It was simple pleasure doing things she had not had much chance doing when she was younger.

From freestyle to breaststroke, from butterfly-stroke to backstroke, from climbing to jumping off the platform. 

Everything was tried and tested.

Thank God there were no waves. Superb!









*A.S's current location*
Day/ Date: Mon/ Apr 2nd, 2012
-A.S has been back in KL, Malaysia for slightly more than a month now. She admits she has a lot to catch up on her blog updates. Burdened with lots of thoughts, plans and to-dos, she'll still try her very best to keep this blog alive. Thank you so much for keeping up with her delays.


A.S appreciates you as an audience to her blog. It keeps her contented knowing she's not writing for herself. She welcomes you to drop in more often, share your thoughts and interact with her here at cyberspace. The posts may be a little behind but she promises to close the gap as much as she can, as she gets limited internet access and the time to update.


Be a fan today to get instant updates the soonest the next post is published!

It's EASY. At the right-most column of this page, you may either choose to:-
1. Receive blog updates by mail
2. Read her up-to-date posts at your MyYahoo, Google, etc. homepage by subscribing thru the links.
3. Read her up-to-date posts on your Facebook wall by 'Like'-ing the fan page A.S created specially for this blog (Scroll down page to search right-most column)
4. If you are a fellow blogger, link to her blog with the HTML code provided.

Thank you very much and A.S hopes you enjoy your stay here. ;)










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