This is officially my last post in this blog.I wouldn't want to shut it down,too many memories in here =).But alas,all good things comes to and end.
It's been more than a month since I returned,and as I predicted,lots of things has changed.First things first, from the time I left Auckland,everything has been a disaster.My overnight stop in Bangkok is probably the worst that's ever happened to me,and I'm not too keen to write about it here.My family was supposed to wait for me in the airport,but for some reasons they wasn't..at least not at the time I asked them to.I couldn't call out coz my phone died on me,and thank God I had some Malaysian coins to make a call to my bro,only to find out my mom's already in the airport and waiting in the DOMESTIC ARRIVAL!
OK,I asked her to cook my favourite curry and a spicy sambal,which she didn't.Fine.My dog got lost a few days before I returned home,and she didn't even tell me about it when I called and asked about the dog.Fine.To top it all,my PC crashed,and she blamed it on lighting and thunderstorm,but further examination revealed my motherboard was burnt,and I know it wasn't because of lighting or thunderstorms because all my wires are perfectly insulated,and plus I have used my PC all the time during bad weather,and it never crashed.Fine.
My phone line's been barred,and my internet connection suspended.I spent my first few days negotiating with Maxis and TMNet.The best Maxis could do was investigate my case,thus I had to put my mobile number on hold.Damn.Relatives who saw me commented on how much weight I lost.(OK that's not too bad LOL).But the worst part..the something I actually came back for,the something I actually looked forward to,decided to ditch me and go MIA.
No revealations on that,bt sufficient to say that if I knew all this would happen,I would have refused to board the aircraft even if they threaten to throw me out of the country!
I miss the times where I actually lived day as it comes.No joke.I can sleep all I want,plan my vacations,decide who I associate with,decide if I wanna call home,decide what I eat,decide what to buy,decide where to go,decide what to see..
The trip will have a lasting impact on me,because I feel myself much stronger and much matured now than how I used to be.To make decisions in a split second.To weigh pros and cons.To budget.To do groceries.To plan vacations.Banking.Bills.It's a whole new thing because things in New Zealand is done differently than here in Malaysia.
I am missin New Zealand,even on my last few days I was feelin very down because going home didn't really seem like a good plan.And how right I was.
I'm so happy to meet my friends when I returned,but I long to live life as it comes again.I have been unable to do that since I returned.I constantly find myself being answerable to many people,and constantly find my feelings conveniently at disposal to people around me.There were days after I returned,that I would have given anything not to care about anyone.
The only person I actually cared about in NZ was Rean,and I was looking to do the same here.Sadly,looks like God have other plans for me.Or maybe I over expected?How I actually wished God would come and answer a question or two.
Well,NZ 'll definitely be in memory,along with Rean,along with the cold winds that blows at my face,along with the beautiful night filled with stars in the Southern Hemisphere sky,along with Skytower,along with all the wonderful people I met,along with the happy times of living life to its fullest..
Thanks for all the support,from each and everyone of you,I am looking forward to seeing you all again..and hope that things will eventually get better (quoted from Colleen,whom I met while working in the vineyards in the South Island ).
Miss you,NZ.

Guys,I'm sorry I can't update anything,Rean treated me to dinner and when I came back there's another party organised..and I'm pretty drunk right now =)..Will have to get up early tomorrow to finish packing and go to Rean's house.I have uploaded my pictures of Coromandel,but I can't align the link well (Or am I doing it wrong?LOL).The link's still working,so you guys can have a look at the pictures.It's gonna take me 2 days to get home,another God-knows-how-many days to get settled so,I will get back to this blog for one or two last posts before I officially shut it down.
This will be my last official post from New Zealand,God I'm so looking forward to sleep in the plane really..(do I really need to transit in Bangkok?!=( )..Sorry it's a short one,I was planning to write a long entry,but things don't always go our way.
Cheers,God Bless and will update soon.

I was goin to update this blog everyday starting from Sunday right through until Friday,but I was away on my final leg of travel to the most beautiful place in New Zealand I have been so far-Coromandel Peninsula.Thus,I missed out on Monday and Tuesday =).
But well,I still do remember what happened on my first Monday in New Zealand.I arrived at 0930,carried my passport and my working holiday visa and was one of the first to go to the Immigrations and Customs.Yes,they stopped me,took down all my details,photocopied my flight tickets,passport,asked,no,forced me to provide some sort of phone numbers of ANYONE in New Zealand(I had to give Rean's number).They let me go after about 30 minutes,then came the declaring part.In the plane,we were given a declaration form to fill in and declare all that we bring into New Zealand.I declared all that I had,including the Maggi Mees and coffees.After all that I pushed my bag trolley out and into the arrivals area.
People were waiting with flowers,banners and signboards for their loved ones.Tour guides were busy checking tour groups and giving out souvenirs.I remember watching with a sigh,and remembering that I don't have anyone to receive me,I made my way out of the gate,and smelled in my first New Zealand air.
The day was PERFECT.The skies were blue,the sun was shining so brightly and I almost cried thinking I am really here!Really,really here in New Zealand.No time for being emotional,I boarded the Airbus to Auckland City,lugging my suitcase and found a seat.Surrounded by all mat and minah sallehs,I was the only dark skinned person in the whole bus.I was dropped off at YHA Auckland City,and was immediately given a room as I made reservations before I left Malaysia.
YHA Auckland City was clean,nice and quiet.I was sharing a room with 3 others,and after bringing in my bags,I settled in my bed,and tried to sleep.
Sleep!How can I even sleep!It was a gorgeous day outside,and it was chilly (17 degrees) so I decided to explore.
I went out and walked straight down and arrived in Queen Street,Auckland's main street and CBD.I walked up to Karangahape Road (or K'Road) and went to Bank of New Zealand to open my bank account.
After that,I popped into Vodafone and got my new SIM card and SMS-ed Anish my new number.Then I went to the Internet Cafe to email the whole world and tell them I've made it safely to New Zealand =P.
That night I walked the length of Queen Street until the Ferry Building,took some pictures and on the way back I was freezing cold.I looked around and everyone was wearing jumpers and sweaters..except me!I guess after taking a hot shower I thought I'd stay warm the whole day =).I remember tossing and turning coz I couldn't sleep,coz it was so cold.Sutha called me to ask if I am safe,Jackie SMSed me a good night message,and Thevika asked me to wear socks to sleep,which helped.
The next day,I went on a city tour courtersy of Stray,the adventure backpacker network and went to visited Auckland's attractions-Mt Eden,Mission Bay,Ponsonby,Skytower..to name a few.We had the New Zealand famous Hokey Pokey ice cream in Mission Bay.Rean called and asked me to meet her in front of Aotea Square for dinner,and I met her for the first time.
Sweet,nice and friendly,not to mention beautiful =p,Rean took me to an Asian food shop,where we had some chicken dish.Then we proceeded to have coffee in McDonald's McCafe.She went back around 10.30pm,and I went back to YHA.
Wednesday-I booked a ticket to Te Puke,where I was offered a job.I remember dragging my suitcase (which I would later ditch for a superrrbbbly expensive and sophisticated backpack =p) to Skycity Intercity terminal to board the bus to te Puke.
Beautiful views along the way,there were sheeps everywhere!Cute little fellows.I arrived in Te Puke late evening,and I had someone to pick me from the bus stop.Settled into a crowded,small room filled with 5 others,I remember not having dinner coz I was too lazy to cook,and the kitchen was too crowded anyway,so I just took off my shoes,slumped on bed,and slept.
***to be continued***=)

It's my last Sunday in New Zealand.I came back after an assignment from Waiheke Island,about 30 minutes ferry ride from downtown Auckland,at 1.30am.I worked for 14 hours,my arms are sore now but it was all worth it.
Reason?
It was a beautiful wedding,and I GOT TO SEE THE PRIME MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND,UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL.
Yes,the PM,Helen Clark,was one of the guests.I half expected to see 20 police cars,a batallion of army and another 15 or 20 escorts to come with her like how I was used to seeing in Malaysia.Instead,she flew in from the Governor's mansion in Auckland (she's actually based in Wellington),walked in with other guests and mingled freely.Oh well..I will keep my political views to myself here..LOL.
The wedding had a spectacular fireworks finish.By the time I got home and had showers I was ready to crawl on bed and die.So as expected,I slept the morning away,thus I missed the morning of my last Sunday in New Zealand.
I remember the Sunday I left Malaysia.Mum was crying her heart out.My aunt who drove me to the airport made me make copies of my passport,insurance policy,flight tickets..like I was never gonna come back.My wonderful group of friends sent me off at KLIA.I remember feeling oddly alone,I wished someone was going with me but now I am so glad I made this trip alone.My first journey overseas,I was really excited about the journey than how to spend 6 months in NZ.
Met Saoud from Oman in Bangkok airport,thus killed the 3 hours transit time.In the huge Airbus bound for Auckland,I saw a beautiful sunset from the sky,ate airline meals,watched in-flight movies,and by the time I was out from the plane I sweared I will not fly again =)Staying in a cabin for 16 hours and stumbling into civilization was too much =p.
I remember the touch keys of my in-flight movie screen wasn't working.I tried watching the guy next to me,the Korean guy expertly punching the buttons in his screen and watching the Da Vinci Code.Mine wasn't working,and I didn't want to ask the air hostess for help.After a few minutes,my screen came to life,although every button I punched after that took at least 1 minute to respond.I watched Shaggy Dog,which I have watched before,and when the lights in the cabin went off,I switched off the screen,closed my eyes and started thinking of what's waiting for me in New Zealand.

I went to Rean's house today for lunch and,as expected,stayed for dinner and even coffee.We went for a sunset walk along beach (a bay actually),and was talking about a lot of things.God,I am gonna miss this woman when I return to Malaysia.She's been such a good mate in New Zealand.I wouldn't be seeing her until Christmas 2008,coz that's when she'll return home again.
Else,all's been good,returning home in 2 weeks,right now I am so torn between coming home and staying here.I actually went to the length of extending my visa but I decided that I still do have some commitments at home,therefore getting another 2 years of extended stay is not an option at this moment.
It's been great being here.With a friend like Rean,who makes you feel so welcome,New Zealand doesn't look so scary like when I first came.I am actually beginning to think New Zealand is home.Shen has changed her flight dates,she's now leaving to Taiwan on Monday 12th March.And that makes me officially the last one in my circle of international friends to leave New Zealand.Shen was supposed to leave on 30th March,6 days after me.I am not too happy about it =p,but I can't talk her out of it coz she already booked her tickets.Her excuse for leaving early?During one of her homestays in Tairua,she suddenly had a pang of homesickness!DUUUUUHHH..
Well,I suppose it's time for her to go home anyway.I don't in any way feel like changing my flight tickets,I think 2 weeks is gonna be flying very fast.Rean has kindly agreed to have a farewell party for me (Ahem..mate?LOL..) Other than that,this might me my second or third last entry for this blog,for I will not be blogging here after I leave New Zealand.Sad,aye?I am still searching for what God wanted me to find here in New Zealand,and I thought I will never find it,but I did.In a strange way,I did find what He wanted me to (or so I think ).
Else,will be working for another event in Waiheke Island on my last Saturday here,and a trip to Coromandel Peninsula for 2 nights,and I'm heading home.
And a song I dedicate for someone I have in mind now...=p

It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word you can light up the dark
Try as I may I could never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
All day long I can hear people talking out loud
But when you hold me near, you drown out the crowd
Try as I may,I could never define
What's being said between your heart and mine
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes sayin' you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me if ever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all

I.DID.IT.I did it!The Tongariro Crossing!I thought I wouldn't do it,that I wouldn't have time and that it will too expensive and bla bla..but I did it.Another dream achieved!=).
I decided to go with Nakedbus.com,New Zealand's newest,low cost and no frills bus service.It's something like Air Asia,you book and pay online,and it was easy coz I have an Internet banking account here so I got the seats at absolutely cheap prices.Since I'm also working in the backpackers as an exchange staff,I called up the backpackers in Taupo and asked if they could give me a discount of some sort and bingo!$6 off my 2 nights accomodation!Just like that!So armed with my backpack,3 cans of tuna,1 loaf of bread,and some munchies,I started my journey from Auckland to Rotorua at 12pm,where I will change coaches in Rotorua to Taupo.I arrived in Taupo at about 5.15pm,and we couldn't stop at the I Site as the New Zealand Ironman competition was being held that day and the roads were all closed.The bus dropped us off one block away from the I Site and I walked to Burkes Backpackers,where the owner was already waiting for me.
After checking in,I asked him to book me for Tongariro Expeditions shuttle the next day,and went to fix myself a quick dinner of tuna sandwich and sleep early for the big day tomorrow.However,I think I was too excited,so I hardly slept.I was to wait for Tongariro Expeditions at 5.40am,so I woke up at 5am,had breakfast,grabbed my pack which I've already packed the night before with 2.25 litres of water,1 orange,lunch,raincoat,bandana,cap,first aid kit and extra pair of socks.The shuttle came at 5.45am,and it was packed.Suddenly I felt like I was doing something wrong.Like,what if I can't do it?I've not been active for quite sometime.But it's too late to turn back.I settled among the sleepy faces of all the other backpackers,and silently prayed that I can be done with this soon.
We arrived at Turangi to pick up some passengers,and the lady next to me got chatty and we got talking.She was from New Plymouth and loves tramping,so her husband and a few friends decided to give this a go.Seeing her so prepared gave me the chills,I was ready to call it quits when we received a piece of paper detailing our journey.It had all the fine prints,and also some important information regarding the conditions of the track,and it was to be kept with us all the time.By the time we arrived at Chateau Tongariro and at the start of the track at Mangatepopo car park,it was already 7.15am,the sun was rising and we all got off the bus,ready to start the 8 hour gruelling trek across Tongariro National Park.
Tongariro National Park,declared a World Heritage Area,consists of 3 mountains,Mt Ngauruhoe (pronounced Ngau-ru-ho-e),Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu.Mt Ngauruhoe is Mordor in the film Lord of The Rings.The road leading to Tongariro Crossing track was apparently used for the opening scenes of LOTR-The Two Towers.This is an active volcano,and Mt Ruapehu last erupted in 1996.Mangatepopo carpark was at an altitude of 1190m,and we are going to trek 17 kilometres one way and come out to Ketetahi car park,and will be going as high as 1886m.
The hike to Mangatepopo Valley was nice and easy,the sun was just coming up and the track was flat,so everyone was in high spirits.I personally opted to go early (5.40am) and take the last bus out at 4.30pm,so I aimed at finishing the crossing at 4.15pm the latest.I have my cellphone with all emergency numbers ready for any disaster that may strike,so they will send a seach and rescue party for me!LOL..
Next came the steep track leading to the South Crater,christened "The Devil's Staircase".Boy and it DOES live up to its name!It was a section of steep rocks and volcanic debris,so we had to push ourselves to get to the top.I took about 1 hour on this section alone.It was hard.It was really hard.I stopped for breaks for 5 times.After huffing and puffing,I finally made it to the top,and after striking poses for some photographs,we started for Red Crater Ridge,our last big climb for the day.During this time I made friends with Lily,a Chinese-American who's here on a holiday.We hiked up Red Crater Ridge together,and it chill winds were blasting in our faces and we were just wearing singlets!Afraid I might get hypothermia (a lil too far fetched eh?=p),I quickly put on my jacket,and hiked up in the cold wind.My fingers were freezing and I couldn't take my camera out of the case.Red Crater Ridge was dangerous,as it was steep,slippery,narrow and had big drops on both sides.The leaflet warned us that "please don't walk too close to the edge of the track as if you fall you will never come out,"On my left was the drop to South Crater desert,and on my left,the drop all the way into the active volcano of Red Crater.The wind was pushing us,and we found ourselves on hand and knees,but we persisted,and we finally arrived at the summit.
From the summit it was an awesome view of Red Crater,Blue Lake and Emerald Lake.I honestly was amazed looking as something as awesome as this.The Emerald Lake was green and was glittering in the sunlight.Since its an active volcano there's also hot spots on the ground.Nevertheless,we had our lunch here and proceeded to descend by slipping down the scree,which was dangerous as we had to carefully slip down as well as maintain our balance.As soon as we were down,it was a nice and easy hike along the dead flat desert of volcanic rocks and sand towards Blue Lake,and it was all downhill from there.
We got caught in bad weather while still high up the mountains,but it didn't rain too heavily.The smell of sulphur,like rotten eggs,were all over.We walked the zig zagged track for 2 hours before reaching Ketetahi Hut (1450m),where we stopped for a break and proceeded non stop for the next 2 hours to Ketetahi car park where the track ends.
I arrived at the end of the track at 3pm.With all that breaks I took!I was so tired,yet so happy that I finally did it.I felt like collapsing on the grass and sleeping,but we were required to sign in with our driver,so by the time we located him it was time for the 3.30pm take off.I hopped into the bus,and just died in my seat.
Arrived Taupo at 4.15pm.Celebrated my walk with a cup of coffee.Will have my celebratory beer when I get back to Auckland.Had showers,early dinner,and slumped on my bed,and slept soundly until the next day.
Checked out at 10am,had breakfast,and was debating if I shoud stay in Taupo for another night/go to Rotorua and stay there for 1 night/go back to Auckland.Finally I decided to go to Rotorua.Arrived in Rotorua at 12pm.The smell of rotten eggs was so empowering.Rotorua,the geothermal activity capital in New Zealand,was literally in thermal smokes everywhere.I went to the I Site to consider my options.Staying in Rotorua wasn't an option at all.It was too touristic and I didn't like that.The four main attractions of thermal pools and the Polynesian Spa were too far away and I didn't feel like spending more than I have to,after splurging for Tongariro,but that's a different story altogether.So I booked the bus to Auckland at 4pm.To kill time,I wandered around and arrived at Kuirau Park,where some geothermal activity was taking place,like boiling mud and thermal pools.I soaked my tired feet for a while in the lukewarm waters,had some fish and chips for lunch,boarded the bus and arrived in Auckland at 8.20pm.
It was a good trip,I took quite a bit of pictures,and if I wasn't working on Wednesday,I probably would have continued my journey to Coromandel!But I am booked for the East Coast on 19th-21st of March,and Rean is going to join me!We met up today for coffee,and she was so nice to bring me dinner.Pasta.And since I practically live on a backpacker diet,I would say that the pasta was the best wholesome food I had this week!Thanks Rean!You're the best,buddy!
Do check out the pictures of Tongariro Crossing and Rotorua.The Crossing has every right in earning its status as the best one day hike in New Zealand and one of the top ten great hikes in the world.I will definitely do it again if I could (but please airlift me to the top of the Devil's Staircase please!LOL!).
See you guys soon!

I've been having sore throat and dry cough since Monday.I bought a "Koru" bone carved necklace from the Victoria Park Market on Monday evening.Koru,in Maori,means new beginning.It's also my favourite symbol,the new leaf of the punga tree,sacred for the Maoris.
Back to me being sick.Feel so weak and feverish,and I was hoping that I wouldn't be sick for my Tongariro trip,because I so want to go.My voice changed to sound like a croaking frog.
Unable to get up and do anything,I was lying in bed the whole day.Rean was nice enough to ask if I wanted her to bring me some dinner.I declined politely,summoned the energy to wake up and go make myself some pasta.Having eaten,I slumped on bed again,and since there was no internet connection last nite,I slept soundly till early this morning.
I was supposed to meet Rean for breakfast,but she was late for class,so I had a Subway egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast.Yesterday she got me to buy a medicine called Lemsip,for cold and flu symptoms and sore throat too.It tasted like Eno,which was OK,but this morning my throat got worse,which is not OK.And to make it worse,(thanks to Rean to said I might feel sick coz I'm just lazing in bed)I took a walk to Auckland Museum,and after seeing all the exhibits,couldn't resist for a hot chocolate.It was raining after all.So there I was,sipping hot chocolate on a rainy day and doing more damage to my throat.
Auckland Museum was good.I'm not exactly a museum person,but I must say Auckland Museum was worth it.I especially liked the "Weird and Wonderful" and "Volcanoes" exhibit.Weird and Wonderful had exhibits of insects (live cockroaches,bugs,etc) and lots and lots of animals,while Volcanoes had..well,volcanoes.Since New Zealand (Auckland,especially)sits on some 45 extinct volcanoes and active ones (Ruapehu,White Island,etc),Volcanoes was one of the hottest exhibit.Anna actually recommended me this section.And the most awesome exhibit is the one on "1,Puia St",where there was a real house,with in built sensors and a giant screen which shows you what happens if a volcano erupts in Auckland Harbour tomorrow!I got in the house,and sat in the sofa and suddenly you can hear rumbles..which gets louder by the second,and the giant screen shows a small volcano near Rangitoto Island erupting,and suddenly the lights flicker,the ground shakes,the lights goes off,and you see think black smoke rushing towards you.It's so real.What with the smoke,lights going off,grounds shaking..=).It's not like I've experienced volcano eruption back in Malaysia (I don't want to,after seeing what happened),but I'd say it was a pretty cool experience.
The Maori Court was pretty amazing too.They had the canoe which supposedly was pedalled by the first settlers who came to New Zealand,and the traditional Maori marae,or meeting house.And scores of other Maori exhibits,and they were also having a special screening of Vaka Moana-The Untold Story of the World's Greatest Voyage,which is about the journey of the settlers who first came.Not too keen about knowing how people of the past actually came and made New Zealand the place it is now,I wandered out and walked back to the city,in the rain.
Else,Anna left,she texted me from Sydney,saying it's a nice place.I've already got a reminder from NZ Immigration,reminding me that my permit is about to expire and if I wanna extend my stay.Haven't gave it much thought yet.Right now I'm just concentrating on getting better for my Tongariro Crossing trip next week.
Will upload pictures of Auckland Museum soon.Check back!=)