Bangkok, Pattaya and Asian Pacific Congress of Cardiology(APCC) 2013

Mel and I went to Thailand on the 3rd week of February, with our main purpose to attend the APCC 2013 and presented our poster. The congress was organized at Pattaya, a not so ideal location. Pattaya is about 2 hours driving from Bangkok city, and is famous for its red light district and polluted/highly congested beaches. We spent 3 nights there, with one full day in the conference. There were a lot need to be improved in terms of the quality of conference. I expect to know more professionals there, yet they seem to conceal themselves within their own groups. Maybe is the language barrier, if not they are too professionals, they tend to stick with those had similar interest with them.

After Pattaya, we continued our journey to Bangkok city. We met Mel's friend in Bangkok, so we had a fun time with them. What i like the most about Bangkok is the shopping experience. It is very cheap and of good quality. Not only that, i admire their clean toilet, friendly people, efficient MRT system; and of cause, not their hot weather.

We had a good time there. I plan to go back Bangkok again, for shopping. For Pattaya, one time visit is enough.

Great Kiwi Road Trip: Day 14 - Riccarton， Botanical garden and Lyttelton

We had a really late dinner last night, I still how hungry I was while waiting for everyone for dinner. Anyway, Uncle Mok had a house in Christchurch last time so basically, he is very familiar with Christchurch. He actually drove us all around, to see the night view of Christchurch and some of its neighborhoods. 

Artistic plant from the park of CBD

 

We had a quick breakfast, and paid a visit to Riccarton Sunday Market which just located right opposite of our motel. There are about 300 vendors which selling fresh fruits, furniture, clothing, and some plants or trees. We spent 1 hour there, and more than happy by any other people because we finally found a place that could offer cheap clothing! I think all three of us had bought 20 overs clothes in just half an hour of time there, my father in law was quite worried that we couldn’t fit all these clothes into our baggage. LOL

After a short visit to Riccarton market, we made a short trip to Botanic garden. The place is one of the devastated places after earthquake, so was quite poorly maintained. Though not much flowers to be seen, we still had a good time there.

Riccarton market

Botanic garden

Had fun at botanic garden

Last trip before we off to airport, we drove to one outskirt – called Lyttelton where situated about 20 minutes from the CBD of Christchurch. This is one of the most damaged earthquake places, and we can see many houses being abandoned. Despite all these damages, Lyttelton is still a famous leisure place for the local folks. Usually during weekend, people will come to the beach for swimming, cycling and picnic. I guess that time we were quite tired already, so didn’t really enjoy the view there. Anyway, we did enjoy the sorbet and ice-cream. It was delicious!

The day did pass really fast, and till then it was about 9pm, we returned our car companion and off we go, back to Malaysia. New Zealand is definitely a place worth a visit, because of its beauty, and friendly people, we definitely will come back again next time! 

Great Kiwi Road Trip: Day 13 - Geraldine and Christchurch

Second last day in NZ, we felt so sad because we’re soon leaving to this beautiful country. In the morning, we visited the Lake Tekapo again before we started our journey towards Christchurch. Again, Lake Tekapo in the morning was so different when we see it on evening time. Still stunning and breathtaking, how I wish I can stay in this place forever. 

Our homestay house last night

Our road trip towards Christchurch became less interesting, probably due to our wrong decision to choose a scenic inland route, rather than the conventional route which gives the view of green farmland of Mackenzie country. The scenic inland route which connects Mt. Somers, is mainly comprises of the scenery of sub-alpine tussocks lands and a range of alpine mountains. It would be nicer if we have time to explore part of the Arthur’s pass, which believed to be one of the best road trips in NZ. 

Our first stop was Geraldine, another small town between Lake Tekapo and Christchurch. They do have one mini museum, and it is worth to spend a few minute to explore the history of this town. We had a tea break, ice cream and bought a few handmade natural rolls of wools made from sheep from a local hawker.

The shepherd dog which helped to discover the Lake Tekapo

A lovely wild apple tree

Coffee shop at Geraldine

Fascinating golden colored tree

Morning scene of Lake Tekapo

Stunning view of Lake Tekapo canal

The view of Lake Tekapo, will never upset you

The trip continued towards Mt. Somers, and many steep slopes of mountains came into sight. We reached Christchurch when it was 430PM, and the upset things were, we actually entered into a city which just slowly recovered from the massive earthquake last year. On that evening, we traveled at few places in Christchurch and observed how bad damaged the earthquake caused. The whole central city was nearly left abandoned, damaged/scarred roads everywhere and residents started moving out to live in suburban areas. For me, the place equals to a doomed place.

Behind me is the South Island's Alps range

Our travel mood was quite disturbed with these sights, and also probably due to it was the last night we stayed in NZ.  Despite how devastated the earthquake caused, there are people still remain to stay with Christchurch forever. Proud of them!

Great Kiwi Road Trip: Day 12 - Lake Tekapo

On the morning, we took a 3 to 4 hours return walking track (Sealy Tarns Track) in Mount Cook National Park. This walking track gives spectacular views of the Hooker Valley and the peaks of the Aoraki/Mount Cook.  

 

 

 

 

 

After trekking, we had a quick lunch at the YHA Mt. Cook and beeped Goodbye to this lovely national park. Soon, we continued our trip to Lake Tekapo. Again, with the cloudy weather like yesterday, we still had no luck to view the stunning crystal blue color of the Lake Pukaki. However, this place still worth to have some nice pictures captured. 

 

From Mt. Cook, it is only 1 and half hour trip to reach Lake Tekapo. We used another longer route, which pass the Lake Tekapo Alpine Salmon Farm, Mt. John and Tekapo-Pukaki Canal. We missed our chance to view the panoramic view of Lake Tekapo from Mt. John. Mt. John is famous with its observatory site, and the best place to view the Lake Tekapo. 

Nonetheless, by the time we reached the Lake Tekapo, the place still gave us “Wow”. We spent an evening just to take pictures in this beautiful backdrop, with the spectacular view of Lake Tekapo, artistic stacks of stone on the bay shores, and the historic classical Good Shepherd Church. It is just too beautiful.

 

 

At night, we checked in to the by far, the best motel we ever stayed for this trip. This holiday home is a house with a large living room, and well decorated designs. We had our salmon sushi, made from the fresh harvested salmon we bought from the Alpine Salmon Farm. 

Exterior of the house

Interior of the house

Around 9PM, we drove out to check the sky. Amazingly, the sky was full of the stars! It’s so so amazing. We are totally in love with this small town!

Great Kiwi Road Trip: Day 11 - Dunstan Lake and Mount Cook

Goodbye Queenstown. From Queenstown, we took an approximately 60km to Cromwell via scenic route of Kawarau Gorge Road. This natural formed river gorge is very stunning, and offers a few spot along the way for us to take picture. Before we entered into junction towards Cromwell, we visited a historic reserve – Goldfields Mining Centre.  The place was one of the earliest mining sites in the country and till today, many gold mining infrastructures still in evidence. This depicts the life and working condition of the gold miner ages ago, and is a nice place to have rest before another driving journey begins. 

An iconic apple statue came in sight, when we reached Cromwell - a small town in Otago district but famous with its apples farming. Without further delay our plan to Mt Cook, we proceed to follow Lake Dunstan banks to Omarama and Twizel. 

Lake Dunstan is a man-made lake and reservoir in the South Island of New Zealand. As part of the Cromwell, this spectacular lake gave us a memorable moment in this trip. We were fortunate to see the reflection on the Lake Dunstan, that’s by far the most amazing reflection we ever seen so far.

 

From the Lake Dunstan, the good weather turned into cloudy and soon-to-rain mode. Because of the weather, we couldn’t see the real beauty of Lake Pukaki and the Mount Cook.  Still, we managed to make a short trek to visit part of the Mt. Cook national park. This is another amazing national park we ever been. Love it so much!

 

Dinner at Mt Cook YHA!