Day 1 of Labour Weekend: The Journey Begins

As I was finishing my last service order, I got a note from Jay to look at the one I made days before. My boo-boo came back at me. I asked Cherlyn to is she could fix it for me. Thank god she's willing. As usually she always saved my ass. I switched of my computer then headed to the lift. Teuila came came as I check my pocket for loose change.

"Bugga, 20 cent. Looks like I gotta walk downtown." I said. She then generously handed me 50 cent. I think she got my subtle hint.

I thought I was on time when I'm at the bus stop but only to realize I was late when I got a call from Graeme. I supposed to meet him in downtown at 4:15 pm and there I was still at the bus stop. Minutes later the bus came.

the weather look stunning. I don't know how many times I've checked the forecast today . Metservice reported it will partly cloudy but as I jumped out of the bus to another bus stop it was sunny blue sky and I was boiling in my jacket. This sort of weather unpredictability I very much appreciated. What more after many times travelling in bad weather and finally I got some good ones.

Graeme already waited me in front of Dicksmith then we walked to bus.

As expected the traffic was pretty bad. It's Friday plus it's a long weekend, plus lots of traffic going up north at this time of the year. Probably Northland is hotter than Auckland. In New Zealand, the southern you go the colder it gets and vice versa. The congestion started right after we crossed the Harbour bridge. Some sources from Twitter said there was an accident and thank god we took the bus- they got special express lane.

The most northern of part of Auckland I've been was Orewa to celebrate New Year back in 2009. The further I go the better the scenery become. No more city life. No more housing estates. Just green. Compared to drive down to Waikato, I personally think up north is way better. Here I could see pine forest and native bush along the state highway instead of just miles and miles of farmlands, cows and sheep. The landscape here more hilly. In some of the hilly grassland, I could picture Hobbit live in the rabbit hole.

An hour driving we reached Warkworth, a cute little Victorian town surrounded by forest and farms and a river run in the middle of the town. Perfect for a mid day dip in the hot summer sun. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to explore the town. The bus just drop off and picking up passenger. We continued for about half an hour before reaching another town- Wellsford. I've seen this town in Trademe before, while I was browsing for "House to Sell" but I never knew It was this far from CBD. By the way Wellsford and Warkword were in Rodney District one of the many district in Auckland City.

Along the journey, I found so many interesting small towns. If I'm driving I will definitely stop at every town's signboard for photo opp. I can never have enough of pictures. I have over 20,000 photos and most of them I haven't even see. When I finally see them my typical reaction would be, I don't remember take this photo!

At about dusk we reach Whangarei for 15 minutes break. I supposed to overnight in this town for Skydiving trip but the it was fully booked so I have to make another trip in November just to jump off the plane! I started to get motion sickness. I kept burping. I could feel turbulent of wind in my body. An hour later we finally reach Paihia slightly delayed from the schedule by then I was completely exhausted. and dizzy. Almost 9 O'clock, it was passed my dinner time.

I sort of disoriented and loss of direction. Thanks god Graeme found a map and pointed where our hostel were about 5 minutes walk from the Ferry building. I purposely chose accommodation in the town instead of the happening backpackers stretch in Kings Road for this foreseeable unforeseen event! A German girl was also looking for the same hostel. We checked in. The man behind the counter said they were fully booked and most backpackers in town were also the same when he handed us the keys. I made my reservation by the way.

I got to my dorm, popped up some Paracetamol and sleep only to wake up about an hour later when Graeme came back from his night walk searching for milk!

"Everything close after 9!" He said.

"Not even Indian dairy?" I asked. Generalizing, since most diary in Auckland run by Indian or some other Asians.

My eyes feel like sleeping buy my tummy asking to be fed. So I got some 2-minutes rice pack and heat it in microwave. We shared that 1 packet since most of us didn't feel like eating and yet we didn't want to sleep with empty stomach.

Instead of going of bed, I opted for a night walk to the wharf area. Didn't see many people since the receptionist said the beds in town were sold out. Some band were playing near the ferry building but we were not in the mood for noise at that moment. I was just in the mood to admire the town in its night light especially the reflection of lights on the water and continue strolling down the beach while eating hot chips that we got from the food caravan parked on the street.

Long journey, long night. Within seconds when I landed my head on that very thin pillow I dozed off like a baby.

Cherrytaku.com Travel The World : Japan

This week, we're in...(drum roll)...TOKYO, JAPAN. Konnichiwa.

Sometime last week I saw a dear friend of mine, Fendi San, updating his Facebook status he was in Narita then obviously Cherrytaku.com Travel The World Campaign rang the bell in my head. I messaged him and gave him the link about the previous post of this project and voila, the result was absolutely brilliant.

According to him, the first photo was taken in Akihabara- the electronic city and I like what she's wearing. The second one was taken all over Tokyo. From what I can see there, there were on the train (Narita Express), Tokyo Dome and somewhere. I couldn't made it up.

Let me tell you a little bit about Fendi San. He's one of the person that I look up in life. a figure to me. A brother. A friend that I can have fun with and also a friend that can offer me shoulder to cry on. A friend like this hard to find, I will treasure them the most and forever.

So Fendi, arrigato for carrying the mission for me. Guys out there, be careful when you update your profile. I might choose you as one my angels. Ed's Angels.

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When Zirconia Became Swarovski

This is a story about a girl named Krystal.

Once upon a time, a girl named Krystal got tired of touching and cutting and washing people's hair. She put down her scissors and strutted out the salon she's working and heading to Wyndham Street hoping to be a Kelly's Girl. She walk into the office for an interview with her bright hair and the recruitment consultant got her a job because she couldn't stand the glare from Krystal's hair.

The next Monday she started her new job temping at Telecom. Many months later, a cute asian guy from Malaysia joined the company. That's where he first heard the word "heaps", heaps of time from from Krystals who heapsly like to utter "heaps". Then many-many months later after god-knows-of-how-many-hours-of-lovemaking, she delivered her first child, a cute baby boy named Darion. She took a year off maternity leave.

And many-many months later, the cute asian guy from Malaysia return to his home-country. And many-many months later, they both work again in the same company, in the same department-temping (work on temporary contract job). But last Friday, a not-s0-new twist. She left the department to join another department as a permanent staff. A dream job for every temps in the company.

As Asia Veli said, thank you for being you and for everything. I'd say thank you for the help you offered me. Since I called you kazillions of times a day. Krystal can you help me with this one. Krystal this... Krystal that...And make you strut that Shakira's-Hip-Don't-Lie hips of yours from resting on that cushy chair a.k.a I'm helping you too!

Once again thanks and this is my tribute to you.

Ten Ten Ten at Waitomo Caves

So there was I, walking to SkyCity Bus Terminal in crisp cold of Southerlies and realized it was 10th of October '10. I looked at my watch and I definitely way early. The sun wasn't even out yet but signs of orange lining already in the horizon. This time I chose to be early, I missed a flight before and missed the busES (stress on the plurality) so I didn't want this to be my first to miss a tour bus.

Let me tell you what tour I bought. Sometime in August or September I saw good deals on GrabOne (a very good website for everyday deal. Backpacker, this is a must website for you to check out EVERYDAY!)- daytrip to Waitomo Caves with GreatSights. Since I never seen the glowworms (of which Waitomo Caves famous for) then I was like, why not.

I didn't see Christiane despite she texted me she was there. So I went to the toilet. My god, the male toilet smelled like fish and homeless people. I couldn't breath even after I put layers of toilet paper on my noise then I started to wondered where those roles have been. That thought didn't help me fulfill my 'needs' at all. I rushed out and saw Christiane. I grabbed her. Let's go (SkyCity)toilet, I said. She told me she'd been to one. I still dragged her.

As we walked, we saw the bus entered the terminal. After I finished my business we walked back to the terminal and queued up in front of the bus only to be told we needed to check-in at the counter. D-oh. Good thing we got free muffins.

The driver welcome us and started to do commentaries during the journey but we both not even listening to him. We were busy talking. Come on, most stuff that he was talking about either I've heard about it or read about it before. Plus, we both have been living in the country for over 3 years and are we still considered a tourist? We almost locals.

On the way there, the weather looked stunning. Sunny. Totally different from what has been forecasted the night before. Halfway the journey, my bladder started to play up again, Thank god after over 2 hours on the bus, the driver stopped at a cute little small town of Pirongia (it seems like population 5. I barely see locals there) for short break. Perfect. Just what I need. We utilized the break for some photo opp too.

45 minutes later, we reached Waitomo Caves and immediately directed to enter the cave. Our tour guide was a fat lady with really loud voice. Her vocal projection when she welcomed us was full on. She told us the do's and the don'ts and one of it was not to talk in some point of the caves. I was thinking our voice would echo and crack the limestone then the roof collapse then we'd end up like those miners in Chile.

She pointed at the stalagmite and stalactite and asked us to use our imagination to see it more than just rock formation. Mum with baby wrapped in blanket. Small kid. Family Dog. Hardworking dad. Mother in law and the one I loved the most, Kiwi doing bungy jumping! It does really look like a bird tied on the bungy cord. Once started I could stop. My imagination running wild. I wish we could stay longer in the cave and appreciate the rock like a piece of art in gallery.

In the cave there was this area call cathedral, the highest ceiling point in the cave. We looked up and saw hundreds of green lit glowworm. Honestly in my head it looked exactly like Samsung LED! The guide told us this spot is very acoustic and they used to hold singing events there. As expected she asked us to sing a tune. What's a better song to sing that can be sung by tourists from all over the world? -Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

We were then taken to a spot where we could see the glowworm at a closer look. She told us the glowworm has fishing lines (more like tentacles) to catch insect for their dinner. Or lunch. It (the fishing lines) looked absolutely disgusting. It looked slimy. Perhaps

that's how they catch insects with their gluey tentacles.

Once again the guide remind us, we're about to go on the boat ride and I expect you guys to stay quiet.

In my head, oh no please don't collapse!

As we entered another cave, the atmosphere changed. I could see water in that barely lit cave and boats at the end of the plank. Above my head, thousands of glowworm. Lot more of them and its absolutely beautiful.

We got on the boat and it started to drift slowly. It just getting better and better. More and more glowworms on the wall and the ceiling. The water was pretty still and you could see the green reflection. As it entered another cave, I was absolutely blown away. Kazillion of them. Its like billions of emerald stars in the night sky. I could hear water dripping. Sound of running water. It was pretty surreal to me. Its beyond words to describe it but if there's an analogy I would say, I feel like I'm in a scene of Phantom of The Opera.

Then I know why she wanted us to be silent.

I was brought back to reality when the two old Indian tourists whispering. Honestly it was loud. Why can't they enjoy it and hold their thought later outside. They totally ruin my moment. I was picturing myself sleeping in that boat every night of my life.

45 minutes, we reached the end. Not enough. I wanted more. I want to stare on the stalagmite and stalactite for hours. I want to aww, umm, laugh and giggle at what ever picture I had in mind. And when I feel tired I want to sleep in the boat under the millions of glowworms.

The schedule was so tight, we don't even have enough time to look around at the complex and admire the symmetrical almost organic structure and understand the concept. We hopped on another bus to take us back to Auckland. It stopped for 45 minutes at the Big Apple Cafe not far from the caves. Again, I didn't have ample time to explore since the cafe has orchard behind it. I could use some extra time to see how apples, pears, and kiwi trees look like.

Basically I had a good weekend. One thing I learn, I'm not a "tour" person. I prefer to explore myself. Get there myself. Rather than be on schedule and be rushed. I prefer to take my time and absorb the atmosphere and I hate to follow wherever the group go. It made me fee like a sheep. A black one.

Worst part is, I had 3 other scheduled tours in Bay of Islands!

Cost.

GrabOne deal NZd$79

Actual Cost NZD$218

Total Saving NZD$139

Cherrytaku.com Travel The World : Pakistan

Finally I got my first entry for Cherrytaku.com Travel The World Campaign. This first location is at Islamabad, Pakistan. Heaps of thank to Jay, a university mate and now a Malaysian diplomat for willing to participate. You're a spot mate.

I'm still looking for a host to carry the "mission". Help me to change my world as per below.

More of Telecom Talent Time

A hilarious musical performance by Teuila & Jay & friends.

A Very Much Welcomed Unexpected

On the 4th of September, a 7.1 earthquake shook Christchurch city and obviously caused damages to property. Well only 20% of city was affected but NZ media overly reported it. They'll (media practitioner) dig every possible that can fit in prime time news and that includes news of missing pet! Oh well, small country with 4.1 million population any news is better than no news, right?

Anyway Telecom office in Christchurch was affected. I don't know the size of the damages but the only thing I know the operation were shut temporarily and works were transfered to Auckland as part of the business contingency plan. That means, we were doing some job from Christchurch side. Extra workload. I am not whining about the extra job, I just see it as part of our work but what am I talking about now is the wisdom behind all these things.

Just today, I received a thank you letter appreciating the work we've done during the disaster from Telecom CEO- Paul Reynolds. It was personally signed by him. Not a scanned signature as I assumed. I could see behind the paper, the pen mark. Small details like this, by making an effort to sign each letters plus a well worded letter could really made our day, lifted our morale. As I looked around to my colleagues who received the same letter- they were smiling, laughter in the air, joy and I bet they felt their hardwork and effort appreciated. No one has the same face minutes before they got the letter. Except for Cherlyn, she was traveling all over Asia during the earthquake. She got the sun, we got voucher.

Yes. Enclosed with the letter was a voucher. Not a stinky 10 or 20 or 30 but one hundred freaking fifty dollar! I repeat in numerical, 150 dollar! That's more than one day salary for me. We then immediately checked the out net what voucher can we claim. Lots of retailers and the best part was we could choose whichever we want. I could hear everyone saying 'awesome' and 'cool' and 'liqourland' (kidding) all over the floor. New version of iPod Nano screamed in my head.

Personally I found new respect for Paul Reynolds. I'm sure my other colleagues viewed him as a different person now. So Paul, if TVNZ were to produce 'Undercover Boss', I don't think you should do it. First, you way too tall and we all can recognized you within seconds no matter how you disguise yourself and second, we know you appreciate the work we done in the company. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Talk No Shop & Let Your Hair Down Night

I've been asked by several people am I going to participate in this year's Telecom talent time. Without second thought I said no. Back in 2007 I sang a malay song- Melukut ditepi Gantang by my favorite singer Aishah whom back in the late 80's was a vocalist for a Kiwi band knowned as The Fan Club. Apparently me and Aishah has some Kiwi-Malay connection.

Back to my singing, I thought it was disaster and self indulgence. Haha..Even though some people come up to me and complimented me. I'm pretty sure they were so drunk and everything they saw or heard sound awesome. LOL.

This time I told them I just want to be spectator to laugh at them. I did actually. So last Friday at Winchester Bar people from various department within Telecom Wholesale, we let our hair down, talk no shop and enjoy the good company.

Robert Tai emceed the night.

Act #1: Karlo Magno Guadalupe. Man I love to pronounce his last name. I forgot what did he sang but one thing I know it was some oldies song. Had a good laugh seeing him. His expression of love emotion really made the ladies off their chair! And performed twice, special request by Robert Tai after the event was over.

Act #2. Our maori brother Jamed Dawson sang something. Man, why can't I remember what they were singing. What did I drink that night?

Act #3: A musical performance from Voice, Broadband & Billing. It was so hilarious and cleverly done. I almost lost my voice laughing and screaming at them. Teuila & Jay definitely can act. Watch out Shortland St actors!

Act #4: Sorry forgot his name. He played heavy metal kind of guitar. Didn't know the best way to describe it. The crowd loved it. They cheered so much and he came out first.

Act #5: Honestly I never see these guys before. Didn't know which floor they work. The band were good.

Act #6: Just Like A Star by Sisela Latu. She really had mean voice. Not mean as in Cinderella step-sister kind of mean but Corrine Bailey Rae kind of mean. She had a very soothing voice. I could picture her singing for summer tunes. Previously in 2007's talent time she won the first place.

Act #7: The MC introduced this act as The Flower Girls & The Impostor, what a crack up but it suited them well, I think. The three in the group are pacific island descendant and Vicki Chand is an Fiji Indian. Technically, she's still a pacific islander. They performed Hawaiian dance adapted from famous Disney film Lilo & Stitch.

Click here to watch the video.

All acts before judges deliberating the winners.

Me and the Flower Girls & The Impostor. They came out second runner up.

The Adventure of Ed to GigiLand

Early on the week I called a dental clinic to get an appointment but to my surprise the earliest date I could get was on 13th of October! Then I told them to put me on the waiting list as well. In case they got cancellation.

And indeed! Before I finished my shift on Tuesday, I got a call from them asking if I want to turn up for Wednesday 8 O'clock appointment. Instead of switching off my computer, I logged on to Maxx to plan my trip the next day.

Wednesday.

5:40 Alarm went off.

5:50 Finally awaken.

5:51 Boiled jug.

5:52 Turned on laptop and published latest post only to find out the date was wrong. Blogspot picked up the draft date. Have to rectify it immediately if I want to be a successful writer.

6:20 Bloody hell it took longer than I expected. I better go to shower.

6:43 Finally got out from the house.

Halfway down the lift.

Eff, I left my cash on the fridge! Dammit, I had to go down and up again.

6:45 Hermm...the cash look little. No time to count. Grabbed NZD$30. Kiss Only goodbye and out again.

6:47 Nelson Street 1st traffic light

6:47:30 Green man! Crossed the street and decided I better run to reach Britomart before 7am

6:48 Nelson Street 2nd traffic light. I missed the green man by few seconds. Felt forever before the light turned green. RUNNN...

6:49 Nelson Street 3rd traffic light. Red again! Run faster than ever before. Ooouh..I think my legs are long. Arghh...distraction. Run. Run.

6:50 Nelson Street 4th traffic light. Mother Eff, NO, not red! These sequence of lights were so not on my side this morning.

6:51 Gasping and catching my breath. Started to just walk while crossing Victoria Street then decided to just take my chance. More and more 'what if' thought running in my head. What if I didn't go online this morning. What if I didn't take shower.

7:03 Bus just drove pass me! Arghhhh...why? why? That's the only bus. Just when I given up the bus departed late by 3 minutes! God (Allah), do you have to parade it right in front of my nose to say 'ha-ha you missed it' ?

7:10 Got a cab.

7:15 Taxi driver tried to chat with me. I just responded, 'oh yes?', 'is itttt?', 'I know rite!'. Didn't he knows I was trying to say eff off.

7:32 Taxi driver lost! Please not now. For god sake, used the bloody GPS please. Bloody Indian.

7:35 Phewww...Finally here.

Cost of Dental Hygienist NZD$ 79

Cost of Taxi ride NZD$ 56.90!

Emotional cost to get there?

PRICELESS