Oh Tassie

From Hobart, discovering Bruny Island's wildlife and walking trails, road tripping on the Great Eastern Drive which brings me to spectacular national parks, and beautiful beaches. With limited signal, getting lost, driving with the oil warning light on etc. Probably the best road trip i have ever had.

Fresh air, raw beauty of nature, absolutely blown away by the scenery; Bruny Island Lighthouse: Catch a vehicle ferry from Bruny Island Ferry (Kettering) and approximately 1.5hours drive to Cape Bruny Lighthouse. The downfall was long way on gravel road, not a great drive to get there but the great scenery made it all worth it.

Another 40mins drive from Cape Bruny Lighthouse to The Neck Lookout. Climb the 279 steps to the Truganini Memorial (about 10-15mins slow hike up) for broad views of both ends of the island.

View from the top of Mt Wellington, truly breathtaking. Very cooool view, by cool i mean... FREEZING! It was like 1 degree celsius but worth it. Be sure to wrap up well because its cold and windy at the top.

From Hobart to Mount Field National Park, approximately 1.5hrs drive. A wander through the rainforest, easy walk to the iconic Russell Falls. There is another two falls in the park- Lady Barron Falls and Horseshoe Falls (longer time required). Note: a valid park entry permit is required for entry to Tasmania's national parks. Refer to http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/?base=914 for more info.  

What a beautiful world we live in. Wineglass Bay Lookout, a bit of a steep walk, moderate level of fitness is required, not suitable for the unfit! If the climb doesn't take your breath away, the view at the end certainly will. You will be rewarded for your effort with a panoramic view to write home about.

The Bay of Fires: The rocks surrounding the beaches contain an orange lichen that gives the rocks and amazing warm fire glow. The beaches here are pristine with sparkling sapphire water, red rocks and white sand; a photographer's wet dream i would say. What a beautiful sight that i could stay forever just gazing at its beauty.

The possibility of seeing the Aurora Australis depends on the solar flare activity. Visit Aurora Australis Forecast for an hourly aurora forecast or follow Aurora Australis Tasmania FB Group to help aid your aurora viewing. The further South and the further away from lights, the higher your chances. You can also check here for suggested aurora-viewing locations.

Before you visit Tasmania, here's some tips for you: 

1. Limited phone reception- Download Offline Maps with GPS navigation on your smartphone
2. Watch out for the wildlife, drive with care
3. Embrace the petrol station- Fill up the tank at gas station often as you may be travelling through the middle of nowhere pretty frequently
4. Pack snacks, AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
5. The weather is unpredictable, pack for warm and wet weather

Read more at: http://thesmartlocal.com/read/beautiful-places-tasmania

Safe travels! xx

Next up, Sydney

Booked the flights 4days before the impromptu getaway to Sydney, stayed at a lovely apartment in Erskineville. 

Spit Bridge to Manly Scenic Walkway: Catch a bus from the city to Spit Bridge and catch a ferry from Manly back to Circular Quay. Completed the entire 10k Manly Scenic Walkway in approximately 3hrs. 

Seaforth Sangrado, New South Wales

Clontarf Beach, New South Wales

Sandy Bay, New South Wales

Balgowlah Heights, New South Wales

Crater Cove Lookout, New South Wales

Manly Beach, New South Wales

Spent my second day at Bondi Beach. Not sure what all the fuzz is about, a good vibe perhaps. 

Bondi to Coogee Coastal Walk: Starting by Bondi Iceberg > Tamarama (Mackenzie's Point Beach), follow the coastal trail towards Bronte (Bronte Beach). Continue from Bronte, follow the cliff path to Clovelly Beach, nestled in the narrow bay between Brote and Gordons Bay. The walk to Gordons Bay features a very steep staircase that is challenging but rewards with its clifftop views. 

Cosmic Carmen, New South Wales

Marks Park Tamarama, New South Wales

Gordons Bay, New South Wales

Take a walk in the forest and smell the wild air. Completed a challenging magnificent walk through Jamison Valley.

Blue Mountains: A 2hr journey from Central Station. Take a train from Central station > Springwood Station. Catch Bus694 (operated by Blue Mountains Transit) at Springwood Station, Macquarie Road towards Burns Rd Loop, get off after 16stops.

Federal Pass, Katoomba, New South Wales

Three Sisters, Blue Mountains, New South Wales

Jamison Valley, New South Wales

Spent my last few days, travelling around the central city area - Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, The art gallery of NSW, Queen Victoria Building, not forgetting a seafood lunch at Sydney Fish Market.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, NSW

Sydney Opera House, NSW

It's pretty convenient to get around in Sydney. Be sure to download "Opal Travel" before your trip to Sydney, it saves lives, at least for a direction idiot like me.

Wander Victoria

Came across a Buzzfeed article that listed "21 Melbourne Walks that will Take Your Breath Away" https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurenvadnjal/melbourne-walks-are-the-best-walks?utm_term=.cl9Oklqyln#.ghlPWkAQkD  , and decided to do #10 Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail since i have done #3 Royal Park, #7 1000 Steps Walk, and #12 Sherbrooke Falls Trail.

Got our bike from Rentabike @ Federation Square for 35bucks a full day. Wandering around the south west, riding along the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail, beautiful scenery along the way - a perfect day trip i would say.

Melbourne CBD - Williamstown - Altona

Sunset at Point Gellibrand Coastal Heritage Park & Altona Beach

End off my post with my favourite photo among all taken at Jawbone Marine Sanctuary x

Back in Melbourne

Finally back in Melbourne after spending my summer back home and settled down in my new apartment after weeks!

If you like graffiti or art, you'd probably like this. Fascinating alley of talent, Hosier Lane Street Art. It was my third time here, at least i was never bored here.

Valentine's Day picnic at Royal Botanical Gardens, in @stellyclothing.

A good day at Brighton Beach. Sun kissed skin and sandy toes; a bikini kinda life. 

Things to do in Taiwan

Lavender Cottage: A serene ambience, beautiful landscape, picturesque view; a secret garden in the mountains

Gaomei Wetland: The view is just plain magnificent especially right before sunset, a lovely place with amazing scenery

Stopped by at FenChiHu, Chiayi County, before heading to Alishan

Alishan Forest Park: Woke up at 0430 to catch the sunrise from Mt ZhuShan, bearing the 2degrees celsius for the breathtaking view. Captured the magnificent sight of sea of clouds and i thought i was in heaven for a moment. 

At 3,422 feet, or i should say, we were lucky enough to witness the snow at HeHuan Mountain. They say, the grass is always greener on the other side, i couldn't agree more. Sheeps wander around freely at CingJing Farm, fresh air and cooling weather; a dreamland on the mountain

ChiShingTan Scenic Area: a lovely beach with pebbles unlike the usual sand beach, great view of the mountains and the sea was emerald blue 

QingShui Cliff: Sea cliff on the pacific, truly stunning. The majestic cliffs along the coast and the various shades of ocean blues you can see, so soothing yet peaceful 

Sun Moon Lake: The lake was generally covered in fog during the day; soaking in the hot springs at LuShan, Nantou to end off the night. Counting down to new year at Taipei 101

JiuFen Old Street: Ancient and remarkable village, lots of street foods but overcrowded *meh*

Marked off my bucket list: travel with my best friends. Taiwan, you were beyond amazing xx

Leave only footprints

I have decided to reopen my blog after a year's absence. 2015 has flown by in a blink of an eye and just like each passing year, I'm amazed at how much has happened within the swift 365 days. I was reminded of so many amazing memories as i was scrolling through my photo albums. The laughter, the moments, the pain, the happiness, it just left with so many thoughts and indescribably intense emotions towards all that has happened.

" Happiness is a state of mind, a choice, one can find it through any means and almost in any situation. Contentment, on the other hand, is a whole new and different ball game; it is finding that balance between being in the constant pursuit of things and embracing that mental state of satisfaction."

Psychology says, always go with the choice that scares you the most, because that's the one that is going to help you grow. I decided to call it quits on my four-years relationship. I have learnt to let go of the things that is beyond my control. You know, live and let live. I have been constantly telling myself that, follow my heart and go where life takes me, if it's meant to be, it will be.

Moving to a new country again, probably the biggest highlight of my year; my second time moving abroad. Australia has always been my favourite country. That said, my default answer is always Australia. No idea why, perhaps love at first sight. I was feeling wildly excited but afraid at the same time. Having fear of starting a new life again in a new environment and a new country, having fear of being alone. I was scared but i took the next step anyway. I made the choice and i have no regrets. Im glad i did and it's great.

The year ended on a high with a trip to Taiwan in the company of my favourite people and i would not have wished for it to end it any other way. Snowfalls, mountains, hot-spring, new-year-eve countdown, sunrise/sunset, sea of clouds - i got it all once. I'm still in absolute awe that i witnessed the most amazing sunrise have ever seen in my life. 

In 2015, i grew up and i learnt from past experiences, be it good or bad. I'm blessed for how i grew, for the love i knew, for the very fact that i did live through those painful times. There will always be ups and downs in life, but ultimately, that's what makes each of us who we are. From good things, i learn to be a thankful person. From bad things, i learn to be a strong person. 

I'm truly blessed to have so many great things in my life - family & friends. Thank you for loving me entirely and sharing your lives with me. Xx

Here's some photos from my past five months spent in Melbourne!

Taken at: Hosier Lane Street Art; Royal Arcade; Westgate Park; Victoria Harbour, Docklands; Mt Dandenong Ranges; Royal Exhibition Building; Shrine of Remembrance; Fitzroy Gardens; Rankins Lane,Melbourne.

 

Sawadee-ka

A short trip to the Land of Smiles, missed my flight for the very first time boohoo.

Dim Sum Heaven - HongKong

Finally tried Tim Ho Wan for the very first time in Hong Kong! I've long heard of THW of its famous dimsum when its first opened the first outlet in Singapore, but i never failed to notice insanely long queue. Gotta say the Barbecue Pork Buns were pretty damn good, undoubtedly the best bun I've ever had. 

Spent our first day wandering around the streets of Central District and getting to know the city. Had the famous local wonton noodles served at Mak's Noodle, it was meh. Went to The Peak afterwards and visited Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. The view over Hong Kong skyline from Victoria Peak at night is simply breathtaking.

We had breakfast at Australia Dairy Company the next day, one of the top eateries in Hong Kong. Tried their legendary scrambled eggs, it was so good and i couldn't help but order more for myself. Going to Disneyland is a dream vacation for kids, well a childhood dream came true - it was my first visit to Disneyland. We stayed on till the fireworks shows above Sleeping Beauty Castle, leaving me in awe.

Stopped over at Tsui Wah for lunch before heading to Ocean Park for thrilling rides. Their famous butter toast with condensed milk, and Kagoshima Style Pork Cartilage with Instant Seaweed & Tossed Instant Noodle, its a must try! Just thinking about it makes me drool. We took a stroll along Tsim Sha Tsui after an exciting day at Ocean Park. Had dinner at Yong Kee Roast Meat, their roasted goose is LEGENDARY. Im one of those rare Asians that don't like eating rice, tried the roasted goose with rice and it was dayum i would lick the plate! 

Spent our second last day at Lantau Peak, sadly plan didn't go as planned as we overslept (the climb takes approximately two hours). By the time we got there, it was already late afternoon, therefore we didn't complete the climb but a great day nonetheless. Went back Yong Kee Roast Meat for dinner again, tummy satisfied!

I probably gained a few pounds over the holiday season. Opps

Hello Bali

I have a bit of travelling addiction and yeah i went to Bali this summer. I arranged the trip as a surprise getaway/ belated Valentine's day gifts; i have never celebrated Valentine's Day as i was always away and the harsh truth is Valentine's Day is so overrated, we should celebrate love everyday not just 14th Feb.

It was my first time visiting the island, despite it being a short two and a half hour flight away from Singapore. Upon arrival, we were picked up at the airport by the friendly driver from Grand Whiz Hotel Nusa Dua, which saved the hassle of arranging taxis.

We spent our first day in Bali playing water sports in Tanjung Benoa. As i like to do my research before travelling, i came across this watersport package offered by Tanjung Benoa Bali Watersport - probably the most affordable package and best price i could find in town (thankfully i know/speak a little bit of Malay as the web content is not in English). We did Banana Boat, Donut & Fly Fish, splendidly fun and i LOVED it!

Stepping into turquoise blue water at Nusa Dua Beach afterwards, where we spent afternoon sun tanning and relaxing on the white sandy beach.

Spent our second day in Bali, wandering around, & learning more about their culture. Sari Amerta (Batik Collection) > SARI DEWI Gold & Silver Collection > Batuan Temple > Tegenungan Waterfall > Goa Gajah > Padang Padang Beach > Uluwatu Temple > Jimbaran Beach

I'd say that Bali's my favourite place for a little sweet escape from the hectic city life. Enjoyed my short getaway and I'm definitely coming back one day!