Queensland, Australia Vacation

Queensland, Australia - Toowoomba, Brisbane, GoldCoast
20th - 28th September 2012

Preparation :

This trip occur about 3 months ago when I was going to work, after I came out of Tanjong Pagar MRT, I took "Today" paper and "My Paper", and saw the advertisement that Scoot is having a promotion that from Singapore to fly to Goldcoast is about $100+, went into the

Type of Trip : Free and Easy

Traveler : Wilson, Angelina, Kaylin(2 years and 2 months old), Kirk, Hayley and Ashley(5 months old)

Air Ticket and Time : Total of $1177.32 for Hayley, Ashley and myself, inclusive of Return Tickets and Taxes, also with more leg room seat selection and 30kg check in luggage.
From Singapore to GoldCoast - Departure : 20th September 2012, 10:25pm
Arrival : 7:50am
From GoldCoast to Singapore - Departure : 9am
Arrival : 3pm.6555

Hotel : Toowoomba : Cheng and Debra's house
Brisbane - Medina Executive Brisbane
Gold Coast - Vibe Hotel Gold Coast

Language : English

Currency : Australia Dollar

Meals : Toowoomba - Hong Kong chinese restaurant(Treat by Cheng), Red Rooster, Weis Seafood restaurant at Margaret Street(Our treat to Cheng and Debra), Angel's Cafe at Stenner Street, Gourmet Cafe at Highfields, Self cook at Cheng and Debra's house, Dinner at Yang Wei's house
Brisbane - Dim Sum lunch at ChinaHouse, Steak place at South Bank
Gold Coast - 1st day - Japanese restaurant at Seaworld cruise, Mcdonald breakfast at Seaworld cruise, Dinner at Titanium Bar next to Vibe Hotel.
2nd day - Vibe hotel breakfast, Movie world "Wild West Roadhouse", Chinese Restaurant at Pacific Fair

Camera Equipment : Nikon D7000 with Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, Nikkor 85mm f1.8, Lensbaby Composer Pro with Double Glass and Fisheye Optics, Macro Converter and Macro Filter kit. Sony NEX 5 IR with R72 and 600nm.

Day 1 - Singapore to Australia Gold Coast Coolangatta Airport

On thursday evening 20th Sep, hayley was on 1 day leave and I took a 1/2 day leave, after work, I rush home to do a final pack and check, then went off to "Astons" at Changi Airport to have our dinner there, after dinner, went to Terminal 2 to check in and to meet Wilson, Angelina and Kaylin.

Our cute Kaylin is talking to some Aussies in the same queue.

 The Ho's and Teo's family before entering the gate.

On the flight before take off.

 The sky turns bright very early, saw this and can't resist to take a picture of it.

 In the middle of the flight, heard abit of commotion and found out that Kaylin vomited on herself, a picture showing her vomit on her seat.

The helpful crew came to help clean the seat up for her.

Ashley on the other hand, is sleeping soundly, and thank God for the extra seat, so we can place her next to us while we rest.

The seat after cleaned, but was still damp, thus the stewardess place some plastic sheets on the seat.

Just tempted to take Ashley's fatty hand

Ashley woke up and keep staring at mummy.

GoldCoast Airport to Brisbane

We took a maxi cab from the airport to the nearest rail station - Varsity Lake, and we then took the train to "Central Station", from there we walk from Central station to Hertz at Brisbane at "55 Charlotte Street" to collect our car. After a long time, the staff gave us a Toyota Kluger, but but abit challenging to squeeze 3 big luggages, another 2 smaller luggage, 4 adults, 2 child seat and 2 prams.

After we got our car, we went drove to Queen Street, there is this building "Myer building" for our lunch, we went to the food court, whereby hayley wanted a Kerbab with rice on plate and Red rooster chicken. Had a great lunch, but our heart drop after we went to pay for the parking, the Parking cost us AU$30 for just about 1 1/2 hour. We can't believe our eyes...

Not to drag any further, we go straight up to Toowoomba via Warrego Highway.

On the way along the highway, Wilson stop the car at the road side to get some food stuff for Kaylin, I saw this beautiful sunset and went to took a picture of it.

Another picture of the sunset without much dramatic feeling.

Upon arrival at Cheng and Debra's house, we were welcome by a whole group of old friends and table of food. Yang Wei brought Wilson and myself to Grand Central to buy some groceries for next day's breakfast. When we went there, it was late and most of the shops already closed, felt really great being there again. remember the shopping centre that I walk up and down in my Uni days, especially during Summer where everywhere is warm, shopping centre and the library is the only place with Air conditioned.


After the welcome party after everyone left, I took my tripod and camera to the front gate.

Cheng's and Debra's house under the starry night sky.

There is moon that day, but the stars are still visible and alot. Just wish I could visit again to take the clear sky.

Toowoomba Flower Festival
22nd Sept 2012

Early morning after we cook our breakfast, we bid farewell to Cheng, Debra and Stephanie as they head down to Brisbane. After breakfast, we drove the car and went straight to Queens Park to catch the parade and see the flowers.

 Ho's family enjoying the patches of flowers at Queenspark

Hayley is loving it, ashley is still wondering..."Where am I?"

We decide to put Ashley on the grass and she was fascinated with the new texture, keep touching and pulling the grass.

 All the ladies

At the carnival, there is this place call "Noah's farm", where alot of animals were inside to be fed and touch. - Pigs, goats, sheeps, chicken, duck, and many others.

Before we head back to the house, the ladies pose to show how fresh the air was....

  Lovely Ho family photo.

After visiting the festival at Queens park, all of us were too tired and decided to go back to rest. Hayley and myself turn to Japanese garden for a short visit which is situated behind the university.

Toowoomba (Rest and Relax day)

23rd September 2012

 Early morning, we decide to take this a relax day, so in the morning, took out my camera, attached with a lensbaby and close up filter to take some flowers at Cheng's front garden.
 

Ashley was still having fever and had been groaning.

Took a walk around the neighbourhood to take pictures.

Ashley got better in the afternoon. so we thought of going to West creek to take the miniature train ride.

Upon arrival, we realised that the train is closed due to the Flower of festival. So we went to have a walk at West creek.

 After we went back in the evening, the sunset was fantastic and decided to take a picture of it.

Journey of our new member - Ashley Teo

28th April 2012, 1600hrs

This special post document down the arrival of our new family member, Ashley, who was born on this special day,

Name : Ashley Teo
Date of birth : 28th April 2012
Time of birth : 1600hrs
Place of birth : Singapore General hospital, Blk 5, level 2 room 2(Delivery Ward)

On 27th April 2012 at 3am+, I was awaken from my sleep....
Hayley came out of the toilet and shouted my name..

Hayley : Ling, got "Show" already...
Kirk jump up : Oh.. then....(still holding my head)...etc, lets call the delivery ward and ask them how..
Hayley called, nurse ask her to go to Delivery ward to check. We then pack some things, took a taxi and rush to the hospital, block 5 level 2.

Upon arrival, the doctor checked and told her that "Show" started, but its not dilated yet, less than 1cm, and ask us to go back, infact ask us to go back to work tomorrow. At that moment, hayley's reaction was.. huh? back to work?? I needed sleep. but probably we were too obedient, so went back around 5am, I slept for about an hour before I went to work, hayley could not sleep due to baby kicking and pushing and went to work also.

At night, I told Hayley, lets sleep early today as we didn't sleep last night, so we went to bed at 11am. Again I slept but hayley could not sleep.

On 28th April, 1am, again hayley shouted again and I jump up.

Hayley : Ling, bleed again and got contraction this time round.
Kirk : Oh....should we go again??
Hayley : Think we go..
And off we went to the hospital. upon arrival, the doctor check again and this time round the doctor said that contraction starts, but still not dilated yet. and ask us to go back. but this time round, Hayley felt that she would like to stay in. so I went off to do the admission and at around 3am, I went back home while Hayley stayed in a B1 room sharing with 4 others. Reach home around 4:30am.

At 5:35am, hayley called my mobile, and 1st word that struck me was...
Hayley : Ling, water bag break liao.
Kirk : Oh..... (still holding my head)..so did the doctor say roughly how long baby will come out?
Hayley : not so fast, still less than 1cm.
Kirk : So how long does the 1cm grow?
hayley : don't know, but maybe quite long.
Kirk : Ok, I will come over soon.

After that, I woke up, showered, took my camera and went off at around 6:30am. went to level 30 to take the beautiful sunrise from my Iphone 4s and from my camera. after that, went downstairs to have breakfast till 7:15am. Then went off to hospital.

Around 7:30am I arrived at the Labour ward and seeing Hayley groaning in pain due to the midst of contraction. so I sat there and waited, at about 9am, the nurse and doctor advise to go straight to delivery room so that she can make use of the equipments there to make her more comfortable.

At 10:30, hayley was ferried to the delivery room. At first, the midwives gave hayley "Entonox", or "Nitrous Oxide", AKA Laughing Gas, and every few mins she will need to be gas. to expand from 1cm to 2cm take a long time, till 1 of the doctor have to come to help stretch to expand to 2cm, by then 1 of the midwive suggested to give Pethidine, it is a type of drugs that helps to relieve the pain abit, but it did not help much, and still go for Nitrous Oxide. meanwhile 1 of the midwive assured us that by 4cm, they will give her Epidural, which many described it as Magic formula, so anxiously waiting to dilate to 4cm.

Time comes when it is finally dilated to 4cm, the anesthetist came and prepare the Epidural, but before she could start, she ask hayley a series of questions, and 1 of the question she ask was if hayley had met with any accident or back problem before. And hayley confess that she had a slip disc, upon hearing it, the anesthetist stop and explain that with the past injury, she will not proceed on, this leave a cut to hayley's emotion and will have to bear with it till Ashley is out.

at about 1:45pm, I ask hayley if she can managed so far and so I went to "Coffee and Toast" at SGH for late lunch, and during lunch, my Mother in law, Clement and Wendy came to meet me for lunch, so we took lunch together till 2:45 and decide to go back up to the delivery ward.

When I came to the ward, I was surprised to see about 5 midwives and the Head of Gynecology, Assoc Prof. Tan Hak Koon, 1 of them excitedly told me that it is now 8cm and can prepare the procedure. All the midwives were there, and very encouraging. While hayley was pushing, the midwives will update the progress, and ask me to take a peek at the baby's head. The pushing lasted till 3:40pm, and by then it is 9cm and Prof Tan came in, prepare his robe, he continue to encourage hayley to push. At the final moment, at 4pm sharp, Ashley is being pushed out, Ashley is born.

After Ashley is born, there was a moment of boo boo, the midwive brought ashley to her mummy, they put ashley on hayley's body for about 1 min, then Prof Tan quickly ask them not to as ashley needs to be checked. Below are the stat.

Name : Ashley Teo
Chinese name :
Height(Head to Toe) : 52cm
Head Circumference : 34cm

Next she was cleaned off those dirty blood. and then brought to hayley once again. immediately she was breast fed and about 1 hour later, she was send back to the labour ward to rest. Ashley was brought to nursery and then back to the ward to be with hayley. I get to stay in the SGH "Hotel" for free.

Bali Vacation 2nd - 5th March 2012

Bali - Indonesia

2nd - 5th March 2012

Preparation :

It started on June 11, 2011, I had subscribed to jetstar fair and they send me a promotion, which cost about S$372 air tickets for 2(inclusive of taxes). Thus immediately had a discussion with Hayley that evening and book it.

Few weeks after that, with my sister Geok Cheng's advise, we decided not to go to Kuta or Ubud, but to go to a place which is not that popular for tourist - Tulamben. This place is famous for Divers due to the Liberty Wreck. The Liberty was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine out in the Lombok Strait, 11 January 1942, the captain was able to steer the ship to shore. but in 1963, a nearby volcano which is the biggest volcano, Mount Agung erupted pushing the ship back to the sea. It was left there till now.

Type of Trip : Free and Easy

Traveler : Hayley and Kirk

Air Ticket Time : Supposedly
Departure Singapore to Bali - 2 March 2012, 10:35am.
but in September 30th 2011, Jetstar send an e-mail that their flight had changed its schedule to 7:25am. but we overlooked and by the time we arrived, the flight had already gone. With frustrations, we went to Air Asia and bought an expensive $440 1 way trip to Bali.

Hotel : Tauch Terminal Resort

Transport : Hotel Arranged transport.

Language : English, Bahasa Indonesia

Currency : Indonesian Rupiah, Euro

Meals : Balinese style, Morning breakfast provided.

Camera Equipment : Nikon D7000, D70 IR 720nm with Tamron 18-270mm f3.5-6.3, Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, Lensbaby Composer Pro with Sweet 35, Double glass and Fisheye Optics. Canon IXUS 110 IS with Underwater housing for Diving.

 Day 1 : Singapore to Bali Ngurah Rai Airport

Early morning, we arrived at around 8am, had breakfast and then wanted to check in, but realised that the flight number was not on display, so we went to the Changi Airport information counter to check, and what shock us is that the flight had already departed, so we went to Jetstar to check and they verified it. Lots of frustration that morning, we went to the information counter again to check which other flight goes to bali and we were told in about 1.5 hrs, Air Asia will have a flight there. So we went to Air Asia counter to purchase a ticket, it cost us additional S$440 + $27.

Our Flight to Bali, Air Asia, QZ8491

 Queuing up to check in at Air Asia Counter

Our most heartache bill, a total of $440 for our 1 way airticket to Bali due to us missing our flight.

After we go in, wanted to make sure the pick up driver received our E-mail that our flight had been rescheduled.

This is our driver, who waited about half hour, pick us and drove us to Tulamben.

Some monuments along the way from airport

 Hayley ask along the way, at some of the village, we see at the roadside alot of these wheat like thing, the driver explain that it is due to new year festive but the people are lazy to take it down, so remain there.

Some sculpture on the way up to our room.

Upon arrival around 7pm+ we were very hungry, so went to the restaurant for our dinner, we ordered "Bakso", that is the meat ball soup.

This prawn and chicken fried rice was ordered by Hayley. real nice balinese food.

This is their famous mix fruit juice with lots of pulp.

Our room from 2 different angle.

Day 2 - Diving at Tulamben Liberty Wreck and Drop Off

Day 2 early morning, I report at the dive shop, after the Dive master brief us about the spot we are going to, what to expect. after that we rested awhile and then proceed to our Dive site. my buddy happens to be an Austrian who is also into dive photography, he holds a Olympus E3 or E5(Not so sure about that). Dive Master's name is "Made"(Pronounced as Mar Dee) and buddy's name is "Johannas".

Our Dive master briefing us and the next picture shows us walking towards the dive site.

3 of us entered the water, wearing our mask and going down.

Above picture is a picture of a Pygmy Seahorse spotted by our Dive master, really need good eye power to spot it.

I'm literally almost swimming underneath the school of fishes.

 3 of these cute Nudibranch spotted and 2 of them seem to be going to mate.

A random shot of our Dive Master and my Buddy.

Half way through, we spotted this Lionfish hiding in a crevice.

After the 2 dives, I came up, and went snorkeling with Hayley, such a tiring day for me.

After I meet up hayley, she went to pick up a bootie and a pair of fins, we walked to the liberty wreck site and we went for snorkeling.

This fish followed us till awhile later it disappear, guess this fish realised we don't have food with us.

A picture of hayley underwater.

After our snorkel, came up and met Johannas, he also had just completed his dive, so went to take a picture with him.

After our snorkel and dive, we decide to come up, just walk around and have our lunch and rest for the day.

Walk out of the resort, take a picture and then go to hunt for lunch.

Found this eating area outside our resort, and it charges 1/2 the price compare to our resort, so came here for our lunch, unfortunately the owner told us they do not open at night.
1st thing we ordered was a bottle of Coca cola, the old glass bottle type, it is really good... cooling.

This is a simple and nice restaurant, quite a lot of people eat there, but when we arrived there, not many people left as they are closing also.

At bali, they like to rare chickens and cocks, mostly are ayam kampung, which is kampung chicken, small, but the meat are lean, can sell more expensive, and they usually rare cocks for cock fight, mostly for gambling.

After lunch, we decide to come back, rest, then go for massage.

Have abit of photoshoot here before we go for our massage at the bali massage place.

Also try out some of the macro and close up shots using my lensbaby and macro converter. well, not very stable as I didn't set up tripod. and the weather is no good. can't get a good sharp picture.

While walking to the spa, saw this and just wanted to take a picture of it.

After that, we went to "Spa Relax" for Balinese massage. It cost abit more than the traditional balinese massage who will go to your room or outside at the poolside, but I personally like their facilities and skills more. We took the full body massage which include front and back body and it cost Euro $16 each.(Definitely cheaper than Bintan or Batam).

Took some picture of the swimming pool before we head on to our massage.

After massage and Dinner, we bought a bottle of Bintang Beer and a cup of Hagen Daz Ice cream, went to our room to have them and watch Friends on our Ipad. what a relaxing and wonderful evening we've got.

Day 3 - Day Trip to Tirta Gangga, Bersakih and Kintamani

Tirta Gangga

On the 3rd day, we signed up a local tour to these 3 places. We instructed the driver that along the way, if we see any of the padi field plantation, just stop and let us take some pictures. and the driver is good.

We were on the car when we saw alot of people walking on the streets.
We understood from the driver that it is a mass cremation ceremony.

We asked the driver and he told us that it is a culture for Balinese to cremate when a person die, the reason is when a person die, you will need to cremate it, otherwise the soul will be separated, but if create, the soul will still be with the body.

There are 2 types of cremation.
1) Individual cremation for the rich.
2) Mass cremation for the commoner, normally when a person, dies, he will be buried and have to wait generally 5 years, at 5 years, they will march and go to the cemetery, where they wil put the bones to a place to cremate

Along the way, we stop by this padi and took a few pictures of it. Of course, the weather is always bad there, cloudy.

The one hectare complex was built in 1946 by the late King of Karangsem but was destroyed almost entirely by the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963. It has been lovingly re-built and restored and has an air of authentic royal magnificence

 The Entrance and Exit of Tirta gangga.

Water Palace

Hayley and I hopped those steps that is above the water, and while hopping it, I nearly miss 1 of the steps and nearly fell into the water, after that, I broke into sweat and had to do slowly hop out of the water.

There are 2 Tirta Gangga Bridge, 1 at the far end and the other near to the entrance.

Tirta Gangga to Bersakih

Next stop, Bersakih, it is also known as the Mother Temple, or Pura Besakih, in the village of Besakih on the slopes of Mount Agung in eastern Bali, is the most important, the largest and holiest temple of Hindu religion in Bali, Indonesia, and one of a series of Balinese temples.


History : The temple probably dates to the fourteenth century.

While going up, we were informed by the driver that everyone who goes up, need to wear a Sarong as a form of respect. So the driver drove us to the entrance to buy 2 piece of sarong, reasonable priced.
While going up, we see many youths wearing white top, so we ask the guide, our guide told us that the youths wear white to go up for their praying and offering.

Our guide help to take a picture of us with the Temple and Mount Agung, we are wearing the bali sarong bought there.

Picture of us with Bersakih entrance.

From a distance, we see a group of girls worshipping. There are 4 parasols(Umbrella like), The guide explain to us that.
1) The Red Parasol personalifying Brahma, who is the god of fire
2) The Black Parasol personalifying Vishnu, who symbolise the god of water.
3) The White and Yellow Parasols Personalifying Shiva, who act as pemralina or the demolisher.

but after searching on the internet, some sources mention that.
The Yellow Parasols is in honour of god Mahadewa and White Parasol personalifying Shiva.

 On our way down, we met a big rich family going up to do their prayers.

Outside Bersakih, a woman selling Snake Skin fruit.

 Bersakih to Kintamani

 After Bersakih, we continue with our journey to Kintamani for our lunch.
A little bit of information about the volcano there.
There are a total of 2 volcanoes there.

Mount Agung - It is the highest volcano, which is 3134Meters high
Mount Batur - It is 1717 meters high, which is the 2nd highest.

Separate both Mount Abang(A mountain) and mount Batur is Lake Batur.

In year 2000 Batur had a small eruption, and since the crater is big, the explosion is not big and no casualties had been reported. Batur had 3 craters, 1 on top and 2 below

Mount Agung's eruption happened in year 1963, where about 2000 people died there.

Our bali buffet lunch, and facing us is the mount Batur Volcano, a spectacular view.

Took a 9 shots exposure of Mount Batur and blend it.

Can't help so took a 2 shots exposure on my IR and blend it after that.
After the lunch, our driver ask if we would like to visit the coffee plantation. so we went and visit this place that sells Coffee Luwak.

Coffee seed found at the plantation.

Upon arrival, we were welcome to this sheltered place, where we were served with all different types of coffee and Tea(Except for Coffee Luwak).

 From this we can see that all teas can be tested free, except for Coffee Luwak, which will cost RP 50,000 for tasting only.

What is Kopi Luwak or Luwak Coffee?
It’s a gourmet coffee made from the ripest coffee berries which has been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of this animal (Paradoxurus Hermaphroditus). The civets eat the berries but the beans inside them pass through their system undigested. The Luwak graciously deposits them on the jungle floor where they are eagerly collected by the local coffee farmers.

After the last stop we visit at the coffee plantation, we make our way back to the resort and then immediately went to the spa shop to book appointment for massage, unfortunately they have no more slots, so we decide to get those traditional balinese massage where they will come to our room.

Day 4 - Bali to Singapore

Early morning, we go for our breakfast at the Tauch Terminal restaurant as usual, after that we took some last few photos there before heading to the airport.

The restaurant facing the beach

This is the place we will wash our Wet suits and fins.

Our Nitrox Tank, rigged up for us before we go for our dives, it is really a place you are treated like a prince, people will carry the tank for you to the shore, and even wear it for you if need to.

The dive shop, I actually misplaced my tripod, but they were nice to collect for me from the car and place it at the counter for me to collect it.

Tauch Terminal resort lobby.

Hayley wanted to take a picture of the women who carry our tanks, as I was waiting, I took my ND filter and took a picture of the rocks there.
1st time I was there, I realised that I didn't bring my ND filter, so went up to get the filter,
2nd time I came down, I got my ND filter, but realised I forgot my shutter released. and my equipments already setup. so didn't care and just used my finger to press it. Thank God that the picture turn out ok still.

A Balinese woman carrying a tank on top of her head.

This woman carries 2 tank, BCD and regulator on her head. It is hardwork for the balinese woman.

After that, I took a picture of the scenary, a very beautiful place which the pool is just there facing out to the sea.

After that, went up to our room to pack up to prepare for check out. before that, we realised that we did not take alot of our room photos, so we took some of them also.

Picture of our Balcony.

Our driver waited for us awhile to send us to the airport. In the car, Hayley say, lets show the "Yesss" sign that we are excited that tomorrow we shall start work again. to me, I was like..... "Siao"(Crazy)..

 On our way back, we keep seeing this statue, so we ask the driver and he explain briefly that they believe this god is place there to protect the bridge.

After about 2 hours +, we finally arrived at the airport. ready to check in and be back to Singapore.

So far this trip is not the best we had, but this is still a comfortable trip. Also an expensive one.