Brisbane before the Flood ~~

I was lucky enough to travel with my friends to Brisbane on Etihad Airways paying only staff price for the plane ticket ..

Before we left for Brisbane, we decided to rent our own car and travel around Brisbane which we believe is a more cost effective and convenient way.. Of cos, GPRS is essential.. I don't remember which website we've booked our car but it was at a pretty reasonable rate compared to the other car renting company. We've also gotten some discount coupon from some blogs. You can try researching online and see if you can get the same deal!! You can try: http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/, however it is best if you do more research.

When we arrived at Brisbane Airport, we walked out to take the free shuttle bus that brought us to the car renting company nearby, after all the paperwork was done, we took the car and drove off to our 1st destination, a shopping mall close to the airport!! The DFO Airport complex, with 120 brand outlet stores!!





After some small buys (we didn't want to spend so much on the 1st day, althou we did went back a few days later =D), its time to check in to our apartment.


Since it was a budget trip and there are 4 of us travelling, we decided to stay in Kangaroo Point Holiday Apartment (http://www.kangaroopoint.com).

It was not too bad, considering it cost only approx S$ 200 per night. The apartment consists of 2 bedrooms, a small Kitchen and one bathroom (with bathtub). It'll rate it 3.5/5 for a mid-budget stay in Brisbane..







We went to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary on the 2nd day. A must if you're big fan of Koala! You can take photos with them! They have a extremely strong eucalyptus smell but definitely adorable! I was really happy and satisfied with the photo taking! After they took the photo for you, you will need wait for awhile before collecting your photo at the store beside the photo taking area. Since I love animals and there’s no Koala hugging session in Singapore, it’s a very good souvenir to bring home. I’ve forgotten the price, but I remember it’s not too steep.














Tips:

- Bring along your student card, the entrance fee will be cheaper*
- www.koala.net

We roam around the sanctuary after the koala hugs and came across the lorikeets feeding.. Be sure to bring along wet tissue since all 3 of my friends brought home the “souvenirs” the lorikeets gave.. It’s best not to walk below a tummy satisfied lorikeets..

We proceeded to watched the dog show (amazed at how smart the dogs are), got chased by sheeps, and saw the most adorable puppy at their small animal farm..

Basically, since it’s a Koala Sanctuary, so we didn’t expect it to be as big as a Zoo.. After a few hours, we left and continue our journey to St John's Cathedral.

We had a hard time locating St John's Cathedral, but in the end, we managed to find it and it was very much worth the trip. Once you stepped in, the peace you get is just priceless.. Of course, most Churches do… We lit some candles, said some prayers and carried on with our trip..

During the night, we visited Conrad Treasury Casino, it was a little messy, but still managed to survive the crowd and earn some quick bucks.. The big problem was the parking. We didn't want to park in the carpark as the fees was freaking ex, so we went around searching for street side parking, took a bit of time and gamble, found a space but still ended up walking a fairly long distance..

The following day, we had a quick visit to the Queensland Museum (entry is free, but there is entry charges for the Sciencentre and some special events and exhibitions) Due to the same reason mentioned above regarding parking, we parked our car along the street side near the museum and walk our way there. http://www.qm.qld.gov.au (Can pay a visit if you have some spare time)

Next Up: Brisbane Part 2 (Sunshine Coast, Harbour Town)

short post..

I will be uploading post on my Brisbane trip that happened way before the tragic flood. I will be dedicating the post to all the casualties and their families. God Bless.


To lighten the mood, I’ll be posting a short post..

My fav Asia country is… *drumroll*… Korea!! I have some plans to study there as well in the near future.
Since I will be gg Korea this coming Feb and I have a lovable BF there, I guess I should share some helpful info on the country. Before posting on the actual posts, just share with you some pics showing the current weather there.. Heard its freezing!!

Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site Tour (Munich, Germany)

I’ve always been fascinated by war history and therefore once I saw the tour brochure, I decided that I have to join the tour. As expected, I did not regret any single minute of the trip (except that I should have worn much warmer clothing – but that’s a another story) .

We gathered early morning at Munich Central Station and set off via train to Dachau Station, when we arrive at Dachau Station, we change to a bus and finally arrived at our destination.


Munich Central Station (München Hauptbahnhof)

I went during the winter, and I’m not sure if it was me or the temperature had just dropped another 5 degree, it was absolutely freezing cold. Before we went in the front gate, outside the camp, the guide told us that it is in this kind of weather, the prisoners were made to stand for long period of hours with just what they were wearing (of course, there are no whatsoever animal fur, wool jackets, etc).


Arbeit macht frei - Literally means – “Work makes free”

The prisoners are given the perception that only by working, you will have a chance to be free. That of course, is a complete lie.

Our tour begins and we were led to a building where you will find pictures, stories and information about Hilter, the camp’s purpose, the experiments that they conduct on humans and ways in which the prisoners are tortured.


prisoner's bunk

We were then brought to the “bunks” where the prisoners slept, the beds look really uncomfortable and if I remembered clearly, a room was filled with people 3 times its capacity. No heater during the winter, no air-conditioner during the summer, no nothing.

Before we were taken to another part of the camp, we were told not to eat or drink and at all times give the utmost respect. It was told that the area we will be entering was the area where all dead bodies are sent for cremation as well as where execution takes place. The prisoners at the main area was not allowed to enter, however, when they see the smoke that came from the burning, all knew exactly what was happening.


execution ground


gas chamber


crematorium


furnace

To be honest, I was a little terrified. To see the exact spot where thousands died and the furnace that was used to cremate countless bodies was a little disturbing. I remember a room where there are shower nozzle on the ceiling, the prisoners are "tricked" to being rewarded a revitalising shower but instead toxic gas were "rewarded". To no surpise, I did not stay long in the room, to be exact, I did not stop but just walk past the room swiftly.

By the time the tour ended for that area, I was nearly frozen, I remembered just wanting to go back to the main camp building and sit on the “heater seats”. My wish did came true and we were brought back to watch a documentary which I’ve totally forgotten about it.


The "jail" for people regarded as "highly dangerous"

The tour ended with a visit to another building with “jail-like” structure where people who are regarded as "highly dangerous" are placed here. We saw the cell where a famous assassinator was jailed, apparently, he nearly succeeded bombing Hilter.

All in all, it was definitely a freezing but eye opening experience.. If u guys ever visit Munich, be sure to spare some time to join the Dachau Concentration Camp tour. 

Note: *all photos are taken from wikipedia and google image*
I was freezing and my camera phone died due to the weather..

Getting to Tioman

Before the Brisbane upload, just wanna share the below travel tips to Tioman from Singapore!!

1. The most cost effective but tedious way
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Step 1: From Singapore to JB (Larkin Terminal)
Take bus from Queen Street Bus Terminal (nearest MRT Station – Bugis)




- SBS 170
- Causeway Link 2 (CW2)
- Singapore – Johor Express (SJE)

You can purchase the ticket for CW2 and SJE from the ticket booth located at the Terminal. Do not throw the ticket away till you reached Larkin Terminal.

Once you reach Woodlands Checkpoint, you will alight, go through custom and board the bus again (do not need to board the same bus, you can wait for the next arriving bus).

The same applies when you arrive at Johor Bahru Checkpoint.

Note: You can take the SBS 170 to Larkin Terminal from Johor Bahru Checkpoint even if you did not take SBS 170 earlier. (You will need to pay additional nominal bus fee)

Journey Time: ~1.5 hr journey (smooth traffic)

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Step 2: From JB (Larkin Terminal to Mersing)
When you arrive at Larkin Terminal, you will be able to see the stretch of ticketing counters and “salesman” standing in front of the counters. You can approach anyone and ask them where to purchase ticket to Mersing.



There are 2 counters that offer bus service to Mersing.

- S&S Express (8.30am)
- Causeway Link (11.30am)

Note: The two timing stated above is the only timing you can take (or any timing before 12 noon). In the event where the bus is fully booked or you’ve missed the bus, please do not book the afternoon timing as you will not have time to catch the last ferry to Tioman at 4.30pm

*In the event where you are unable to take the bus to Mersing from JB, please book the earliest bus to Kota Tinggi. There are many counters that provide bus services to Kota Tinggi.

From Kota Tinggi, take Omnibus 103 from the Terminal to Mersing.

Journey Time:
~ 2.5 hr (From JB to Mersing)
~ 3.5 hr (From JB to Kota Tinggi to Mersing)

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Step 3
From Mersing, purchase the ferry ticket to Tioman from Blue Water Express which is located just beside the Bus Terminal.

Instructions will be given by the ferry company to get to the jetty.

Journey Time: ~ 2 – 2.5 hr (depending on the where your resort is located)

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2. The mid comfort way (~ S$ 45)

Singapore - Mersing - Tioman

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Step 1: From Singapore to Mersing
Book a direct coach transfer from Singapore to Mersing.

- Transnational Express
Depart from Lavender St. Terminal
http://www.transnasional.com.my

- Five Star Express
Depart from Golden Mile Complex
http://www.fivestarsonline.com

Journey Time: ~ 3.5 - 4 hr

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Step 2
From Mersing, purchase the ferry ticket to Tioman from Blue Water Express which is located just beside the Terminal.

Instructions will be given by the ferry company to get to the jetty.

________________________________________________________________

3. The most relaxed but costly way (~ S$ 135 one way per pax)

Step 1: From Singapore to Tioman
Take a flight from Singapore to Tioman
- Berjaya Air
https://www.berjaya-air.com/

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Tioman!! Look for my Tioman Post!!

Hong Kong Trip

Early morning, we check out of Casa Real hotel, took the shuttle bus to Macau Ferry Terminal to continue our journey to HK! Ard HKD 140+ for one way ferry which is ard SGD 35+... BTW, our two night hotel stay was approx SGD 160 (cheap as the stay was during wkday, the rate for wkend was like SGD 120++ for 1 night) Some pics of the ferry we took.





We reach HK after about 1 hr! We booked our room in Bishop Lei International, the hotel mentioned on their website that there is shuttle bus service from Central MTR or alternatively a short walk up the mid-level escalator will reach their hotel and etc etc. In the end, LOST!! Don’t trust the signs!! We took a cab after strolling around central for about 1hr+ with our luggage!!



The cab was cheap since the hotel was near Central MTR and we found the location of the shuttle bus pickup in the end, but it was impossible to find if you did not ask the hotel staff. So.. If any1 do stay in Bishop Lei one day, please take a cab.. It won’t cost much from the Central MTR Station.



Thankfully, they upgraded our room to a harbourview room for no reason!! =)
The pics did not show the small living room and bathroom, so it is not as small as it seems.. Overall, I'll rate it 3.5/5 for HK standard (the bathroom is alittle too small.., but the view was amazing)

Pics below!





We went to Temple Street Night Market and NOTHING!! Okay, maybe for us. All the stores are selling the same items. We took about 15 mins to walk up and walk down and in the end bought my items all from the SASA outlet store. We are so exhausted from all the travelling and walking that we bought our dinner and some supper and went back to the hotel to rest.

Next morning, we went Stanley market by bus, it was a nice ride with views to look at, not spectacular, but not boring to say the least. The place is quite a good shopping spot and the cooling weather helps since it something like Singapore’s Pasar Malam combined Chinatown stores.

Some pics.





After which we took the bus back and went back Central to take a walk, travelled across to Causeway Bay by MTR and went to Star Ferry Pier. It was windy and I was freezing, but the view was nice. Some pics





We went Causeway Bay to walk, famous for some fashion wear, but in the end, nothing to buy! Mayb we are just too picky. Went for dinner at Pak Loh Chiu Chow Restaurant, recommended by Lonely Planet book, we thought we can get some tim sum there, in the end, BIG disappointment!!!

No tim sum and the food was so EX, we ordered fried rice and some porridge, one of the supervisor came, looked at us and say in mandarn: “one eating porridge and one eating fried rice for dinner, enough already right?”, it doesn’t help when the rest keep looking at us and laughing to one another. Disaster. Spoilt my appetite BIG time and the cost for the above was SGD 30+!! What the $%@&^%$.. Furthermore, cause the loving couple (us) to have some slight argument. BOYCOTT BIG TIME!!

*side note* the point i am putting across is we were sort of "looked down", which i feel was partly due to what we wore there.. Hip hop and fancy restaurant don't gel apparently.. Anyway, moving on...

That night was Chelsea vs Man Utd match, we thot our hotel provides the channel but to our dismay, on air was some other football league, but Chelsea won, so maybe not watching is better.

I hope to go back again one day since I missed quite a lot of places, it doesn’t help when you walk and travel so much the prev few days and your partner fell sick. Will go back again 1 day!

*Tips*: If u plan to travel much, purchasing the Octopus Card (like EZ-link in Singapore) is a wise choice, furthermore, any remaining value in the card is returned to you after your visit in HK! (http://www.octopus.com.hk/home/en/index.html)

Next up, Brisbane Australia!