Author archive
7 January 2026
Going to Mt Cook National Park Today is the one of two full days we have here, that is forecast for good weather. With my desire to do some short hikes at Mt Cook National Park, this is the only feasible day. We left around 0800 with Jan in our car, stopping in Twizel for […]
6 January 2026
Today we drive down from Christchurch to the western shore of Lake Benmore to join our friends who are camping there. We left after 0800 and stopped at Rolleston to get some groceries as our contribution before continuing to Dunsandel for breakfast after 0900. The remaining stops along the way now seem to be regular […]
5 January 2026
Upon arrival, I dropped some frozen Malaysian meals to a friend’s before checking in at the Classique Lodge for some rest. We have stayed in this motel before. It is Chinese-owned and rather old but very cheap. It appears to be kept alive as a land-banking measure, pending redevelopment of the site. My cousin and […]
5 January 2026
Today, we fly down to Christchurch for dinner with my cousins before doing a road trip to Lake Benmore tomorrow for camping with friends for the third time. With a midday flight, there was no rush leaving home to get to the park-and-ride, and we even had some time in the lounge before boarding. It’s […]
24 November 2025
We landed into Auckland at 0100. I noticed that the cabin lights had been left on for the landing and the earlier take-off from Brisbane. It was actually super-bright in the front and rear galley areas by the doors. Enquiring with friends that knew Qantas crew, this is supposedly their requirement. That’s something new for […]
23 November 2025
Above: Only snacks served on a 5h55 international flight; unusual for Qantas. Flying to Auckland Today, I finish my trip with a flight back to Auckland via Brisbane on a Qantas redemption ticket. I was very lucky go get a redemption ticket as I wouldn’t like to have chanced a long weekly B737 flight on […]
22 November 2025
Getting started Today, I have a day at sea on the surface, rather than underwater which was yesterday. I was picked up by a lovely Japanese guide at 0845 and dropped at their waterside office to pay, collect our snorkel gear and check my permit for being at sea in the area (which was obtained […]
21 November 2025
My dive operator “83 Palau Dive Center”, picked me up at 0810. The staff were largely mainland Chinese even thought the boss appeared Taiwanese. We picked up a few more guests before going out to the boat. Our first site Ulong Wall was a longish ride out. Here the coral was gorgeous. We saw giant […]
21 November 2025
My dive operator “83 Palau Dive Center”, picked me up at 0810. The staff were largely mainland Chinese even thought the boss appeared Taiwanese. We picked up a few more guests before going out to the boat. Our first site Ulong Wall was a longish ride out. Here the coral was gorgeous. We saw giant […]
20 November 2025
Getting started I slept for 12h, on and off, from 2100 till 0900. My sore throat seemed to have gone but I was still a little feverish, sweaty and had slight shivers. It is very fortunate that I have the day free from any activities at sea. In fact, I have nothing booked for the […]