Pango's Trip...

A 2009 Winter Trip to Italy

2009-12-29T03:42:00.000-08:00

In 2002, i was in Germany-Mannheim for half a year on my Polytechnic Oversea Attachment project. It was an extremely good experience and opportunity for me to learn about their culture, their language as well as the nice scenary around Europe. All i can say, i enjoyed a lot during my stay in Germany with my friends but just that my wife, who is my girlfriend at that time, was not able to join me due to her new job.

In November 2009, my wife's company sent her to Italy for nearly 2.5 months of training whereby my wife really wanted me to join her while she is there. Fortunately, i'm able to get my precious 3 weeks Annual leave from my company and on the 16th Dec 09, i took a night flight from Singapore to meet her in Italy Milan.

Arrival at Milan Malpensa Airport at 6am in the morning

Loading my baggage into my wife's Toyota iQ

Early morning in Italy town

Snowy street near the apartment

As it is Winter season, it is a must to bring along the thick winter clothings, winter cap, winter gloves and scarves to keep me warm and therefore, most of the compartment in my luggage is occupied by the winter clothings. When i touch down to Italy, the temperature is around 1 degree celsius which is totally different experience from what i had during my stay in Germany which is Summer season where most of the places is full of greenary.

On my 4th day in Italy, Milan had a heavy snowing weather whereby the TV reports that snow storms had swept across Europe. There are road accident everywhere on the street and many car are being covered with thick snow. Luckily, i spent my day hibernating myself doing some soul-searching and admiring the snowy scenary. As for my wife, her car nearly skidded while she returning back home just before the heavy storm. Luckily, she was able to controlled it and came back home safely.

Thick snow covering the walkway

Children will love the snow

Slow moving traffic and its really slippery

Drive slowly to prevent accident

Snowy view outside my balcony

On the 19th December 09, we went to Rome from Milan by night train. It took us nearly 7 hours to reach our destination, Rome TiburtinaF.S at the right timing we had expected. We took a Metro to Termini to have our Macdonald breakfast at before we started to roam around ROME.

Started to snow at Milan Train Station

5am in the morning at Tiburtina Metro Station

Time for breakfast at Rome

Last minute planning for our ROME itinerary using iPhone

The famous Colosseo

Shierly and the Colosseo

National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II

The leftover Rome building structure

The remain of the Rome History

The Pantheon

Throwing a coin into the fountain for wish come true

Shierly also make a wish as well

The Piazza Navona (City Square)

Shierly posting with the Carousal

Selling delicious Chestnut at the street

Weekend market for Christmas stuff at Rome City Square

Seriously, after spending my 2 days in ROME, i concluded that most of the places of interest in ROME is very accessible by Metro. You can just buy the one day ticket which cost $4 Euro from the ticket machine which give you unlimited Bus and Metro ride for 24 hours rather than buying a per trip ticket that cost you $1 Euro which lasted for only 75 minutes. Obtained a map from your hotel or Information Kiosk and wandering around the places of interest will be pretty effortlessly.

Shopping street at Via del Corso

Busy shopping street

A Ferrari boutique with a F1 in ROME

Shierly posing with a Ferrari Christmas Bear

The Well-known horse for F1 race

The Castel Sant'Angelo

Ponte Sant' Angelo

St Peter at the background

At the St' Peter Square

Delicious Pizza for lunch at Fountain Trevi

Dear, 2 Pizza is too little for me

I'm hunger for more Pizza...Yummy!!!

Anyone want Coca-Cola for Souvenirs?

Italiano Breakfast with a cup of Espresso

Our clean and cosy Hotel La Maison De Famille

Rome is really a good and beautiful place to visit especially for couples and it is really worth to spend a few days here by visiting the Colosseo, Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi), Vatican Museum (Musei Vaticani) and St Peter's Square (Basilica S.Pietro). The time i spend with my wife in ROME is really fantastic and it will be a places we will revisit again.

A useful ROME map

To be continued.......

My Japan Tokyo trip on March 2009

2009-04-15T11:31:00.000-07:00

Date: 26th March 09 to 2nd April 09 (7 days)

Location: Japan-Tokyo

Japan has been a place which i frequently visit ever since i join my Japanese Company as a Semicon Service engineer going for machine training. Before planning for this "7 days" tour, i have already visited Japan more than 3 times in my 3 years of service. My wife, Shierly who have not been to Japan before, will definitely be delighted to visit this lovely place which i really enjoyed.

Recently, NWA had a promotion on their air-ticket to Japan at a very attractive price and since its so affordable, our trip to japan had 2 more company which is my mother-in-law and my wife's sister, Karen. On this trip, i'm the main in-charge in planning the Itinerary and Shierly will be fully in-charge of the planning of the Hostel and the booking of train and bus ticket. The planning was the most difficult and challenging task to be accomplished and it takes almost 1-2 weeks for me to really sorted it out after checking with my Japanese friend, Megumi-san who is living in Yokohama.

As this is a free and easy Back-packing tour, everything will be on budget and obviously a tiring trip whereby one will need to walk all day besides taking the train which is pretty accessible in Japan. With all the lodging and Air-ticket included, it comes out that per person need to pay only SGD$1K excluding the shopping expenses of course.

1st Day: Singapore to Narita Airport

My mother-in-law and Karen

Hoping for a successful trip in Japan

At the Narita Airport

Got to make sure we're on the right train

Khaosan Hostel at Asakusabashi

Check in to the 4 bedded room

After checking in to our Private 4 bedded room at Khaosan Ninja, we proceed to Asakusa to collect our Nikko pass at the Tobu station. Booking of the Nikko pass is done through internet and subjected to availability.

Asakusa Tobu Station

The "All Nikko pass" for tourist

Shierly figuring out how to use the ticket machine

The 3 of them discussing what to eat for dinner

The ticket for your food from ticket vending machine

Its a cold and windy night at Asakusa street

So many tibits to choose from this shop

The living hall next to the kitchen at Hostel

All the cooking stuff from the occupants

Wow...so many things in the fridge

Do take note to write your name on your things

2nd Day: Asakusa -Nikko

The Japanese bullet train

On the train to Nikko

Arrived at destination, Nikko

Outside the station is snowing and its really cold

The Nikko station view

Snow along the road

Bus fare guide on the TV screen

Its about 10 degree celsius at the bus station

A indoor heater to warm you up

Mother and daughter bear in Nikko..hahahaa!

Wow...white snow on the floor

Luckily she wore the winter jacket

So tired after a long walk

A Kannon temple at Nikko

Only found in the Japan shrine

Have a sip of icy cold water

Too cold to take a boat out at Lake Chuzenji

Famous Shinkyo bridge over the Daiya River

A popular fried red bean snack at the station

Many people queuing for the snack

Which one is more cute?

Staying one night at Nikko Park Lodge

3rd Day: Asakusa -Shinjuku

Too early to see cherry blossom at Sumida park

Shierly buying Tako-yaki snack

Ingredient for making Tako-yaki

A common scene at Asakusa Temple

Fresh Big and juicy apple at the Supermart

Rickshaw available for tourist

Cool building structure at Asakusa

Another Khaosan Hostel near to Asakusa

Many oranges and other fresh fruits for sale

Sweet and juicy strawberry anyone?

Can't get to eat this type of strawberry in Singapore

It's a really good beer......"Santory the Premium"

I miss my Forester in Singapore

Its lunch time on our Bento

Megumi-san brought us to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office

Nice building lighted up at night at Shinjuku

Its dinner time at a Shinjuku restaurant

What a big red crab!

4th Day: Mount Fuji

Expert in buying train ticket

My Favorite Automotive brand :P

A Toyota Crown Police car

Keio Bus to Mount Fuji

View of the Mount Fuji from the bus

A recommended place for a night stay

Wow...too bad i didn't bring my fishing gears

Take a Gondola to have a bird's eye view on Mt fuji

A good view at Lake Kawaguchiko

So lovely isn't it?

Clear view of Mt Fuji

A group of really cool bikers at Kawaguchiko

A popular Supermarket at Kawaguchiko

The Hall area in K's house

A big and nice Kitchen

Our room for the night

Leave a wishng note before i left K's house

The Kawaguchiko station

Keio bus ticket

My favorite instant cup noodle by nissin

Back to Shinjuku

Evening crowd at Shinjuku

5th Day: Tsukiji and Ueno

Visiting Tsukiji Fish market is highly recommended as tourist can really get to see and feel the operation of the busy fish market early in the morning. To be exact, most of the Tokyo's restaurant come here to purchase their fish. One can even get to taste the freshest Sashimi in Tsukiji at the nearby Sashimi restaurant.

Read the instruction before sleeping at Khaosan Original

Its 6am in the morning

Preparing breakfast in the small kitchen

Preparing the frozen tuna at Tsukiji Market

A big fat Yellow Fin tuna

Live Aero squid

Live cuttlefish

Fresh Sashimi anyone?

Luckily for us, we are able to get a good view of the full cherry blossom in Ueno and it was extremely beautiful. The flowers had indeed occupied most of our Camera Memory space and it was never enough for the photo-taking. The Japanese spend their whole morning till afternoon chatting with friends and having picnic with friends and family members under the Sakura trees. They really know how to enjoy themselves.

Cherry blossom at Ueno Park

Nice sakura scenary for photo-taking

Picnic area at Ueno Park

Shierly with Doraemon

100Yen burger at McDonald

A Shopping street at Ueno

Fresh fruits for sale

Really cheap Genuine sport accessories on sale

Shierly enjoying the Takoyaki

Does it look yummy?

6th Day: Shibuya and Harajuku

There are many branded Clothing shops in Shibuya and its a nice place for ladies to do shopping. Daiso, another shop that i highly recommended where one can find many cheap and useful stuff to purchase. For last minutes gift preparation, Daiso is a shop not to be missed.

Japanese fermented soy beans (Nattō)

Shibuya Bus interchange

My favorite Tackle shop at Shibuya

Happy shopping moment for me

At Harajuku Station

The crowded shopping street at Harajuku street

U can buy lots of cheap stuff at Daiso

Our dinner which cost less than 400yen

Shierly is tired and hungry after all the shopping

Last night in Japan, preparing our luggage

7th Day: Shibuya and back to Singapore Changi Airport

As Shierly and Karen has some clothing to buy at the Shibuya fashion outlet store, we decided to spend the remaining hours to return back to Shibuya for some last minute shopping. With this chance, i'm able to have more time shopping for my own stuff as well in Shibuya.

My breakfast on the last day in Japan

Delicious Nattō anyone like to try it?

Very useful Railway map

Enjoying our breakfast

Most of the Hostel provide free Internet access

Our 4 bedded room at Khaosan Original Hostel

Last day shopping at Asakusa

After Asakusa, we went to Shibuya for last minute shopping

Delicious puff that you must really try

Taking train back to Narita Airport

Overall, We have a very fruitful trip with lots of beautiful scenary and good Japanese food. Especially for the ladies, they have lots of time to visit many cosmetics shops that sells really cheap Japanese branded cosmetics stuff. As for me, i have ample of time to spend on visiting my favorite Fishing tackle shop. during the last 2 days of the trip. Will be looking forward to visit Japan soon.

The 9 Days New Zealand South Island Self-drive Tour

2007-12-06T17:21:00.000-08:00

EXPEDITION TO THE SOUTH

Date: 1st November 2007 10th November 2007
Departure Flight: SQ297 (SIN-NZ)
Arrival Flight: SQ298 (NZ-SIN)
Total Spending for this trip (2pax incl. flight) : approx SGD $8,000

Additional info:
Nov Daylight: From morning till 2130hr
Currency exchange: SGD$1.13 = NZ$1.00

==============================
Going New Zealand was quite a last minute decision for the 2 of us and the i had less than a month to plan for this trip. However, thanks to all my friends and colleague's advice, the trip was pretty well-planned and no doubt, NZ is an extremely beautiful place whereby you must really visit.

My Itinerary

Day 1: Singapore ->New Zealand [Christchurch Airport]

The challenge started when we reach Christchurch Airport. "Oh boy, Where are we going and what should we do!!!

Yes..we arrived Christchurch Airport!!!

My 2.0litre rented car for my NZ trip

Found my way to the Christchurch motel

A nice place for a rest at Christchurch

Motel Kitchen...so clean

Summer time

Christchurch Botanic Garden

Beautiful Tulip in the garden

Hop on for a city tour

Nice tram for a photo

Christchurch Cathedral

Bridge of Remembrance

Nice place for fishing

No fishing on weekend and public holidays

Windy at the Jetty

So many fish can be found in this area

The Pier

Library at the Seaside

Day 2: Christchurch –> Dunedin

It was a long drive from Christchurch to Dunedin but the scenary was so beautiful that i have forgotten about my tiredness. I have some problem having my way to the motel at Dunedin but with some help from the passerby, we finally found our way.

Gondola at Christchurch

2 ticket for the Gondola please.....

Going up to the top

View of Lyttelton Harbour from Top

Let's take a picture of the Gondola

Finally found the Dunedin Motel

A big room for the two of us

Taking a walk at Baldwin street before dinner

That's the world steepest street

NZ popular Megamart for Grocery

Another Megamart beside 'PaknSave'

Cooking a Yummy dinner for the night

Day 3: Dunedin -> Te Anau

Its a must to visit the Chocolate factory at Dunedin as well as the Larnach Castle. Along the way to Larnach Castle, the view is really fantastic. Do remember to get a local map or check with your friendly Motel operator on where to go.

Dunedin street

Let's go for a Cadbury chocolate tour at Dunedin

A hill of golden bar chocolate..yummy!

An antique Ford at Cadbury factory

Me, chocolate and the Ford

Delicious new favor from Cadbury

Hohoho...not leaving the factory without buying chocolate

Nice view at the Hill top going towards Larnach Castle

So beautiful and how i wish i can stay longer in NZ

Taking a tour at the Lanach Castle

Remember to keep left....same driving side as Singapore

Nice racing car

Nice scenary everywhere in NZ

Sheep is everywhere in NZ

Many mountains along the way

Need to take some photo along the way

The mountain are so nice

My GPS with NZ map

A nice seaside along the way

Some photo-taking session

Reaching Te-Anau Motel in time

Shierly busy taking photos

I also wanna own this

Taking Senic flight to the Glacier

Information Counter for Real journey

Cruise to the Glowworm cave

Exploring the Glowworm cave

Back to Te-Anau after the Glowworm trip

Its dinner time at the Te-Anau restaurant

I' m so hungry

Yummy....tomato and herbs soup

Absolutely delicious from Shierly's look

Day 4: Te Anau ->Gore -> Milford Sound -> Queenstown

Something funny happened when i check my reservation at Te- Anau Real Journey counter as there was someone having the same surname and christian name in the booking list and hence resulting some confusion for the staff...hahahaha, anyway everything settled without much problem. Again, its another long drive from Te-Anau to Milford sound and its a wonderful driving experience for me with endless scenary along the way and countless of photos-taking session. Its a must try driving experience in New Zealand but don't exceed the speed limit as you might get booked by the police if you're unlucky.

What a beautiful river!

Brown trout at Gore

Mirror Lake

Lake Gunn

Driving into the cave soon. Take note of the traffic.

One way driving and drive with care.

Water from the Mountains

So cold and foggy

Wow...we experience snowing during summer
along the way to Milford Sound.

Snow mountain parrots 'Kea'

Real journey Cruise at Milford Sound

The waterfall

Patrick Pang meeting Patrick Pang on the Cruise

Sealion can be seens at Milford sound

Trying the cooling water from the river

The water is really cold

The Glacier

It was snowing again when we heading back

I'm so delighted

Along the way to Queenstown

Its time for my co-driver to take over

Mooooo...why you looking at me

Deer farm

Interesting way of advertising

The journey from Milford Sound to Queenstown takes a few hours of driving and there are many winding roads along the way to Queenstown. Once reaching Queenstown, you will get to see many activities and many people as well. Queenstown is really a beautiful and relaxing place to stay but do take note that things will be a bit costly here. I spent nearly 2 days in Queenstown. One day staying in a motel at Queenstown and the next day staying at a nearby town called Arrowtown.

Nice weather and nice scenary n Queenstown

Jet boat at Lake Wakatipu

So beautiful place to live in

Signboard at lake Wakatipu

I wanna go for a ride

Err...fishing anyone???

Yesssssss....masterrrr!!!

The Lord of the Ring shop at Queenstown

Refreshment time at Macdonald

Dear, wanna buy a house here?

Many activities in Queenstown

Spend some time in Queenstown and its a must to enjoy all sorts of activities in that place. Its one of the main tourist attraction in the South Island and you will love it for sure.

Day 5: Queenstown -> Arrowtown

My main activities in Queenstown is on Day 5 where i booked my Earnslaw Walter Peak Farm tour with Barbeque lunch included from the web at a special price and its a interesting trip not to be missed..especially the delicious food prepared for us. After our activities in Queenstown, we spent a night at Arrowtown.

Earnslaw Steam ship

The ticket for the boat and farm trip

Time to board the steam ship

BaBa... black sheep have you any wool?

Its feeding time for the sheep

Give it to me.....i'm hungry

Mehhhh.......what are you doing to me???

Look what you have done to em...Mehhhhh!!!

Many different type of wool

So soft.....can i bring it home?

So many different types of species

Time for a splendid lunch

Yummy lunch for the both of us

The water is so clear

Nice view of the Walter Peak Farm

Real journey office at Queenstown

A Motel at Arrowtown

Our dinner for the night

Day 6: Arrowtown -> Queenstown -> Cromwell

After much consideration and has been thinking for the whole night, i decided to head back to Queenstown for my final mission. I took up a Lake fishing trip in the next morning and it was a very good experience for me and my wife. We have never seen a live Salmon in Singapore and its the best chance for us in NZ. I managed to land a couple of Salmon and trout. Eventually, i took the fish to a Japanese restaurant at Queenstown for Sashimi. My wife and i had one of the best Sashimi in our live and we loved it very much indeed.

Gondola and gliding activities at the top

A visit to the Queenstown zoo

A living Dinosaur

The close encounter with a living dinosaur

Brown trout in the pond

My very first lake fishing experience

This is what i have caught

The best Sashimi i had

We are too late for Bungy junp

Come let's go viewing...its free entry

Reaching Cromwell

Found a rather inexpensive motel for a stay

Fresh Salmon for dinner

A fruits stall near Cromwell

Day 7: Cromwell -> Mt Cook -> Ashburton

Along the way to Cromwell, we passed by Gibbston Valley where there are many vineyard around this area. The next morning, head back to Gibbston as Shierly decided to have a visit to the Gibbston Valley vineyard where its opened for public and we have an interesting wine tasting session over there.

Gibbston Vineyard noticeboard

Gibbston Valley.....a nice place to visit

I wanna try this wine

Cheers for the wonderful trip in NZ!

A counter for you to buy what you want

Summer time at the vineyard

High Country Salmon farm...not to be missed

What a big Salmon!

Wanna buy some for dinner?

The water are really blue

Let's visit the Salmon farm

Its Salmon feeding time

Hungry big Salmon

Wasabi and soya sauce sold here

Fresh salmon...Which one do you like to have?

Snowy mountain and blue lake...really beautiful

Errr...excuse me, i need to go Mt cook

Reaching Mt cook National Park

You will never get bored driving in NZ

Give way please!

A flying Kea

Staying a night at Ashburton

Salt and pepper on the Salmon

Our dinner for the night at Ashburton

Day 8: Ashburton -> Kaikora -> Hanmer Spring

After a night at Ashburton, we head towards the direction to kaikora where we wanna visit the seaside and also going there for whale watching on a boat. However, the boat trip was cancelled as the sea was rough and it was not the right time for whale watching. In the end, i decided to watch the whales from the top and both me and my wife had our very first experience sitting on a small plane watching the whales and dolphins. After Kaikora, we headed to Hanmer Spring for a relaxing session at thermal pool. Along the way, i have forgotten to top up my fuel tank and it was a lesson learnt for me. After the thermal pool session at Hanmer Spring i went searching for a Petrol Kiosk but to no avail as the Petrol kiosk were closed at around 6pm. Hence, i have no choice but to find somewhere to stay and then top up my tank in the next morning.

A common view during summer time

Going to Kaikora

The wave at Kaikora beach

A windy and realxing place to have a pinic

Mooo....please slow down!!!

A visit to the lavender Garden at Kaikora

Nice pebbles beach at Kaikora

Kaikora town area

I'm going for the whale watching session by plane

Feeling excited

Wow...so many buttons

Yes, we are flying!!!

The humpback whale top view

Finally, i found my way to Hanmer Spring

The private Thermal pool

Day 9: Culverden -> Christchurch -> Singapore

Both of us stayed a night at a motel in Culverden and the price is inexpensive. Culverden is just a few kilometers away from Hanmer Spring. In the morning after topping up my tank, we headed back to Christchurch. As our tripped is well-planned, we had enough time for some last minute shopping. Sadly, we need to go back Singapore and back to our stressful job......how i wish i can stay here for a few more weeks.

The fuel price for my full tank

The motel in Culverden

The motel surrounding in the morning

The 9 days New Zealand trip is indeed a very wonderful and splendid time spent for the both of us and it has given us many wonderful and good memories during our stays. If i have another chance, i will definitely come back for a longer stay in this wonderland. New Zealand, a place not to be missed for all honeymooner!!!

Our mission accomplished