Phi Phi Islands

The alluring beauty of Koh Phi Phi (Koh means island) has been the popular topic of conversation for travelers all over Thailand. Whether your destination is in Phuket or Krabi, two of the most famous beach getaways in this country, the buzz about Koh Phi Phi is just all over these towns. Made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Beach starring Leonardo Di Caprio, which was filmed here in 1999 on the gorgeous location of Maya Bay, this island is now one of the most sought-after beaches in the world. With its stunning rock formations and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colorful marine life, it is definitely a piece of paradise you should not miss to visit and include in your travel list.



The fabulous islands are only about 45 minutes ride by speedboat from Krabi. Koh Phi Phi is actually located  between Phuket and Krabi but Phi Phi belongs to Krabi province. It is about 48km away from Phuket and 45km from Krabi. The area of Phi Phi Islands covers six islets altogether including Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Leh, Mai Phai (Bamboo Island) Yung, Bida Nok and Bida Nai. Phi Phi Don is the largest of the group and the only one that is inhabited and Phi Phi Leh comes in as the second largest. You can have your accommodations at Phi Phi Don which ranges from simple beachside bungalows to up-market resorts. The island also has a maze of bars, restaurants and trinket shops. Since the island has now become more accessible and slowly developing into an up-market destination, it starts to attract a young party crowd and you can see few beach parties in the evenings. There are no roads around Phi Phi Islands just to take note of that. The main forms of transport are by bike or longtail boats. There are trails through the forest so you can walk across from beach to beach.



You should really try taking a boat trip around Phi Phi Don and to the smaller islands. You will be greeted by an amazing sight of beautiful coves and bays and the scenery is simply breathtaking!

Phi Phi Leh on the other hand, the second largest among the group of islands in Koh Phi Phi, includes Maya Bay (the filming site of The Beach movie) and Pileh-Bay, which is a marvelous cove with excellent snorkeling spots, stunning limestone cliffs soaring from the turquoise sea and forest covering the rugged hills.

Other activities you can enjoy on Phi Phi Islands include diving, kayaking, rock climbing or just soaking up the sun on its sandy white beaches on a beautiful day.



One downside though when visiting Phi Phi Islands is that it has become so developed that squadrons of longtail boats and speedboats ferry in those seeking paradise along what were tranquil and near-deserted sands in those days and you can see that it will never provide the same remote escapism again.

Well, we can't totally blame ourselves though as our intentions are merely to marvel at these beautiful locations that are now thronged with boats and visitors to the islands and slowly perish the peace and tranquility that it has had in those days. Despite this, Koh Phi Phi remains a marvelous place that offers an awesome appeal to visitors.

Travelidiom Fun Saturday

Hi folks! It's Saturday once again  and you know I'm sharing idioms for fun on this day. Since today is Earth Hour Day and hope you do your part for Mother Earth, I decided to make it a little different for this week's idiom sharing. Please view the video below.

Thanks for viewing...:)

Moments in Time

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from my travels. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to savor and remember. This moment is introduced to me by Sarah-Jane from Almost There....

Four - Island Hopping Tour in Krabi

Located 8km west of Ao Nang Island from where I stayed in Krabi were several islands famous for island hopping tour activity by speedboat or longtail boat. Usually when you visit Krabi, there are several packages in which you can book in order to explore the entire island including the Phi Phi Island which is  made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster movie, The Beach, that put this island on the tourist map and now squadrons of long-tail boats ferry in those seeking paradise. So on the second day of my stay there, I had the entire day to go for an island hopping tour which is one of the most popular activities in Krabi. Islands such as Tup Island, Chicken Island, Poda Island and Phranang Cave Island were included for this full-day-four-island hopping tour.



So here are my travel photos for Thursday....



First stop was at Tup Island. This is one of the most popular highlights of the local island tour. The wonderful seascape is highly loved by photographers and beach lovers who come to visit this island. Here you can soak up the sun, swim at its crystal clear waters and even walk along a connecting beach or sand bank from Tup Island to Chicken Island. Definitely one of the best island moments you will never forget in Krabi, Thailand.

Next stop was the Chicken Island. It is an island that takes the form a rock spire that looks like a chicken head. Here, snorkeling is at its best where water is jade green in color and corals and fish thrive.

Third stop was the Poda Island. It is a stunning sandy beach perfect for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing where in front of this island is the spectacular view of a lone huge rock formation which is mostly photographed and admired by island visitors.

Last stop was the Phranang Cave Island. Here people come to do several activities like rock climbing, exploring the cave, swimming, strolling along the beach and soaking up the sun. It's usually crowded on high season so tendency is you won't get a good chance to relax and enjoy the scenery as much as you wish to and even worse is the number of longtail boats that are parked along the sea coast. It's difficult to get a good picture of the entire beach because of this. But nevertheless, if you try out rock climbing which will cost you 200 baht for one climb by the way is worth spending your time whilst you burn out some fats.

This ends the four day island tour photo essay and I hope you had some of your favorites. The above pictures are my photos to feature in Nancie's Travel Photos Thursday at her Budget Travelers Sandbox which is introduced to me by Jim. 

Christchurch New Zealand

Today, I'm introducing Christchurch for a visit in New Zealand. I know - I know what you're thinking but don't be alarmed! This city is open for business and to help you out with the information please visit this website www.christchurchnz.com. This site will give you the latest info. update that relates to Christchurch earthquake and current access for visitors for the Canteburry region.



Christchurch is known for its ocean to alps backdrop - breathtaking Pacific coastline, snow-capped mountains to the west and the hidden bays of an ancient volcanic peninsula to the south. It is the second largest city in New Zealand where thriving, working, business and leisure offer you the best among the creme de la creme in the world.



Here you can ski at their world class alpine ski resort, go rafting, mountain biking, play golf, bungy jump, wind surfing, whale watching and visit world-class vineyards and gardens not far away from the Christchurch International airport. Oh, yes it is! Just within two hours from the international airport.

Mount Sefton, Mount Cook National Park New Zealand

Christchurch is famous for the highest peak in New Zealand - the Aoraki Mount Cook - named after the British explorer Captain James Cook. Imagine winter nature at its finest where the mountains are clad with nothing but snow and the sky and the sun are in icy stillness. What hits your thinking spot after imagining it? Skiing of course! So, at Mt. Cook, your skiing adventure will never be the same again and it will be an experience you will never forget (I'm just saying because I haven't been there though) but looking at the pictures and reading reviews of this attraction, I reckon it's something we all have to check out for when visiting Christchurch in New Zealand.



Some of the other things you can include in your itinerary are whale watching in Kaikoura, relax and de-stress in the hot pools of Hammer Springs, stroll at the picturesque bays and sea side villages of Banks Peninsula or perhaps a hike in Arthurs Pass National Park. All these attractions I discovered from my research on the internet. Maybe you can jot them down on your travel list to help you out with your itinerary.



So why not give Christchurch a second chance, worry aside and marvel at the beauty that it has to offer and conquer an excitement and fun that you will never forget.

Imagine Auckland

Wallpaper courtesy of wallpaper-s.org

Imagine a city where everyone lives just a stone-throw away from stunning beaches

Imagine hiking trails and numerous enchanted holiday islands that fetches

Imagine clear skies, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture, food, wine and peaches

Imagine no more and hit the web with Auckland searches.

Imagine sailing to an island....

Imagine taking a scenic walk on famous beaches with your partner, holding hands

Imagine hopping on a hot air balloon to see the stunning views of Auckland

Imagine you are at Kelly Tarton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World wonderland.

Imagine scaling the harbour bridge on a Sunday

Imagine you're up there and daring the dreaded bungy

Imagine abseiling down waterfalls or visit the whale and dolphin safari

Imagine no more and start packing for an Auckland getaway.

Will my imaginations be enough?

To mirror reflections of Auckland is tough

Go on just visit Auckland with your goofy fashion hat

I'm sure you won't be returning with that...

Four Seasons in New Zealand and the Adrenalin Rush in Queenstown

Four refreshingly seasons are all it takes to chill out in New Zealand. It is definitely an ideal year-round holiday destination for young and old alike. Whether you opt to marvel at its nature's lustrous autumn hues or try skiing and snowboarding on its spectacular glaciers or soak up the sun at its gorgeous sandy beaches and smell the freshness of spring, you name it you can enjoy it in this country.

IMAGE: www.photoeverywhere.co.uk

There are certainly a variety of things to explore in New Zealand. You can enjoy nature at its best exploring New Zealand's rugged mountains and snowy mountaintops, capacious plains, rolling hillsides, stupendous glaciers, subtropical forest, volcanic plateau and alluring coastline with brilliant sandy beaches. There's no doubt that this country is sure to enter into your travel bucket list. I, myself, haven't been there though but I have heard and read great reviews as well as see a lot of photos and fascinating stuff about this country where the emerald greens are vast and the flora and fauna are just remarkable. Despite the fact that Christchurch was hit by the recent quake, New Zealand still emerges strong from the devastation and have its door always opened for all visitors to flock and see the beauty this country has to offer.

IMAGE: www.photoeverywhere.co.uk

During the months of March to May are definitely the best time to visit New Zealand. It is one of the most picturesque season to visit especially one of my favorite places, Queenstown, and marvel at its beautiful lake and alpine scenery when the magical autumn colors come in full swing and transform every landscape into breathtaking palette of reds, oranges and golds. You can take a short drive to Arrowtown, a living historic settlement of restored buildings from the 19th century where you can stroll along its tree-lined streets and be captivated by its amazing autumn scenery. Autumn in Queenstown is a kaleidoscope of fall colors of trees juxtaposed against the splendid cerulean blue lake and the snow-capped mountain tops.

Certainly, steadfast and clear waters allow most outdoor pursuits including hiking, biking, jet boating, horse riding, skydiving, rafting, kayaking, sailing, scenic flight or the Nevis high-wire bungy.  All these and Queenstown being the "Adventure Capital of the World", home to the most unbelievable, adrenalin stirring, sanity-reducing adventures developed by locally residing thrill seekers like the dreaded bungy jump that would surely satisfy your whims for adrenalin rush. You should really see this video below to see what sort of adrenalin activities you can explore in Queenstown New Zealand.

This post is in support of tourism in New Zealand and I'm blogging for blog4NZ...

Photo of the Day - Supersized Moon

Did you hear what's buzzing around you last night?

I had and I captured it right from the vicinity of the condominium I'm staying here in Singapore. What am I talking about? It's the supersized moon! Last night's moon was unique and was not at its usual size. And, I just learned that it was actually the biggest ever seen in 20 years. The last time it was sighted was in March 1993. Standing on the balcony of the 14th level of the building, the moon seemed near to me that I could almost touch it. The moon was actually 50,000 km closer to the Earth rather than being on the farthest point of its elliptical orbit. Pretty amazing thing and I will have to wait another 18 years to see it again. Cheers!

Travelidiom Fun Saturday

How time flies! It's Saturday once again folks! And, I am sharing idioms for fun. This week's dialogue is between a patient and a doctor... Enjoy!



Dialogue:



Patient:      Doctor, I have been feeling under the weather for a week now, and my better half, who is always something of a prophet of doom, thinks that I am on my last legs. I don't usually make light of such matter, but she insisted that I come and see you for a check - up.



Doctor:     Oh, I see. What seems to be the problem, really?



Patient:      I don't know. You're the doctor.....



Doctor:     (raising her left eyebrow)



Patient:      Ooppss!!! You see, I'm getting old, but I expect my body to keep up with me as I travel a lot. I maybe barking up the wrong tree and I know I can't have my cake and eat it, but until you give me a clean bill of health, I shall not sleep a wink.



Doctor:      Go on young man, I'm listening....



Patient:       You mean you want me to continue... I didn't come here for counselling though....



Doctor:      Geez! Just tell me what seems to be the problem?



Patient:       I was about to go on a snorkeling holiday in Krabi when I got this excruciating pain in my left chest. This is not making me fit as a fiddle and I really can't afford time off, so I need that like a hole in the head.



Doctor:      I see. Now if you will kindly undress young man I will give you the once-over.



Patient:       Give me what when it's over??? I'm taking off everything now. Did you mean it that way though?



Doctor:      Oh, silly you! Just take off your shirt in that case....(giggles)....



Patient:       Oh, I see! And, I actually like you calling me young man. It takes the weight off my mind.



After few minutes....



Doctor:      (Frowning)



Patient:      Perish the thought of a heart disease. Please tell me if it's bad news straight from my shoulder and not pull punches.



Doctor:      (smiles) Superficially, you seem fine but better safe than sorry of course. Your wife maybe worrying unduly. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. She must have been getting the wind up quite unnecessarily.



Patient:       Oh, great! I'm giving her a flea in the ear for being pessimistic once I reach home!



_____________________________________________________________________



Idiom Meaning:



1. feeling under the weather - feeling unwell

2. better half - spouse

3. a prophet of doom - a pessimist

4. on my last legs - near the end of life

5. make light of - not take seriously

6. barking up the wrong tree - be mistaken about something

7. have my cake and eat it - have the advantages of something but not its disadvantages

8. a clean bill of health - an assurance of completely fit

9. not sleep a wink - not sleep at all

10. fit as a fiddle - very healthy

11. need (something) like a hole in the head - do not want at all

12. give (someone) the once-over - perform a quick examination

13. takes the weight off my mind - be relieved from anxiety

14. Perish the thought - Do not even consider (a negative thing)

15. straight from the shoulder - honestly and directly

16. not pull punches - not hold back

17. better safe than sorry - it's wise to take proper precautions

18. getting the wind up - be frightened

19. a flea in the ear - a sharp reproof

Sunset in Krabi Dramatization Photos

Please be warned that I am not a professional photographer and what you are about to see is what you get... Hehe... Enjoy these sunset photos as they gradually tell you a story....

I hope you had enjoyed it.... :)

Sunset in Krabi

A young man sauntered past me,

One fine lovely evening at Aonang Beach, Krabi.

Patches of fine sand were stuck on his well-tanned back,

He smiled at me and I was taken aback....

The outline of the setting sun blurred the evening, so

The whole place was bathed in a beautiful tangerine glow.

As the bright yellow blended with the flaming red,

The heat of the day gradually dissipated....

Longtail boats dotted the picturesque scene,

The isle looked tranquil and serene.

A sanctuary of peace and emerald green,

The day had finally kissed goodbye to the moment I was in....

Pushed back by a pair of huge sunshades,

My long hair blew wildly in the seabreeze.

With a camera to have me as company,

I had a blast taking photographs of this precious sunset memory....

Travelidiom Fun Saturday

Here we go! It's Saturday once again folks and I am sharing idioms for fun to spark some giggles and a little smile on your face! Hope you'll enjoy these conversations....

CONVERSATIONS

JR:     I am trying my best but I can't hold a candle to you, AJ.

AJ:     Stop it, JR! You are beginning to sound as if you have a huge chip on your shoulders!

JR:     You always speak fluently and a lot of what you say is always over my head.

Jim:    You're telling me! I feel the same. Unlike Alan here who always speak gobbledygook!

Alan:   Apparently, I was on cloud nine when you said that Jim!

Jim:     Grrrrr!!!!

JR:      Hey guys! Nelieta's off to Russia again after just a week in London.

AJ:      Pull the other one! How come she's always living life in the fast lane?

JR:      Oh well, she's made a killing from being a travel writer and now she's a big fish in the travel        

industry. 

Jim:     Rumour has it that we are all going to get to follow her for her next trip to Hawaii.

Alan:   That is absolutely out of this world! I'm calling her now!

JR:      Alan??!!

Alan:   Ooppss!!!

______________________________________________________________________



Idiom's meaning:



1. can't hold a candle to you - not be as good as you

2. a chip on your shoulder - a sense of inferiority

3. over my head - too difficult to understand

4. You're telling me! - I agree!

5. gobbledygook - nonsense

6. cloud nine - very happy

7. Pull the other one! - expression of disbelief

8. life in the fast lane - an exciting and busy lifestyle

9. made a killing - made a lot of money

10. a big fish - an important person

11. Rumour has it - It has been heard

12. out of this world - unusually good; fantastic

This ends the travelidiom conversation this week. If you wish to see last week's conversation please click on this link Travelidiom Fun Saturday...



Till they meet again....  

Moments in Time

{this moment} - A Friday ritual - a single photo no words  capturing a moment from my travels. A simple, special, extraordinary moment A moment I want to savor and remember. This moment is introduced to me by Sarah-Jane inspired from her blog Almost There. Check it out it's a really cool blog to visit. 

I love Japanese food! Saying that alone already triggered a rumbling sensation in my stomach. Here in Singapore, Japanese restaurants are everywhere and Singaporeans are one heck of Japanese food lovers! Count me as one of them because I'm a die-hard fan of Japanese food. Least to say, I haven't been to Japan though so one day, I will find an opportunity to visit it. But for today, I would like to share with you one of my favorite Japanese cuisines, often served as the first course in a formal Japanese dining - the sashimi.

Sashimi is the type of Japanese cuisine which consists of thinly sliced raw fish and seafood including Maguro  (tuna), Toro (fatty tuna), Ebi (Prawn), Saba (Mackarel), Ika (squid) and Tako (octupos). Some of you may confuse this with sushi, but it is not. Sushi and sashimi are distinct from each other, in which sushi is associated with the use of vinegared rice, usually topped or rolled or mixed with raw ingredients but for some other types of sushi, they are cooked or may not have seafood at all. So this makes it distinct from sashimi. Sashimi is mainly fresh thinly slices of fish and seafood arranged beautifully on top of shredded daikon and shiso leaves and often garnished with slices of lime and lemon. They are usually dipped into a dish of soya sauce mix with wasabi paste, a Japanese horseradish that comes in a form of a green paste used as condiment for sashimi, before eating them. Wasabi paste is mixed with soy sauce to kill off harmful bacteria that would be present in raw seafood. Some people don't really like its strong flavor but for those sashimi lovers they always live with it. 

So sashimi goes as my Friday moment for this week. I just couldn't resist sharing with you this Japanese cuisine that I had for dinner last night. Do share your thoughts about sashimi in the comment box below. Thank you.

Travel Photos Thursday - Macaws vs. Lories

I'm joining in Nancie's Travel Photo Thursday at her Budget Travelers Sandbox introduced to me by Jim inspired from his blog Holes in my Soles. Here are my photos.....



                                                                     Macaws

VS

Lories

The above photos were taken from Jurong Bird Park Singapore. These are some of the most colorful species of birds that are really pleasing to the eyes and perfect for photography. Choose your favourite...

Jurong Bird Park

Where can you find the largest bird park in the world?

Where else but here in Singapore!

Jurong Bird Park is the largest bird park in the world set on a 20.2 hectare hillside haven with over 4,600 birds across 380 species. Opened in 1971, it is one of the world's best in conservation and display of birds in its natural settings. Here, you can find a variety of lovely and colorful feathered friends which are more or less flying free in a huge free-fly aviaries or good-sized cages and they all looked healthy and well-cared for. It is important that you allow plenty of time when visiting this attraction as there is a tendency that you'll want to stop and gaze at the bird frequently and of course take loads of photos. It's a treat to your eyes especially to those enthusiasts, photographers and bird lovers.

Below are some of the highlights of this park:

1. Birds and Buddies Show

We commonly see dogs and other animals trained to understand human language better but not in this show. The Birds and Buddies Show is a stunning visual fiesta of birds and colorful mascots on stage that will have your mouth wide open and eyes bursting out in amazement as you see the birds interact so well with humans.

They are able to perform the instructions given to them brilliantly or whilst you see them act out the story behind the show. The jokes maybe a little bit corny but I'm pretty sure the young at heart or maybe the old at heart but still feeling young as they aged will love it tremendously.

2. Lorry Loft

Ahh! Who wouldn't want to be surrounded by a flock of the prettiest birds in the park at the world's biggest lory flight aviary? 

This 9-storey-high enclosure offers a bird's eye view of lush greenery and an opportunity to feed and observe the lovely and friendly Australian lories while some of them may perch on your arm or your shoulders and even to the extent of pecking your ears! Yikes! But this is so true! I saw one of the lories pecked the ear of the visitor like its trying to clean it.

They're harmless alright! They won't bite you or pull your hair or whatsoever but they fight each other for food and when they do, they look so adorable! I just couldn't put in words exactly everything that I'd felt when I was closed to them but it was definitely one of my best moments.

3. Penguin Coast

An air-conditioned setting of an explorer ship where on board you'll gladly find tuxedo cuties "flying" underwater. Yes, they are! And they're the unique kind of bird to ever do that stunt. They are one of the reasons I love the Happy Feet movie!

Mother and father penguins are great parents. They take turns to keep the egg warm so that the tiny chick inside can grow and hatch. Then, they usually take care of their chick for a year after they are hatched. This makes them devoted parents because very few birds care for their chicks for such a log time.

Home to nearly 100 penguins, across 6 species, the exhibit also includes an outdoor enclosure for the endangered African penguins. 

Oh well some moments have to be shared with this cute and adorable flightless bird. A kiss!

4. World of Darkness

Obviously this attraction is dark and kind of eerie too. It gives you that kind of weird feeling that someone's quietly staring at you. 

Oh yes indeed! They see you but you are not likely to see them. So that makes it spooky! But if you're cool enough to spot them, you will be awe-stricken by their beauty and apparently big round eyes! This is definitely one of the best attractions in the park that you should not miss.

5. Pelican Cove

These noisy friends are extremely large, heavy-bodied waterbirds with long bill and a pouch which they use for scooping out fish in the water. By strolling along the boardwalk of this cove, you will be fascinated by the many species of pelicans including the endangered Dalmatian pelicans just being on their own world and no business whatsoever other than making loud and irritating squawks cough and croak. Nevertheless, they are a lovely thing to watch so enjoy as much of your photography as possible.

6. Birds of Prey Show

Want to see the most ferocious flying predators in action? Then, don't miss out on the Birds and Prey Show. Located at the Fuji Hawk Walk in the park, this show presents majestic eagles, falcons and hawks as they let loose their predatory instincts in a simulated hunt and show off their agility in stunning aerial maneuvers. You will be awed by the beautiful display of flying actions by the birds and if you have a very good camera, some moments are just taken wonderfully.

7. African Waterfall Aviary

Get captivated with the world's tallest man-made waterfall and pose for a picture-perfect moment where at the background you'll hear the cascading waters from the top that brings a soothing feeling and peaceful retreat with nature. This African Waterfall Aviary is the world's largest walk-in aviary with more than 1,500 free-flying birds from over 60 species. It was hard to spot most of the birds though and it made me wonder why it was so quiet. But nonetheless, I truly enjoyed the waterfall so life's a bliss! 

8. Flamingo Cove

This is where you'll be enchanted by the pink beauty of long-legged creature so sexy and beautiful - the flamingos.

There are 5 species of flamingos that occur throughout the world. The greater flamingo is as tall as a grown up person is while the lesser one is as tall as a first-grader. They usually live in lagoons or lakes. Their feather color usually varies with species ranging from pale pink to crimson or vermilion. The brightest coloration belongs to the Caribbean flamingos: crimson or vermilion while the pale pink is for Chilean flamingo. Their color is enhanced from their diet which is usually high in alpha and beta-carotene. Humans usually eat carrots to get this nutrients. But I'm not saying that if humans eat more carrots, they will become pink flamingos as a result. What I'm saying is that they will have a healthy perhaps pink-looking skin.

A group of flamingos is called colony. Within this colony, flamingos breed in pairs though it does not happen every year. They're able to reproduce by the age of six. Amazing isn't it? I was still a kindergarten though when I was at that age. Good fun! 

So if you are coming to Singapore, I highly recommend you visit the Jurong Bird Park for a day of feathered-friends exploration and whole lot of fun. You can visit this website www.birdpark.com.sg for more information of the ticket prices, combo deals and offers.