A one-live cat’s life

Day 4 : Hamilton, Here I come! Then Off I go to Hamilton where my Aunt and cousins are.

I did not know that Hamilton is very near that I could have actually taken a 2 hour bus ride which is cheap for 9NZD one way!  Instead I took a 45 minute ride with AirNewZealand.  Which is not bad.

After arriving from Auckland, i was told by my aunt to cancel my shuttle bookings as she will pick me up from the airport.  And turned out to be a miscommunication.  They drove to Auckland aiport! looking for me for two hours!! So I end up getting the shuttle anyway to her house and them arriving two hours after! I am glad she was still okey with me after that!

We had a good Buffet Mongolian Dinner when they got home at Genghis Khan restaurant.  It was okey.  Then we we went home and had an early night as we were travelling to Rotorua the following day to see the Volcanic craters.

Day 5: Off to Rotorua: At 9am we were already on the road on our way to Rotorua.  I was told that it was a two hour road trip.  From here this is where i see more of the sheep and the cows NZ is famous for.  Very scenic drive of rolling hills and country sight.

We arrived the Park at 11ish, had an early snack and so we started our walk to the Wai-O-Tapu Craters.  You can smell the sulfur in the air, smells like boiled eggs!

It was a good 1.5 walk around the park where you can see different kind of craters of different colors due to different substance/chemicals it has.  Then had a good bush walk where we collected pine cones.

After which we went to the hotspring Garden and the Museum domain.  Its a huge area garden where there are covered sheds with small pools of water where people can dip their sore legs/feet.  The water is not boilong but very hot.  It says it has medicinal effects.

Rotorua is also famous of the Mud baths, extreme sports where you pass at the road like bungee jumps, off roading, and the giant air balloon where you are rolled down the hill.  Things I would like to do the next time i go back there.

Then off back to my aunt’s.  We decided to go to see the glow worms at Waitomo.  I was planning to want and see the Lord of the Rings Shoot set but I was warned it is a rip off that there is nothing much too see, it is better seeing it in the book or appreciating it itself from the movie.

Day 6: Waitomo Glow Worms and Caves.  Started our travel at around same time at 9pmish and arrived the Waitomo cave areas just minutes before 11.  We took the Double cave combo which is the Waitomo Glow worms and Ruakuri.

In the Waitomo Glow worms we were not allowed to take photos of the glow worms.  we were led to a man made entrance to the cave where the glow worms are.  There are needle pinlike worms that produce luminous substance that glow whenever there is a food processing happening its body causing it to glow in the dark. Very bizarre insects.  Then we had a short boatride where you are like in a different world with a sky of million of stars, only that they are worms in the celing of the cave.

After that we had a snack and waiting for our next tour at 1:30 to Ruakuri Cave.The Ruakuri Cave means two dogs.  This two dogs led some of the locals to a cave that became a burial grounds for the Maori people.  The cave which is part of the tourist tour is parallel to the burial cave and was made that way to prevent desecration of the grounds of the Maoris.  Here we were led to a spiral walk down to the bottom.

A paved walk that makes people look but not touch the stalagmites and stalactites.  And areas where there are glow worms and unfortunately, you can not take photos again.  It was a better cave than the first one.  This have more glow worms.  Unless you wanted to do the boat ride that is the difference with the other cave.

The Ruakuri cave is the same cave where tourists do the blackwater rafting and caving activities.

I had fun looking at the glow worms.

Then we went to The Redwoods. The Park full of a NZ tree called Red wood.  I was day dreaming of running through that park,  It is a nice area.

AFter which we went for a late lunch at Valentines.  A very popular eat all you can restaurant in NZ.  I was so full!  They had good food too.

After a very bloated and sinfull glutonny at the resturant we went for a walk at the Hamilton Gardens.  A very nice huge place of different plants and landscape.

Verdict: I will come back again, maybe to Rotorua again and next to Wellington?

I have been planning to go to New Zealand since I got here to Australia due to number of reasons.  Proximity wise, NZ is nearer to Australia compared if I am staying somewhere in Asia, two Relatives stay there and three I have heard it is a good country.

I decided to go finally after seeing fares went 50% cheaper, through Webjet.  So I checked travel dates when the discount is valid and found that I can travel within the year.  Also it is good to know that the adidas Auckland Marathon is also on within the dates of travel.

I had to check my Visa requirements to travel to New Zealand.  Coming from the Philippines, Visa can be approved for multiple travel for a year.  I went to the NZ Embassy in Sydney and Applied for a Visa where I was told to return with my Plane tickets.  Although my Application has already been lodged from that day.  I booked flights for Sydney-Auckland, Auckland-Hamilton, Hamilton-Sydney with Jetstar, AirNewzealand and Pacific Blue respectively.  I also immediately registered for the Marathon Distance for the event, got it all booked and following day I submitted it back to the Embassy.  I was told to come back after 2 days.  After a day I received an email saying they got my Visa approved and ready for pick up.   I wonder why couldn’t this be easier to get a Visa somewhere else!

So the journey Began.
Day 1: Journey: Flew with JetStar at 5:50PM from Sydney and arrived in Auckland at 11:50.  Arriving from that time, there are no more trains or buses from the Airport to the city.  I found a very useful service, wondering why not all countries have this?  Booked travel from Airport to hotel with SuperShuttle where Airport to City is just NZD14! Cheaper than taking a taxi.  This is a shared service with some passengers if you are not fussy.  You can get the shuttle as an exclusive option too.

We proceeded towards the City where I first notice that it was a very very clean city.  I havent seen any litter around or graffitii compared to Sydney!

And alas after the 3rd stop we arrived in our Hotel, in Hyatt?! It must be a mistake! Then I realized our Hotel is beside Hyatt :D.  I booked in The Quadrant.  I am thinking that it must be sister companies with Hyatt having their board within Hyatt’s premise and a bridge to Hyatt, just cheaper but accomodates long staying guests who wanted a apartment style of living rather than a hotel room.

I got a good deal and I got this Studio Apartment for just 99NZD for 3 nights from cheaHotels.com.au! That is 33 dollars per night.  I like the interior of the hotel, They have Spa, swimming pool and a gym.  The room has its balcony up 16th floor where we can see the port and the Museum on the other side.  Room is clean, a tiny but just right toilet bath.

Went to bed straight as it was tiring.

Day 2: City tour: We were picking up our race Bibs for the adidas running event.  We had our brunch somewhere Queenstreet and walked to the event expo.  Its not much people compared to Sydney on a Saturday morning, but more people compared to Europe!
After which we waited somewhere Victoria Park and took the Hop-on-Hop-Off tour bus.  Thinking it would be the most convinient way to see the city.  It is called The Explorer Bus.  Went on the Tourist stops and we decided to Stop at Bastion Point Lookout where you get a good view of the Harbor, the Bridge and the City.

Rangitoto Island/Volcano From Bastion Lookout Point

Next Stop at Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium.

After which we we were almost hungry but decided to still keep on going on the few last stops as it was getting late where we went to the Auckland Museum.  Which was a very very quick touristy stop for postcards, quick look and photographs for 5 Dollars since the last bus to Mt Eden is arriving in 15 minutes.

Then very promptly, the bus arrived for the Mt Eden Circuit.  We saw Eden Garden, a very impressive work of an ex-quarry turned to a good Garden/forest I would say! No time to get off but it does look green and forrested. (We should start looking into converting qurries to something like this!)

Then proceeded to Mt. Eden through a narrow road uphill.  Sure it does make a good non stop hill (mountain) training.  It is the highest volcano in Auckland that gives you a good view of the city.

There are more stop like the shopping center, the Auckland Zoo and the Motor and Train Musuem which we did not have time to see.  And Parnell Village which is a line of shops and cafes.

Last stop was at the Ferry terminals for food.  We were eyeining for Pasta for tomorrow’s race.  Disappointingly we were not able to find a good one in that area after mocking around for an hour hungry.  We found this yummy looking place where people are queued.  Its a Korean Pancake takeaway.

Then we met two local girls and told us to go towards the street where we see the reverse Bungry, which they also recommended us doing, opposote it is a pub that serves Spaghetti called Tony’s.  We found the Adventure place called SkyScreamer.

Opposite is an Italian Restaurant and the Tony’s Pub.  Since we were recommended by locals to go to Tony’s so we went.  It was a good English themed pub.  It is actually called Tony’s Lord Nelson’s pub.

We Had Spaghetti and Steak.  Service is good, food is good, ambiance is good.
A stop in an Irish Pub beside it i could not remember for drinks and proceeded to the casino.

After which we went to the Sky Tower.  Auckland’s version of Center point and Star City in one.  Where you can do Bungy Jumping and sky walk where we were too whozzy to dare do it.  But we went to try our luck at the Casino.  Lucky enough on Beginners luck we got 90 dollars from a 5 dollars :D.  Went back to the hotel for tomorrow’s race.

Day 3: adidas Marathon race day. Woke up 4am as we need to walk to the ferry terminals for us to get the Ferries to Devonport where the Start is.  We arrived Devonport.  It is a quiet area with shops and looks like more of a residential area.  I met a Filipino Runner named Leonel Vidallon.

Race started which took us to streets in Devonport, amongst the residential street, hilly, small undulating never ending hills, with big ones as we near  the harbor bridge.  More of the race writeup is found here.

We finished more or less 2 hours after 6:45 am.  AFter going around the recovery area we proceeded to the Victoria Market.  A very smaller version of the Paddy’s Market.  good thing I put 20 NZD notes in each of our plastic zipbags in our racebags.  This got me 4 trinkets for pressies for Christmas and a souvenir shotglass for me.  Now you wonder how I managed to get all those things just for 20NZD?
After freshening and resting at the hotel we went to the Ferry Terminal as we decided to go to Waiheke Island.  I am thinking it is like of more Manly version for Sydney.  We got our return tickets which is a 45 minute ferry ride one way that took us to the island of wineries, village shops and sigh seeing.  We had lunch in the beach cafe and frolicked in the beach collecting shells until the bus came back to bring us back to the Ferry terminal to the City.  We did not go much to the Wineries as we were buggerred.  Although it is a nice place to ride your bike and go around.

Went to the Mexican cafe for Dinner where we had a very authentic mexican meal. with free bowl of chips and salsa!

After a good feed we spent last nights in the city going back to the casino but having no more luck.  So went home and rested.
last day was spent walking around and packing and having a meal in Vulcan lane where line of restaurants are found where we decided to get some bites in a Japanese cafe then drinks at O’Caroll’s oldest English pub in Auckland, then proceeded to get our bus to the airport.  Its called Airbus where a very friendly and helpful bus driver that carries your bag if it is too heavy and stops at domestic and international airport.

Vulcan Lane

Verdict: I like!

Clean, a country that has no Chinatown, lots of Japanese restaurants, quiet city.

Part two: to Hamilton!

It’s been two months you havent read any updates from this blog.  From July till September.  Okey before October comes this has what has happened.

July 12 - Sri Chinmoy Race @ Dolls point, where my ITBS started

July 19 - Off to Hunter Valley for the Running Festival
-Visited some Vinyards

- Did some Winetasting

-Some Cheese tasting

- Of course some running, worse, hardest 21.1 for me
July 26 - Sutherland to Surf, skipping and resting from Injury.  Was thereto support and cheer and saw this Runaway brides
July 28 - Cousin Sue Ann and Family Arrived to Sydney.  Hosted them at my flat.  And nina got keen doing some fitness with me.

Aug 2- Bay Run, 2nd week of rest, only run where involves owners and dogs
August 9 - City2Surf. After 2 weeks of rest, I ran under the Red Bib, but of slower time than my time last year.
August 14-Company team building(NSN Unite days). Back To School theme and donated some bikes we built to the Smith Family Chariy

Aug 15 - Woodstock Handicap
August 15 - 5KM at Hidden Half Marathon Bankstown, last Silver win on Age Category before I reach 30
August 20 - 30th Birthday Celebration began with Woodstock
August 21 - Jet Ride, and Birthday Drinks with Colleagues at Argyle
August 22 - Birthday treat at the Siebel at Manly

September - 1st week of Spring at the Terrigal beach in Central Coast
September 5 - Watched Avenue Q. Hilariuos!

September 12 - Warm day for beach and tour to Manly.  Ex-Colleague at zed DJ visited Sydney! So Sue, Nina, DJ, Terry and I went to Manly, and Mexican Dinner
September 13 - 28 degrees and went to run Gladesville Bridge to Bridge run. Opposite from last year’s weather of rainy and wet.  Still won my Age category despite of recovery run, hard course and warm weather.
September 13 - Festival of the Winds at Bondi Beach, time for kite flying action
September 20 - Sydney Running Festival, did the last 10km of the half marathon
Today, September 22, 2009 - Sydney was given a taste what’s the feeling of living in Mars.  Strong winds caused sand storms, where top-soil from the central and North Australia desert was flown by the wind, where Sydneysiders woke up with bizarre looking morning.  It has cleared just after noon time.

more photos at Gallery from Sunday Telegraph

After a 14 Km run on both bays at Blackwattle and Bay run, had to dock in Lowennbrau, a popular German pub/restaurant at the Rocks in Sydney for some tucker.

We were seated near the stage.  They always have good entertainment here,  of Bavarian dance and music.  And unexpectedly after the 1st number they picked ladeis amongst the crowd to perform with them.  yes I got picked.  Good thing I did not have to do that confusing butt slapping, clapping dance, but We did do the cowbell ringing which was fun.

And an embarassingly chicken dance!

After which heade to church at St. Patricks.

And enough time to go bet for lotto numbers as the jackpot had gone up to 90Million dollars, the biggest in History they say.  Aside from that shopped for jacket I can use this winter on my runs.  Got a good buy from Lululemon at 59 dollars.

Then started to rain and had to sprint to the Movie house to watch Transformers.  Very action packed.  I like it.

Headed home and watched another movie “What Women want.” which was funny.

After starting with a 12KM race at Central coast’s Bay to Bay Run, I agrevated a building cough.  So on Sunday evening I waasn’t feeling well already, and I knew I’m sick by Monday.

Monday I was coughing, dry, asthmatic cough.  I did take a day off not because I was sick but to offset a sick leave on Friday.  I was actually sick.  ANyway, Cough progressed badly and I wasnt feeling too well Wednesday but I just can’t afford not to go to work as there has been lots of mix of things to finish!  One of the periods where everyone wants things to get done.  Even though Nishant is back, I am still overwhelmed and drowned from work which doesnt really help in my conditions.  I wish I could just stay home, I just could not! Embarassingly coughing at the work area and I am afraid they might take it as Swine flu! I am glad it is not just me who is coughing at the work place.

At last Friday, we almost get thing resolved by the end of the week.  It is good to end the week with the company’s “well-being/Work-life balance” Friday Night Drinks which happens every last Friday of the Month.

Views from work's Rooftop friday drinks - new park in Pyrmont

We get a share of the bridge view too

Soon to be International Ferry Terminal :(

However, I really did not get to finish working until 1230 that midnight and continued on till Saturday morning.  That is I wasn’t on call, so with my colleagues Sissi and Paulus. Yet we still tried our best to accomodate the customer’s call!  Got email and was told work continues on Monday.  I got my weekend back.

haven’t updated this blog for sometime, I am just bit busy or overwhelming busy lately just after my first Marathon, projects coming in all at the same time …

what has past …
- my first Marathon - did a sub-4 more than what I have asked for, 3:56:05
- Darling Harbor had its anniversary, went to watch the fireworks at the harbor
- Ran the Sydney Morning Herald’s Half Marathon and did a PB

- did a few fun runs, and did PBs
- Sydney had a good display of lights around the CBD its called [vivid]

- Had a good long weekend Jun 5-8 at South West Rocks and did another Marathon after 6 weeks! - a 1 second PB

- and this week, i Just rested, after having a slight tonsilitis last Friday, I took the day off on Monday and just bummed around ..my colleague Nishant is back from India but It would still be a very busy week the next few weeks and i am not looking foward to it ..

This was my first Easter weekend in Sydney.  Last year I arrived just a week after the long weekend.

Here in Sydney they do give more emphasis more of the reincarnation than the suffering that’s one reason why its is mostly cold Easter weekend, but the during the start of lent the churches did remind the people about the lent, sacrifice, charity and penance just like what I was taught in Philippines.  Ash Wednesday was not popular as well.  We worked on Maunday Thursday but had the days off from Good Friday till Easter Monday.

Went to Central Coast during the Good Friday and just stayed there for the whole four days reading Sissi’s book, which at last I finished hurrah! And The Secret.

Sad ending.  I liked it because the main character likes to run and well yea it was a good plot too.  It will be showing in the cinemas on November of 2009 and Eric Bana will be on it.

The secret is a book bout positiveness, appreciation, gratefulness, love, peace within your self and attracting the good things in life.

Fished for four days at Wyong river and it was on the fourth day I got my first fish.  Compliments from Terry did the casting of my line.

Duck Fishing, I was getting desperate for not getting fish

I caught a fish without the action shot coz left the phone i thought its going to be another catchless day.  But Actually almost got a fish the 2nd day but it swam away before even i can bring my line at the banks :(.  Fishing is a very patience testing sport.

1st catch! a Black breem when you leave your camera thats when the action takes place

It was a bit cold and dark gloomy weekend for Friday and Saturday.  Good easter was a beautiful day.  Had a short Easter run of 6Kms, and a a barbi lunch.  The only not so happy news is hearing that my lola father side is really getting old and she’s more doing bedrest and they had to put her with diapers now.  I was not able to talk to her in the phone but i am glad I was able to speak to the rest of the family.

My easter bunny chocs from Tezza's mom and Mia, classmate from pilates

It was not much of an outdoor weekend but I did appreciate the rest as it is only a week before THE run.

Again while I am eating and reading the papers during the lunch break at work, this article caught my attention.

Shame, We really do not refuse anything that moves and always end up in the frying pan or in the ihawan! Poor fishy!

It has been a busy month and i fail to write updates on my blog.

Weekend March 28-29

Had lunch on the around the corner neighbor new cafe called “Grapes” at Balmain shores.  Just a few steps from my flat.  Ordered pasta (carbo-loading for the Sunday race) which was beautiful.
Went towatchDuplicity at Greater Union at George Street using up my last promo tickets.  Good movie and unexpected twist in the end.

Waking up on my regular Sunday race and did the SriChinmoy Race at Centennial Park.

Planned to go to LePerouse after, but did a stop-over and good picnic at Little Bay.  Then went to Le Perouse and watched a a reptile show after which proceeded to do some sunbasking.  The day was filled with eating ice cream and coffee!

Blue bottle jelly fish

Weekend Apr-4-5

Was working evening shifts as well with my regular day shift lately and Friday was one of the days.  I am glad it is my Taper week before the marathon and no races for the next weekends.  Had sleeped in.

Sunday was the start of the end of Day-light savings and my body clock was still set on the dayloght savings.  Woke up early, had breakfast at Bowan’s bakery walked to and from the house which is crossing the Iron cover bridge maybe which is a kilometer away.  This is where the Woodstock Runners cafe stop after te Saturday runs this is located at Drummoyne.  they absolutely serve the bestest! muffins iv’e ever tasted and good coffee.

Then shopped for fishing rods that we plan to use on Easter weekend.  I bought my first rod, a beginner’s female pink fishing rod.

Went to little Bay, even it was already cold from autumn winds hoping could go snorkling.  It was really cold I tried to snorkle but it was too cold for me even with my rashies.

And on the way home, guess what? found a Filo grocery.  I was told that its already 20 years in that location!  It was Pinoy frenzie food shopping, well for mixes anyway.  Bought sinigang, adobo, karekcare, and palabok mix! So with a hot and spicy nagaraya and salted red eggs.   The red eggs was for dinner and it was not as good as the original red eggs.

Went to chruch and attended the palm Sunday at St. Patrick at Grosvenor road, Sydney.  Palm Sunday was celebrated differently, compared to palms being sold at church doors with very arty and crafted designs, the church gave us palms at the end of the mass which were cut nicely and simply straight from a palm plant.

Tuesday as a gift for having my anniversary, I took myself to te dentist, yea if you think im crazy for thinking it as a gift! I maxed out my 2000AUD dental care! altho they did numb my left side mouth and driven those drills like thousan f1 drivers running around my mouth, I think they are the best Dentists I have been to in my life, seriuosly! The fish tank, and the entertainment where you watch MTVs with the headphones while they treat you. It is so cool.  And it is just at the building where I work so convinient!  I went to Pyrmont Dental Health.

This Sunday also commemorates my anniversary of coming to Sydney as a transfer location on my work.  I remember I left Philippines April 4 and arrived in Sydney, twas an overcasti day i was tired and waking up the following day which was end of Daylight savings, and it was raining.

Its going to be Easter weekend 4 day holiday and be going up central coast to fish, relax maybe to the beach if its not too cold.  its a week more before my first marathon event.

Happy Easter everyone!

Property website

Makati Executive Tower II

• 1 BR Unit; 29th Floor
• 32++ SQM
• 2++ SQM Balcony overlooking Manila sunset bay unobstructed view
• Windows open to open space and good view
• Location: De La Rosa St. Cor Medina near Buendia and Osmena Hiway
• Rent: Fully Furnished PhP 20K
• Semifurnished/Default Setup PhP 14K - aircon, hot/cold shower, bathroom accessories - mirror, shower curtain, counter, exhaust, towel rack; drying rack, range hood, closet, cupboard, with provisioned phone line and cable TV, Light fixtures, blinds
• Fees excluding Dues, Water and Electricity
• Terms: 1 month advance 2 months deposit, 1 year lease renewable, at least 1 month notice cease contract ; 6 month min lease, non residents are required for 2 months advance, 2 months deposit in cash.
• Very accessible to public transpo
• 10-15 mins walking distance to major Makati shopping centers: MCS,Greenbelt, Glorietta, SM Makati, Landmark, Waltermart, Makro
• 10 minute walk to Legazpi park
• 10-15 min walk to Makati CBD
• With amenities: swimming pool + gym + separate male and female sauna + conference room, roof deck/ viewing deck. Children’s playground
• Readily available service within the bldg:salon, spa, mini stop/minimarts, laundry, food shops, internet cafe, water delivery, dentist, church/chapel
• Pets allowed, maximum of 2
• 24/7 Secured Environment
• local and expat community
• A visitor’s monitoring and assistance counter complete with building directory.
• A separate residential entrance is provided for privacy.
• Three elevators will exclusively serve the residential floors.
• Automatic Fire Sprinkler System / Fire Hose Cabinet System / Fire Alarm System.
• Common area facilities are connected to the standby power genset system in case of power interruption.
• Two fire exit stairs equipped with pressurization blowers to minimize the smoke inside the stairwell.
• Public comfort rooms for male and female at the ground floor.
• Dual underground and elevated tank system assures ample water supply for daily consumption and fire reserve.
• Administration office.
• Taxi and driver’s paging system at the pre-departure area.
• Parking levels are equipped with automated 24-hour scanning photocell ramp signaling system.
• Chute and a central garbage storage at the ground floor.
• AFSS / Fire Alarm System
• Emergency Power Back-Up System For Common Area
• Individual Mailbox

Availability date: May 2009

Please send me email: chaiaket@yahoo.com if interested

whole unit mpg.avi

bathroom mpg.avi