Batam Indonesia Day Trip

Visited Batam in November 2016

Saturday Morning mid November was eating breakfast at my hostel in Singapore, when the owner asked me what were my day plans, answered Batam. He said there are demonstrations there and its raining. I said great, maybe I;ll make a video of the demonstrations,  Anyways from my Hostel took the MRT train to HarbourFront MRT Station and a ferry to Batam.


TIP: At HarbourFront MRT Station there are different ferry companies, you might want to check the departure times and the cost, took BatamFast, the round Trip cost was $50 Singapore Dollars. It took 45 minutes one way to Batam Center ferry terminal.

MYTH:

1. On youtube and online forums I read about people facing issues with Indonesia Immigration and long lines. All baloney. I went in November and was in and out of immigration in less than 5 minutes.




2. You can get by with Singapore Dollars every where. Not True, you will need Indonesian Rupiah.

At Batam Center ferry terminal, changed $25 Singapore Dollars to Indonesian Rupiah which was plenty for a days trip if you are not going to do any shopping, and once outside the center I took a Cab to Maha Vihara Duta Maitreya Temple.

Its a Buddhist temple. The cab cost was about $5 or $7 and it was less than 10 minutes away from the center. To the cab driver just say Vihara and he'll take you there.

At the Temple there are three Large prayer halls and beautiful courtyards with statues of Laughing Buddha in the yards.

Above Photos of the 3 Halls.

The Temple Complex also had a Vegetarian Restaurant, the food was not expensive and delicious. About $2 for food.

I spent an hour and a half at the Temple including the time eating. There is also a Gift shop at the Temple Complex, After that took a cab to drive me around Batam, and later drop me at the Ferry Terminal. My ferry on the way back there was an hour wait, and I visited the Batam Mega-mall for 45 minutes.

There is a walkway from the ferry terminal to the Mall, seems like there might be people visiting Batam for the sole purpose of shopping. The Mall is huge.

There is a waterpark and other things to do in Batam, none of those interest me, Vihara was my main focus for the trip and it was worth it. 

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Things to do in Christchurch

Inverted cone-shaped structure in
 Cathedral Square, Christchurch

Christchurch New Zealand

The city of Christchurch is the most important city in the transition of New Zealand. After two devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011 and lots of life-loss, this city is rebuilding itself slowly to its former glory. This city holds the traits of a busy city, traffic, dust, noises and people in a hurry. Yet, there are stunning art centers, beautiful parks and gardens and the newest architectures that can mesmerize any incoming visitors. 

You can take a walk through the semi-crowded, busy yet glittering streets of this city and have a unique experience of the local life of this city. Let’s discuss few places of this city which can keep you mesmerized, 

Hagley Park

Spread around 165 Hectares, this park is the biggest green space of Christchurch.  

Canterbury Museum

From the Maori relics to Dinosaurs, all can be seen in this Gothic styled museum. This museum has excellent collections from colonial, historic and Antarctic displays. This museum is open for every day in a year, except the Christmas day.     

Ferrymead Heritage Park

This Heritage Park takes its visitors across time. Portraying the scenario of 1960’s this heritage park shows a Township of Edwardian era with horses, carriages, old age trams and ancient trains. The visitors can also take a ride in this old age transports and relive that era. 

Christchurch Art Gallery and Art Centre

Christchurch art gallery is the new art museum of this city. Where Christchurch Art Centre is a collection of art centers like Art Galleries, Specialty shops, bars, restaurants, cafes are present. If you are lucky, you can also see live events taking place here. Another main attraction is the weekend market comprising local artists selling their artifacts. 

What to do in Christchurch

There are some unique experiences that can only be gathered around the Christchurch, 

1.    You can take an off-road Motorcycle ride through the city and around. There are also overnight tours which are available with options of night stay. 

2.      The art-loving people can take a creative workshop here. You can spend a whole day with a local craftsman taking lessons from him. 

3.     The earthquake has damaged a large part of this city, especially some marvelous tourist spot. Well, in Christchurch, you can also have a look at those places like, Christchurch Cathedral, the Catholic Basilica and the Cardboard Cathedral, which are damaged by the quake. 

4.    You can also ride a gondola in Christchurch. From the Heathcote Gondola, you can enjoy the sights like Pegasus Bay.   

Above Christchurch Museum and the fountains

This amazing city is a major metropolitan city and heart of The South Island. The witness of many historic events of New Zealand, this city is one of the prime examples where history meets the modern art and culture.  
    

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Things to do in Queenstown New Zealand

Queenstown New Zealand 

Sitting in between the Southern Alps and beside the lake, Wakatipu, the beautiful small town of New Zealand justifies its name well, the queen of all the towns “Queenstown”. It holds the reputation of being the Global adventure capital of the world. From Backpackers to Luxury travelers- Queenstown has enough experiences and adventures stored for everybody. It lies between the Southern Alps and Lake Wakatipu, the beauty combination is indeed a treat for the eyes of any travelers. Along with the natural beauty, it is also a place to party. So in every aspect, Queenstown can satisfy the need of every kind of incoming travelers. 

Let’s discuss some reasons why you need to plan your next vacation on Queenstown this year

Lake Wakatipu

Five rivers are flowing inward to this amazing lake, where there is another one flowing out. This lake is shaped like a cartoon thunderbolt. This lake is world’s second purest lake. So you can try drinking the water straight from the lake without thinking anything. The beach lovers can try the beach by Marine Parade. Though, the water can be too cold to enjoy a swim. According to the Maori tradition, the lakes shape is described as the evil giant Matau is sleeping with his knees drawn up. You can also enjoy the beauty of this lake and surrounding Mountains from the cruises available here.   

Remarkables Mountain range and Peaks

The Remarkables Mountain range across the river Wakatipu is one of the magnificent sights. The amazing skyline Gondola can take you to the Bob’s peak. Also, you should not miss the amazing view from the Coronet Peak. 

 Things to do in Queenstown

Your trip to Queenstown will not be finished if you haven’t experienced some of the amazing experiences that are stored in this town,

•    If you dare, then try the Bungy Jumping off the Kawarau Bridge. 

•     The sky-diving is another fun experience that you cannot afford to miss, you can also try Canyon Swing and Paragliding in Queenstown.

•    You can also check the amazing vineyards of Gibbston Valley near Meandering valley of the Kawarau River. Check out the different kinds of cellars and also, try the ride on retro-style Schwinn bikes on Gibbston River trail. 
  
•  Try a half an hour long jet board ride through the rocky Shotover Canyon.

•   You can also try Mountain Biking or Hiking through the surrounding mountains. 

  

Although supposedly named after a Myth of local gold-digger referring this town as a town fit for Queen Victoria, this town can seriously quench the thirst of all kinds of travelers.

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Things to do in Wellington New Zealand

Wellington is the most cosmopolitan, engaging and attractive metropolitan city as well as the capital of New Zealand. Ringed by mountains, this city boosts the presence of 19th Century wooden cottages to Art Deco Masterpieces. It is located on the western tip of the North Island, between Crook Straight and Rimutaka Range. Wellington boosts Victorian villas to Modern Architectures, glittering beaches, marinas along with some world famous museums

I took a flight from Sydney Australia to Wellington.

Airport passport and custom check is easy and quick if you like me don't have anything to declare

My flight arrived late in the night and I got a hotel room near the airport, from Airport to the hotel I took the airport shuttle.

The next day I moved to a hostel in the city.

Picture to the left is Statue of Katherine Mansfield

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Picture I took of the City from Mount Victoria

The most important places to visit in this beautiful city are

Te Papa

The national museum of New Zealand, Te Papa is also one of the most innovative national museums famous for world-class interactive experiences. The history and art of New Zealand are showcased through fun and interesting exhibitions. The museum is located on a very scenic waterfront and it is one of the most visited Museums of New Zealand.

Museum of Wellington City and Sea

Get a view of the history of wellington along with the maritime history of the Museum of Wellington city and sea. Also situated on the waterfront, it specializes in showcasing Maori, Pacific Island, Asian and International contemporary art and culture.

Carter Observatory

It is the place where science merges with Maori Mythology. This amazing place is located in the Botanical garden of Wellington.


Old St Paul’s Cathedral

The Gothic styled cathedral is made from the Timber of New Zealand.

Zealandia (Karori Wildlife Sanctuary)

This wildlife Sanctuary is the home for some rarest wildlife of New Zealand like Kiwi and Tuatara. This valley is located in 10 minutes away from downtown Wellington.


Things to do in New Zealand

1) Take a trip to the cable car from the downtown Wellington to the Botanical garden. This trip will take you to the sloppy roads, the excellent view of the city and the harbor.

2) Take a walk through the stunning waterfront and the writer’s Walk of the Wellington. Enjoy the quotes of the writers of New Zealand in the stone sculptures with an ice cream in hand
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3) Take a 360-degree view of the city from the Mount Victoria. You can take tourist buses from to reach there or take an hour long walk from the Courtenay Palace.

4) Wellington is also the cultural capital of the New Zealand. You can take a live show or attend a concert in the theaters like Circa Theatre, Downstage theatre, Embassy Theatre etc.

5) Wander along Jackson Street of in the suburb of Petone to enjoy the chic cafes, galleries and fashion of the New Zealand.

Known as ‘Windy City’ of New Zealand, this chic city is famous for preserving Maori Roots to portraying modern-day art, culture and its beautiful landscape throughout its city.

Below Parliament, Wellington Its walking distance from the main Train Station near Downtown  Wellington

Wellington Public Transportation: Buses are Electric 

First Picture below - If you are a Lord of the Rings fan, checkout the Sculptures at Weta Cave Shop in Wellington

Second Picture above I took walking along the Waterfront at night.

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Things to do in Auckland New Zealand

Located on three huge harbors Auckland is one of the most popular cities in the world. It is a must see destination in New Zealand and makes a fabulous city break holiday too.





Here are just a few of the reasons to start planning a holiday in Auckland.


Enjoy Water based Activities

The ocean is an important part of Auckland’s culture and you’ll find no shortage of things to see and do on the water. You can take a harbor tour and see the city skyline from the water. Or you can sail an ex-America’s Cup yacht. Other popular activities include kayaking, snorkeling to see the many fishes, and boat trips to go dolphin spotting. And for some of the nautical heritage in Auckland check out the National Maritime Museum.

View the Volcanoes

In Auckland you are never far from a volcano. With 48 cones surrounding Auckland, take the ferry to Rangitoto or climb to the summit of Mount Eden. The Ngati Whatua tribe are the guardians of the area around Mount Eden and offer guided walks here. In springtime head to Maungakiekie or One Tree Hill to see the cherry blossoms. The Ring of Fire is renowned for its beauty and is a highlight of any New Zealand visit.

Sip the Wine

Auckland is famed for four main wine growing regions. You can take a city tour followed by a winery visit in places like Clevedon Hills or Matakana. Accompanied by delicious food from local restaurants a glass of New Zealand wine is a must. Other wine growing areas offering visits near Auckland include Waiheke Island and Kumeu. You’ll find some superb places to relax with a glass of wine and a good meal all over Auckland and many places have waterfront terraces and views.

Soak Up the Culture

Auckland is a top destination for Maori art. Start at Auckland Museum to see the Maori treasures and then take a tour of a 17th century settlement. You can also visit the galleries in town which are full of inspirational art. There are also cultural performances with dance and other traditions which are popular with visitors. Te Hana Te Ao Marama is the famous Maori cultural center in Auckland and has a wide range of performances and exhibits.

Get Out and About

In Auckland you can visit a nearby ranch and learn about sheep farming and wool production. You can also visit Howick Historical Village- a 19th century settlement. Another popular attraction is the movie set of the Hobbit where you can spend time in Middle Earth. You’ll find unique birdwatching experiences here too where kiwi and penguins can be spotted. And if you want to chill out after an active day check out the spas and thermal pools.

Auckland has an amazing variety of attractions and it is little wonder this is a top destination for a holiday.

First Picture Above - Queen Street is one of the main downtown Streets of Auckland, at the Queen Street entrance of Aotea Square is an wooden arch called Waharoa, Gateway in Maori, this picture is part of the Arc, its a poem by Maori Poet Hone Tuwhare

Second Picture is Sky Tower Auckland, the observation deck has amazing views of the city, one can also Jump from the tower, you'll be tied to a wire. On my NZ trip I could only budget one jump, did the Navis Swing Drop in Queenstown, Video of that drop 

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Milford Sound Day Trip

Milford Sound is a fjord, a days trip from Queenstown New Zealand. Rudyard Kipling called it the eighth wonder of the world. The natural beauty of Milford Sound is breathtaking.

Queenstown is a small town also knows as the adventure capital of the world, there are plenty of places offering tours.

I booked a day tour on a regular bus, the cost was around $125 USD which included Lunch, bus back and forth from Queenstown and the Ferry ride. There are buses with Sun roof for extra money, most of the time you wont be looking at the sky, rather out of the window, pick a tour wisely and save some $$

Map of Milford Sound

It takes about 4 hours From Queenstown to Milford Sound one way on the Bus



Te Anau

This was the first stop, beautiful lakeside town, on the shores of the second biggest lake in New Zealand Lake Te Anau, we had breakfast here, there is a pie shop near the bus stop, they are more like Marie Callender Pies, and made fresh.

Mirror Lakes are lakes on the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound, most tour operating buses will stop here, most drivers will also give a commentary along the way.



I was there in October, Homer Tunnel in the Fiordland, Wiki page on the tunnel, Picture Below taken from inside the Bus, when taking tours, try to sit in the front seats.



Snow on the mountains on the Way, October is Spring in NZ





Milford Sound Ferry terminal




Milford Sound is 15 Kilometers inland from Tasman Sea, and the Ferry ride is about 2 hours. In October it was not too touristy, though Milford Sound is one New Zealand's most popular tourist Destinations. Pictures taken from the Ferry.



Bus broke down on the way back from Milford sound to Queenstown. We waited 20 minutes and 2 backup Vans drove everyone on the bus back to our hotels in Queenstown



 Video I made of Milford Sound with Views of the Waterfalls, do watch and leave me some comments.

South Island of New Zealand has an amazing variety of attractions and it is little wonder this is a top destination for a holiday.

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Layover in Sydney, Australia

Sydney was a day stopover on my way to New Zealand.

If you are stuck at the airport in Sydney, waiting for your flight, there is no reason to spend those long hours trapped in there when there is a beautiful city to explore nearby. Of course, the airport itself has a lot of things you might find interesting, like restaurants and duty free shops, though my advise is, don't miss on a great city tour.

Transit Visa information http://bit.ly/1PvcJ4i

The airport is just about 6 miles away from Sydney and there are various kinds of transportation you can use to reach the city; buses, taxis and trains will take you there in no time and you can begin your adventure. I took the Sydney Metro from the Airport to Circular Quay.

There are numerous things you can visit in Sydney, but which ones you are going to visit depends mostly on how much time you have on your hand. If you have only a couple of hours of free time, a good way to experience the city would definitely be one of the city tours. There is hop on hop off city tour bus, you can catch the bus at Circular Quay.

If you are someone who likes to explore individually and on their own, then you have to visit some of the symbols of Sydney, especially if you are there for the first time. Some of these sites are the famous Sydney Opera House with its stunning architecture, Sydney Harbor Bridge with an incredible view at the harbor, or you can even take a ferry tour at the Circular Quay and visit some of the popular bays of Sydney.

For those who are nature lovers, the Royal Botanical Gardens are place that will take their breath away; an amazing nature oasis in a large city like Sydney is perfect for relaxation or a nice walk among the exotic flora and fauna of the southern hemisphere. If you want to meet people and get to know the way they are living, the downtown is a place for you; it is a great opportunity to see the habits of the locals, meet the buzzing city life or just have a cup of coffee in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants.

Free things - Some of them are beaches where you can take a break from your city tour and enjoy the sun and the warm sand under your feet. If you are there during November, you will even get a chance to see an impressive collection of sculptures on the ridge overlooking the sea.

Art Gallery of New South Wales is also one of the sites you can visit and see a unique collection of Australian, Asian and European art with a free guide tours the gallery organizes on daily basis. And finally, for those who are sport types, you can kill two birds with one stone; there are fitness tours through the city, which are a great way to stay active and see all the city attractions worth visiting.

Click on the pictures to Enlarge







Above - Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge

Natural Gas Powered buses, natural gas fuel is cleaner then diesel or gasoline.

From the popular tourist sites like Sydney Opera House to the small, hidden bars, restaurants and galleries, this city has something for everyone. Even for the experienced travelers there is much left to be seen, so be sure to use your short stay in the best way possible.

Whats your favorite thing to do in Sydney?

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