Boiling Mud!

Rotorua is famous for its active geothermal features, it's 2nd time I'm here liao..... will never get tired of the spas!! not in this mud pool of course!! the distinctive rotten-egg-sulphuric smell on the streets is not as strong as before though......

on-street car wash

at a traffic junction outside a main auckland attraction, a group of guys would dash towards watever cars stopping at red lights, splash water at them and 'clean' them by wiping off the water......

most cars actually wait for them to finish n missed some green lights...... some even pay the 'cleaners'!

behind Long Bay...

forgot to mention the vast grassy fields behind Long Bay where everybody, kids n birds will find their own playground.......

got lots of holiday photos to sort out! tired, lemme zzzzz first.......

Long Bay beach

Took advantage of the free public buses on Christmas n went to the farthest beach in north Auckland (normally cost $6.50 one way!)........ lots of beach space n not too crowded...... good for anyone who likes to run around!!

And took some souvenirs back...... more deco for the apartment!

so jolly

everyone is feeling jolly on xmas eve..... a bus driver gave a free ride to an old lady, another bus driver helped a lady carry her many grocery bags up n down the bus, colleagues BBQed their lunch just outside office (now i realise the first aid cabinet in office is also their beer cabinet!) n a happy drunkard doesn't mind his short hair bundled by rubber bands.....

MERRY X'MAS!

will b going to another middle earth for some hot spa...... watch this space!

yellow & white beauty

no digital tricks here..... the leaves r really white!

obsessed again

for weeks there was little work.....

this week, when almost everyone disappears for xmas, I gotta standin for others' work...... was so obsessed with a new structural programme, almost forgot to drink, eat n pee again..... damn! still can't make some members pass! will b thinking abt it over sleep again.....

from the rain tonite, dun think it's good idea to go out for xmas carols tmw nite....

other nice things

Walk to summit

this is crater of the volcano........ there was only one or two trees in the mid 1800s

can't find my apartment though......

Lava rocks beach

Remember yr geography lessons?? weathered rocks r more rounded......

Lava rocks everywhere

Lazy to walk so got this 4WD tour that drives us around.......

Rangitoto Island half day tour

Did some online booking in the morning for a cheaper tour to Rangitoto Island in the afternoon, departing from Auckland Ferry Building......

Auckland is sitting on some 50+ volcanoes and Rangitoto Island is the youngest volcanic island.

such hill is likely another extinct volcano n a common sight all over Auckland

Rangitoto Island