The journey to New Zealand and Australia (part 1)
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Posted:Feb 17, 2015 9:20 pm
Last Updated:Mar 21, 2015 8:34 am 230463 Views
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We, 18 women, met at a hotel near LAX (airport) at 5 p.m. had dinner there. 16 of us have USA passports, 1 Canadian passport and 1 Danish passport (a Muslim Egyptian who lives in Denmark). Everyone had brief self-introduction. The tour leader said "if I lost anyone in this trip, I'll be fired", so she passed out 3 different color ribbons. Each color has 6 women in a group and we needed to remember who in the same group. We departed at 10 p.m from LAX. After 15 hours, we arrived at Sydney airport (we cross the International Date Line and lost a day). Then, we needed to transfer to Auckland, NZ. While we waited at Gate for 1 & 1/2 hours and found out we lost one woman. The leader was petrified. She went to information desk and broadcasted the missing woman's name. The plane delayed for another extra 1/2 hour, finally that missing woman showed up. She explained that she had surgery and got some metal inside her body, so she didn't pass the security door. She had been taken to a private room and separated from us. From that incident on, we each got a number for roll call, I am #7. (lucky 7 or 007 James Bond). We did very good job for roll calls for the entire trip from that point on.
We settled down at a hotel in Auckland, NZ by a bus (The bus driver held a sign Women Traveling Together) for 2 nights. The hotel is old but the WiFi is good. 4 of us met in lobby and ate desert at hotel restaurant. I ordered Creme Brulee. We went out to walk around the city. We saw some people jumped out Sky Tower (the tallest towers in the world) with a cable wire holding at waistline. Some women already had NZ money and showed to me. Next morning the bus driver gave us Auckland city tour and "winter garden". I ordered the seafood platter for dinner and vanilla ice cream with wine and coffee for desert that night. (my primary photo)
Next day, bus driver took us to Waitomo Caves - tour by boat of the limestone caverns & glow-worm grotto. Then, we had BBQ lunch at Roseland farm (photo shown) - I chose fish fillet. The bus took us to Rotorua, the thermal & volcanic resort capital of NZ. We stayed at a hotel in Rotorua for 2 nights.
Novetel hotel is new but WiFi is very weak with restrictions (free WiFi only at lobby, only 30 minutes for every 24 hrs). Using WiFi in the room you need to pay $9.90 for 24 hrs. Even in the lobby, the signal is very weak. I could see who emailed me but couldn't open the individual message. Everyone got mad but hotel said that is their policy to use free WiFi. When 30 minutes up (expired show up), you need to wait 24 hrs to use again. Almost everyone had some sort of device on hand, but became almost obsolete there. I saw my stock agency sent "transaction confirmation" email, but I couldn't open the message to know which stock I bought or sold at what price, how many shares. I got nervous and insomnia. I went to lobby to complain with my pajama on at 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. One hotel employee at counter told me to use the desktop. That was even worse. I used that desktop and yahoo said need a "code" to enter my email account. My smartphone was NOT working outside of USA, and my Gmail can't open because no free WiFi time. I was very frustrated that I couldn't access any internet. Half hour later, my yahoo sent me a message "Someone attempt to get access of your yahoo account", it was me. I complained to that employee but nothing he could help me. I told him Auckland hotel WiFi was strong but why not Novetel, the guy said the more fancy hotels have worse WiFi. I had insomnia whole night, while my roommate slept with snore.
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The cocktail drink named Shhh ..... with Carol
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Posted:Feb 15, 2015 11:16 pm
Last Updated:Feb 25, 2015 6:58 pm 227783 Views
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I ordered this cocktail named "Shhh ......" It says on menu "Villa's favourite. A sexy combination of strawberries and lime muddled with Vodka Strawberry liqueur and Midori. Chilled with crushed ice."
I copied down the description of this drink in my smartphone note. Just for fun.
Everyone had pizza except me. But we stopped at a Gelato store, they had Gelato, but I had Sorbet because I am "Lactose Intolerant".
I used to NOT DRINK ANY ALCOHOL at home as I set "good role model" for my when they were under 21. Now they are over 25 and I am traveling, so I drink "liquor" with dinner while traveling. It helps a little for my insomnia (jet lag).
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6 more photos from the Down Under
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Posted:Feb 15, 2015 12:18 pm
Last Updated:Feb 17, 2015 3:29 am 224317 Views
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Photo 1: Concert Hall (the largest room) inside of Sydney Opera House.
Photo 2. Michaelmas Cay cruise on Feb 10, 2015 (Cassowary T-shirt)
Photo 3. BBQ lunch at Roseland farm in Rotorua, New Zealand
Photo 4. Farewell dinner with Barbara on Feb 13, 2015
Photo 5. Dinner in Rotorua, NZ
Photo 6. Milford Sound cruise in Queenstown, NZ
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10 New photos from the Down Under
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Posted:Feb 15, 2015 11:57 am
Last Updated:Feb 19, 2015 2:18 am 230718 Views
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Photo 1: Waitomo Caves with roommate in New Zealand
Photo 2. The farewell dinner in Sydney with roommate
Photo 3. The cocktail with Carol
Photo 4. Sydney with roommate
Photo 5. Sydney Opera House
Photo 6. Sydney Opera House at night
Photo 7. Sydney opera house and bridge
Photo 8. Sheep show with a shepherd in Rotorua, NZ
Photo 9. Sheep show in Rotorua, NZ in Feb 2015
Photo 10. Lamb cutlets dinner in NZ
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New photos from the Down Under
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Posted:Feb 14, 2015 12:21 pm
Last Updated:Mar 27, 2024 12:53 pm 234549 Views
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pharmacist2
I ordered "Seafood platter" that included shrimp, prawn, calamari, raw oyster, mussel, and (Barramundi) fish fillet... Delicious, yummy!
The desert was Vanilla Ice Cream, with a small cup of Kahlua wine and a cup of Espresso coffee separately. I have been told to pour the wine into the ice cream first, then the coffee.
My first formal dinner in Auckland, New Zealand on Feb 01, 2015.
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Magic number of 68 (Sudoku)
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Posted:Jan 29, 2015 12:15 pm
Last Updated:Mar 27, 2024 1:51 pm 237342 Views
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There are 16 numbers, you can add by horizontally, or vertically or diagonally. the total will be the same 68.
Add 8 + 11 + 48 + 1 = 68 (horizontally)
Add 11 + 2 + 7 + 12 = 68 (vertically)
Add 1 + 7 + 50 + 10 = 68 (diagonally)
Add 1 + 49 + 8 + 10 = 68 (4 corners)
Amazing !!!
8 --------- 11 --------- 48 ---------- 1
47 --------- 2 ---------- 7 --------- 12
3 --------- 50 --------- 9 ---------- 6
10 --------- 5 --------- 4 ---------- 49
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Do you use Bcc for emailing?
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Posted:Jan 25, 2015 2:14 pm
Last Updated:Jan 25, 2015 11:24 pm 236840 Views
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Do you use Bcc (Blind Carbon Copy) to send email, forward, reply, if there are more than one receivers?
I have been using Bcc for many years. When I have something to share with my emailing friends (males and females). It can be news, jokes, links, photos, or anything you want to share with more than one person. You should use Bcc. You should also delete/ erase the previous senders and receivers name and emailing addresses so that you won't spread out all those people's information. They can't see other people's name or emailing addresses, when you use Bcc.
However, this still can't prevent "hackers" to get your "contact list". So, be very careful. Don't clink suspicious links even it was from your trusty friend. Your friend didn't send that email, the hackers did.
Disregard this blog, if you already knew Bcc and "hackers". I just friendly remind everyone to use Bcc and don't click strange link or open weird emails. If someone you have never known sent you emails click the "Spam" button. Don't bother to check that email. Put your computer mouse over the sender and read the email address before you open that email.
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Weekend joke
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Posted:Jan 24, 2015 2:59 am
Last Updated:Jan 26, 2015 8:37 am 235106 Views
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A newlywed couple wanted to join a church.
The pastor told them, "We have special requirements for new parishioners. You must abstain from sex for an entire month."
The couple agree and after two-and-a-half weeks, returned to the church.
When the Pastor ushered them into his office, the wife was crying, and the husband obviously was very depressed.
"You are back so soon… Is there a problem?" the pastor inquired.
"We are terribly ashamed to admit that we did not manage to abstain from sex for the required month," the young man replied sadly.
The pastor asked him what happened.
"Well, the first week was difficult; however, we managed to abstain through sheer will power. The second week was terrible, but with the use of prayer, we managed to abstain.
The third week, however, was unbearable. We tried cold showers, prayer, reading from the Bible, anything to keep our minds free of carnal thoughts. But one afternoon, my wife reached for a can of paint and dropped it. When she bent over to pick it up, I noticed that she didn't have panties on and I was overcome with lust and I had my way with her, right then and there," admitted the man with a trembling voice.
" You realize that you will not be welcome in our church,” said the pastor.
"We're not welcome at the Home Depot anymore, either.
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I have to hide one of my blogs for my own safety
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Posted:Jan 19, 2015 7:15 am
Last Updated:Mar 27, 2024 1:54 pm 240214 Views
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I have noticed the tremendous high volume of viewers and high responses on one of my blogs this morning, so I decided to delete that blog for my own safety reason.
I am talking about "The Racial Tension escalates in USA in 2014" that I posted on 12/24/2014. There are 12,462 viewers with 45 responses. Today is 1/19/2015 morning, within 26 days, there are Twelve thousand four hundred sixty two views. It is absurd. Some people have different opinions, intentions, disagree, dislike,...... about this topic. I actually only copied and pasted the BBC news, but some people have misinterpretation, misconception about this subject, so I have to delete this blog to prevent further weird people attack me or view this blog
I am a nice person, but some people may misunderstand me.
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My Favorite Romantic songs (Part 9) - The last one
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Posted:Jan 18, 2015 10:20 am
Last Updated:Mar 27, 2024 11:50 am 238317 Views
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I just promoted "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) to 5 stars from 4 stars on 1/22/2015.
Added "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" from 4 stars to 5 stars on 1/24/2015
Added "If I ever lose my faith in you" from 4 stars to 5 stars on 2/16/2015
Added "Baby, come to me" from 4 stars to 5 stars on 2/19/2015
Romance de Amor
Tango Jalousie ----- Jacob Gade
Faithful ---- Lobo
How can I tell her about you? ----- Lobo
I'd love you to want me ------ Lobo
Love never felt so good -------- Michael Jackson
Nights in white satin ----- The Moody Blues --- Best of du siecle
Nothing gonna change my love for you ------ George Benson
If tomorrow never comes --------- Ronan Keating
Still loving you ------ Scorpions
We own the night ---- The Wanted
Wicked game ------ Chris Issak
A summer place ------ Andy Williams
Always something there to remind me ------ Naked Eyes
You're the only woman ------ Ambrosia
Baby come back ------ Player
Best day of my life ------- American Authors
Mony, Mony ------ Billy Idol
Human ----- Christina Perri
Could it be I'm falling in love ------ David Grant & Jaki Graham
Give me one reason -------- Tracy Chapman
Lover's moon ------- Glenn Frey
Let it Go (from Disney's "Frozen")------ Idina Menzel
You were meant for me ----- Jewel
You are loved (Don't give up) ------- Josh Groban
Just the two of us ------ Bill Withers & Grover Washington Jr.
Keep your head up ------ Andy Grammer
Historia de un amor ---- Luis Miguel
Over the horizon
So amazing ----- Luther Vandross
That's entertainment ----- The Jam
September - Earth, Wind and Fire --------
Stars (Les Miserables ) -------- Russell Crowe
Straight from the heart ----- Bryan Adams
One headlight ------- The Wallflowers
Hernandez Hideaway
Just one look (The Hollies)
La cumparsita - Tango
Blue Tango ------- Leroy Anderson
Real love ---- Beatles --- John Lennon
I want you back --------- The Jackson 5 (Michael Jackson)
Tainted love -------- Soft Cell
I'll never fall in love again --------- Tom Jones
You belong with me ----- Taylor Swift
La Vie En Rose ------- Andrea Bocelli
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) ----- James Taylor
Will you still love me tomorrow ---------- Carly Simon / Lobo
If I ever lose my faith in you ------- Sting and The Police
Baby, come to me ---------- Patti Austin & James Ingram
My One True Friend ------ Bette Midier
Casablanca -------- Bertie Higgins
Key Largo -------- Bertie Higgins
Don't expect me to be your friend -------- Lobo
Reason to believe --------- Rod Stewart
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