The Cube

There was suppose to be some image of someone sleeping on the roof of the Opera House, just not in this pic that I took.

I'll confess. This is an overdue post, I actually went to see those lights on the first day of the event and the event went on for slightly over 2 weeks... the event has ended on 11th June 2012. My apologies.

Vivid Sydney is an annual event (so, there's always next year... just saying) where a few spots in Sydney, usually the Circular Quay area - is transformed into a canvas of lights, music and ideas after the sun has set.



It was not just the buildings, there were some 'stations' set up along the walk up to the Opera House. There were heaps of people posing with the lights.


One of the two buildings with lights shows was the MCA (Museum of Contemporary Art).



... and the other was the Custom House...^_^


I tried to upload a little video on the light show but it was taking way tooooo long.. and the lappie stopped working the first try. Oh well..


Side note: Of late, blogger is such a nuisance to format.. bleh.

It's hard not to notice the Opera House in Sydney

Initially had the intention of doing a whole day walk, something like seeing Sydney City in a day or something. By the time I reached Pitt St Mall, I canned the idea, got some grocery and hopped on the train home. :P

Comparing to KL, Sydney is a much more walkable city... much, much more, just put on a comfortable shoes and you are good to go, though I've seen many ladies walking across the bridge in high heels, a very impressive feat, in my opinion.
Anyway, there are a few "exits" from the bridge, going to The Rocks, Circular Quay, Opera House. I took the one going down the staircase, heading towards The Rocks. There's usually a ice cream van to greet you once you reach the end of the staircase. Diagonally from the staircase, you'll see the Australian Heritage Hotel.










Ha! Everybody who sat at the cafe facing this fountain must've thought I've lost it...or some lost tourist taking pictures of this fountain.. located in the Sydney Hospital. :P
Not a lot of people walking down Philip Street on a weekend so it could be a nice little walk, as shops are located around Pitt Street and George Street area.

Side note: Kirribilli Markets today!

I know this is not a lot, especially since a lot of people do bring their own food to work... but I don't really do takeaway coffee (despite I drink a lot), I don't shop a lot either. So I've decided that I'll give up takeaway lunch for the month of May.

This is a shameless plug (though not a lot of people read my blog anyway) to sponsor me on giving up takeaway lunch. The money I saved, I will donate it to the Australian Red Cross. :)
Donations of over $2 are tax deductible (not sure if this applies to outside Australia though).

Thank you. :)


Side note: I got this new hypothesis where I think May and June must the two months when most people goes on holidays.

After my disappointment in limited activity at the Blowhole Point, I decided to scout out the smaller relative. I asked the nice lady in the Visitor Centre of the Little Blowhole, and was told that it is more consistent as it depends on wind direction from the North. I am not too sure if I want to make another trip on purpose for a little more activity of this blowhole, so I set off my walk to see the Little Blowhole.


View from the lookout point at Blowhole Point

The Little Blowhole is located between it's bigger relative and Kiama Heights, so just head off towards Kiama Heights. I was told the walk takes about 30 minutes, though as usual, it took me longer :P



It was a nice coastal walk, hugging along the beach. It was nice view and all but as I was walking by the Kiama Showground, I felt it was getting warmer and craving for a nice smoothie.



I had to walk pass two beaches, first one - Surf Beach...and kept on thinking of getting a smoothie. :p



Here's the second beach - Kendalls Beach. If you are to do the Kiama Coast Walk, it is at the same direction.



Walked a little further... and you'll see the Little Blowhole...definitely more activity compared to the bigger blowhole.



I didn't proceed any further and made my way back to the town area, to visit the Kiama Seaside Market. It so happened that it was an Easter Monday Public Holiday, there was an extra market being scheduled. :)



I didn't take any pictures of the stalls as I learnt stallholders in Australia don't like people taking picture of their stalls or wares.

My lunch treat - sweet chilli chicken, served with wedges and sour cream. Food wise - only so so.. and service definitely not brilliant, so I won't recommend any. Oh.. not only I had cooling, refreshing berry smoothies, I even got a vanilla milkshake. :)




Side note: This is a scheduled post... and it is now Sunday night. How I dread tomorrow :(

Kiama is at the south of Sydney, approximately 2 hours by train, of course faster if travel by car. It is being promote as a relaxation town with views over the ocean to Kiama's headland, characteristic pines and iconic lighthouse.

When I told Little P I'm thinking of doing a day trip to Kiama, she said it sound like I'm scolding some bad words = ="


Waiting for train on a public holiday Monday


Fast forward 2 hours, reaching Kiama train station

For a couple of times, I have tried to look up for time to visit this town, trying to coincide my visit to see the Blowhole with the markets, also avoiding staying overnight. Generally accommodations in Australia are expensive, and there is no exception in Kiama.


When I was passed this place, it reminded me of an old Salem TV advertisement.

An excerpt from Kiama's free visitors' guide 2012.

Located on a harbour, Kiama was the heart of the local cedar, quarrying and shipping industry in the 1880s and is now seat of the rgion's Council offices. In the town's Civic precinct you will see many fine old buildings: the imposing Old Council Chambers, the iconic pink Italianate Post Office and the oldest surviving building on the South Coast of NSW, the Kiama Court House, which was completed in 1861.

Kiama Council Chambers


The pink Post Office

A short walk towards the Kiama Blowhole and Lighthouse, near the Kiama Visitors' Centre, is the heritage Pilot's Cottage, home to the local harbour pilots from 1881 to 1981. For those interested in family history, you can trace your own ancestors at the Family History Centre, located downstairs from the Kiama Library.

Kiama Lighthouse


Pilot's Cottage Museum
The main attraction - Kiama Blowhole. I checked online to see the tide times before I made my travel and thought I would see the glorious blowhole. Much to my disappointment, there wasn't much activity.


Blowhole Point



I went in the Visitor Centre to check, I was told that it wasn't the tide that would influence the blowhole activity, instead direction of the wind. From memory, this blowhole is influenced by wind from South-West. The lady from Visitor Centre said there are information in the website but I can't seem to locate it, so I guess it's probably worth a phone call to the Visitor Centre to check before making a travel.


Side note: Getting addicted to stir fry udon.. yumm

I first heard of this C25K (Couch to 5K) program from my Japanese classmate. She seems to have "lubang" about things, like how she heard about home stay from Australia Japan Society. Anyway, this program is has been designed to get just about anyone from the couch to running 5 kilometers or 30 minutes in just 9 weeks.

So, one fine day, the thought that I don't think I could complete a stress ECG make me think I should work my heart a little more. Not that there is any reason for me to undergo any stress ECG but I can't help thinking I probably could only last the first few minutes. How wrong I was. I found out that I can't even last a minute.

Reason being, the program started off run 5 minutes warm up, run 30 seconds, walk 45 seconds, run 45 seconds, walk 60 seconds, run 60 seconds, walk 90 seconds (repeat 3 times), then 5 minutes cool down. I remember panting like a doggie then and boy, one minute can be so long when you run. = ="

I thought to myself that if this thing really work, I'll blog it up :P ... hence this post. I actually bought an app, apparently there were a couple of them but somehow when I looked it up, I actually missed the one with the exact name "Couch to 5K" and actually got this one instead - Ease into 5K. Must be mata sepet. Somehow instead of 5K in 9 weeks, it actually fits it into 8 weeks.

I must say I was surprised it worked, considering I was panting like a doggie when I first started, and that was running for 30-60 seconds. In fact, I was worry that I would fail to continue the program, so I ran in my usual walking sneakers. I actually don't own any trainers/sports shoes after throwing away the old one in Europe. I told myself that if I can run 5km at the end of it, I would buy a pair of running shoes for the sake of the knees.... in a way, I have to earn it. Besides, if I stuck to it for 8 weeks, it would be a shame to go back to square one. A shopaholic friend said usually people will buy all the necessary gears (shoes, running attires, etc) to motivate them to exercise. But... I know myself better, just in case I hangat-hangat tahi ayam.


My colleague said no problem in spotting me from a mile away

Little P said, "Get a good pair of shoes but good shoes are expensive. Then again, knee cap surgery is even more expensive." Morbid.. but true, can't argue with that. So, my reward was the above Nike Lunarglide+ 3 Red/Silver. My very first red colour shoes. Thought I'll get something other than black and I don't quite fancy the black/purple ones.

I'm still pretty much a couch potato, I think... but maybe now am a couch potato who can run 5K. :)
Also am actually thinking I'll try to run further and longer now that I've got proper shoes.


Side note: Now I need VBA for Dummies...

The last many posts fall under the "Travel" category. Let's do something a little different, after all this was started as a personal blog. Anyway, I have a soft spot for jacket. I saw one that I like in Zara when I went back to Malaysia a couple of months ago, unfortunately it was a little big and I looked a little like dumpling when I put it on. So, I didn't bring it home despite it was on sale. Green in colour with detachable fleece inside.


See... it's nice isn't it. The jacket ok.. don't look at the legs.
Picture source: Zara (Malaysia) website

Anyway, I saw it again in the shop, here in Sydney. It was a little more pricey compared to when I first saw it in Malaysia :( but I was tempted... but they don't have my size. I didn't asked but all on display are M size. Oh well, I guess it is telling me that I shouldn't spent on it... reason being... I just realized that I have more jackets than I have skirts or dresses. Same number if I add up both skirts and dresses. Hmm.. Here's what I already had... :P


(L) Jacket from Supre; (R) Denim jacket from G-Star


(L) Leather jacket from Just Jeans; (R) ASOS duffle coat with hood


(L) Winter jacket from Hunt; (R) Jacket from G-Star


(L) Trench coat from Giordano; (R) A&F Hoodie


(L) Esprit Jacket; (R) Work jacket from Padini


Hoodie from Target :P

Actually I do wear them quite often, except the winter jacket from Hunt as it is a little too thick for winter in Sydney. I practically wore the leather jacket and black jacket from G-Star the whole of last winter, hence I bought the ASOS jacket so that I dont over-abuse my G-Star jacket. :P

Looking at it, they are all black or dark blue, I should've picked up some in other colours :p


Side note: Alright.. back to work