Down to Nowra and Berry

Last year's Christmas long weekend, I decided to travel down to the South Coast via train, to the end of the train line. It was a four days off from work, most of my colleagues were already on holidays days prior to Christmas Eve. I had a scrumptious Christmas lunch at a friend's place, travelled down to Nowra on Boxing Day and overnight in Berry. The last day of the long weekend was spend running some errands. So no, did not participate in the crazy Boxing Day sales :P

It was quite a long train ride, also rather infrequent train, especially since it was running on holidays schedules. The train station was in Bomaderry, about 20-30 minutes walk (not sure if also affected by heat) to Nowra Tourist Information. Crossed this bridge on my walk from Bomaderry train station.

From Nowra tourist info, I headed to Ben's Walk. On the way to Ben's Walk, another picture of the bridge. This bridge is all over the magnets for Nowra :P

Ben's Walk is approximate 30 minutes or more from the tourist info as well. May be longer, considering the photo taking and heat.

By the time I reached this lookout point, I was sunburnt. No thanks to the forgotten sunblock.

How ironic that the very same evening, it started to pour soon after I checked in to the hotel in Berry. Luckily I packed dinner for the night! However I wanted to try the famous Berry donuts, said to be cooked upon order. Wanted to go for a walk after had a good shower but upon stepping out of the hotel, it started to rain. In the end, I crossed the road and got those donuts :P

Both Nowra and Berry are small towns. There are rows of shops in Berry Village, but unfortunately its not exactly fun when its raining. :(

The road leading to the train station...

Oh... and my breakkie was this beef onion pie.

Side note: That, was the last trip of 2010...

Maroochydore

Early last year, company announced that we might win a chance to attend a fully sponsored conference in Sunshine Coast if we send in an essay on titles set. Anyways, don't know what got to me, but I tried and sent in a piece. Not sure if it was luck, or there are not a lot of response, I got to attend the conference, in Maroochydore.

It feels like I always ended up with the seat next to the wing...

It was a 5 days conference, started with a dinner on Saturday night. Event and accommodation was at Novotel Twin Waters Resort. We flew in on Saturday morning, taking advantage of the few hours before event started and visited the Eumundi Market.

It was a hot, hot day. Stalls mostly sells crafts, accessories, hats and food, of course. :P

I had my lunch there, bought paella from this stall.

Dessert was this... apple cinnamon sauce... yum!

Went to the beach thereafter but no pictures, hot but windy. Worry about the sand will affect the lens too.. shrug.

Checked in to Novotel thereafter, here's some of the pictures.

This was my room, 2 double beds for me :P

Reading + coffee = cool

Overlooking out from the balcony...

Side note: CNY soon, but no leave for me :(

The Dark Place

I havent been chasing Grey's Anatomy for a while but found Season 4 of the series the other day, ended up watching it. In the episode "Losing My Mind", there was a scene where Meredith and Christina had a brief conversation.

Meredith: Christina... are you in the dark place?
Christina: Yeah.
Meredith: Me too.

...me too

Side note: To sleep or not...

Looking back in 2010

Alright... first day of the year and I decided in between watching some tv shows I shall hop on the bandwagon and try this reminiscing on the past year thingy.

January saw me flew back home to Malaysia after 1 1/2 years stepping on the soil of Australia, also someone bought me dinner on my birthday in Rockpool's Bar & Grill. This year? I'll be with a few hundreds (my guess thats how many people can fit in a flight) strangers on air.

Then come February, someone drove me to Hawkesbury River and spent the night at Swiss Grand Resort in Bondi Beach in a room with jacuzzi bath sipping Moet.

Watched my first basketball game live in March, it was a corporate games, but nonetheless... it was my first live match. :)

After coming to 2 years in Sydney, bought my first sofa in April. In fact, it was my very first sofa... from the cheapo area in Ikea. It was a display set so it was sold at a lower price. It was like a little Amazing Race getting the sofa but now it is at home. Also saw my very first rugby match. It is much entertaining live.

In May, saw my sister and I terrorizing Europe... fulfilling the pact we made many years ago.

Flew with Tigers Airways for the very first time in June and touching down at Terminal 4 in Melbourne Domestic Airport which look a little shocking to be a terminal.

Had a surprise package delivered to the office in July. It was the first time anybody ever done that for me. It was heart warming.

August, September and October saw me coping with dark days and trying to make myself out of the house.

Can't seem to find any photos in my folders for November, and the only thing I remember was attending Access 2007 basic training at the last day of November. How pathetic.

I learned that Santa could be real this Christmas... and make a travel on Boxing Day.


Side note: Skin is peeling and itchy :(