New Zealand Solo Backpacking Trip - December 2023

I don't even know where to start. Perhaps a content page shall do you readers some justice for a start.

Click Day 0 for Singapore Changi Airport. (Highly recommended to start here due to the chronological order of life.) Alternatively, you may wish to visit my YouTube playlist of the entire trip here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUP43prMcQR9i_1fqiuhR0X5INP5yYIca

If you like to break rules and live off the edge, you may start to:

Click Day 1 for Melbourne City Layover

Click Day 2 for Queenstown City Arrival

Click Day 3 for Ben Lomond Mountain (Queenstown)

Click Day 4 for Dunedin City Arrival

Click Day 5 for Nicols Falls Exploration (Dunedin)

Click Day 6 for Larnarch Castle & Tunnel Beach (Dunedin)

Click Day 7 for Oamaru Town Arrival

Click Day 8 for Bushy Beach (Oamaru)

Click Day 9 for Steampunk HQ Museum (Oamaru)

Click Day 10 for Timaru Town Arrival

Click Day 11 for Dashing Rocks (Timaru)

Click Day 12 for Caroline Bay (Timaru)

Click Day 13 for Kaikoura Town Arrival

Click Day 14 for South Bay (Kaikoura)

Click Day 15 for Blenheim City Arrival

Click Day 16 for Taylor River (Blenheim)

Click Day 17 for Christchurch City Arrival

Click Day 18 for Riverside Market (Christchurch)

Click Day 19 for Addington (Christchurch)

Click Day 20 for Ferrymead (Christchurch)

Click Day 21 for Cashmere Hills (Christchurch)

Click Day 22 for East Coast (To Invercargill)

Click Day 23 for Invercargill Town Arrival

Click Day 24 for Seaward Bush (Invercargill)

Click Day 25 for Intercity Bus Ride (To Queenstown)

Click Day 26 for Sunshine Bay (Queenstown)

Click Day 27 for Queenstown Hill Exploration

Click Day 28 for Katoomba Town Arrival

Click Day 29 for Blue Mountains (Katoomba)

Click Day 30 for Glebe Arrival (Sydney)

Click Day 31 for Sydney Exploration

Click Day 32 for New South Wales (Sydney)

Click Day 33 for Singapore (Home Sweet Home)

Because of Covid, I was unable to continue exploring New Zealand back in 2020. So I called off my plans and never went back to it, until 5 months ago. I guess it started when I realised I was given the rare opportunity to travel because I'm once again a student! Previously, I was a broke student/broke SAF regular, but now, I actually have enough money to properly enjoy life!

So on impulse, I planned a grand 34-day adventure to the South Island of New Zealand, the other island that I didn't explore back in 2019. This very post will highlight the main parts of the trip, and further down will be the rough cost breakdown and future planning for similar trips! Let's get into it!

Originally, I only wanted to do 2 or 3 weeks, but the flight tickets were so expensive. When I extended the trip to almost 5 weeks, the flight tickets became way cheaper. I didn't let the system put me on connecting flights from Singapore to New Zealand. Instead, I booked 4 separate flights for my entire trip, spending my own time in Australia for each layover.

On 4th of December 2023, I set off and landed in Melbourne on the 5th. Walked around Melbourne for a whole day with my backpack and returned to the airport at night for the connecting flight to Queenstown, New Zealand. I loved the day trip in Melbourne because honestly, there's not a lot in Melbourne to do compared to something like Sydney.

Truly landed in New Zealand on the 6th of January. The default plan was to stay 3 nights in each city/town because 2 nights felt really rushed back in 2019. But mid-way through this trip, I adopted a hybrid approach and stayed 2 nights in smaller towns while maintaining 3 or 4 nights in larger cities. This was to counter the holiday season and prevent soft-locking myself into towns that have nothing to eat during the holiday season.

I probably won't ever return to Blenheim, Invercargill and Kaikoura. The other few cities or towns are worth it to return again, either for their food or their activities. I definitely locked Queenstown as my most favourite in the entire New Zealand, with Taupo of North Island coming in second.

On the 1st of January, I flew to Sydney for a 5-day layover and actually enjoyed my time in Australia a lot more than I expected. Australia is now a possible contender for my future trips. I only returned home back to Singapore on the 6th because school starts on 8th. If not for school, I probably would have explored more of Australia. :)

Throughout my trip this time, I didn't hold back in the food I chose to eat. In 2019, I was rather budget so I kept eating pizza and bread. This trip, I ate as many big breakfast sets I could, I ate as many ribeye steaks I could. It was truly a luxury trip this time! Just look at the different foods I've eaten throughout my trip!

Below are all of the insta-worthy pictures I took of myself with the selfie stick as a phone stand and the iPhone timer for the camera. Really went all out this time to make this trip the most memorable in my life.

This is also the very first time I purchased gifts and souvenirs back home for my loved ones. Like I have never been a fan of carrying luggages for my holiday trips because of how inconvenient it is. Checking in luggage for flights always have a lot of things to worry and think about. But this time, I made an exception because it's a trip of the lifetime.

Overall, it has been a great trip. I'll now list down what went well and what could be improved for future trips.

This screenshot came from 2019's trip and I actually took that into account while planning for my 2023 trip! It went so much better cause of it!

What went well:

1. This time I booked all my Intercity buses as early as I can on travel day, and it really freed up half a day for me on most of the travel days. I got to do so much more, like in Kaikoura. My 2 nights in Kaikoura felt way longer than each 2 nights in North Island back in 2019.

2. Getting a sports watch and tracking my walks really brings solo backpacking to a whole new level. Garmin and Strava both have apps that I can upload my thoughts and pictures to. It's like a social media, but better because there are health stats available!

3. Being adaptable, accepting that places sometimes do cancel on me and I cannot get my refund. It's better to move on fast and move to plan B instead of crying over spilt milk.

4. Recording videos first and only bother about typing stuff after the trip. Videos always speak a thousand pictures and a million words. Even if I don't let other people see my videos, at least I can view it for myself in the future.

5. The luggage situation went well, but I doubt I'll do it again. The sleepless nights are not worth it at all.

What could be improved:

1. Gotta really get this off my chest: Bring clothes hangers and shower baskets. Like really no joke. Thought army taught me well, but I still didn't bring them. End up have to hang my clothes in the bunk awkwardly and leave my things everywhere on the floor.

2. Buy power strip in whatever country I go to. Seriously, no amount of plug converters can help me if the hostel only supply one outlet per bed, or even worse like in Kaikoura, one outlet per room. Then how? So power strip is the way to go. Buy in the country if afraid of overloading the initial carry-on weight.

3. Hostel booking. Ahh this one really need to take note. Cheaper does not mean better. Too cheap and I risk bunking with homeless unhygienic people. Sometimes, it's better to pay a little more for a huge upgrade in quality of life. Always check reviews not just on booking.com, but on Google maps as well. Never ever pay on 3rd party websites.

4. Bring your own bag to supermarkets. Everywhere else in the world is adopting the no-plastic mindset. So gotta keep that in mind wherever I go. Supermarkets don't provide bags already, restaurants also. Everything is carry by hand unless I bring my own bag.

5. No use packing soap and washing powder. Airports will throw anything above 100ml and anything that is not labelled.

Here's to hoping for greater and better trips in the future!

NZ2023 Cost Breakdown

[TL;DR]

Total Cost spent for entire trip: $6621.89

Total airfare + ETA application: SGD1629.40

Total transport cost (bus & trains): SGD499.63 (NZD525.99 + AUD76.40)

Total food and drinks cost: SGD1810.64 (NZD1828.78 + AUD348.72)

Total accommodation cost: SGD1648.92 (NZD1456.50 + AUD215.23)

Total gifts (personal & others) cost: SGD826.17 (NZD911.31 + AUD85.75)

Total entertainment (museums & attractions) cost: SGD65.71 (NZD80)

Total miscellaneous (data plan & basic necessities like soap and washing machine) cost: SGD141.42 (NZD64.30)

Days spent: 34

Number of countries visited: 2

Number of cities visited: 9

Number of flights taken: 4

So I figured I'd do a cost breakdown of my solo trip to Australia and New Zealand so I can better gauge my spendings in the future. Also, if anyone is trying to follow in my footsteps, at least here's a solid post to use as a financial guide.

Pre-Trip Costs:

Electronic Travel Authority (ETA): SGD44.38 for NZ & SGD18.09 for Australia

Plane rides (airfare):

- Singapore to Melbourne: SGD269 (Jetstar with carry-on luggage only)

- Melbourne to Queenstown: SGD279.01 (Jetstar with carry-on luggage only)

- Queenstown to Sydney: SGD419.43 (Jetstar with additional 20kg check-in luggage)

- Sydney to Singapore: SGD599.49 (Scoot with additional 20kg check-in luggage)

Intercity bus rides (transport): NZD52.50 + NZD33.50 + NZD243.50

Pre-payment hostel bookings (accommodation): SGD262.16

Data plans (eSim): SGD53.20 + SGD18.42 + SGD16.99

Trip Costs:

Melbourne, 1 day, total spent: AUD95.78

- Train card top-up (transport): AUD20

- Plain water: AUD5.67

- Random kopitiam lunch: AUD16.50

- McDonald's dinner: AUD15.35

- Airport frappe: AUD5.95

- Chewing gum and sweets: AUD6 + AUD11.20

- Next day airport 3am breakfast: AUD15.11

Queenstown, 2 nights, total spent: NZD285.26

- Flaming Kiwi Backpackers, 2 nights accommodation: NZD98

- Basic necessities like soap, toothpaste, shaver etc.: NZD30.30

- Domino pizza lunch: NZD14

- Fergburger dinner: NZD26.40

- Beech Tree Beer: NZD14.21

- Sausage breakfast: NZD8.50

- Water for the day: NZD20.99

- Beer at Ben Lomond: NZD12

- Fish N Chips: NZD22.80

- Cookie milkshake: NZD13

- Beer at Ballarat: NZD13.26

- McDonald's breakfast on departure day: NZD11.80

Dunedin, 3 nights, total spent: NZD493.32

- Manor House Backpackers, 3 nights accommodation: NZD75

- Chalet Backpackers, 3 nights accommodation: NZD102.50

- Honey & coffee at Intercity break: NZD14

- Postcards: NZD19.50

- Water and dinner: NZD37.58

- Beer at Brew Bar: NZD28

- Corner Cafe big breakfast: NZD29.50

- Dunedin museum: NZD20

- Taco bell: NZ27.46

- Washing machine: NZD4

- Water and snacks: NZD10.68

- Subway lunch: NZD16.10

- Bicycle rental: NZD40

- Larnarch Castle entry: NZD45

- Chinese dinner noodles: NZD24

Oamaru, 3 nights, total spent: NZD470.02

- Change of Intercity bus ride (transport): NZD46.50 + NZD11 (admin fee)

- Empire Backpackers, 3 nights accommodation: NZD120

- The Roost breakfast: NZD30.50

- Postcards: NZD15.82

- Water: NZD3.30

- Cheese factory milkshake: NZD8

- Rainbow confectionery: NZD5

- Star & Garter: NZD110

- Shortblack Cafe breakfast: NZD30

- Water and bread: NZD29.60

- Domino pizza: NZD14

- Steampunk museum: NZD15

- Badger & Mackerel breakfast: NZD31.30

Timaru, 3 nights, total spent: NZD460.19

- Anchor Motel, 3 nights accommodation: NZD237

- Bay Hill Bar dinner: NZD50.50

- Mrs M breakfast: NZD30.50

- Fruits: NZD15.04

- Isotonic & sunscreen: NZD18.73

- Pizza hut: NZD31.46

- Chocolate shake: NZD5.90

- Bullocks steak: NZD42.50

- Timaru station breakfast: NZD28.56

Kaikoura, 2 nights, total spent: NZD219.16

- Dolphin Lodge, 2 nights accommodation: NZD70

- Strawberry tree steak: NZD47.15

- Water and snacks: NZD23.26

- Black rabbit pizza: NZD28.56

- Washing machine: NZD2

- Postcards: NZD21.80

- Chiwi breakfast: NZD26.39

Blenheim, 2 nights, total spent: NZD382.20

- Jack's Backpackers, 4 nights: NZD120

- Ribena: NZD3.65

- Gifts: NZD36

- Goodhome Fish N Chips: NZD28.42

- Water and snacks: NZD22.20

- Gifts: NZD50.50

- Bicycle rental: NZD39.99

- Bubble tea: NZD7.50

- Dinner steak: NZD39.78

- CPR big breakfast: NZD34.16

Christchurch, 4 nights, total spent: NZD723.94

- Urbanz Accommodation, 1 night: NZD49

- Jailhouse Accommodation, 3 nights: NZD148.50 + NZD49.50

- Intercity change of plans: NZD31.50 + NZD13.50

- Water and snacks: NZD25.96

- Jaba grill and bar: NZD51

- Tramway Cafe breakfast: NZD31.50

- Gifts: NZD30

- Milk tea: NZD11

- Base Woodfired Pizza: NZD24.36

- Ice cream: NZD10.10

- Addington coffee big breakfast: NZD34

- Gifts: NZD70

- El fogon steak: NZD42.22

- Washing machine: NZD8

- Esquires big breakfast: NZD33.50

- McDonalds: NZD18.30

- Pad thai and fried rice: NZD42

Invercargill, 3 nights, total spent: NZD395.20

- Tuatara Lodge, 3 nights accommodation: NZD120

- Intercity break point: NZD24.60

- Subway lunch: NZD10.40

- Water and snacks: NZD30.80

- Speights Ale House: NZD48.30

- Tuatara big breakfast: NZD34.80

- Gifts: NZD15

- Burgerfuel: NZD18.70

- Brew Cafe big breakfast: NZD31.20

- McDonalds: NZD18.40

- Washing machine: NZD12

- Auction House big breakfast: NZD31

Queenstown, 3 nights, total spent: NZD1183.19

- Flaming Kiwi Backpackers, 3 nights accommodation: NZD267

- Rosebank cafe milkshake: NZD6

- Manuka honey gift: NZD92

- Keychain gifts: NZD72.55

- Captain's beer: NZD15

- Smashburgers: NZD22

- Society cafe breakfast: NZD33.59

- Luggage: NZD65

- Alcohol: NZD252.97

- Gifts: NZD170.17

- Orbus ride: NZD4

- Chur fish N chips: NZD26

- Marmolada breakfast: NZD22.50

- Plane ride breakfast: NZD12.17

- Pub on wharf steak: NZD56.10

- Washing machine: NZD8

- Beer: NZD48.14

- Orbus to airport: NZD10

Katoomba, 2 nights, total spent: AUD221.91

- YHA Blue Mountains, 2 nights accommodation: AUD88

- YHA breakfast buffet (food): AUD12

- Train from airport: AUD23.56

- Water and soap: AUD22.35

- Fish N Chips: AUD43.50

- Bubble tea: AUD7.50

- Elephant bean breakfast: AUD22

- Cookies: AUD3

Sydney, 3 nights, total spent: AUD413.51

- The Village Glebe, 3 nights accommodation: AUD127.23

- Train from Katoomba: AUD10.08

- Water: AUD6.10

- Gifts: AUD38

- Taco bell: AUD15.45

- Gong cha: AUD8.20

- Subway lunch: AUD18.25

- Mr B steak: AUD24.24

- Ice cream: AUD12.50

- Valhalla grind breakfast: AUD26.50

- Gifts: AUD5.75

- Gum: AUD5

- Train from Bondi: AUD3.04

- Gifts: AUD42

- Chicken dinner: AUD21.65

- Madam frou frou breakfast: AUD22.75

- Water and snacks: AUD6.95

- Train to airport: AUD19.72

NZ2023 Thoughts & Reflections

For quite some time, I've always thought my road was rather smooth. I attributed the occasional bumpiness to the vehicle I was travelling on, that the suspension systems may be faulty. Little did I realise that my own road is actually full of potholes, some that I intentionally close one eye on.

As with every of my major holiday breaks, I would have most definitely done some introspection and reflection during the trip, especially since I'm by myself the entire time. This past 34 days have been critical in my journey of life, as I'm about to list it all down for my own reference in the future.

1. My Identity in the SAF

Over the past donkey years, I've had multiple identities and led multiple lives. On the forefront was my identity as an SAF regular, and it was the biggest identity of all. What started out as an I-don't-know-what-to-do-with-my-life job actually became the job of my life as I became a high flyer in the army. When I left the army to pursue this degree, I didn't leave with a grudge against the army, unlike 99% of the regulars that left.

I left the army with a longing hope that one day I could return to the force. In fact, I carried on that identity with me for the first year of my university life. Everything I said or did, I attributed it to my identity as an SAF regular. Being punctual for school? SAF regular habit. Ask no questions and perform? SAF regular habit. Distributing project tasking? SAF regular habit. It got so bad that people started disliking me for it. It got so bad in my own mind that I tried to sign on again, knowing full well that doing so will render what I learnt in my degree useless.

Finally, I think I'm ready to put that life behind me. New Zealand holds a special place in my heart, especially since back in 2019 when I was still a young regular, I spent 2 weeks in the North Island. So doing the South Island this time feels like a major throwback to my army life and the proper closure for that chapter. My packing style (ziplock bags), sleep routine (2230 sleep, 0530 wake up), long road marches with heavy backpack, are all direct results of what I was taught in SAF. So to really put SAF behind me, it took 34 days.

I thought to myself, if I don't renounce my identity in the SAF soon, my next job will never meet my expectations. Everything that I'm doing in life, I do it to the standards of SAF. Every job prospect I receive, I judge it with the standards of the SAF. With SAF on such a pedestal in my life, how can anything else ever compare?

I have to do better. I need to be better. Therefore, I'm ready to move beyond the force, I'm ready to take my leadership and discipline to the next level in the private sector. With the upcoming internship with Siemens, I hope I can evolve to be a better engineer, not just to the company, but to all the ground people working under me. I'm excited to bring what I learnt working on the ground for 5 years into my next position, and I believe I can inspire many more.

Solid steps include me trying my best not to mention "SAF" in my daily conversations, not to see myself having the responsibility to be a leader in different situations, reminding myself that I cannot save everyone (nor do I have the authority to anyway), to not geek out in everything SAF related, and probably to finally delete all the SAF engineering manuals that I still hold dear in my phone (that I occasionally open to reminisce the fun times).

Didn't think after 1 year I would still be in this transition phase, but as least now I'm moving forward.

2. Guitarist for a decade

2024 is gonna be the year I celebrate 10 years being an electric guitarist. Actually, I bought my first guitar in 2013 but only started seriously learning in 2014, when I was year 1 in Polytechnic. Back then, electric guitar was everything to me. I would spend hours each day learning how to play it, I would spend tons of money getting every gear I needed. If there was a guitar near me, you can bet I was already playing it.

I spent my years learning every Christian song I could play at my level. I recorded tons of covers, occasionally venturing out to non-Christian songs. I have a whole YouTube channel of those covers and a blog detailing every single move I made. I even bought MacBook Pros to produce better quality media. You can say that I was all-in during my music journey.

Forgive my distant memory, but I roughly remember auditioning twice for a spot in my church (Grace Assembly) worship team. I can only recall that both times were in my Polytechnic days. The first time I was rejected, I wasn't really that sad because I knew I'm still a noob. But the second time I got rejected, whew, I spent a week hating myself, spiralling into a lot of self-pity. It left such a bad taste in my mouth I can still remember the nastiness today.

Then it was a few years before I'd get to try for a spot in worship teams again. Come 2022, I was in a different church and I actually passed their electric guitar audition. I even already paid for their worship team training, but during the first lesson, I backed out, due to my insecurity that people would eventually reject me again. I didn't even want the refund, I just backed out.

Fast forward to recent times, I'm back in Grace Assembly. I struggled for a long time if I should even try their auditions again. Seeing that I now have nothing to lose, I went for it. And well, I got rejected, again. This time, it wasn't so much about my skill level, but more of them wanting a full professional that can start right away. Still, a no is a no.

Sad to say, it really struck a chord in me. 3 times (not counting the time in the other church), 3 times I tried and got rejected. This is the ultimate sign from God that this path isn't meant for me. I used to always believe that if I have the heart to serve, people would accept me. But of course, I forgot I also live in the real world where people are materialistic and only want the best. I'm nowhere near the best, and hence, I got what I deserved.

You know what, I'm actually relieved, because now I can move on from this extended dream. I wouldn't say wasted, but I have spent too many hours preparing for a stage that I can never stand on. These hours could have been better spent on things that matters, on people that matters. One thing that I couldn't let go, is the money I spent trying. Buying guitar and pedals is always a nett loss, no matter which angle I view it from. And now, selling everything would surely damage my pockets, but it's something I must do to prevent derailment.

Am I sad? Of course. Imagine someone telling you that whatever you did and believed in for a decade, is nothing more than a whiff of imagination. But I have come so far in life that electric guitar is no longer my top priority. I am now an engineer, a student, a leader, and in many ways, an inspiration. There are still so many areas that I can serve in, that serving as a worship guitarist doesn't seem fitting in my life anymore.

If the church don't want me, you can bet that there are still many others waiting on my particular skillsets in life. Service in church, service in the world, is all but same to me. As long as I'm improving lives, my heart and soul will be satisfied. If my own people don't need me, I'll devote my time to those who actually do. It's all the same to me.

This New Zealand trip, I wanted to carry a guitar home, just like my 2019 trip, when I lugged a huge ass guitar around for the last few days. But with this introspection, I figured I'd lug a suitcase full of souvenirs instead. My life is no longer about me and my dream, but is now focused on the people around me, and that, is all that matters.

3. Once a rider, always a rider

And if guitar wasn't such a huge part of my life still, then perhaps motorcycle is. If you have known me personally over the last one year or so, you would know that I have listed my motorcycle and taken down the listing on Carousell many times. It was a constant struggle of me trying to sell my motorcycle and me loving it too much to do it. I figured it would be an area of concern for me to reflect about in this New Zealand trip, and that is exactly what I did.

In those 34 days, I spent quite a huge amount of time on the roads, just not in the way everyone thinks. I walked everywhere, and in doing so, found myself walking on highways and most often or not, busy roads. What made me feel so much safer in Singapore is that, New Zealand drivers are much more courteous. If they see me jaywalking, they would actually stop for me to finish crossing. If they see other cars signal, they would slow down to allow them to filter in. They would queue long queues without honking.

In Singapore, everything is reversed. Jaywalkers are the bane of existence, signalling is a sign to speed up and close the gap, long queues means someone screwed up infront. For the first time in my life, my eyes were opened to the real danger of riding a motorcycle in Singapore. Sure, I have gotten into a few accidents in my life, even broke some bones, but my love for the Ninja 400 always trumps the injuries.

I spent a long time in New Zealand thinking about my next move regarding my motorcycle. Part of me knows that when I do get a degree holder job, I'll surely get a car, but another part of me just wants that adrenaline of feeling the wind in my face as I ride at blazing speeds. With my sudden realisation of road reality, the motorcycle life seems to be drifting further away.

I have made the active decision to ride only on weekends, where the roads are not so crowded and my mind is not in a rush. It will be a good mix of my love for riding, and my safety. Until I eventually own that car, this will be the solution for now. Besides, student concession ain't too expensive! Gotta maximise my benefits while it lasts!

4. Active Lifestyle

If you wonder how I find these topics to reflect on, I'll just tell you I actually took out my resume and see which areas in life are the ones consuming my soul unknowingly. In my resume, I listed bouldering and running as part of my interests, alongside guitar of course. In the life after SAF, I convinced myself that I’m gonna return to bouldering regularly and ramp up my weekly runs.

Bouldering was more of an unfulfilled aspiration that I missed back in the Polytechnic days, when I prioritised church over CCA and left the competitive team. Throughout the 5 years of army, I bouldered irregularly, almost like once every 2 months. I neither had the strength nor determination to commit to a consistent schedule. After ORD, I felt the need to blame the system for taking up most of my time, not realising that I wasn’t practising what I preached when it came to time management.

Running, on the other hand, is a habit I brought out of the SAF and I could say, another identity too. I was an IPPT gold soldier for all my life. I took pride in my morning exercises and sometimes will get angry if others take it as a joke. Not one time did I consider to take it easy for the morning runs. I would often reach the finish line first and then u-turn to run alongside the last few men. Running was, and will always be my life’s number 1 exercise.

As if two routines aren’t enough, I added swimming into the equation, all in an effort to “be a role model as an ex-SAF regular”. Wow, that sounds real stupid now that I’m reading it out. Why did I even attribute what I love to what I’m expected to do? That is just so unfair to myself. To be better, I need to change this mindset.

SAF didn’t take away my time for bouldering, nor did they make me a runner. Everything I initially thought is all in my own head. I love bouldering as much as I love running. Often, I do both alone because those are my little escapes in life, the only few moments I feel truly free.

New Zealand was a good example about the heights I’m willing to reach (literally) to further bring out the adventurous side of me. Never have I ever felt more free doing the things I love. Suffice to say, I'll probably be keeping up with this lifestyle for as long as I can.

NZ 2023 - Singapura (Day 33 of 33)

Link to Day 33's video: https://youtu.be/yL73vxqsYVQ

Woke up real early to hopefully have a good breakfast at a local cafe before checking out. Went to this place called Madame Frou Frou for a very stylish sandwich. It was nice though, but not nice enough for AUD$22.75. Promptly headed to Tramsheds once again to get some snacks and water for the long travel day ahead.

Then returned to hostel and checked out by 9am. With everything in hand, I trotted back to Jubilee Park station and took train to the airport. 

My YouTrip account left with AUD$0.82 but I didn't care. Just tapped the gantry anyway and was still able to take the train. I shall pay back the money if I need to use YouTrip again.

Reached Singapore at 8pm and took train to Upper Thomson to meet my parents for a hearty dinner with rice. HAHA. Truly reached home at 11pm and standby universe all my souvenirs and gifts. Can't believe I really hauled all these back from New Zealand!

With this, this marks the end of my 34-day grand adventure! I have nothing else to say. It was a refreshing trip that changed some of my thought processes (hopefully for the better)! Special thanks to my parents for supporting me, my close friends for encouraging me, and God for protecting me! Till the next adventure!!!

Click <<< to return to Day 32 or >>> to return to the main post.

NZ 2023 - New South Wales (Day 32 of 33)

Link to Day 32's video: https://youtu.be/5Nv4gyO18Us

The final full day of my trip have unfortunately arrived, though it’s nothing flashy because it has been quite a whole month of flashiness. Ate a flashy breakfast though, at this place called Valhalla Grind, for AUD$26.50. Meh haha.

Basically today wanted to check out the famous Bondi beach today but weather from 18 degree celsius became 24 and the sun suddenly became very hot. Ended my walk at Bondi Junction and basically took the train back towards hostel. Alighted at Paddy market to get some last minute souvenirs. Hehe.

My body knows the trip is complete and my legs cannot walk anymore so instead of walking from the market, I took train again back to hostel. Chanced upon this place called Tramsheds that is actually a huge supermarket that is very close to the hostel and right beside Jubilee Park station! Wow I think I just found my dinner place!

Then I went out for a run after I rested and recharged my phone. I sat on the bed for an hour after repacking the luggage thinking about it and I just cannot resist not running in Sydney. It wasn’t a 5km run though. It was just 3km because my legs really damn pain.

But it was a very fast 3km. One of my best paces in fact. I don’t know how, legit. Ended at the Tramsheds place to buy my roasted chicken for dinner. Shiok. One whole chicken, one bag of potato chips and one litre of apple juice, all for AUD$21.65. What a way to end the day, and the trip in general!

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NZ 2023 - Sydney (Day 31 of 33)

Link to Day 31's video: https://youtu.be/5ERrkL3lg3U

Today I explored Sydney proper and completed the final task of my entire holiday trip: Check out Sydney Opera House and take a picture with it in the background. With that, I have completed everything that I have set out to achieve for this trip!

After that, I just spent the rest of my day walking around the city, checking out random architecture and random animals. Apart from the main attractions, Sydney itself is actually quite boring. It's legit just a mega Orchard Road. I ate lunch at a random Subway before continuing my journey to check out the trains of Sydney.

Sadly the railway workshop place was already converted to a modern CBD district and there was nothing there. I promptly went back to hostel to recharge my phone and rest my legs. At first wanted to just grab dinner nearby because legs quite pain from all the walking in the day. But was very indecisive in choosing my dinner, which resulted in me walking further and further away from the hostel.

Ended up in the CBD area again. GG. Then it became adventure again. GG. Checked out some souvenir shops but nothing caught my eye. In the end settled dinner at a shady Thai restaurant called Mr B that serves steak. Lmao. For AUD$24.24, the steak wasn't even good. But okay la at least it's still red meat!

But okay yay I still had fun in this 10km walk. The best part was eating ice cream (AUD$12.50 for 3 scoops!) while walking with a sunset view! Really felt like a tourist here. Shiok!

Turned right on a route that I usually walk straight to return to the hostel only to find this beautiful hidden gem. A lot of people visit Sydney's main harbour that this small little Johnstons Bay is always forgotten. I might just do my run here tomorrow!

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