Experience the Wonders Down Under: Top Ports Cruising Australia and New Zealand

Going on a cruise is a great vacation option. Whether you're going with family, friends, a significant other, or on your own, there's no shortage of fun to be had at sea. You'll get to visit and explore a number of new exciting places on your trip and enjoy all kinds of entertainment and activities aboard your ship. If you're looking into taking a cruise, consider going to Australia and New Zealand. While these countries may not be the first ones that come to mind when you think about going on a cruise, you'd be surprised at how many interesting and exotic places you can explore in them. Here are some of the top ports you can cruise to down under.

 
Tauranga, New Zealand
Tauranga is New Zealand's sixth-largest urban area, and it serves as a gateway to Rotorua, one of New Zealand's most popular tourist attractions. After docking at the Port of Tauranga, you can explore the beautiful scenery of the area, including the vast beaches and lush reefs. Go dolphin watching on the Bay of Plenty, take a scenic hike through Tauranga Domain, or pick up souvenirs from one of the numerous shopping centers in Tauranga's suburbs.
Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
A popular stop for cruises from Sydney and other Australian cities, Hobart is a city rich with Australian history. Originally founded as a penal colony in the 1800s, Hobart is now bustling with culture and beauty. The Wrest Point Hotel Casino is a big draw for tourists who want to play a game of luck, and music and art lovers can enjoy the sounds of the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the sights of the Museum of Old and New Art. A stroll through the beautifully planted Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens can wrap up your visit to Hobart in the loveliest way.
Darwin, Australia
For a real taste of the land down under, dock in Darwin and bask in the yearlong Australian sun. Though Darwin is one of Australia's most modern cities, you'll have no trouble finding adventure outdoors here. Go on a fishing trip and catch some of the Pacific's most sought-after fish. Or rent some jetskis and hit one of the city's numerous beaches. There are also a number of excellent golf courses and parks to spend your day at.
Queenstown, New Zealand
If you're a nature lover who books a cruise that stops in Queenstown, you're in for the experience of a lifetime. A short drive away is Fjordland National Park, one of New Zealand's most pristine areas of natural beauty. Hundreds of waterfalls cascade down the cliffs and can be seen while hiking through the incredible landscape. Visitors can also see seals and dolphins on the beaches, and depending on the season, whales may be sighted as well. Queenstown itself is often called the "Adventure Capital of the World", with activities like skiing, skydiving, rafting, and fishing being plentiful all year round.
With Australia and New Zealand increasing in popularity as cruise ship destinations, there has never been a better time to take a cruise to the region and experience its unique brand of adventure!

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Vivi's Random Ramblings turns 1!

at King's Palace, Ubud, Bali Indonesia

My blog is now 1 yr old! Yey! With 119 posts,  3k comments, 144k page views (with almost 2 months of dry spell.. Hehe, sorry got busy with some personal stuff ),  consistent good ranking on Top Blogs, occasional direct advertisers (thank you for believing in my blog!), selling some pictures , getting featured by other bloggers, great comments from readers, numerous nominations for various awards (haven't won anything but just the thought of people recognizing your work is already something right?).  Who would have believed that my passion for traveling and photography will bring me here? I can't even imagine it!

one lazy afternoon at Poracay Resort, Porac Pampanga

Birth pains are tolerable like receiving  criticisms  to better my grammar ( hehe ) or  suggestions for me to just blog in Tagalog..(Ouch!), or comments that my pictures are not really that great (some DSLR users getting upset whenever I say I am satisfied with my bridge camera... eat my dust guys! hehe, you are free to state your opinion and I will respect them, but learn to respect mine too..)  But those are just minor birth pains, I had my share of the worst kind that almost made me deactivate my blog and hire a lawyer, my share of almost 2 weeks of non-stop personal harassment thru my blog which I'd rather not elaborate. ( the pain is still fresh guys, but I still want to thank you for stopping, sigh ).

Gold Souk, Dubai Mall

At first I was just looking for a venue to share my photos, but maintaining a photo blog is more than just pictures. I've learned a lot for the past one year and I still have so much more to learn. As long as I am enjoying it, I am staying. I'm looking forward to celebrating more anniversaries and I hope you will still be there for me, to keep on checking my grammar?? hehe. 

Putrajaya Cruise with friends

To all my supporters, thank you so much, I still have so many things in my sleeves for you, watch out for those!  To all my detractors, thank you for always teaching me that I will never be good enough because it only proves I still have so many things to learn. If I'm already perfect then what's next in life? Nothing.. Because life is about learning!  So thank you!!

Singapore, from the viewing deck of Marina Bay Sands

Timely too that my blog has just received its best anniversary gift, a nomination to be a part of the "Top 10 FBW Travel Blogs of 2012", if you believe in my blog please support it by voting for Vivi's Random Ramblings, here's the link to the site: vote here.  Thank you in advance!

As a way to thank all my supporters, all of the photos you will see in this post are photos I have not used in this blog  and some places I have not blogged about yet. Enjoy!

Putrajaya , Malaysia's Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

my Instagram shot of Subic, Philippines

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore

Ocean Adventure, Subic, Philippines

Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia

Angkor Archaeological Park, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cameron Highland, Malaysia

Coron, Palawan, Philippines

San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines

Kintamani, Bali with magnificent panorama of
Batur Lake and active volcano.

Penang, Malaysia

Genting Highland

with cekak dancers, Indonesia

Nagsasa Cove, San Antontio, Zambales

Chin Swee Cave Temple in Genting Highlands, Malaysia

and so much more..... and more! So watch out guys. Thanks everyone for viewing! 

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Miniland at Legoland Malaysia, Model Up Close: Taj Mahal of India

One structure I would really love to see is the Taj Mahal of India. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful structure in the world.  Unfortunately even some of my Indian friends are telling me to be very careful when visiting the place, since the area is not safe according to them and validated with what I've been reading and hearing from travelers.  Well, for now this Taj Mahal masterpiece from Miniland of Legoland Malaysia provided me a bird's eye view of this glorious beauty! This is ok for now, but soon Taj Mahal... soon I will be seeing you with my naked eye. 

The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage" according to Wikepedia. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This lego version of Taj Mahal is already a masterpiece by itself, one place you will surely enjoy during your visit. For more information about Legoland Malaysia and how to get there, please check my earlier post. Legoland Malaysia is the first one in Asia and 6th Legoland Park  in the world.

For more to see structures in Miniland Section of Legoland, please check my other post here (under Malaysia). 

HOW TO GET HERE (from Legoland's official website):

Via Private car:

From the North-South Highway / Senai Airport
- Take Tuas / Nusajaya / Pontian / Tanjung Pelepas EXIT 253 > Proceed to Nusajaya EXIT 312 > LEGOLAND^® Malaysia signage will lead you to the destination!

From Johor Bahru / CIQ / Singapore via the Coastal Highway
- From Danga Bay, proceed straight via the Coastal Highway > Proceed all the way to Nusajaya > LEGOLAND Malaysia will be seen before reaching Kota Iskandar.

From Singapore via the Tuas Second Link
- Proceed until you see the Nusajaya EXIT 312 > You will see LEGOLAND Malaysia signage

GPS: 1º 28’ 80" N 103º 35’ 30" E

Via Bus or Private Coach:  Please check this link.


For more info, please visit their main website:   http://www.legoland.com.my/

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Miniland at Legoland Malaysia, Model up close: Pirate City

Included in the Miniland Section of Legoland, Malaysia are the icons of Asia, like Taj Mahal of India, Angkor Wat of Cambodia, Petronas Towers of Kuala Lumpur,  The Great Wall of China, Eye of Singapore, Merlion Park  and other key icons of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur International Airport,  Floating Temple of Myanmar, Putrajaya of Malaysia, Johor Bahru of Malaysia, Wat Arun of Thailand. Then in one section you will find these magnificent pirate ships, the question is, it represents what? During the time I went there, no caption or whatever form of explanation where visitors can know the significance of these ships in relation to other Lego models in Miniland. Nevertheless, you will still enjoy this area, the ships are moving, complete with sound and  visual effects. 

 

Let me share some of my photos:

Legoland Malaysia is the first Legoland in Asia and the first International Theme Park in Malaysia. The park opened on September 15,2012 and I was happy to be there on the second day of opening. For more info about Legoland Malaysia and how to get there, please check this link.

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Top 7 Natural Beauties around the World

Whether your idea of natural beauty is untouched coral reefs, spectacular active volcanoes or the tallest mountain in the world, you are sure to fall in love with these breathtaking destinations. Start planning your next sightseeing adventure with inspiration from these amazing countries.

Taal Volcano (photo taken from http://www.25travels.com)

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The world’s largest coral reef, the Great Barrier Reef is situated off the coastline of North Queensland. Home to colourful coral islands and pristine beach getaways, the Great Barrier Reef is a symbol of the marine world at its finest. This ecologically significant region is home to thousands of different marine species, providing a natural habitat for visitors to explore, through scuba diving and snorkelling.

Iguazu Falls, Brazil

Located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, the Iguazu Falls are, without a doubt, the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Plummeting from great heights, during the afternoon, the water of the falls creates a spectacular kaleidoscope of colours in the sky. 

The Himalayas, China & Nepal

The Himalayas are home to the world’s tallest mountain, Mount Everest, with its astonishing peak reaching 8, 848 metres above sea level. Many travellers climb to the region for the sole purpose of tackling this infamous mountain climb. Treacherous conditions mean that much training is involved before starting the trek. Mount Everest is one of the most photographed attractions, throughout the world, with the Himalayan mountain ranges providing the most picturesque backdrop.

Taal Volcano, Philippines

Located just 50 kilometres off the coast of Manila, on the island of Luzon, the Taal Volcano is the smallest active volcano in the country. While it may be the smallest, the Taal Volcano does not lack anything in beauty, with its unique surrounds of glistening lakes. A magnificent blue lake sits inside the innermost crater of the volcano, providing a truly stunning view. If you’d like to visit the breathtaking site of the Taal Volcano, Manila airfares are reasonably priced from most destinations around the world, while discounts for tours can often be received, when purchasing holiday packages.

Grand Canyon, USA

Situated in Arizona, the Grand Canyon was carved by the constant flow of the Colorado River and is now one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. Tourists can explore the Grand Canyon National Park in a number of ways, from hiking and driven tours to donkeys and even bungee jumping.

Canadian Rockies, Canada

This majestic mountain range is situated in Western Canada and is most commonly known as a playground for skiers and adventure enthusiasts. The snow-capped mountains, against the clear clue North American sky, create a truly spectacular sight.

Giant’s Causeway, Ireland

Undoubtedly the most beautiful display of Mother Nature in Ireland, the Giant’s Causeway was created more than 60 million years ago, by various volcanic eruptions. The basalt columns, created by the flow of lava, form spectacular ocean views, while the surrounding cliffs provide the finishing touches.

Whether you dream of discovering the breathtaking sights of the Taal Volcano or can see yourself climbing Mount Everest, be sure to add these beautifully natural destinations to your travel bucket list.

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A side trip to Dimanglet Island, Coron, Palawan

One disadvantage of travelling on a pre-arranged tour is that you can't simply back out. During my recent trip to Coron, we had a  terrible storm. The coast guard warned the local boats not to go out in the open sea,  my first two days wasn't so affected, but on the 3rd day during my Las Islas Tribal Tour, the waves are just so strong.

After my Boracay near death experience and me travelling alone, it wasn't fun at all, its like dejavu all over again. But risks are part of life. Scary, but beyond the fear is the real definition of life, of enjoying things that you hold close to your heart and for me that is exploring nature and seeing new places.  

We are supposed to go to CYC Island but instead of putting our lives in danger we decided to wait for a good weather at Dimanglet Island. A blessing in disguise because I've already been to CYC Island the day before. Yey!

Welcome to Dimanglet Island, this is the second part of our Las Islas Tribal Tour after a visit to Barangay Lajala , a cultural village  of the Tagbanuas. It is just a small island in Coron, which reminds me so much of "Cast Away" movie by Tom Hanks, far away from civilisation, a perfect place to unwind and enjoy nature at its best.

And best of all, is a time spent with new friends. For this trip since I'm  solo, the tour company let me join a group of 4, I call them "kids" because they are so young!  I envy them that at their age, they are able to travel and see so many places as a group. I never had that privilege when I was their age, I wasn't so financially independent yet by then.

exploring the small island

and special lunch.. its kamayan time!

Then off we go... goodbye Dimanglet! Hope to visit you again someday soon. Thank you for the memories.. 

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Singapore Skyline at Night

So you are spending a night at one of the most expensive cities in the world like Singapore and you realized, you are running out of cash! Hmmmm so what's the best way to enjoy the night without spending much? Are you just going sleep in your hotel room until its time to leave? Nah, such a waste of time, get your camera, go out and enjoy a good walk and snap some night scenes! It's free and enjoyable!

After our dinner one night  during my latest trip to SG, we walked around the best place to snap some best shots of Singapore skyline at night.  Start walking from Esplanade to the side of Fullerton Hotel and The Merlion Park. Along the way you will enjoy the best and well photographed icons of Singapore.

Check some of my shots:

The Merlion and Marina Bay Sands

A portion of Singapore's Central Business Center

on the other side is Esplanade

The Merlion

Singapore Flyer on the left and Marina Bay Sands on the right

amazing display of lights at Marina Bay Sands

I used a borrowed camera for these shots, just handheld. Which is a bit frustrating because I cannot use the manual settings, I did not have time to read the user manual. I am pretty sure my shots would be better with my old bridge camera, and I will be shooting in raw with long exposure settings and with the help of my reliable tripod . Oh my camera, how I am missing you! Hope to get a replacement soon!

Here's me enjoying the night:


And to make things better? A romantic walk with your special someone!

So next time you have a free night in Singapore, enjoy snapping some photos here. Remember, walking is good for your health, and for your budget, you'll get the best view of  Singapore's icons for FREE! 

Check also my post about my personalized walking tour of Singapore's Downtown Core.

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