WW: Mt. Kaukau and Its Amazing View from the Top

 

We are out and about again, yay!

Summer is here and it means friendlier (read: warmer) weather, going outdoor and enjoying the beauty of Aotearoa. Last weekend, we have series of meetings and celebration as well. We have back - to - back birthdays, farewell and welcoming party.

After all those wonderful sessions packed with delicious food and great laughs, we decided to have a little hike to shake out all the fat and sugar. This time, we went to Mt. Kaukau in Johnsonville area. 

We started the hike from Sirsi Terrace, Broadmeadows. For here, we got 2 steep hills with some loose gravels that make it a bit challenging to hike. Then after that, some flat areas with lovely pathway and great view accompanied us to the top. There are a view choices when it comes to tracks, including the one with more gradients walks and those with steeper hikes. There are stairs that we can use as well. I just found that that one of the entry ways is close from our house in Khandallah. Something to look forward too for another hike.

After around 45 minutes hiking, we were serenaded by the  amazing view from the top of Mt. Kaukau. It is just jawdroppingly beautiful.


Check out these photos I took along the way...

I hope you enjoy it and wait for more hikes we plan this summer in New Zealand.
Cheers..

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WW: Guns n’ Roses Concert in Wellington

You know where you are..

You’re in the jungle, baby…

Perhaps you are familiar with that lyrics from a famous hit song. If you are, then you know who the band is. Yes, G n' R or Guns and Roses. 

When I was way younger, perhaps in junior and senior high schools, I grew up listening to their hits. I did have many of their albums, still in the forms of cassettes, which need cassettes players in order to listen the songs. I guess many of the millennials have no clues what the cassette is or how the cassette player looks like. 

But anyway, this is one of my favorite rock bands of all time (besides Aerosmith and Bon Jovi and more, actually).  Although we had watched their concerts while in Geneva back in 2010 if I’m not mistaken,  we jumped at the first opportunity to get the tickets for G n’ Roses concert in Wellington.

Originally we bought only 2 tickets for me and my hubby, but then at the last minute, my friends who were supposed to join us couldn’t make so we bought their tickets and went all together with our teens. 

We made sure they listened to some of those hits begire coming to the concert LOL. The band is obviously not on their radar but some of the legendary hits are easily found in many movies, games or Spotify.

Long story short, we really enjoyed the concert. It was my girl’s 12th birthday as well so we had mini celebration with sushi, fries and cold drinks, plus sing-a-long till almost midnight. 

Here are some photos we took during the concert and you can see we did have a blast in there.

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WW: Welcoming myself to Queenstown, New Zealand

Welcome to Queenstown, New Zealand

Kia ora!

Hope everyone is happy and healthy wherever you are.

I have just visited one of the jewels of New Zealand, one of the most wanted (if not the most famous) destinations in Aotearoa. Can you guess? Yes, Queenstown it is!

Listed as one of the most beautiful cities in New Zealand and dubbed as the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown is beautifully surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers, valleys and more jaw - dropping landscapes. With this blessed nature, Queenstown has been famous as the 'adrenaline hub' in the South Island. Well, from walking and hiking to the top of the South Alps, going down hills in snowy slopes, taking the funicular up and sliding down the luge, to mountain biking, paragliding and more, you get them all here.

Well, I visited this lovely city only for three days and its's a business trip as well. I only limit myself to enjoy the beauty of Lake Wakatipu, Arrow town and the city.

So here it is... me welcoming myself to Queenstown, New Zealand.

And psst, I will be back here again with #thefrakarsas in January 2023 for our real adventures! See you soon, Queenstown!

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WW: Artwork of Dali Susanto at Sylvia Park in Auckland, New Zealand

Just want share beautiful art works from my dearest friend Dali Susanto, a famous artist here in Napier, Hawkes Bay. Dali was born and raised in Jogjakarta but he has been living in Aotearoa for sometimes.

As I came to Auckland a month ago, we stopped by at Sylvia Park shopping mall in Auckland to get a quick lunch before heading back to Wellington again. And voila, I saw the new art work by Dali, Eat Your Heart Out. 

I have to say the unique artwork of Dali is always quirky, cheerful and colorful, yet with strong message. The one here depicted the joy of sharing your precious time with your loved ones. It's also very festive, perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

Here they are.. in one corner at Sylvia Park in Auckland, New Zealand. 

I have one of Dali's art works in purple (surprise, surprise) and I love it!

It's like his signatures to have those bold colors, shapes and patterns. And he's famous because of that!

that's my purple Dali :)

Now, what do you think about it? You love that as well?

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WW: Pink Ribbon Walk Wellington 2022

 

Hi everyone.

Hope everyone is happy and healthy, wherever you are.

I would like to share the Pink Ribbon Walk 2022  here in Wellington, that happened to take place on November 13th, 2022. You might be wondering why it is not conducted in October as I do have the same question. But looking at the schedule of the walk, it has been conducted in multiple cities and Wellington is scheduled to have it in November.

The walk started and finished in Frank Kitts Park, waterfront area. My son and I joined the 5 KM walk, together with ladies and friends from the Embassy. There is also a 10-KM choice for those who like to go that far. 

For this walk, we bought the ticket which is part of the donation to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. For early birds, we can get the ticket for NZD 35 per person, while the normal one is NZD 45. I bought the family ticket, which cost NZD 115 for 2 adults and 2 kids. Unfortunately, my hubby was focusing on our moving while my daughter had a study group with her friends for their school project. That's why my son accompanied me and I have 2 other friends joining as well. 

Here are some photos I took during the walk.

join us at the Pink Ribbon Walk 

Pinky ladies

My son Bo and I posed in front of the Wellington sign

Welcome to Pink Ribbon Walk 2022

stay healthy, everyone et cheers!

It was really fun indeed and the fact that we are doing it for the noble cause. This is my first time joining the breast cancer walk, after joining Making Strides against Breast Cancer in NYC for 6 times. I was so overwhelmed by the support of those joining the walk. Around 800 people joining the walk, wrapped in many cute pink items. I sincerely hope it will bring benefits to those affected by breast cancers, be it the patients, family and anyone whose life has been touched by cancer. And to all my Pink Squad, kudos to you all, ladies!

Cheers from Wellington!

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WW: Wellington Royal Botanic Garden in spring

 Wellington looks more and more colorful these days as spring is in the air.

Wellington Royal Botanic Garden in spring is certainly inviting. I managed to enjoy my lunch break here twice during these days. Although Wellington is still frequently dotted with heavy rain and freezing wind, we sometimes were blessed with warm afternoon.

cheers

So, I took the liberty to walk from the office as it was only a 10 minute walk. We grabbed our lunches and sit on the benches there, enjoying the fresh air, blue sky and tulips. It was very refreshing. 

 

Many people enjoying the Royal Botanic Garden as well as it has jogging tracks, steps, sound shells, bush walk, pond and more.  It was really a lovely gem in the middle of the city. Some of the tulips were already fallen because of the rain but I still enjoy the garden.

Here are some photos I took along the way. You can see why I enjoy it so much!

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WW: Welcome to Rotorua, the Jewel of the North Island, New Zealand

Hi everyone..

Welcome back and allow me to take you to Rotorua, the Jewel of the North Island, New Zealand, this time.

In the middle of the Desert Road

Rotorua is one of the famous tourist destinations in Aotearoa, particularly in the North Island. Before the pandemic, this city is swarmed by nature lovers and outdoor as well as adrenaline junkies as Rotorua is famous for those thrilling adventures. Rotorua is also one of the best spots to enjoy geo thermal springs, spa, and all those wonderful place. 

Lake Rotorua

We tried as many as we can, from hot spring family pool, luge, the Hobbiton, the Maori cultural center, the geyser, Rotorua Lake and the museum. 

At Te Luia, exploring the Maori amazing cultures

Even along the way, when we passed Mt. Ruapehu, Lake Taupo, Wairauoru, and more cities, the sceneries are already breathtaking.

we really love the Hobbiton!

It was fun indeed and I will be more than happy to share more details on my next post. But now, let's see a recap of our Rotorua trip in photos.

Enjoy!

spring is in the air..

the three of us.. minus my hubby...

Rotorua Museum

The Frakarsas in front of one of the Hobbit's holes

One peaceful corner of Lake Rotorua

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