Sunday, November 29, 2009

Brisbane, Australia (24th-27th Nov 2009)

Flight No: CX103/CX102 (HKG-BNE-CNS-HKG)
Date:
24th - 27th Nov 2009
Flying Hours:
8 hours 45 mins (HKG-BNE)
2 hours 20 mins (BNE-CNS)
7 hours 5 mins (CNS-HKG)

(GMT +1000)

Brisbane
is the state capital of the Australian state of Queensland and is the largest city in that state. The statistical division of Brisbane has an estimated population of approximately 2 million, along with its LGA registering a bit over a million, it is also the third most populous city in Australia.
The city is situated on the Brisbane River on a low-lying floodplain between Moreton Bay and the Great Dividing Range in southeastern Queensland. The local indigenous people knew the area as Mian-jin, meaning 'place shaped as a spike'.
Brisbane is named after the river on which it sits which, in turn was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the Governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825. Brisbane's demonym is a Brisbanite.
The first European settlement in Queensland was a penal colony at Redcliffe, 28 kilometres (17 mi) north of the Brisbane central business district, in 1824. That settlement was soon abandoned and moved to North Quay in 1825. Free settlers were permitted from 1842. Brisbane was chosen as the capital when Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony from New South Wales in 1859.
At a municipal level, the city is governed by the Brisbane City Council. In 1925, the City of Brisbane Act was passed by the Queensland Government, abolishing 20 local government authorities in the city and forming the largest local authority in Australia.
The city played a central role in the Allied campaign during World War II as the South West Pacific headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur.
Brisbane is fast becoming a world city renowned for its culture, architecture and landscape. The metropolitan area is surrounded by many national parks, and contains many rivers, bays and inlets. The main airport serving Brisbane is Brisbane International Airport, located 14 km north-east of the CBD. In 2009, Brisbane passed Melbourne as Australia second major international airport on passenger volume.
Brisbane has hosted many large cultural and sporting events including the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo '88 and the 2001 Goodwill Games. In 2008, Brisbane was classified as a gamma world city+ in the World Cities Study Group’s inventory by Loughborough University.

With lovely Kemian, she operated Brisbane flight arriving a night before meWith my best friend's sister - YeanJoo, who's studying in Brisbane, it's so glad to have met Penang friend overseas.Kemian, YeanJoo, Jason and ITop of BrisbaneSuperheroesCX = Cathay PacificThanks YeanJoo for bringing us to this place, it's beautiful and I enjoy the fresh airThis is YeanJoo's doggyHad Japanese Food in Brisbane Chinatown1 and a half hour train + half an hour bus ride from Brisbane to Surfers Paradise Gold CoastSurfers Paradise (28°00′S 153°25′E / 28°S 153.417°E / -28; 153.417) is a suburb on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 Census, Surfers Paradise had a population of 18,501.
Colloquially known as 'Surfers', the suburb has many high-rise apartment buildings and a wide surf beach. The feature of the central business district is Cavill Mall, which runs through the shopping precinct. Cavill Avenue, named after Jim Cavill, an early hotel owner, is one of the busiest shopping strips in Queensland, and the centre of activity for night life. It's the best known feature of the Gold Coast's skyline. Burleigh and Coolangatta also have skyscrapers, though shorter and fewer.At the beachBlack or WhiteTattoo MenBeach BoysBeach RayBack to Brisbane

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (18th-21st Nov 2009) - III

Flight No: CX745/CX746 (HKG-DXB-HKG)
Date: 18th - 21st Nov 2009
Flying Hours: 9 hours 5 mins
(GMT +0400)


Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East and offers an amazing snow setting to enjoy skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing, or just playing in the snow. Young or old, there is something for everyone, from the beginner to the snow sport enthusiast. Ski Dubai is a unique mountain-themed attraction that offers you the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round.
An amazing 22,500 square metres covered with real snow all year round. Ski Dubai has 5 runs that vary in difficulty, height and gradient, the longest run being 400 meters with a fall of over 60 meters. Test your skills on the world’s first indoor black run or practice your turns on the gentle beginner slopes. Skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels will enjoy these various slopes and snowboarders can also practice their stunts in the Freestyle Zone. Kids and parents alike will have fun in the huge interactive Snow Park, which at 3000 square meters is the largest indoor snow park in the world.
You don’t have to worry about ski clothing or equipment either. Ski Dubai has thought of it all and offers guests the use of winter clothing, ski and snowboard equipment. Your skis will carry you down the slope, and our quad-chairlift and tow lift will promptly carry you back to the top for another run.You will enjoy our themed restaurants; St Moritz Café at the entrance to Ski Dubai, and Avalanche Café at mid-station, with views of the slope. Our exclusive retail shop, Snow Pro, has expert staff to advise you on your equipment needs and our team of professional Snow School instructors will guide you through the simple, fun process of learning to ski or snowboard.

With Jessie, she has been undecisive of having fun skiing. However, we managed to convince her at the end.Here comes my outfit

with Mabel (Left) and Jessie (Right), WE ARE READY to ROCK on SNOW!!!A group photo of beginnersFirst time Skiing, my first slope

Some clips in Ski Dubai to share, press PLAY