Round & Round The World with Pakistaniguy

I have Moved!!!

2007-02-09T22:46:00.000+01:00

Hey Guys!!!
It is me again.... I just wanted to inform u guys that i won´t be using Blogger.com any more. Please check out my photos, travel plan, blogs, favourite music & everything about me on Multiply.com: here is the link ---> http://umerd.multiply.com
Anddddd do not forget to be generous in your comments and appreciation :)
A big kiss from Antwerp (say it quickly a few times and it sounds like Ant -Trap :P) - Belgium.
Umer.

Brussels calling...

2007-02-09T13:24:00.000+01:00

Hey guys

Yesterday i was about to miss my flight for the first time in my life but again it didnt happe but i am sure sooner or later it will ;)

Right now i am in Brussels, The Capital of BELGIUM. The flight with SWISS was cool. I paid 63 Euros incl. taxes for a return flight. They serve you drinks and a small sandwich. Plus! u get a little Swiss Chochlate before landing :) hmmmm i love it and i always get two, three instead of picking just one ;) hehe...

Brussels was a bit chilly but what do u expect in start of february. I went by train from the airport to my Maltese friends place. He was hospitable. His voice reminded me of another Maltese friend of mine who is a famous singer, 'Triton B'. I was so tried that i fell asleep early and in the morning i was told that i do snore(yuck!) :p hehe...

Now i am online, looking for a couch in Antwerpen tonight. I have never been to the famous Belgian cities like Antwerpen, Brugges, Ghent or Liege so this time i am going to shorten my stay here and check out more of Belgium. I have found a place to crash in Antwerpen. Plus! I have written to the guys n girls in Brugges and now i am waiting for their reply. If everything goes planned then this will be my travel plan inshAllah :)

09 Feb: Brussels to Antwerpen
10 Feb: Sightseeing in Antwerpen, back in Brussels for partying.
11 Feb: Brussels to Brugges. Sightseeing in Brugge.
12 Feb: Brugges to Ghent. Sightseeing in Ghent. Flying from Brussels airport back to Switzerland.

Any comments on my crazyyyyyyyyyyy trips are most welcome :) Photos? yes only the censored ones will be uploaded soon.

Love u guys!!!
Umer

Test

2007-02-06T12:03:00.000+01:00

Following Leonardo Da Vinci

2007-01-27T10:59:00.000+01:00

Florence is a city with feeling, with emotions, with culture and traditions. If you see spirits roaming around in this city at night - it would not surprise me as countless scholars, philosphers, poets and artist have born, lived and died here. Starting from Leonardo Da Vinci - who inspires me the most, but i have no less respect for Michaelangelo or Dante.

It was good to be back here. Though i was more into partying and socialising than going to Art Galleries and Museums. But i promise i will come back here and see the remarkable places in the next trip.

Love you Florence!!!
Umer
(on my way to Pisa and to Malta tonight...)

I crossed the 25 yrs barrier!!!! Hurray :-)))

2006-11-09T09:10:00.000+01:00

ThAnK YoU ALLAH!

Here are the photos from My 25th/Silver Jubilee Birthday Party

on 4th November 2006

at Lahore, Pakistan.

PaKiStAn... PAKISTAN! -My Green land-

2006-10-24T11:41:00.000+02:00

I have been back since a few days. It is good to be back here with my parents, my family and my friends, talk in my own language, hear the Pakistani songs and watch Pakistani TV AND play Cricket with my friends in the garden in the house. Just Priceless!

Today is the last day of the holy Islamic month of Ramadhan and tomorrow is the festival of 'Eid-ul'Fitr' that is like Christmas for Muslims. We give gifts and money to the younger and receive from the elders. So, me being the younger one is greatly looking forward to it :-)

The weather here is perfect - mid 20's - sunny, blue sky, little cool breeze. I am good. People say i look slimmer but when i stand on the weighing scale - it says as always 64 K's ! Aggggghhhhh!!!

My plans are to stay here in Pakistan around 10th November then fly to London for a week from 10th till 17th November and then resume my job from 20th November in Zürich and also start working on my book again.

Oh btw, i forgot to tell you guys a big news that Finally Thank GOD! i have started working on my book. I have written the outline of it. Now i have the basic structure and i just need to write the smaller modules to complete it but i still think that it will take another few months.

Okay---gotta go now!!!

LOVE FROM PAKISTAN :-)))

Yours,
Umer.

Time to travel again :-)

2006-10-18T13:05:00.001+02:00

67 hours break in Zürich seems to be enough for an addicted traveller like i am ;-) so now i can go back to travelling....

Tonight at 19.00 CET i have a German Inter City Express - ICE Train to the Southern German city of Stuttgart, famous for its Car making industry - Mercedes-Benz & BMW. I will be doing 'couch surfing' in Stuttgart just for a night before flying tomorrow morning with 'Turkish Airlines' via Istanbul to Karachi, PAKISTAN. I will be arriving at 1.45am on Friday, 20th Oct' 06 in Karachi and then i have another flight with Pakistan International Airline (PIA) from Karachi to Lahore - My Real Hometown!

Last time i was in Lahore in February this year but it already seems to be sometime. The longest i have ever stayed out of Lahore was 9 months and this time it was just 8 months so i think its really difficult for me to stay away from my real home. Home is where your heart and spirit resides, where your loved ones think about you often and miss you. It must not be a house or a palace, it can be anywhere, you would love to live, love & be loved..... Isn't it ?

So, my dear friends... i am going home InshAllah to spend the Islamic festival of 'Eid' which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan - on 24th Oct' 06 - this year. We celebrate Eid with as much zest and energy as Christians celebrate Christmas. As many other islamic fests, in Pakistan Eid is celebrated for 3 days :-) but hey, no drinking and no dancing okay ;-) It is an Islamic republic - what do u think! ;-)

This year 24th October is very important for me as it is also InshAllah my parents 26th Wedding anniversary so its a double Fest for me! and this is not the end... just after 10 days i have my 25th Birthday! Yeeeeeaaaahhhh - Time is running fast but don't you think that i have achieved or done more than what others do in their first 25 yrs ? So the question is, who is winning the race ? I or the Time ? :-)

Guys in Europe, who are still waiting to get hold of me somehow... good news for you is that i would not be staying long in Pakistan but would be coming back to Europe around 8th November 2006. I might stay for a week in London before coming back to Zürich. I will inform you guys here about the latest. Yesterday i called my boss and gave my dates for work in November, according to which i will be back in Zürich from 20th November for sure!!!

There is so much more packing left... okay buddies... gotta go now... Talk to you from Pakistan or may be a quick blog from Istanbul, Turkey :-) My one of the top 5 favourite cities around the world!!!

Remarkable Ri0 de JaNeIr0

2006-10-17T01:21:00.000+02:00

Having fun on COPACABANA with Moa & Jessica from Sweden!

- Rio @ Night!

- Doesn't look interesting? Oh come on i have had 6 breakfasts from this little cafe infront of my hostel.

- Rio's Grafetti!
- THE Beautiful Sunset at Rio's shores.
- Modern clean n safe underground train network was impressive!

Flashback: BrAZiL - Gramado to Rio de Janeiro!

2006-10-17T00:51:00.000+02:00

Staying with countless sweet Swedes in a Swedish Hostel in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.

My hosts -The most loving Brazillian couple- Guilherme & Leticia, Florianopolis.
Watching Gramado Open's Final - Our Boy Won! Hurray :-)
The Witch, Otavio & I in Canela. - The Most Exotic Strawbery dip i ever had - Mmmmm Yummy - Canela.

....and here is The End! 28,000 Miles Round The World!

2006-10-16T23:37:00.000+02:00

Smells....
Tastes....
Photos....
Memories...
Used tickets...
Contact Numbers.... is all i am left with after the 70 Days... 'Round The World Trip'!

Here back home in Zürich... everything is like the way i left. I feels like a world has changed within me but outside it is still the same world i use to live in. Today was my first day here at home. A lot of things to do, meetings, appointments, phone calls, letters etc. etc. but every now n then when i got a chance to sit down a sudden smile spread over my lips because of one of those beautiful moments i lived during last 70 days....

Here again i would like to THANK EVERYONE of you! Whom i met, whom i asked any question, whom i asked the way, who gave me rides, who were my travel partners or my hosts or just new friends - You all have made a difference to me and my life and i really would love to see you again. Moreover, i give you my words, if i could ever help you in anything, do give me a chance, i hope not to disappoint you.

A big hug to you all...

Time to say Good-bye! Flying to London today...

2006-10-11T13:59:00.000+02:00

Finally after circumvagating the planet earth... 26,000+ miles, 8 countries, more than 20 cities now its time to go home.... Home? Which home ? First of all to my future home -> London, then to my current home -> Zurich and then my real home -> Lahore, Pakistan!

Its a beautiful clear blue sky here today in Rio de Janeiro.... Atlantic ocean is wide spread and the waves kissing the shore with a loud sound. But its time to say Good-Bye with the promise of coming back one day soon....

The most difficult thing is to leave the good people behind and hug them good-bye.... the people who have given me happiness, made my days bright by their charming personalities or kind behaviour, the people who have opened the homes and hearts... the people who taught me how to look at the world from different angles... yes! its time to say good bye to all these beautiful souls with a promise to see them once again in life - somewhere, sometime!

In the End, Thank You my dearest being ALLAH for giving me the chance to see your beautiful world and meet those amazing souls who are the reason for living in this world. THANK YOU!

I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Yours,

Umer.

Rain & My Frustration.... in Rio de Janeiro!

2006-10-10T02:28:00.000+02:00

Goddd....

Day 1 in Rio:
Perfect weather... 28°C blue sky, warm day... loads of Cariocas (locals of Rio) on the Copacabana & Ipanema Beaches... and then the weather changes... dark clouds cover the sky and it starts drizziling and raining ... and again drizziling and again raining...

Day 2:
The bad weather continued and i got really frustrated... I felt homesick... i wished to run out of Rio somewhere i could take refuge with my friends or loved ones. So many ideas were in my mind... i was trying my best to keep my mood swings under control... i ended up spending 3 times more money than my daily budget to keep myself busy and not to change my ticket and fly out earlier :-)

Day 3:
Memories of good time in Porto Alegre started fading away and i felt better today though the sky was still cloudy and there were showers on n off but i went out and did sight seeing. I enjoyed exploring Rio though travelling alone as a foreigner in this city, you have to be conscious of the fact that you do not end up walking into FAVELAS which are colonies of poor people and usually they are near hills. Plus! this city is famous of petty crimes - people snatching things from you and running away or pick pocketing so it was not very comfortable to travel alone but i had fun.

Day 4:
Now it seems to be that my frustration is over and i had a good day out here in Rio. I went to Niteroi island and saw the famous Museum of Contemprary arts. The boat ride from Main city to Niteroi was worth it because i saw Rio´s skyline and made photos of the castle and the sunset at Suger loaf hill. Amazing! Indeed if not The Most Beautiful city of the world, than one of the most beautiful cities of the world!!! I just came back from an evening job and a drink at Copacabana Beach and decided to share my feelings with you all. Tomorrow is my last day in Rio because the next day is my flight to London via São Paulo.

The Road To Rio!

2006-10-07T18:18:00.000+02:00

Fuck... this keyboard is hurting my fingers.... its so hard....

but in short.....

YES I MADE IT TO WORLDS ONE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES - RIO DE JANEIRO! Its undescribably stunning... sandy beaches, sun, countless beauties in bikinis and g-strings :P the rest of the public, chilling out while sipping caiprinha with ice n lemon Mmmmmmmmmm

Talk to u later... 4 more days to go before i fly back to london on Wednesday, 11th october 2006 with British Airays.

Love,
Umer.

Touched by Brazillian Hospitality

2006-10-05T16:55:00.000+02:00

Yesterday...

I picked my bags, started walking towards the Bus station of the small Lake side town of Lagoa de Conceicao to catch the bus to the main bus station. While, i was walking, i was making plans to go to Curitiba and stay the night there. I passed by a Super Mercado and felt the hungry raging in my stomach. I convinced myself that it is cheaper to get a sandwich from Super market then the restaurant so i walked inside. I went to the bakery section where a young tall average looking guy was wearing white bakery uniform of the super market. He asked me which type of Sandwich i want and i tried to explain him-anything except pork! we had a few friendly problems and at the end he asked me where am i from? i said in portugese that i am Pakistani. He couldnt believe it. He said that he would like to meet me after work for more conversation and we agreed to meet up at 4.30 pm.

Guilherme, 19yrs comes from Rio Grande do Sul province which is the southern most part of Brazil. Porto Alegre is its capital but he comes from a little village town on the west close to Argentina. Guilherme is married since 3 yrs!!! and his wife´s name is Leticia. She is 17 yrs old!!! now imagine when they were married how old were they :-) 16 & 14 :-)

Guilherme invited me to his house which was at the northern part of the Santa Catarina Island where i met him. We took a bus together to his house. He spoke as little English as my Portugese but i must say - We never had a conversation problem nor we got bored of explaining things or asking things from each other. Leticia was also happy to see me. Young girl with long dark golden hair, light brown eyes and a beautiful smile to complete the perfection. They asked me a what i like to eat. I said prefereably beef. We walked to the nearest super market close to their 2 rooms clean appartment on the upper floor of a house in a small village but we were unable to find Beef. I said any other meet like Chicken or Fish is also good. But Guilherme explained me in broken English that i like Beef so he will go to the village center to get beef while we should wait for him at home. Amazing!

We talked by using english-portugese-english dictionary. We cooked n ate, we sang, we danced. I had a few things with me from Pakistan like photos of my family and postcards. They were surprised by the wedding photos and the dresses of women. Their eyes told the story when the words were of great help.

I can´t write about every little thing they did to make my short stay comfortable because they did countless small things which matters the most....

I salute Brazillians for their genorisity and unconditional love....

Munto Obriegado Povo de Brasilerio!!!

When will this rain stop???

2006-10-03T15:00:00.000+02:00

Hello Friends

Last night i said good-bye to my dear friend & host Otavio in Porto Alegre and got onto the bus to Florianopolis. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities/metropolis of Brazil and South America.But i ask the you all? How would a paradise look like if its just raining all the time? so isthe case at the moment, my bus arrived here at 6.30 and and its raining since then. I am a bit confused and undecided what should i do!I have come on internet and seen the weather forecast which says that this rain should stop in the late afternoon and tomorrow it will be just partially cloudy. Where as in Curitiba, another Brazillian city around 400 Km north west in the hills, has good weather. But i was suppose to stay here for two days!!!

Let's see what i decide... anyways... here i am uploading a few shots from Sao Paulo from last week there.

Talk to you later - TTYL :-)

Bye,
Umer.

- At Praça de Republica, Saõ Paulo.

Me & My New Brazillian friends from Porto Alegre

2006-10-02T23:05:00.000+02:00

Left to Right: Mauricio, Gustavo, Otavio, Marcelo & Me!

cRaZy PeOpLe - Crazy Country!

2006-10-02T22:49:00.000+02:00

Jus t a few lines before i go to bed to take a nap before my long bus ride tonight to Florianopolis from Porto Alegre.

This city - the capital of the Rio Grande del Sul province - is not at all a major tourist destination to Brazil but i came here to see how is the life in South Brazil and especially of people with European descendence.

I made so many friends here in just 4 days. I have gone partying & clubbing out for 3 nights out of 4 nights here! last night i prefered to go to the Cinema instead of a club ;-)

The people here are very kind and hospitable. They are welcoming and socializing. As soon as i tell anyone that i am from Paquistao - The name of Pakistan in Portugese. They get surprised. Some of them do not believe me because i look like them or a bit European. But i have had real fun here. Some crazy incident cannot be shared :) but will be told to the people interested.

Tonight i will move on from this dearest city Porto Alegre to an island city of Florianopolis. All the people here tell me that i am going to like it a lot. Lets see!

The weather here in blue sky and sunny. I hope it stays like this coz sometimes it gets cloudy and chilly which is no fun!

I am already a bit sad that i have to leave porto alegre. I wish i could spend the rest of 10 days of my Brazillian trip here with these guys here in POA - Porto Alegre.

So, time to move on....

Hugs,
Umer.

My South American Route

2006-10-02T22:33:00.000+02:00

Porto Alegre is great!

2006-09-30T04:46:00.000+02:00

Hey friends

I am having 24/7 fun fun & more fun! got no time to write much but i just wanted to tell you all that there have been times that i felt really homesick... missing you all, my parents and my loved ones. but other then those moments, i am been taken care of and the people of Brazil are the most kind and hospitable in this trip .

I was in Sao Paulo. It is just-another -enormous city but there is nothing special about it. Whereas the southern city of Porto Alegre is nice! its cultural and also historical plus the night life here is buzzing all the week.

I am going to be here for the next few days.

Umer.

Brazillians! Country No.59

2006-09-27T19:56:00.000+02:00

Guys!

It has been 3-4 days that i am here in Sao Paulo - Brazil's largest city with approx. 22 Million inhabitants.

Brazillians have been the most hospitable to me in this trip. They've made me feel at home. All of them want me to stay longer. They are genuinely nice bunch of people!

But i have just had enough of Sao Paulo and booked my ticket for flying to the lovely southern city of Porto Alegre close to the Uruguayan border tomorrow afternoon. I have taken some pics from Sao Paulo which i will soon put online.

Thanks to all these folks here to who make me feel special and go out of their way to help me.

I will write more next time!!!
Umer from Sao Paulo.

Bye Bye Ecuador!

2006-09-23T08:56:00.000+02:00

- Plaza de la Independencia, Quito, ECUADOR
- Wall Art, Cuenca, ECUADOR.
- Cathedral of Cuenca, ECUADOR.
- Volcano Cayambe, around Quito, ECUADOR.
- Colonial style building in Cuenca, ECUADOR.

Ecuador:

Lets say I have to define in 3 words, I would say, clean, developing & friendly country, where you would feel welcomed by the hospitality of the locals. Language barrier might be there but if you have some patience to continue conversation then you will be surprised how quick Ecuadorians will become your friends.

Quito being the capital of this country deserve to be among the UNESCO world heritage cities. Moreover, it was the first city EVER to get such a high status! The surrounding volcanoes and lush green hills gives this long stretched city a very unique style which none of the other capitals of the world has got.

Cuenca the third largest city is among the mountains and it is compared with neighbouring Peru’s mountain city called ‘Cuzco’. But to bed honest I was disappointed a bit with Cuenca. First of all, it is Not-Really like Cuzco. Secondly I think there are better places in Ecuador to be visited before Cuenca but if u r here on a long trip (more than 2 weeks) then Cuenca is not a bad choice.

Tomorrow (23rd September 2006) will be my last day here as i will be flying tomorrow evening at 6pm/-5 hrs GMT to Sao Paulo, Brazil via Lima, Peru by TACA Peru Airline. This flight will be my 35 & 36th flight of this zear respectively InshAllah. I am absolutely looking forward to be in Brazil :-) I have already sorted out my accomodation problem for staying in Sao Paulo, where many people are ready to host me! First impression of Brazillians? GREAT!

Okay guys... i gotta hit the bed now... Thanks for your emails and comments. I will keep in touch.

Hugs,
Umer.

Hola! Bienvienido en South America :)

2006-09-21T20:36:00.000+02:00

Hey friends!

Yes i made it to South America! It's the first time i am getting online from here from my Laptop. The WiFi Points here are rare and internet cafe are not ideal to go online with your notebook.

The Latest is the following:

Right now i am logged on from my laptop on Cuenca airport, ECUADOR! waiting for my Aerogal Flight 043 to Quito - The Capital of Ecuador.

Summery from the past 10 days

1. I took a long flight from Auckland, NZ across the pacific ocean to Santiago, Chile.
2. I had no Visa for Chile and they didn't allow me to go to Santiago city so i had to spend a day in Santiago airport because my next flight to Lima, Peru was next morning.
3. There was a bit of a drama to check-in for me flight to Lima because there was no check-in desk inside the transit area and i had no visa to go out and get myself checked-in for my flight but at the last moment, i got a seat in the plane :) (otherwise i would have lost 500+ USD & time!)
4. I stayed two nights in Lima to adjust myself to South America and get use to it. Travelling in South America is sooo much different than in Aus & NZ.
5. The more i got use to Peru, the more i enjoyed Peru! Finally i took a 21.5 hrs over night bus from Lima to Cuzco - which is historical capital of Peru.
6. I was also among many who get a severe headache as soon as they arrive in Cuzco coz of its altitude 3300 m! but then i had a Coca Tea - made of Cocaine leaves and it was soooooooo good! headache gone!
7. The next day i was suppose to go to Machu Picchu but there was another big drama waiting for me. In the end, i got my 100 USD back from the travel agency after some fight through the Tourist police and so on ;-) but i missed M-P!
8. I decided not to take the bus back to Lima instead i paid 88 USD and took a plane. From Lima, i took another plane to Piura, which is close to the Ecuadorian border in the north of Peru. After arriving in Piura, i took a bus to Loja, Ecuador - 8 hrs ride 7 USD!
9. Around mid-night i entered Ecuador, after crossing a small river full of mosquitoes of very small size. The welcome to Ecuador sign showed that Ecuador looked more properous than Peru ;-)
10. I took another bus (5 hrs) from Loja to 3rd largest city of Ecuador called 'Cuenca'. It is nice with its old colonial times architecture, cathedral and scenic beauty but i think Cuzco in Peru was better!
11. Now i am waiting for my flight out of Cuenca to Quito :-)

Bye Bye New Zealand...

2006-09-13T05:53:00.000+02:00

Sorry guys... i know i have not been posting like the way i should from last few days. I was in Auckland, the first 3 days there was terrible weather but today and yesterday it was sunny and beautiful day.

Right now i am at the Auckland International airport, waiting for my 11.5 hrs flight to depart for Santiago, CHILE on the other side of the world!!! It'll hopefully will be my 56th country :-) I am right now having mixed feelings. To put them in words, very excited - a bit nervous - A little Sad but having my heart full of joy & happiness.

I am re-discovering myself. I didn't know that i could be such a guy who i am here on my trips! Now u guys would be wondering, in which type of a guy have i transformed into ;-) That u have to wait and see when i go out partying/clubbing with you. I am sure you will be surprised - Guaranteed!

In last few days in Auckland, i preffered to stay in a 25 NZ Dollar per night instead of free accomodation offered by a Couch Surfing guy. There were reasons as i was having much more fun with the american guys at the hostel and i didnt want to distance myself just because of 25NZ$/17 US$. Didnt i do the right thing ?

I have recently seen two movies both were opposite of each other - the first one a hollywood horror flick: Silent Hill - was shit - gross! and the second one which i saw last night was: The 3 Buriels of Tommy Lee Jones - was a classic. Just because of this movie and the message it conveyed, i couldn't stop my tears while discussing something with one of the American guy (Josh) i met in the hostel. You guys should see it! Its simple and beauty lies in simple things. Isn't it?

Okay friends... please keep in touch otherwise i will get home sick and fly home earlier or if u guys are missing me than i think u would like to me to fly earlier ;-)

Next Stop: SOUTH AMERICA!!!

Love you all...
Umer.

WELLINGTON: The Windy Welly

2006-09-09T01:15:00.000+02:00

Wellington

The Capital City of New Zealand should not be underestimated and consider ‘just-another-boring-capital’ because it is also the Cultural Capital of the country. Though it might not look so dominating coz of its relatively small size but its calmness, serene environment and peace will impress you.

After the crazy party time, I came to Wellington. I think this break was needed and I felt good being here. The city center, and the city itself, is so compact that everything that you need will be on max. maximum 20 min walk from you. Usually the ‘happening’ areas are just 5 mins walk from one another. Though there is not much happening over the week but weekend bring the young lot out of their dungeons on the streets.

What I liked the most in Wellington was its wooden buildings! I have never seen so many wooden buildings in any other city of the world and they are so well designed and painted that you’ll end up taking shots of simple elegant houses all over the city but especially on the road called ‘The Terrace’.

Wellington’s surrounded by 2 small hills (Mt. Victoria & Mt. Cook) from North – North West and the cook strait/Pacific Ocean from the South & South-East. Cook straight is the only GAP separating North & South Islands of New Zealand. Easterly Winds (coming from East – Pacific Ocean), tend to pass through this Gap. Wellington lying just on the tip of the North Island, right at the cook strait, is known as ‘Windy Welly’ because of extreme high winds blowing all the year round.

My most favourite place in Wellington is doubtlessly ‘Cuba Street’ – where the carefree atmosphere takes you in and you will good being there. I wonder why it is called Cuba Street because I found neither Cubans, nor Cuban Connection with this street.

My all time favourite café here is ‘Midnight Expresso’ – oh you have to go there and have the Vegan Chocolate Cake or Cheese Cake. They give you a big portion, which itself is a stomach-filler (especially for Asians) for very reasonable price. The atmosphere in the café is very casual, or you may say alternative. ‘Spurlina’ is a juice cocktail here made of Sea Algae that gives it a unique Dark Sea Green colour – looks awful – but its tasty!!! Something new and very healthy to try!!!

A couple of days in Wellington is not a bad idea as the people and the city will welcome you here and you are bound to relax and soon make friends in this NZ Capital.

For Photos go here: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2fec8/1cb415/

QUEENSTOWN - The Jewel of New Zealand!

2006-09-09T01:04:00.000+02:00

Queenstown

If you wanna party, meet a lot of young girls and guys, go out and drink, play pool, have fun then Queenstown is the place for you in New Zealand.

I was there in first week of Spring of 2006, which officially starts from 1st September. The moment I arrived in Queenstown, I knew it that it’s a kind of a place which I like. I was staying in a hostel right in the city center called ‘Downtown Backpackers’ on Shotover Street which is bisecting the city into two. I stayed there for 3 nights in a dorm of 6 beds where usually 3 other guys were staying other than me. I met a lot of English speaking travelers from New Zealand, Ireland, UK, Australian and Scotland. There were also casual main land Europeans from France and Germany.

This small city is beautifully situated on the banks of zig zag – thunder bolt shaped lake Wakatipu. Queenstown is lovely – Queenstown is romantic – Queenstown is poet’s dream – Queenstown is Lover’s paradise! The more you’ll stay here, the more it’ll be difficult for you to go away from there. There are so many adventure activities for people of all ages, from Skydiving to Bungy jumping. You need to have some stacks of cash in your pocket or on your credit card to survive the vibe of this city. The city is designed in such a way that it is very difficult to control your expenses. You’ll end up exceeding your budget per day.

You can make Queenstown your base and explore south island. Go to Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound, Glenorchy, Wanaka or Te Anau. Explore the ski slopes or if you have never done skiing then there are beginners lessons for about 135 NZ$ per person with the professional instructor & all the equipment included – just bring yourself and your wallet ;-)

At night this town turns into an outdoor festival. There are over a hundred bars here. Countless restaurants offering food from all over the world from Mexican to Indian – There’s something for everyone’s taste. The only thing, which is found missing in Queenstown was a proper club – a dance club and not just a bar with a dance floor. So, if u r one of those people who r the ones to take initiative then here is an opportunity for you to start a club where you are bound to make profit! People – especially young backpackers come to Queenstown for Partying, Drinking & Dancing and I am very sure that a club here is a must!

Budget per day? Difficult question to answer because it finally depends on you and what you want to do but for me it was about 50 NZ$ per day incl. Bed, a couple of drinks, breakfast at hostel, one meal outside and the other either skiped or had fruits or chocolate.

In short, if are young, energetic and traveling because you want to have fun more than going to Museums & art galleries then you can’t miss Queenstown! You’ve to come to Queenstown and it won’t take long that you’ll use the word ‘crazy’ ;-)

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