Before 19th October, Singapore -- Pre-departure days (Part 2)

The packing mess just 2 days before departure! hahaha...Thanks to Duck's Alvin who kindly lent me his red backpacker bag. =)

* Aiyah..so distracting! I'm trying to put up the post here and I'm watching Singapore vs North Korea in the table tennis Semis in the Asian Games...We're winning! Yipee!! hahaha...*

My family wasn't bugged by my trip. No major protests or anything which was expected, considering that there really is not point in protesting! hahaha...I've travelled with my mum often enough and half the time, I'm the one taking care of her! hahaha...some of you have heard my mum's knack for being unable to find the room keys and the hoo-haa following that. Also my big sis backpacked Aussie on her own even before my age for a month! And back then, mobile phones and internet weren't common yet.

Mixed reactions from friends though. I guess it's times like these that you get to know your friends as well. =) My cell knew about it a long time ago, so they've grown accustomed to my eager beaver updates on my plans...hee...especially the financial testimonies that poured in just before my trip!

Only a very small handful of friends truly thought it was cool or encouraged me during my planning period, especially just 2 weeks before i was leaving. They were excited for me even though i was just too busy preparing to really have let it all sink in. HAHAHA...The rest had mixed reactions. But you begin to learn to put aside fear and remind yourself to focus on the reason you embarked on it all in the first place. The last time you did something for the first time always has risks.

The week before when i fell very ill and following that had my swollen ankle problem again i knew i would recover in time for my trip. Simply because I kept reminding myself that God was planning this with me, He helped me financially, accompanied when i was fearful and now, whatever it is, I know He can take care of it. =)

Of course i felt alone sometimes during this period. I wondered where some friends were. *Aren't they supposed to care or something?!?!* hahaha...but others stepped up to surprise me, taking the effort to meet me before i left.

None of you know but For me, I try my best to meet those that i love before i go. Or at least talk to them. I do that usually for all my trips. Because i believe that anything can happen in a trip and let's not take anything for granted. =) I'm not being pessimistic. But real.

My physical health made it quite hard to meet up with everyone. But i thank god, some how i got the chance to at least chat with everyone. Hee...

Before 19th October, Singapore -- Pre-departure days (Part 1)

This trip has been planned for almost a year. I've spent some weeks borrowing travel books to plan my route and of course, surfing the Internet for more updated information. And lots of time on my itinerary.

My initial plan was to travel early May when there were two public holidays a week apart. (Just like in the late November period). But i decided to give myself more time to:-
1) save more money
2) not rush it and do more research
3) see if any friends wanted to go

As time drew near, i reached a conclusion that I'd be travelling alone. I was fine with it. No harm in a solo trip for me. Also, for a first timer, NZ would be a good choice given the main language is English. However, i guess thoughts of it being 'nice to share the experience with friends' and 'It's hard to take solo shots', crossed my mind. =)

And the end of it all, i was resolute. I'm going!!! Some things can't wait! LOL!

Anyway, I booked up my hostel accommodation for the first 10 days and decided to leave the last 5 for free and easy. I was afraid i couldn't' get the accommodation as most of my choices were single rooms and very limited in each hostel. Also, i wanted to cover as much ground as i could. So i was in a different town everyday (except Queenstown). --- which you will hear me whine a little about later regarding the 'different-town- everyday' idea. heehee...

Hmmm...to be honest, the days coming to the date. I was too occupied planning and packing to even feel excited. hahaha...in addition, the week before i fell very ill and had a gout attack that really frustrated me, as i had so much to wrap up/ hand over at work before i leave. The irony is that the stress from work ( myboss was on NS...more to do!) triggered the gout! LOL! And even though i was home, my gout didn't allow me to pack either. Thank God though that i recovered in time and all went well. Yup i recovered 3 days before the trip!

South Island, New Zealand (20th Oct to 5th Nov 2006) - start log

Hi everyone! Before i start off sharing with you my trip and photos, I would like to dedicate my first post to thank God for his protection and guidance throughout the trip.

My cg know of what i shared about having to make several decisions based on time constraints and of course, in a situation whereby you are alone...you can't take a MAJORITY VOTE!!!??!

His grace and protection is Key. I can say it's a safe place to be...really, and i'd do some thing similar there at the drop of a hat. =) Nonetheless, such things i won't take for granted. And i choose to believe He sent angels on a holiday with me! LOL...Many times, only after everything ended, did i really see His grace/ protection in the whole situation. =) And i'm like...'wow..that was close!'..especially the driving bits...

Lastly, for His goodness in making this a good and memorable trip for me.

Welcome! A Tribute...

Hello! Welcome to my Public Blog! =) Yesh...That means i have a private blog...so it will...err...remain private. HAHAHA...

I was chatting with some of my cellgrp (from here on known as 'cell'/ 'cg' --doesn't mean prison cell k...) and realised that quite a number of us have blogs..private ones especially! Hahaha...but i promised to come up with a public blog for the main purpose of chronicling my Kiwi trip...but who knows what may spring forth then on...=P

Presently my blog name is Doggie Walk, and address is pawprints...all linking it to my love for doggies and to the fact i'm penning down where the dog has walked. hahaha...OK ok ...some people are going, what about the 'toadie' persona?...well..think about it...'toadieprints' just sounds way too weird...hee...

So yes..i'm the doggie...and i go for walkie. =P

I dedicate this blog to Iako ( pronounced 'Ya - koh'), my first dog whom i still love because i still cry happy tears when i think about her. She was my furry pal in my growing years. From primay school kiddy school bag to ...secondary school celebrity idol chasing to...tiring and hard junior college years...to missing me when i'm away in NTU hostel for 5 years..being a loving companion in my prejob days...and watching me start a permanent job for the first time. =)



Here's her photo.

This is about 2 nights before she went to heaven. =) you may wonder why i didnt' choose a better shot of her at a better time...but u see her here...fast asleep? you know... for the few months she suffered she never whimpered or whined ...she lived with the lost of blood daily...and the smell of constant dettol. Struggled to continue her routine to go updstairs to my room to sleep on her own initiative every night even though her legs were stiff and weak...and many times in these attempts...she fell down the stairs in a dazed heap...=)

So here she is...my persevering Iako. The swell you see on her right part is the cancerous growth that grew and bled in her mouth. The tissue you see in the forefront is what i had to keep nearby to clean up the drool and blood occassionally as she slept.


This photo of her was when i carried her outside that night, it was a nice cool night with a moon...so that she could get some fresh air. She had reached a point when it was hard for her to walk and she had chosen to stay indoors.


I'm glad i spent time of her last two nights with her taking photos, singing to her, playing with her ears and listening to her laboured breathing. I kept telling her it's ok if she had to go..don't hold on if it's for me...if tomorrow i woke up and she would be gone.. i would be ok...she had been a great dog.. i will always remember her.


=) she' now sitting on my cupboard, next to my perfume and watches..haha...yup, i cremated her...so her remains are in a jar...ok, i gotta go make dinner... I'll end here...

Iako Low

Sept 1989 - 23 April 2005


Iako, I love you!