What I think I do - Part 2

Here is one that represents the work I do - animal charities.

What I think I do?

There has been a wave of "What I think I do" posts on Facebook lately. There's been a nice one for doctors, which kinda can be applied to vets a bit. But not quite, so I created one!

Here you go, enjoy!

2011 in review

What? Its 2012 already? ... what have I achieved in 2011?

1. Time off from work

Its been my fourth year at work in Bangkok, and also one of the most exhausting time. So I decided that I needed a break to get refreshed and took a 6 month sabbatical from work. It has been good times - mostly spent it with family and friends back home, some travelling, and mostly relaxing. It definitely has been the break I needed to get rid of the exhaustion. But had it refreshed my motivation for work? Remains to be seen...

2. Travelled to 8 different countries

Although with the sabbatical from work, there was still a lot of travel during work (and some during break). This year it includes 3 new countries too - Italy, Ghana and New Zealand!

Places I have been in 2011:

• Kanchanaburi, Thailand
• Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Rome and Turin, Italy (part work, part holiday)
• Accra, Ghana (only work though)
• Cebu, Philippines
• Taipei and Green Island, Taiwan (holiday)
• Singapore (meet friends)
• All over New Zealand (major holiday!)
• Jakarta and Borobudur, Indonesia

And I've learnt that I might be too old now for true backpacking. Better just stick to budget hotels.

3. Loss interest in hobbies

Well, not an achievement, but a significant change in the year. I think I've lost my motivation for photography or blogging. New equipment, software, joining new groups, etc, just didn't do it for me. But that said, no matter how depressed one gets, there's always someone worse off. Don't worry, I'm still me :)

4. Bungee jumping! 

Oh, did this while in New Zealand. It was really terrifying at first, but of course I had to do it! And I plunged into the water below too. This should really be on everyone's bucket list. Would I do it again? You bet! If only it wasn't so expensive to go jump off a bridge. 

Lets hope for a brighter 2012! Perhaps a more drastic change? Hmm...

Heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier

One of the fantastic experience in New Zealand is Heli-hiking up on the glacier. Franz Josef glacier is located on the West Coast of South Island in New Zealand. It is situated within the rainforest climate of New Zealand, which means it gets quite a lot of rain over the years. But these rain actually help make the glaciers.

The glaciers itself is beautiful and much more expansive and huge than any photos can show. It is constantly moving, which is why you can hear cracks, falling ice and even small waterfalls from the melted ice.

A Heli-hike involves taking a helicopter up the the top of the glacier and then a guide brings you to climb around the glaciers, exploring the nooks and crannies of formed ice caves.

Even though sitting in a helicopter and looking down, it the glacier still looks small until you see another helicopter flying around, then you'll get an idea of how massive it really is.

I'm not sure if you're allowed on the glaciers on your own, but having a guide is really the only safe (and sane) choice. With experience, they know which areas are safe to step on without having any ice fall on you, or falling into the crevice of melted ice. Trust me, its worth it.

A guide will also explain the different landscapes around the glaciers and show you things you'd never expect. Like a small stream of melted ice.

Or the best thing on the glaciers, going through an ice cave! The pressure from the formation of the glacier produces this nice blue tinge (which turns white after exposure to the sun). So, finding a blue ice cave that you can slide through is amazing!

If you ever go that way, I'd definitely recommend a hike over the glacier (either Franz Josef or Fox Glacier, both should be equally good, but also depends on your luck with the weather!). The helicopter ride is a bonus, where you get to experience the massiveness of the glaciers and take in the entire glacier.

Pretty cool forest

Some forests in New Zealand are pine forests. These pine trees are not native to the country, but was brought in by early European settlers to replant the area so it would 'look better'. Some of these pines grew so well that it became pests and a danger to the native plants and wildlife.

Anyway, regardless, it is still pretty cool to walk through a pine forests, especially when the lower areas are covered with some kind of fluffy algae (or moss) and made the atmosphere look somewhat greenish.