"En-zed"

That's how they pronounce "NZ" in the country. 

I was sick for for the first few hours but was better enough to enjoy the sulfur smells of Rotorua.

I did not signed up for snow.... (on the way to Milford Sounds).

Rotorua 

(the "wh" is pronounced with a "fuh" sound... Fakarewarewa)

(spring where this Maori Village cooks in)

Off to another land

It was surprising. New Zealand was TOO cold!!! 🥶

I didn't go out much. Still a bit sick and I didn't sign up for snow!!!!!!!!

While in Sydney...

Well, got sick in Sydney... Sucks being sick.

Did get to see a couple of things though....

Sydney Opera House 

At Bondi beach.

Went to symphonic concert.

Another First Experience

Early morning air balloon ride!

Pronounced "Kerns"

Traveled to Cairns, which is basically a tropical region. Reminded me a lot of Puerto Rico. 

From there, we visited the Great Barrier Reef. I wasn't feeling well, so I wasn't planning on going snorkeling, but it is a once in a lifetime situation, so...

Wow... what a day!~

It was a day to wake up at 3am, take a plane flight at 6am and then again at 9am, to arrive at the Uluru Region. One of Australia's 600 national parks, located in Central Australia. 

This is Uluru:

Part of the park, there is Kata Tjuta, otherwise known as The Olga's:

(My mom and I are NOT the Olgas!)

Then we watched the sunset while eating and drinking 

Penguins!

What a day....

We toured the city of Melbourne by bus and saw some sights, including St. Paul's cathedral. 

Then we went to Queen Victoria's market where I saw an ostrich egg for the very first time.

We also tried a "bahmi" which is a Vietnamese take on a sandwich. It was very good 👍.

We walked back to the hotel. 25 minutes. It's only so I can eat all I want and not gain too much weight. 😛

In the afternoon, we went to Phillips Island, about 2-3 hours away from Melbourne by car. The wind was brutal.

But then, at sunset we saw the Penguin Parade!!

No photos or video allowed, so do the QR code!!

Day 1 or 2?

It's only the start and I'm already losing count.

We went to the immigration museum. Very interesting. Learned that Australia and USA have a lot in common but with different outcomes. Last night, we got company. Ate some nice Italian food with good friends.

Today, We went out for a walk. What should've been a 30 minutes walk turned into 3 hours.... Wanderlust, anyone? 

Who knew there was a volcano right smack in the middle of the city?!

Then a fine dinner...

Arrival

After many hours in the air and in airports, we finally reached our hotel. And the rooms were not ready....

So we walked basically the whole city of Melbourne. Let me tell you, it reminded me of a china town, so many Asian food shops! While I love Asian food.... It was too much and I wasn't in the mood.

We ended up back at the hotel... At the bar.

Salud!

Travel day

Sept 11

Weird day to travel, but here we are.

Three hours to Houston, 15 to Auckland and 3 to Melbourne. 

It's going to be along day.

2025 Trip: Australia, New Zealand & Fiji!~

 

 

August 15th, 2025

 

Ten days to go for my birthday.

Twenty-six days for the trip.

No idea what to do in 10 days and not really ready for the 26...

 

I understand that I am lucky to have what I have and that this trip is a once-in -a-lifetime trip for me. I hope to convey what I feel throughout this trip on this page. I may not have the correct words to explain it, but I will give it my best.