Little wonders that I see

I'm happy when...

2010-12-05T04:08:00.000-08:00

1) Doing photography. Especially taking photos that captures the 'moment' and artistic style.

2) Think of lots of colours especially bright, sweet and relaxing colours.

3) Travelling! This definitely excites me anytime.

4) Baking cupcakes! Love the fresh baked cupcakes especially when I make it from scratch.

5) Reading books. Allows me to escape to another world without utilising too much electronic gadgets. Save electricity too.

6) Cooking and enjoying good and healthy food. Save $$$ from eating out too much.

7) Sleeping!

First post from iPod

2010-02-12T04:20:00.000-08:00

Allen's Lollies Commercial - Smiles

2009-06-16T06:34:00.001-07:00

Guess what? Remember my previous post on Allen's Lollies commercial. Yes, the commercial is out now!

You can view it at http://www.advertolog.com/paedia/reels/2009/06/05/555051/show

By the way, you need quicktime to view it. You can get it from http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download

Just like the title of this Allen's Lollies commercial, Smiles, keep smiling and have a great day!

Giant Doll, Ellie @ Queen St

2009-04-23T06:35:00.001-07:00

On last Sunday afternoon, as I was on my way to Woolworths at MacArthur Central, I saw a giant sweet looking doll along Queen Street. I found out that Ellie is starring for Allen's Lollies commercial (according to Brisbanetimes). This certainly interests me as I get to see the real work of making a commercial. Looks like my grocery shopping is delay a bit.

Hi, I am Ellie!

Camera ready for take?

Director?

Cool guy with the remote control, controlling Ellie's movement.

Editing process is on.

Ellie takes a short break after hearing "Cut!"

Ellie wants to go to Post Office?

Watch "Ellie" in action.

After spending some time watching the commercial shooting, I ended up at Starbucks near Queen Street to continue my observation with my beverage. Did I go to Woolworths in the end? The answer is no, because I completely forgot about it :-)

Technorati Tags: Giant doll marionette,Queen Street,Brisbane,Allen's Sweets commercial,Post Office,Ellie,Allen's Lollies

O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards

2009-03-19T07:03:00.001-07:00

The finale part of my Mount Tambourine tour. Also, my first wine tasting.

Before arriving the vineyard, the tour bus encounter a herd of cows blocking the road. Somehow, it gives me the impression that the cows own the road. This delays a few minutes as the cows slowly crossing the road (or enjoying their leisure walk). Then, the tour bus continues to the vineyard.

Road block because of a herd of cows crossing.

To be honest, I never been to a vineyard before and don't drink wine very much. But I do enjoy learning about wine tasting during the tour. In total, there are six wines (mostly popular ones) including sparkling wine, red wine and white wine up for tasting.

My wine glass.

There's a bucket ready on the table for wine tasters to pour away the leftovers (normally because the specific wine is not their liking). Each time wine is tasted, wine tasters need to drink water (to wash up the mouth) before proceed for the next wine tasting. Wine list is also distributed for wine tasters in case request to try wine from the list.

I only manage to taste four wines. After the second wine, my ears starting to burn and turned red! I have to drink more water and relax myself a few minutes before I can continue to try other wines.

After wine tasting session is over, some stayed back to request to try another wine. As for me, I choose to explore the vineyard to take some photos (see below).

Cover to protect from birds (or me) eating the grapes.

Newly planted.

Rose plant.

While exploring, at the end of each row, there are rose plants. Besides to beautify the vineyard, rose plant also serves an 'indicator' if the presence of fungal diseases that may affect the vineyard.

At this vineyard, nearby there's a creek, with possible sightings of platypus. However, the tour driver shared that normally platypus are very shy, only appear either during dawn or dusk. There goes my chance to see a real (as of alive and moving) platypus :(

It's almost time to head back to the tour bus. There's only person from among our tour group, bought one box of wines. That makes it six bottles of wine for him to enjoy. I guess he must have liked the wine (or maybe it's cheaper). Who knows. During en route back to the Brisbane city, I manage to take a few final snaps of the scenery from the bus.

Final snaps.

Overall, I do enjoyed the tour and looking forward to plan something similar. These places certainly relax my mind and enjoying the nature beauty of Gold Coast Hinterland.

Now, a new question just pop-up in my mind, "Where to next?". Good question. While I am thinking of my next destination, I hope you all (yes, readers of my blog), thank you. I hope you enjoyed my stories :)

Technorati Tags: O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards

Rosemount Alpaca Stud & Barn

2009-03-19T05:03:00.001-07:00

After O'reilly's Lamington National Park, the next tour stop was at Rosemount Alpaca Stud & Barn. The mascot here is an alpaca by the name of Roy. Everyone say 'Hi!' to Roy.

Roy, the cute ambassador.

Upclose video of Roy.

He's very cute, well behaved and natural in front camera. His fur is so soft but a bit wet due to the rain. Roy has been getting used to all the attentions and camera clicks as he's been doing this for the past 5 years!

Other alpacas grazing grass.

Enjoy nice lunch/tea time with great view.

Scenic green view.

Not only you can take photos and upclose with alpaca, you can buy some souvenirs as well. The time spent here is very short, about less than 40 minutes and I am starting to miss the alpacas already. Maybe the next time I come back, Roy already has his own family :)

Coming up, the finale my tour ends at O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards.

Technorati Tags: Rosemount Alpaca Stud & Barn,Canungra,Gold Coast Hinterland,Australia

Lamington National Park

2009-02-16T06:41:00.001-08:00

This is the second place I went after Gallery Walk. For those who likes nature, this is the place for you. However, I didn't manage to complete the nature walk due to time constraint. I heard it's about 2 hours walk to the waterfall. That is just going there, not including coming back from there. Total 4 hours! Therefore, I fail to witness the beautiful waterfall (for now). Sigh!

I choose you, Booyong Walk!

Just follow the path.

On the way to the Tree Top Walk.

Up, up, up and the way! Climbing through the Tree Top for a breath taking view. Notice the sign says "6 people per span". Just keep that in mind.

After the Tree Top Walk, back to the bridge walk.

Entry to the Mountain Gardens.

Greens are everywhere (well almost).

Honestly I don't know the name of this flower. But the colours sure gets my attention.

Pathway in the Mountain Gardens.

Lovely pink lilies after the rain.

Wait, that one not yet bloom. But when it does, I can imagine it'll be the most beautiful lily flower of all.

Tracks for the nature walk.

This is where I ended up after about one hour walk.

Accommodation is there for those plan to stay overnight. Just be prepare to pay the price for it.

I heard of license to kill. But I didn't know now we have (applicable for nature or bird lovers) license to feed the wild birds!

There's always plenty of birds at the feeding area. If not, at least the wild turkeys (still comes from bird family) are always there.

My favourite (and best) photo shot out of so many attempts. It's very challenging to take photos of them as they constantly move around and flapping their wings.

It's been great experience to feed the birds. You'll just don't know how many birds will come to you and where they land on you the moment you hold the feeding container. For me, I like it and would recommend everyone go there at least try once.

Statue dedicating to the heroic Bernard O'Reilly.

O'Reilly's Mountain Cafe and Gift shop.

Scenic view from mountain cafe.

End of part two of the tour. Next up, Alpaca Stud Barn.

Gallery Walk

2009-02-14T07:26:00.001-08:00

This is the first part (out of four part series) on my one day tour to the Tamborine Mountain and O'Reilly's Lamington Park and vineyard. Thus, the journey begins...

Journey to the Tamborine Mountain takes about one hour drive from south Brisbane. The first stop of the tour was Gallery Walk. Abundance of shops selling antiques, arts and crafts. Of course, wine tasting and alfresco dining are catered as well. It is recommended to bring warm clothing as this place is very cooling.

Wine shop to enjoy wine tasting.

After entering, you might think you are in Germany.

Nice items sold at the German cuckoo clock shop.

Cuckoo clocks.

One of the cafes.

Macadamia and Fudge shop.

Yummy fudges.

Colourful fudges.

Santa's Little Helper @ Northey Farmers Market

2009-01-12T05:30:00.000-08:00

Does the picture below (minus the colour) looks like the Simpson family's pet dog, Santa's little helper?

An Evening in Botanical Garden

2009-01-05T06:48:00.001-08:00

What can you do with different colours of chalks and nice botanical garden to express your creativity? Please allow me to share with you one of my findings in the City Botanical Garden one evening.

I was walking aimlessly around Botanical Garden. Suddenly, my mind whispers to me, "Look down the ground". When I look down the ground and I saw a message. After quick read, I just move on. Then, about five minutes later, I stumbled another message. It seems the messages are continued from the first message (clue: the direction of the arrow). My instinct just tells me to follow (or back track) the messages. It's quite fun as it's a bit of treasure hunting looking for the next clue (or messages in this case) and get the puzzles together. I finally got the complete messages and arrange them in order. Please refer below for the pictures and the messages.

Begins with "Cody - Ellen"

Follow arrow 1 (walking down stair case)

Follow arrow 2 (continue walking down stair case)

Begins with salutation, "Dear Cody". Yeah the alphabet, "Y" is missing, so next time when jogging or cycling, please try to be careful not to 'erase' the messages. Believe me this person takes some time, hard work (for writing out with a chalk) and creativity to write nice dedication, ok? Thank you in advanced :)

Message no.1 -You are the most incredible things that has ever happened to me.

Message no.2 - I don't regret a second of the time we've spent together.

Message no.3 - You mean the world to me and I hope I make that obvious everyday.

Ok, message no. 4 is very long even my camera have to take part 1 and part 2 of the messages to combine. I know it's not very clear, so let me write out the message. Message no.4 - I am willing to spend the next 100 years making sure you never doubt the light you bring to the world, especially mine.

Message no.5 - You are a truly beautiful person inside & out.

Message no.6 - I'd rather be fighting with you than having fun with anyone else. Personally, this is my favourite messages of all :)

Message no. 7 - Thank you for growing with me & always being my best friend.

Message no. 8: I love you. We're young but it's real.

Message no. 9: Happy Anniversary.

Continued by "Love Always, Your Share".

Follow arrow 3 (just walk straight, no stair case is found).

Follow arrow 4 (directed me to another stair case).

Decorated with "X" design on stair case.

Decorated with more heart shape design on the next stair case.

Ended with the three words.

So, if you are "Cody" how you'll react to the dedication messages above?

Please share with me what do you all think.

That's all from me (for now). Hope sharing this story will brighten your day. Cheers :)

Bonnie's balancing act

2008-12-15T06:10:00.000-08:00

I won't say much but rather let the video do the talking. Enjoy :)

Sling Bag From Bulcock Street Market, Caloundra

2008-12-11T04:59:00.000-08:00

I bought a sling bag (see pictures below) from Bulcock Street Market, Caloundra. This AUD 15 sling bag is colourful and the size is just nice. Trip to Bulcock Street Market takes about 1 hour 10 minutes from Brisbane city (including parking and leave before 7 am). All this is possible, thanks to my housemate, Jan :)

Cat(s) can do yoga!

2008-10-20T06:45:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder whether cat(s) can do yoga? I manage to snap a photo of Bonnie (my housemate's cat) in her yoga pose. Isn't she's cute?

Bonnie in her yoga pose!