Mini Travel Log: San Francisco, USA (4)

I had a great Christmas shopping weekend in San Francisco. Just the place to be as the weather was perfect for the whole week. Clear sunny days make walking on the street such a pleasure. Met up with a friend who happened to be there on his job assignment. We drove up to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area where we had a great view of the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge from the peak. Also on this peak, there is an abandoned gun site built in the WW2 but was never used.

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The next day, we drove to Lake Tahoe. The border of California and Nevada lies around this lake. There are many ski resorts around the lake but because there wasn't any snow yet, only a few were open with artificial snow slopes. We went to Heavenly Ski, but made a mistake of not renting ski equipments from the base station, thinking that we can rent uphill. So we were quite disappointed when we got up there to find no ski equipment rentals.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: San Francisco, USA (3)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: San Francisco, USA (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: San Francisco, USA (1)

This will be the last post for the year of 2011. Happy new year to all readers.

Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (4)

Waiheke Island is one of the many islands formed by volcanic activities around the Hauraki Gulf; just outside of Auckland harbor. Unlike some of the other protected islands, Waiheke has gone through major agriculture transformation. Almost the entire island has been stripped bare of its original vegetation and transformed into an "island of wine". Population are concentrated at the western side of the island close to the ferry terminal linking the island and Auckland city center. On the eastern side of the island, you'll find many privately owned vineyards which many are open to the public. At the eastern tip lies the Stony Batter Fort built in the WW2 in anticipation of the Japanese invasion. 3 huge guns were built here linked by myriads of tunnels. The guns can shoot a whopping distance of over 30km; out of enemy sight and retaliation range. Even though the guns have now been dismantled and shipped back to UK, it will still be a fun weekend to bring your family and kids to explore the long dark tunnels that will lead you to huge gun emplacements facing the gulf.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (3)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (1)

Mini Travel Log: Munich, Germany (3)

I arrived a little too late into Munich to see the golden autumn as it was into the last week before the start of winter. Nevertheless, I was still able to catch some beautiful sights in the English Garden. I'd really recommend this park if you plan to see some amazing sights during autumn.

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However the same cannot be said for excursions out from Munich. As the winter starts, many tour operators will not operate out from the city. Only a few popular tours are offered like tours to Linderhof, Oberammergau and Neuschwanstein. I joined this tour with my wife but left a little disappointed because I couldn't see the full grandeur of the Linderhof Castle due to many parts being covered up in preparation for the snowfall. Even the Neuschwanstein Castle was undergoing exterior restoration works as they do not expect many tourists during this period. So any nice pictures of this castle is out of the question. Nevertheless, my wife and I had a romantic time doing this excursion, enjoying the tranquility of the countryside; especially around Swan Lake and the quiet town of Oberammergau.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Munich, Germany (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Munich, Germany (1)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany