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| Posted: 04 Jun 2011 05:32 PM PDT LCoxmachine: I finally got the time and courage to flash a custom rom onto my Samsung Galaxy S. Darky's Rom. Easy to do and much smoother than default. |
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| Posted: 04 Jun 2011 12:46 AM PDT LCoxmachine: I just entered the draw to win $5000 of @Kogan gear! You too can enter with just one click http://t.co/cA5qugd |
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| Posted: 30 May 2011 11:58 PM PDT LCoxmachine: RT @scifitv: #TheHobbit gets names/release dates: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Dec 14, 2012 & The Hobbit: There and Back Again, D ... |
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| Posted: 17 May 2011 07:39 PM PDT LCoxmachine: @chrismiles Fortunately my commute was by air this morning. Regional Express provide generally excellent service in the regions. |
| Posted: 17 May 2011 04:58 PM PDT LCoxmachine: @chrismiles Long commute for me also. From mildura to the city this morning. And heading back this afternoon. |
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| Posted: 16 May 2011 03:18 PM PDT LCoxmachine: Reading 'Details Of The Welcome Back Programme For SCEE Users' at http://blog.eu.playstation.com ... |
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| LCoxmachine: Calling it early. Vanilla Slice Triumph coming to Mildura. http://t.co/ZxGr5W1 Posted: 15 May 2011 04:51 PM PDT LCoxmachine: Calling it early. Vanilla Slice Triumph coming to Mildura. http://t.co/ZxGr5W1 |
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| LCoxmachine: Happy Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you. #pundayisfunday Posted: 03 May 2011 05:13 PM PDT LCoxmachine: Happy Star Wars Day. May the Fourth be with you. #pundayisfunday |
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| Posted: 02 Dec 2010 12:52 AM PST LCoxmachine: Been testing out Doubletwist airsync over past few days. Works well with Samsung Galaxy S. Wireless syncing of music, videos, and podcasts. |
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| Posted: 28 Apr 2011 10:29 PM PDT LCoxmachine: RT @Optus: We're now testing the Gingerbread (2.3) software for the Samsung Galaxy S and Galaxy Tab. Keep an eye on our feed for updates. |
| Posted: 28 Apr 2011 05:38 PM PDT LCoxmachine: RT @mollywood: Hm, @googlenexus has a surprise coming today, eh? My money's on a pure, Nexus-branded Honeycomb tablet. #cnet |
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Leaving Taupo early this morning to make an appointment at Wai-O-Tapu. A geyser is due to blow it's top at 10:15am. The geyser goes off daily at this time, kept on schedule by the timely addition of a little surfactant.
Further at Wai-O-Tapu the "Thermal Wonderland" we get to see heaps of craters full of streaming water and bubbling crude oil, shallow pools of unusually coloured water, and cascading mineral filled streams. And who can forget the toxic benzene gas and putrid sulphur dioxide filling the air. Did you enjoy yourself Kate?
Needing some fresh air, we continue on to Rotorua. For our hit of New Zealand native wildlife we visit Rainbow springs Wildlife Park. I can highly recommend this small native animal zoo. Reminiscent of Healesville Sanctuary, VIC only much smaller. However, the size difference suits the comparitive number of species in New Zealand. If you are unfamiliar, New Zealand basically has lots birds, plenty of fresh water fish, and a few lizards, but that's just about it.
Following the trend of tourist trap photos, Rainbow Springs offers a souvenir photo service. The curious thing here is that they amatuerishly photoshop kiwis or lizards onto your shoulders or hands. Needless to say, we did not purchase the photo.
Included in the entry price is an essential after dark return visit. You see, Kiwi are nocturnal creatures, they only come out at night. The park also takes on a current character at night. The fish ponds, streams, and waterfalls are lit by dim lighting.
This night we return to our camper park, where unfortunately the wind had changed. Bringing the sulphorous odour with it, just in time for bed.
It couldn't be seen the night before, but this morning we are greeted by the pleasant holiday park environment. Duck ponds, heritage footbridge, and park-like trees.
We're heading north and inland towards the volcanic lakes. Driving through Napier is interesting, this town is known for it's art deco architecture after the all the brick buildings collapsed from a quake in the 1930s.
After a couple of hours drive up the Lake Taupo volcano we reach Taupo.
First stop is bakery lunch in the park. Then we try top find the hot beach (from thermal activity). No luck finding it or maybe it was just a bit cold that day.
We head over to the Huka Falls which is an impressive waterfall fed by an even more impressive natural white water channel carved into rock. The entire width of the river is directed into a narrow channel dramatically increasing the velocity and turbulence.
The sun is starting to set for the day as we find a place called Craters of the Moon. It's closed so we just climb up a nearby hill looking over the perimeter trees. Very unusual place courtesy of another natural phenomenon. It's a barren field of thermal activity with steam flowing upwards from the ground.
Last thing to do before it gets too dark, we head to the natural thermal spa for a quick dip. It's too hot to stay in for long unless you find just the right spot where it mixes with the cold river.
Waking up in a wet and windy, Wellington. The weather has again turned South. Typical Wellington as they say and very suitable for a town named after a rain boot.
Before continuing North, we have a few sights in around town to see. First stop is Mount victoria, the mountain abutting the CBD of thud city. We head up the back way to the top of the mountain and a lookout. Very narrow and steep streets running between regular suburban houses. The houses are regular except they are hanging of the side of a mountain.
Once at the lookout we experience the full force of today's winds. Kate doesn't even get out of the car. I can't blame her, the wind threatens to knock you off of your feet and the meaning of wind chill is realised. Nevertheless, I have to climb the stairs to the peak lookout.
We head south through Wellington's outer suburbs to find the Weta Cave in an unremarkable residential steet. The Weta Cave is a mini museum showcasing the works of Weta, a visual effects company best known for their work on Lord of the Rings. Well worth an intriguing short visit, and we get a special little insight into current projects (halo, tin tin).
On our way out of Wellington we stop in on a shopping centre (we haven't seen one for over a week. We pick some essentials and move on.
Nearly worth mentioning: On a road well out of Wellington we notice a couple of cop cars speeding past. Soon we drive slowly past single vehicle accident involving a police car hitting a power pole. I didn't get any more insight but we could see that the incident was attended by 4 or 5 cop cars and neighbours were taking photos.
Eventually after dark we roll into Hastings in check into the Hastings Top 10 Holiday Park.
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| LCoxmachine: RT @android__apps: #android Hot Springs Story http://bit.ly/elqat0 Posted: 23 Apr 2011 04:24 PM PDT LCoxmachine: RT @android__apps: #android Hot Springs Story http://bit.ly/elqat0 |
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Possums; pests introduced from Australia are New Zealand's cane toad. Driving over them is encouraged, their skins are sold as souvenirs. nuf said.
A second morning in Picton. The sun is back out and conditions are fine. We go for breakfast out at the Seabreeze cafe.
Before too long we are checking in to the Blue Bridge ferry to get across to the North island. The boat trip lasts for a solid three hours. Despite the gentle swells some passengers were a bit ill. Maybe that kid shouldn't have eaten that burger and chips. Protip: go outside, stare at the horizon.
Arriving in the evening at Wellington we have an hour to explore Te Papa (Museum of Wellington) before it closes at 6pm. Best, most interactive museum ever, and free to boot. A must see for anyone and especially curious kids.
After getting kicked out of a closing Te Papa, we choose somewhere to dine out on the harbour. A nice italian restaurant and quiet on this Sunday night. We took advantage and trialled some local wine and beer.
That night we return to our accommodation at Wellington Waterfront Motorhome Park. A very different "park". Essentially a carpark with power points and amenities. But right in the CBD of Wellington.
Is the espresso coffee one shot or two? Some cafes will sign that their coffees are double shot while others will serve up doubles by default (i think). While other places just do the plane old single shot. No standard as far as I can tell. Oh well, time for another delicious gamble.
Rainy morning in Picton and not travelling anywhere until our ferry ride to Wellington tomorrow. First stop is the Eco World Equarium. A small menagerie of lots of fish and small reptiles. Features fish feeding and a little injured penguin recovering at the aquarium. Sure it smelled a little bit, but what would you expect from a close encounter with all kinds of animals.
Still a very wet day, we have a browse around the Picton shops and some souveniring. Unfortunately it is not a nice day for some scenic walks around the sound.
So we opt for a cafe lunch at Cafe Cortado. The menu includes some Blue Cod Fish Fingers (more like our Flathead tales). The same fish we saw at the aquiarium.
The rest of the day was spent on some rainy day activities at the holiday park. Watching the Hamilton V8 supercars on TV and catching up on laundry.
A drizzly cold Friday morning in Kaikoura. First thing to do is look for some seal colonies which are well known around the Kaikoura Peninsula. We arrive at the South Bay end of the peninsula. No seals, but a few ducks and other coastal birds. We trudge up the steep path up the cliff edge. Still no seals in sight, just a coastal view out along a harbour bay.
On to the North side of the peninsula. Before even arriving at the carpark the fat, lazy seals are in sight. The carpark is surrounded by seals, in fact one seal was literally in the carpark. Hopping out of the car we get some close encounters and photos with seals. All the time, resisting the temptation to touch or pat them.
Out of Kaikoura now, heading north up the coast. The swell and waves crashing into the rocky coastline is remarkable. A 2 metre swell is reported on the radio. This coast is known for it's surfing but no surfers are seen braving the waters today.
A few lookouts are scattered along the coast, some with views of active seal colonies. This time we see some baby seals (pups) amongst the groups.
One of the unplanned stops was a place called Ohau Point. The waves were particularly impressive at this small beach. We follow the directions of an unremarkable walking track sign along a narrow undulating track surrounded by thick forrest to a waterfall. The track follows a small stream which we can see is home to quite a few seal pups.
At the end of the track, at the waterfall, is a truly incredible sight. A pool at the base of the waterfall and the rocks surrounding it are the playground for countless seal pups. Swimming, socialising, and resting within arms length.
A little further up the coast we are hungry for lunch and stop at a place called The Store. A picturesque cafe/wedding venue sitting on it's own on the costal cliffs.
Moving on it's getting late in the afternoon. On our way through Blenheim we stop at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. $30 each for entry and tour is a bit much, so we have good look outside at the classic original and replica aircraft from the great war.
We pull into a Picton in the evening just in time to walk into town for dinner and then walk back to our van in the rain.
The local classic hits fm radio station must be played in all holiday park bathrooms throughout all daylight hours. This is one custom I could get used too. I can see myself continuing this back home.
Thursday morning after a sleep in at Geraldine we check out of our site and have a brief look around town. A few boutique stores selling wool clothing. Wool is expensive. So we checked out the souvenir shops for some cheap trinkets.
A bit further North, we approach Christchurch. Due to recent events, which we can see the district is still reeling from, we will not be seeing central Christchurch. Instead passing through the outskirts near the airport we stop at the the International Antarctic Centre.
The International Antarctic Centre offers a few interesting activities but is seriously over-priced. $65 NZD per person. Maybe next time.
Around Christchurch the environment is unusually flat land broken up by wide, rocky rivers. Eventually we begin to cross some mountains on the final stretch to Kaikoura. The weather is starting to turn sour.
This night we copped our first rains. No big deal. We were cosy inside the van and just had to wait until the next morning to see what Kaikoura had to offer.
On this beautiful Wednesday morning we roll out of Queenstown on our way North. Tonight's destination to be confirmed. We have had brilliant weather in New Zealand. Fine clear skies, warm days, and chilly nights.
Our first stop is planned for Puzzling World, Wanaka. That's right Puzzling, not a typo. Puzzling World is a unique tourist attraction. Multiple illusion rooms, a cafe full of puzzles, and a challenging maze. Oh, and we were told to make sure to take a camera into the toilets for an extra illusion... I won't ruin it for you.
From Puzzling World we continued into Wanaka for a picnic lunch by the lake.
Beyond Wanaka we continue North, reaching a small town called Omarama, up in the dry central high country. This region is a very quiet part of the country, virtually no traffic, and the towns seem almost desolate.
Getting a little further North we're at the lakes at the base of Mount Cook. The view from the edge of Lake Pukaki is incredible, with the snow capped Mount Cook in view. A little further to Lake Tekapo, known for it's strange, but beautifully blue waters.
Just as it is getting too dark to travel much further we arrive in a quiet like town called Geraldine. We will only be here one night and this is first place we have stayed at since Queenstown.
When you go into a cafe or bakery you might choose something to eat out of a glass cabinet. In Australia, you would ask the behind counter staff for your selected item, and they would pull it out of the cabinet and slap it on a plate for you. In New Zealand, the glass cabinets open on your side so will have to help yourself or self serve it's contents.
I suppose the good part about self service is that it has less reliance on language to order food. However, you still have to take your food up to the counter for payment regardless.
Also, based on Kate's food handling qualifications and knowledge, the self service method would not meet food safety standards, at least in Australia anyway.
For roadway corners at top of cliffs, a timber post and wire fence already collapsing under it's own weight is a reasonable substitute for steel barrier railing.
Wow. Skippy Corn Flakes come in a plastic bag. There is a scary looking kangaroo on the pack too.
Tuesday morning back in Queenstown from Milford Sound the day before. We have a morning session of bungee booked at Kawarau River bridge.
Also nearby the Lord of the Rings location "Pillars of the Kings". The Kings were digitally rendered but the location is very real.
I jumped once as planned but Kate went back for a second jump. She almost regretted this after feeling rather unwell for the following few hours.
In the afternoon we head up the Ben Lomond Mountain overlooking Queenstown. The gondola ride takes us up steep ascent. The view is incredible and worth the price alone. At the peak is a bunch of activities for active visitors; including luge, downhill mountain biking, ledge bungee, and hang gliding. But we are just here for the Zip Trek Ecotour.
The Zip Trek involves a series of 6 zip lines (flying foxes) zig zagging down the mountain back into Queenstown. The most brag-worthy involving 350m length and 70km/h. Also included in the tour was a lesson on the local environment and a message of sustainability.
Third day. We start the day in Te Anau after an after dark drive from Queenstown, the night prior. From here it's an early start to make our cruise departure at Milford Sound at 11:30am.
The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is a remarkable trip. The road meanders along the edge of Fiordland finishing with a crawl into and through the foreboding mountains. Sights include white water rivers, glass flat lakes, mist filled valleys, and impassably jagged mountains. The road only manages to pass these mountains through a tunnel borred straight through the side of a mountain's cliff sides.
Kate booked the Milford Sound cruise to include a buffet lunch which I was looking forward to. We had prepared for this by eating a tiny breakfast and only half a chocolate milk each that morning.
Despite the weather being fine with clear skies for the entire trip so far, the conditions at Milford Sound are drizzly wet and cold. This is apparently typical weather for this small part of the world. Despite what you might see on post cards.
The cruise started with our "buffet" lunch. While there was a moderate number of people on board this particular outing, Kate and I were apparently the only two to book the buffet lunch among the two lunch choices. Our two person buffet was served up on a private table on the otherwise abandoned middle deck. See photo. Needless to say, we did not finish.
Once we were done with lunch we could focus on the cruise through the misty fiord. Amazing scenery and an opportunity to stand under a waterfall spilling straight into the ocean!
Second day, our first full day in New Zealand. We have scheduled a very busy and wet day of Jet Boating and White water rafting.
What is a jet boat? You may be asking? Well let me tell you. A jet boat is a mean looking speed boat about the size of a large car. About 3 ton they say. Works just like a super-sized jet ski. They fly them over shallow rivers and river canyons as the bottom of the boat skims over river bed stones.
Compared to the rest of the afternoon, the jet boat was a relative tea party!
Just getting to the top of the river for white water rafting was a life-fearing adventure. The guide described it as the worst road in New Zealand. I now believe him. We were in a bus with a trailer.
The rafting itself was a welcome relief. I fell out of the raft once (or was I knocked out, Kate?), I was dragged and climbed onto another raft just in time to be thrown out of it. Overall great fun.
APN (access point name) is the settings a mobile phone uses to tell itself where and how to connect to a server.
Without these settings, a phone is not able to establish an internet connection. These settings are different for every carrier and country.
However a lack of correct apn does not prevent a device from making telephone or text message connections as the settings required for these are always included with the sim card.
The settings include details such as ip address, port number, and apn type.
Finally I have a mobile internet connection! Mobile internet is a few days later than planned. Recent posts will be a little out of order for that reason.
It turns getting the apn settings for Vodafone New Zealand was a little more difficult than initially anticipated.
First afternoon in Queenstown. We have just enough daylight hours to pick up our campervan, get a site, and visit some of the surrounds.
We visited a historic bridge over the Kawarau River (i think). And stopped off just outside town to check out the views.
Dinner at a little place called Roaring Megs. Then that is the end of a truly massive day. Bendigo to Queenstown.
We are gradually becoming familiar with New Zealand culture and customs. For example it is compulsory to wave to and optionally flash your lights at all other Jucy branded vans seen on the open road.
Apparently they were flat out busy at Melbourne airport. Lots of people leaving for school holidays, especially teachers. This resulted in a minor delay in our departure time. Then we were told mid flight that the plane had to slow down. Something about too much air traffic at Queenstown.
After a slightly delayed arrival we finally arrive in Queenstown, New Zealand. Beautiful weather, 20° and clear blue skies.
One close up sighting of the A380 and Kate is about to call an end to the trip. There is a possibility that the rest of the trip is a massive let down compared to seeing that massive plane. But we will push on regardless. We have paid for it after all.
No pictures this morning. Too dark. We are up before dawn to get to our flight. Thanks Fiona, for the airport run.
This evening we are driving our way to Bendigo. As I expect to be making a few scenery changes over today and tomorrow I thought I might document those changes. Amongst everything else to be excited about, the rapid and likely incredible change of scenery is defintely one of them.
So here is the typical scenery we are leaving today:
Hi Folks,
I'm heading to New Zealand for a couple of weeks. This blog will be home for my live trip updates and some of the many photos. So stay tuned because this trip will be crammed full of action, thrills, spills, and chills.
Liam.
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| Posted: 06 Apr 2011 03:10 AM PDT LCoxmachine: I just entered the draw to win $5000 of @Kogan gear. Gotta respect Kogan: http://t.co/w6ZfdXl |
| Posted: 06 Apr 2011 12:15 AM PDT LCoxmachine: RT @chrismiles: I'm told that Jeans West has deployed the iPad app I dev'd for them into their Highpoint store. Anyone near Highpoint gr ... |
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| Posted: 18 Mar 2011 05:34 AM PDT LCoxmachine: RT @HealthAgeingAU: Swap It, Don't Stop It iPhone app now at the iTunes store http://bit.ly/gGuo7Z #health #swapit #gov2au - http://www. ... |
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| Posted: 11 Mar 2011 03:46 AM PST LCoxmachine: RT @daveewing: The headline you won't be reading: "Millions saved in Japan by good engineering and government building codes". Buts it's ... |
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| LCoxmachine: RT @DemetriMartin: Expresso: Espresso for idiots. Posted: 09 Mar 2011 04:43 PM PST LCoxmachine: RT @DemetriMartin: Expresso: Espresso for idiots. |
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| Posted: 06 Mar 2011 03:25 PM PST LCoxmachine: RT @tabqwerty: A TCP packet walks in to a bar and says "I want a beer", barman says "you want a beer?", and the TCP packet says "yes, a ... |
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| LCoxmachine: RT @Commsday: The fact-free NBN debate http://www.commsday.com/commsday/?p=2303 Posted: 10 Feb 2011 10:13 PM PST LCoxmachine: RT @Commsday: The fact-free NBN debate http://www.commsday.com/commsday/?p=2303 |
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Fix found for gallery force close on Samsung Galaxy S. Earlier today I installed a market app "Been There". Following usage Been There completely stuffed the preloaded gallery app. The gallery app continued to force close despite uninstalling Been There.
No worries, I soon found this fix. See below:
"your gallery is probably messed up. It happens sometimes in Froyo.
Fix: Go to Settings > Applications > All > Media Storage > Clear data / Force close. Reboot phone.
It will take a long time to scan all media, let it finish. Reboot phone again. All should be well"
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| Posted: 25 Jan 2011 03:35 AM PST LCoxmachine: How high will it go?: No way to predict when flood peak will reach Sunraysia. Sunraysia Daily http://goo.gl/pJddT |
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