So I am back from Phuket, with a painful sunburn! I cannot imagine getting so tanned and burnt. It must have been the day out at sea where we went on a diving / snorkelling trip and got fried in the process. In any case, it had been a very fun trip, for everyone who went! How I wish there can be more weekend getaways!

I will be leaving for Phuket tomorrow morning. Hopefully I will get enough sea, sand and sun for the weekend! Wishing everyone a happy Good Friday and Easter ahead!

1. It is not how much you wear, but what you wear.

2. Comfort and practicality takes precedent over fashion and vanity.

3. Thermal underwear is indispensable.

4. The material should be made of wool or cashmere, anything that is wool related to be kept warm.

5. Thick cotton material suffice too. Don't bother with polyester.

6. Track shoes are not advisable. Shoes should be suede or leather hiking boots.

7. Thermal underwear, a woollen turtleneck, a fur-lined jacket / sweater / trench coat and pants / jeans, gloves, hat and normal boots are all it takes to look stylish, yet warm and comfy for a day out in the snow.

8. Leather gloves are better than woollen gloves.

9. A hat comes in handy to keep the snow off your ears and hair.

10. Slather on lots and lots of moisturising cream to prevent peeling. A runny lotion is too mild for winter conditions.

11. Vaseline is the best lip balm to prevent chapped lips.

12. Use lots of hand and leg cream to prevent dryness and frostbite.

I'm back! At last! After being in such close proximity with my family members on this trip, there are ups and downs with regards to getting along and being at the best and worst of ourselves. In any case, New Zealand is a really scenic place, especially South Island! There are mountains after mountains, snow-capped peaks, farms and everything that gives you the countryside feel.

The weather there was Spring, so it started snowing one night, and we were all freezing cold! The people there are nice and friendly, they smile and greet everyone that passes by. Not sure if it is their culture, or just the openness of Western culture per se, something a lot of Asians can never achieve.

In any case, I will sure love to go back again, someday, to explore the places I never did get a chance to go to!

I will be off to New Zealand tomorrow! Can't wait for it! It's a well-deserved break for me, and my entire family as well, to get together before we all go our own separate ways in life.

As usual, I will be bringing along my trusty digicam, and go snap snap snapping away! Hopefully this trip will be full of fun and excitement, especially since we will be going bungy jumping and checking out the filming locations of Lord of the Rings! I hope the weather won't be too cold though ....