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New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (TIPS)

Photo credit: From Google

New Zealand Working Holiday Visa (NZWH) - for Malaysian is a very popular applications.
It opens for 1150 slot for young Malaysian (Below 30 years old) to apply and gain the eligible length of 6 months stay (legally) in NZ.

I'm one of the lucky applicants whom grab the slot out of 1150 for year 2016/2017. Here, I am to share the experiences and some tips for your next application that come alive in year 2017.

Before I share the tips, I would like to give a BIG CREDIT to my friend (you know who you are =D ) whom actually gave me a lot of informations and encouragement before and during the application process. THANK YOU!! (without him, I don't think I will be able to get it)

Photo credit: From Google

Before you start, please try to "plug" in lots of lots of lots lots lots of NZ scenary to your mind. It might help to encourage you for NOT GIVING UP. <-- lesson 1 ^^Y

Tips 1 - Knowing the dates of application & eligiblity

There some rules & regulations before you apply for the visa. Make sure you meet all the requirements. What are the requirements? CLICK HERE

Also, make sure you keep checking the website from time to time (especially during december on wards) to know when is the exact opening dates for applications. It is normally fall on January annually.

Tips 2 - Time zone & sacrifications

There is a time differences between NZ & Malaysia / Singapore. NZ is 5 hours ahead. Applications time are based on NZ local time. So don't mess it up (because I nearly did!)

Sacrifice your sleep , your time. You will need to, because you will be greatful for all the sacrifications you have contributed. Why? Because is WORTH!

Tips 3 - Pre-homework (forms, login registrations)

Thanks to my friend. He shared me this article ( MUST READ ) . Read it, no regrets but you will thank to me or whoever. The online forms of the applications (Oh, forms application for NZWH - Malaysian can only be done online during the day of the opening) are in the exact same format as the link I shared and they do share you on how to fill up everything.


Pre-filling up all your details in excel or words (especially the Job and occupation codes, it does help you to save up a lot of time). When you are able to log into your account, you may start copy and paste everything. (Even if you can't copy and paste, but at least, you gone through the forms, and you know what they are asking about).


Registration - Make sure you have already register yourself as one of the member in the NZWH webpage. And, REMEMBER YOUR LOGIN AND PASSWORD.

Tips 4 - Get on hold of many devices you can have

Yeap. Tehcnologies is everything. If you  have laptops, smartphone (I am sure everyone does now!) & tablets, let them help you up all at the same time!

I didn't know about this until my friend told me. I got myself 2 Laptops, 1 tablets and 1 smartphone (iphone) to work together. And my tablets (Samsung) WINS.

WHY? Everyone wants the spot as badly as you do. So the website gets traffic. Like jam. Seriously no kidding. Is like you trying to snatch for a Cheap Airtickets from AIRASIA. So you need all your devices to work on together, login to the same webpage and see which of it actually helps you to get in first, then you proceed.

Tips 5 - Be patience and positive

I was about to give up when I was on a blank page, keep on refreshing since 4AM (the application starts 5AM) and is been going on for more than 2 hours. My friend got his and he starts to encourage me through chatting on facebook (he can actually just close and go back to sleep, but he stays.. AWW). 

He told me: " Everything is worth, you can get it. Just be patience. "

In the mist of 50% of giving up, my tablets suddenly able to log into my account, and then I waited and waited again. Finally it actually starts going a little smoother at around 9AM and I got into the forms. To be frank, I never felt so nervous before, filling up the forms in full speed. 

The moment of joy, when you start to fill up your credit card/debit card details for payment (Yeap, only credit / debit are acceptable - NZD208 - non refundable)

My battlefiled ended 5 hours later. Is worth. Really. 

Tips 6 - Is time to wait

Even tho you paid your application in full doesn't mean that you are 100% sucess but I can say you are 90% successful. Just wait for a couple of days, they will update your application in your account (where you can login into your NZWH account to check the status).

Once approve, you are granted 1 year validity. If you fail to activate it within 1 year, it will be forfeited, and you can't apply again in the future. Once activated, you may visit NZ for 6 months. =)

So whats next? Nothing much. Just.. Get ready for your adventures towards heaven. 

I'm leaving on the early January 2017! Hit me up if any lucky babies whom got their slot and planning to fly around Janaury 2017! 

旅行的定義就是學問

旅行到底能帶給我們什麽樣的定義？

這個世界上，有誰不喜歡旅行？沒有。

無論是短暫還是長遠，

大家都會有累的一天。

多少人，

爲了生活而活卻忘了生活的定義？

多少人，

爲了生活而忘了周圍的一切？

多少人，

爲了生活而忘了聆聽自己的聲音？

很多事情，不是在日常生活中才懂得，

有時候，你會在不知覺的情況下，

在旅行中重新的認識自己，真誠的自己。

6年了，我沒有放棄過我最愛的旅行，

我很慶幸自己擁有這個與生命聯合一體的愛好。

我踏入了很多不同國家，

體驗過了，看到過了很多不一樣的習俗。

從一個無所不知的小女孩，

變得懂得如何自己尋找行程，

懂得如何在人生地不熟的地方生存，

懂得如何控制自己的財物，

懂得如何看那複雜的路綫圖，

懂得如何把每一次旅程的消費化爲最低，

懂得如何在有必要的時候變勇敢堅強，

懂得如何做足功課和體會到它的煎熬。

很多人很羡慕我，

我偶爾都會受到一些信息：

“你就好咯，可以到處的旅遊“

“你就好咯，賺新幣“

“你就好咯，那麽多假期“

“你就好咯，沒有負擔“

這些“你就好咯“我從中付出的，

有誰理解呢？我相信很多旅人和我一樣。

我們都一樣。我沒有比你優秀。我也沒有比你好運。

儅你這樣對別人說的時候，

問問自己：我付出了嗎？我努力了嗎？

我從一個0的戶口，靠自己雙手，

慢慢纍計，慢慢努力，才能實現自己的夢想。

我在英國的時候，

打了2份工作，連做7天。

我爲了旅行，我犧牲了平時買衣服，

買名牌，買包包，買鞋子的權利。

我和大家一樣，

我每天都在上班，是個正常的上班族。

我也有房租，貸款，等要去面對。

我沒有和大家不一樣。

我是沒有家庭，可是就算擁有家庭有孩子，

如果[旅行]還是你的最愛，

爲何不能去實現？

我讀了很多很棒的部落個。

臺灣就有一家4口，

可是他們依然還是繼續他們的背包客旅程。

我很喜歡他們說過的一句：

帶孩子一起去體驗，他們可以學到的更多，

體驗的更多，而且這些在學校是學不到的。

旅行，

真的可以讓你體驗你平時舒適區以外的鬥志力

一直活在一個盒子裏，

得到什麽？

成長嗎？

如果有天世界末日了，

怎麽辦？

人生短暫，

不要讓自己後悔。

很多人都說：

我沒錢，我沒時間，等我有空再說。。。。

錢，沒了可以再賺，可是它無法幫你買經驗和體驗

時間，不等人，要等到自己沒辦法走路了，才了懊悔嗎？

去看世界不需要花很多錢。

一開始，我對旅行的的想法一致。

可是，儅我開始踏出哪一步，

一個人到外國生活，

我開始看到差別所在。

爲何西方人與東方人的差別如此的大？

大家都是一樣是人類

差別在那裏？ 想法！

他們都懂得享受人生，

他們都好好利用假日，

自己也好，和朋友家人也好。。

都會去旅行。

他們沒有負擔嗎？ 不是

他們沒有家庭嗎？ 不是

他們很有錢嗎？   不是

他們只是懂得如何 work life balance

他們只是懂得如何看待生活。

旅行是一種學問。

我學到的你不一定經歷過。

你學到的我也不一定體驗過。

所以，

這個之間產生了 [分享]

我的路途中，遇到過不一樣國際的旅人。

我覺得很有趣，

從中，我們可以體會到他們的旅程故事。

也許每個故事都給我們不一樣的啓發點，

也給了我們上個不一樣的課，

而這些，

工作上，學校，書上，

學不到。。

“TRAVEL = EDUCATION"

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM

Beer at one of the rooftop bar at District 1

If you are seeking for a chill and friendly place, mark Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to your list.

You will never regret to the atmosphere here in HCMC aka Saigon.

 Vietnam is well-know for its rich history of war (American war) and also its busy streets. I was shocked when I first cross any streets (yes, any streets) in HCMC, because my heart nearly stops. These vehicles (motor vehicles) never stops and countless. Ha-Ha. But is fun and it remind me of Shibuya Crossing Street in Tokyo (Just shibuya are all human crossing, while HCMC is fighting against Bikers LOL-ed).

Right, back to the main topic, i'll share to you all my references based on whatever I had in my mind.

I've personally spent SGD490 (inclusive of return air ticket, 1 day private tour, food, drinks (lots of beers), souvenirs,  hotel (add on extra 1 night), airport round way private transfer, taxi)

8 Lovely formal and Ex- colleagues

Our trip to HCMC is in a group of 8 adults on 24 December - 27 December (4 days 3 nights - More than enough in HCMC only). I booked my trip with two different airline. Is XMAS + weekend, so flying is extremely expensive. So I've do some research and finding is cheaper to split out the bookings.

Airticket:-
Singapore to HCMC with Tiger airways with the price of SGD96 (one way per person）
HCMC to Singapore with Jetstar airways with the price of SGD107 (one way per person）

Hotel (Originally booked 4 days 3 nights, but our flight on the last day is 9PM so we decided to book another night to shower, so total 4 nights) SGD52 (total 4 nights , per person)

Airport private transfer round trip (1 van, 10 seater) : SGD10 (per person for round trip)

1 full day tour to ChuChi Tunnel with an English speaking tour guide: SGD75 (per person, inclusive of round trip air-con coach, 1 lunch, drinks (mineral water), entrance fees)

Personal expenses : I've changed a total sum of SGD150 (1SGD = VND 15,000) which my expenses concludes:

1. All entertainments and refreshments / good foods
2. Beers
3. Souvenirs (4 mini box of coffee + key chains)
4.  Cafe-hopping
5. Taxi

People told me that, expenses in HCMC is expensive (especially if you add in some shopping) and SGD150 is mainly not enough. Apparently, I don't believe and I stick to my own final decision, to use SGD150 for the whole trip, and I did have some more balances left. Probably because this time i'm travelling in a big group, so we get to share a lot of expenses such as : good BBQ meals, taxi, airport transfer, hotel etc.





But if you are willing to travel budget, trust me, you will find your way. I did a lot of research on Hotels and Private Tours to get the best price I could and help everyone save up. Homework is a must yo! Google, will be your best friend ^___________________^

Please do consider GREEN PATH TRANSFER if you would want to have a comfortable private transfer. Of course, taking the public buses down to District 1 (mainly backpackers area) will be cheaper. We are in a group of 8, so we booked up a round way 10 seater van. Great deal. Friendly, punctual and comfortable. Star rate: 4 out of 5.

Bye Hello House is located at District 1. (Click here) - Yea District 1, to be frank, HCMC was divided to Districts 1 ,2 , 3 and so on. Great, I feel like i'm in Hunger Game. Ha-Ha. Mocking Jay. Yeah man!

Okay. Back to Hello House. Environment is friendly, easy access, clean and quiet. They also provide you Italian style breakfast everyday. Price of the hotel, is reasonable. Do check them out. Location of the hotel, is just about 5 - 8 minutes walk to the famous and pack area: Pham Ngu Lao, District 1. Why? We will talk about it later. Star rate: 4 out of 5

The under secret tunnel during the war by Vietnamese. 

 Lets talk about the full day private one day tour with the price approximate SGD75 per person. (Inclusive of aircon private coach, 1 lunch, drinks, all entrance fee).

I booked our tour in advance with Here

The tour was guided by a Vietnamese whom can speak fluent English. I give the tour a full star rate.

The tour guide was extremely friendly. She even provide us services that was not included in the fee. You may ask her whatever question, she will be very happy to assist you.

We went to Chuchi Tunnel, the main attraction in HCMC. This is where one of the American war was held. I'm not a history person, but these attracted me so much that I'm attracted to the story of it told by the tour guide. These also shows how i'm so impressed and respect to Mr Ho Chi Minh who actually defeated the american.

By understanding all his techniques used during the war, by attacking from underground while the American was above ground. Is insane. I tried to climb through the tunnel, is so narrow, humid and i only did a 40m and i'm dying. Dam, these people, are.... absolutely deserved a big thumbs up. (BOW TO YOU).

I tried one of the hidden tunnel, was so small, (i'm skinny enough) haha!

 I won't be talking too much about the tour, you may want to find out yourself. You will be impressed by experience it personally. Trust me. Worth it. YEAH!

What make this country so special, apart from its war and crazy traffic? Man, of course their COFFEE. Yeah, if you are a coffee lover, don't miss out Vietnam. (I'm not a coffee lover, so I can't comment much on how it taste). I smelled, is really nice. Ha-Ha.!

But i'm a beer lover and a cafe freak. I spend most of my time cafe-hopping (I don't drink coffee in cafe but soft drinks and mostly beers) and also of course sitting beside the streets for the cheap ass (sorry! Singapore beer is too expensive, forgive me) beer! Loving the SAIGON SPECIAL.. Oh mama mia~~~

The culture, the streets

Yeap, I mentioned, I stayed at Pham Ngu Lao area. Is full of massage, nail treatment and of course, amazing live band clubs / bars / pubs. I'm not too sure why they have the culture of sitting on little cute chairs and tables along the street, mainly facing the streets, chilling and drinking.

I tried. Is an amazing feeling. No words could describe how chill it is. Extremely amazing.

Pham Ngu Lao, District 1

Santa is real, his just trying to do a road-crossing coz he lost his deers..haha

Remember I mentioned, I feel like i'm in the movie of Hunger Game. I found this in the neighborhood while I was in the mist of survey / looking for themed / recommended cafes. (Tons of cafes, I can't finish it all)

Come across this. Yea. This cafe is named: MOCKING BIRD. haha.. I did not check this out, but have a glanced. I was at the other cafe, 2 floor down - BANKSY CAFE.

Environment is marvelous.

MOCKING BIRD CAFE

Remind me of THE VATICAN SPIRAL STAIRCASE in Italy
(This is actually a view when i was on my way down to BANKSY CAFE)

BANKSY CAFE

It took me a while to find this cafe, why?

1. It is located in an look-alike abandon neighborhood
2. They did not put up their sign board

Banksy, if you know who he is? I love his art, thats why this cafe attracted my attention to pay a visit. Of course, there is no art of his in the cafe, but these cafe, has a studio feelings, and is vintage. (i love vintage).

Interior of BANKSY CAFE

I mentioned abandon （alike) did i? It really is. Here is a proof！

A nature human nature respond will be like: OKAY, am I in the right place？
Answer: YOU DEFINITELY ARE!!! While exploring the location of the cafe, yea we spotted this:

A secret place of a clothing shop, looks cool

Okay, the other top things to do in HCMC, of course check out the panorama view of the stunning city during sunset. Yea, where to? Check it out!!

Yeap here!!! There is a cafe at Level 52. Where you just order a cup of drinks from their menu (which is over-priced.) But in order to stay for the sunset, yes, please just order. Is worth for the view. Be there by 4PM, Why? Is going to be crowded around 5Pm on wards. So you can grab a good seat for a great shot.

Soft drinks - VND99,000
Beer: VND99,000

What is your choice? What's mine? Do I have to mention? Ha ha!

Yeap! He is NOT my bf. Haha... Well, I met this guy (eric) whom is from the states, a solo backpacker whom has been traveling for the past 5 months and he has travel the whole Vietnam (salute). We chat a lot about our trip while waiting for the sunset.

Okay okay! I know. The sunset. Tada! Here you go!!

STUNNING!

You realized I do not talk about shopping. Is there NO shopping at all in HCMC? Nope, there is! Just is not my style and I don like spending most of my time shopping. You may go to SAIGON MALL. While others are enjoying shopping, me and one of my buddy, we went exploring around on foot.

We came across this stunning sunset view from the other side where others have missed it. Here a photo to conclude my blog post about HCMC.

Where is my next stop ? Yeap. I'm going Vietnam again in March. To HANOI , alone. ^____^