Muriwai Adventure
An unexpected (but totally appreciated) hot winter afternoon led my friends and I to Muriwai Beach. It’s a 40+ minute drive from where we live (took us 50+ minutes though ’cause I missed my exit twice). Read More
Life Update
It’s been AWHILE since I last posted. Don’t come for me! I’ve just been really busy and well… I honestly didn’t feel very motivated to post anything. I don’t want to post anything even I wouldn’t read.
I’m not sure if anyone reads my blog, but to those who do take the time to read my posts (YOU DA BEST!), I think I owe you guys a life update. A lot of stuff happened in two months. I’ll try to keep this post short.
Cathedral Cove PhotoDump
After Hobbiton, we decided to go to Narnia next.😂
It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Chronicles of Narnia and I have to admit that I forgot which scene showcased the location. 😅
Cathedral Cove is a 3-hour drive away from Auckland. 
It takes 45 minutes to reach the beach from the parking lot. The hike is not at all treacherous but if you’re as unconditioned as I am then it’s a looooong and tiring hike.😭
The view is very worth it though.❤️
We were quite lucky because there wasn’t a lot of people there so we were able to get decent shots.❤️
Again, I used my Iphone to take these photos. Not too bad eh?
Hobbiton: Journey to Middle Earth PhotoDump
May 17, 2018
My housemates and I decided to go to the Hobbiton Movie Set yesterday.
To those who don’t know, it’s the location used for both The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit film series. It’s a 2+ hour drive from Auckland and tickets cost around 84nzd which already includes a 2 hour tour around the set and free drinks after.
There are 44 hobbit holes on set. If you look closely, you’re able to tell the occupation of those who were living at each house.
Here are random shots around the set.
Were you able to tell which ones belonged to Bilbo Baggins and Sam? 🤔
After walking around Hobbiton, the tour guide then took us to the Green Dragon where we enjoyed our drinks.❤️ They offered us both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Recently sold off my other camera and had to use my Iphone for these photos. I didn’t take much photos because I was focused on enjoying the whole experience.😂 I chose not to edit these photos because I wanted to remember Hobbiton just as I saw it: Beautiful and full of vibrant colours.❤️
3AM thoughts
It’s exactly 3AM when I decided to write this post. Here’s proof:
That’s my Angkong. My grandfather.
I just finished watching Freedom Writers for the nth time. The movie is about how a teacher was able to change the lives of her students. What the movie impressed on me was that we have the power to induce change. (I’m not even sure if induce is the right word. I’m sleepy so my brain is not working but I want to express my thoughts now ’cause I’m sure I will forget it tomorrow.)
I remember one CCF pastor talking about something along the lines of making a difference in the workplace. We are all capable of making a difference. Nothing is coincidental in this world. I firmly believe that everything is according to God’s plan. This means that we are all exactly where we were meant to be.
So this got me thinking…
If I am where I am meant to be, how can I make a difference in the workplace?
What can I do? What SHOULD I do?
How can I glorify my God at work?
🤔🤔🤔
I should sleep.
Simple Plan Concert Photo Dump
April 19, 2018.
Never in my 25 years of existence have I ever thought that the day would come when I’d be able to see my childhood idols in person!
First Fall Out Boy and now Simple Plan!
The concert was held at Powerstation in Mt. Eden. The venue was quite small but it was jam-packed with people.
Sorry for the poor quality of the photos. Used my iphone only.
The opening act was a local band called Ekko Park. Their guitarist, Alex, was freaking AWESOME! You guys should check them out. Support locals!
It was around 9pm when Simple Plan started playing. The lights, the songs, the band… EVERYTHING WAS JUST SO EPIC! I wish I could post the videos here but it takes so long to upload them. Sorry guys. There are, however, little snippets of the videos on my IG account: @margarettperaltaptrp (shameless self-promo 😅)
Here are some of the photos and short boomerangs from the concert.
Thank you again Simple Plan!!!
PS: See the light inside the white circle? That’s me! I turned on the flashlight from my iphone.😅
Credits to Simple Plan for the photo.
The Redwoods
It’s Holy Week! To celebrate the long weekend, my housemates and I decided to go on roadtrip. We went to a lot of places and I’ve taken around 500 photos.😭 So instead of making a really long post, I’ve decided to make several posts so that it’s less tiring for me.😉 haha.
Part 4: The Redwoods
If you find yourself driving to Rotorua, then you should definitely stop by this place! It’s absolutely magical! 
While walking through this magical forest, I can imagine Bella from Twilight calling out Edward’s name after he left her. That’s what all boys are good at… leaving.😔😔😔 (HUGOT alert! 😂)
We only had 20 minutes to take pictures here so we were not able to do the activities in this place. But if you’re interested, you can check their website for details: https://redwoods.co.nz
Stay tuned for more long weekend posts!!!
Mount Maunganui
It’s Holy Week! To celebrate the long weekend, my housemates and I decided to go on roadtrip. We went to a lot of places and I’ve taken around 500 photos.😭 So instead of making a really long post, I’ve decided to make several posts so that it’s less tiring for me.😉 haha.
PART 3: Mount Maunganui
So to start off the long weekend we drove out of Auckland to climb Mt. Maunganui!
Mt. Maunganui, which is located in Tauranga, is a 230+ km away from Avondale, which is where I currently live. It usually takes around 2-3 hours to get there but because of the heavy traffic, it took us around 4 hours.
It was all worth it though! The view was absolutely amazing! It’s a 20-30 min climb to the top.
Instead of making a long post about it, l’ll just let the photos speak for themselves.😉
Part 3 of our long weekend adventure ends here.😂 Stay tuned for more long weekend posts!🙌🏼
Blue Spring
It’s Holy Week! To celebrate the long weekend, my housemates and I decided to go on roadtrip. We went to a lot of places and I’ve taken around 500 photos.😭 So instead of making a really long post, I’ve decided to make several posts so that it’s less tiring for me.😉 haha.
Part 2: Blue Spring
On our way to Hamilton, we decided to stop by Blue Spring. 
Blue Spring is located at Leslie Road, South Waikato. Up until a few years ago, this little gem was not made known to the public. It’s water is said to be so pure that it supplies 60% of New Zealand’s bottled water!
It takes about 10-15 minutes to get there from the parking area. The walk is pretty easy but if you’re as unfit as me then you’ll probably be catching your breath by the time you get there.😅 No shame though. Haha
I don’t know how many times I’ve said this in my blog but, when we reached Blue Springs, it was absolutely breathtaking and definitely worth the hike!😱
This place is definitely a must-see! It’s only an hour drive from Hamilton. There are fewer tourists here so you’re sure to get really great photos! ❤️
Stay tuned for more long weekend posts!
Journey to Middle Earth?
It’s Holy Week! To celebrate the long weekend, my housemates and I decided to go on roadtrip. We went to a lot of places and I’ve taken around 500 photos.😭 So instead of making a really long post, I’ve decided to make several posts so that it’s less tiring for me.😉 haha.
Part 1: Journey to Middle Earth?😉
New Zealand is well-known for a lot of things. But if you’re a movie junkie like me, then you probably know that New Zealand is where they shot the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies.
My friends and I were driving towards Rotorua and we passed by Matamata. It’s 2 hours away from Auckland, but it’s more popularly known as the home of the Shire.
Since we were there anyway…
APRIL FOOLS! 😂
Visiting Hobbiton costs around 80nzd and we weren’t keen on spending that much for something that we’d most likely be spending an hour max on. We had to go to other places as well. 😂
Sorry guys. Will definitely post my Hobbiton adventure soon. If and when I get the money and time for it at least.😂
Instead if actually going to Hobbiton, we visited Matamata’s iSITE.
It’s an information center where you can buy heaps of LOTR merchandise and other souvenirs.
I planned on only mentioning this on one of my other long weekend posts but in the spirit of April Fools, I decided on dedicating a whole blog on my Matamata Adventure!😂
Happy April Fools everyone!
Stay tuned for more long weekend posts.❤️
