Foptics: See Bae Happy

Decided to push forward this post instead because a lot of people have been asking about my new spectacles! (And also cos I wanted to give you guys a break from all my travel posts :P) What is so impressive about my new spectacles is its affordability and trendy designs. It is such a good deal that people have been badgering to release the post.

So oh well, guess I have to let this gem out of its bag - early. Foptics started off as an online shop and provides value-for-money prescription glasses. With its huge fan-base of happy customer, Foptics has now finally open its brick and mortar shop to serve them!

The thing about buying prescription glasses online is that you never fully know your prescription. At its shop, Foptics offer a free eye-test and even provide you your prescription. This allows you to buy your glasses online in future. Woohoo! Given that the shop is not really near my house, I was really happy that I have a more convenient option in future.

I have to admit that the selection at Foptics isn't the widest. But it has the latest designs and you will still find something you want there. There are fun frames and also the more serious looking ones which you can wear for work. I more or less knew what I wanted, so I tried on those that were of "Potter-Style". Hehe.

This is my first purchase with Foptics and I think I am already a fan:

1. The staff at Foptics are so nice and give a lot of suggestions/ help if you need it.
2. The store has a young vibe and I feel very at ease trying out the frames. You can just try them freely. 
3. Foptics accept online payment. It makes everything so easy. 
4. It is incredibly affordable. For an extra S$14, you can get a blue-light lens and they even explain to you through a demo on how the lens disperse blue light. See second collage for some demo photos. 
5. It makes wearing specs "in" again. I am so happy with my new look, I have shelved aside my Lasik plans. 

Within 3 working days, my specs were done. And I received my spectacles by post on Day 4. You could totally self-collect from the store. But I opted to top up a bit more for convenience. And I have been loving my specs ever since. I love that it is fun. I love that it shows my personality.

I love that it shapes my face well. I love that it reflects me better. I love the change and I love the new me. I guess you can really say I am "see bae happy" aka sibei happy with Foptics! Hope their shop won't be overwhelmed by the new customers that I have raved to :P

Best of Dunedin: Larnach Castle

Honestly, Dunedin was one of my least favourite cities in New Zealand. But if you happen to pop over there for whatever reason, the one place you should really consider going is Larnach Castle. It is one of the only two castles in New Zealand.

For our package, it came with the high-tea. Though it not very cheap, it was definitely enjoyable acting wealthy. Haha. The sandwiches and pastries were yummy and it came with a pot of tea each. I can totally understand why the royalties love their tea time...relaxing and tranquil.

The refurbishment of Larnach Castle is a private project and I was really impressed with the dedication and effort put in by the Barker family. From a worn-down place, the family have re-built the gardens and restored the house to its former glory. Please do save some time to explore the house and gardens because it is really different from other castles we have seen elsewhere.

And that's because...the castle is rather spooky. The previous owners of the house met lots of unfortunate event, suicides, murders, backstabs...You are basically allowed to enter every room, and every crank, so it feels real and not curated. So real, you never feel truly alone. Gulp.

Also, the current owners have made tremendous effort to bring back the items used by their previous owner. Rusty tubs, old baby cots....all these brings chills down my spine. If I were to come at night, this place might scare the shit out of me. But if you manage to survive all the way to the top, you will be rewarded with a beautiful sight.

It is quite a beautiful place. If you have the opportunity, you should also book a night to stay in its refurbished stable. Give the high tea a miss if need be, but don't skip the gardens and the castle!

Real Journeys: Milford Sound

I have to admit...I was glad I took a tour for Milford Sound with Real Journeys. Much as I love driving, I was positively tired. And it was great trying out different options - cruise, bus, car etc. Going on a tour means they have sieved through the scenic spots along the way...so you don't have to stop for things ain't worth your time.

As part of the package, you also get an experienced tour guide, who could explain to us how the magnificent wonders of nature were formed. Interesting trees and floras were also pointed out to us. Honestly, we have passed by them so many times on our own and have failed to notice them. Oops.

The road to Milford Sound isn't particularly difficult to drive. Travellers can also choose to drive to the dock and join the cruise instead. However, parking can be a chore and I doubt most cars have a glass-roof that let you admire the tall mountains. :D

Real Journeys provides different Milford Sound packages. For us, we picked the Milford Sound Nature Cruises because we wanted a smaller boat and a longer ride. A smaller boat means we can go closer to the rocks/ shore and we really wanted more time to soak in the beauty of Milford Sound.

Because the water at Milford Sound is quite calm, the journey on water is smooth. Even on the small vessel, none of the passengers got sea-sick. The nature cruises do not have a big kitchen, hence there is no option for a buffet lunch. (For those of you interested in having the buffet lunch, please check out the Scenic Cruises here).

Nonetheless, you could top up and get yourself the bento or the picnic set. Alternatively, you could also grab some food at pit-stops. Much to the envy of many, we got the bento. :P It came with sushi, miso soup and rice. Mmmm! And...it is tasty enough to satisfy your oriental craving! Personally, I think the picnic set is quite yummy too! Life really felt great, with a jaw-dropping view as the backdrop.

True to its hype, Milford Sound is truly a sight to behold. None of my photos can rightly do its justice, you really have to see and be there for yourself to immerse in God's creation. There were layers of tall, rocky mountains, I swore I would have gotten lost if I had been the navigators. We also had a guide on board and we were told that Milford Sound is beautiful in all weathers.

We had sunshine throughout. Our Milford was not shrouded in a mystery mist, but was grand and ready to leave every passenger dazzled. Through our guide, we squint and caught sight of tiny lighthouse in the horizons. We even spotted seals camouflaged on the rocks. And these are moments where a tiny boat comes in handy...cos we could approach them and catch them close-up.

And here's my favourite moment! For me a trip can never be complete, if you can't bring a bit of nature home. Rumours say be splashed by the waterfall and you will go home 10 years younger. Let me know if I look my teens now. Hehe. Unfortunately, for me I didn't have the best spot. And when I did, the boat was moving away.

Since you are my readers, let me leave you some tip so that you can get the best view on the trip.

1. Sit on the left-side of the bus. The best view are always on the left!
2. Have picnic pack indoors. Mind you, the wind on deck is no joke. If don't want your food to fly (unless you are having the bento), have them indoors.
3. Hog the front of the deck (L2) midway of the trip. Most passengers would have given up on the wind/ coldness and huddle to the back or indoors for a hot drink. This is your moment, cos that is when we will reach the seals, lighthouse and waterfall. 
4. Bring a wind-breaker. To secure your best spot, you will and must need this!

Real Journeys office is located near the harbour at Queenstown, so it is quite easy to find them. Unlike other tour agencies, complimentary transport is transported to and fro your accommodation, so you don't have to worry about driving to town in the wee mornings and late evenings.

Just so you know, there are also overnight stays at Milford Sound with Real Journeys! It is always booked out months in advance, so this is something up your alley, you better act fast. You get to do sea-sports and will have the opportunity to catch golden hue cast upon the mountains. Now, aint you glad you hear from me early!