vBlog | a collection of my notes and thoughts…

TransferWise experience

With the recent favourable GBP/NZD rate, I have been looking at options of transferring GBP back to New Zealand. I have used TransferWise twice so far. It offers considerable savings compared to the banks. While there may be other sites that offer slightly better rates, I have found the TransferWise service to be user-friendly, and efficient. The transfer process is well explained, with regular updates on the progress of the transfer.

In both instances, I bank transferred the GBP fund to TransferWise’s UK account in the morning, and the NZD fund reached the New Zealand bank account by the next morning; in less than 24 hours in total. TransferWise acknowledged the receipt of the fund within a couple of hours after I transferred the fund online. They also accept card payments, although I have not used that personally. Once payment is received, they began converting the fund, and provided another update after it has been successfully converted. Their New Zealand counterpart then transferred the NZD fund into the nominated New Zealand account. The use of local bank accounts means there are usually minimal delay and no additional bank fees to worry about. I am impressed with the service and thoroughly recommend it to anyone who is looking to transfer funds internationally.

If you are planning to sign up to the TransferWise service, the following link entitles you to a fee free first transfer of up to £3000.

TransferWise – fee free first transfer of up to £3000

Life — Leave a comment
14
Jul 15

Ten months have come and gone

And in those ten months, I have:

rediscovered my inner child at Disneyland Paris.
started learning Swift, and writing my first iOS App.
visited Hong Kong and Macau for the very first time.
taken in a Chu Totoro and a Soot Ball.
hiked Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock) in Norway.
moved into my fourth flat in under 3 years.
completed a 5K Color Obstacle Rush.
learned to make pasta from scratch, Jamie Oliver style.
seen Urinetown, Shakespeare in Love, Peter Pan, and Wicked!
continued practising my piano.

Photography — Leave a comment
29
Sep 14

Project 6: Music

I have been practising my Ludovico rather religiously for the past few months. During the past six weeks, I have been learning Le Onde, which translates to The Waves.

This is the final piece of Project 6. The series is a good summary of what I have been up to on this short visit to New Zealand.

Photography — Leave a comment
23
Sep 14

Project 6: Happy!

Happiness can be found in just about anything in life. Be it in collecting seeds for Totoro, or in enjoying a laksa and bubble tea.

Photography — Leave a comment
14
Sep 14

Project 6: Favourite spot

Akaroa is one of my favourite spots in Canterbury. It is a tranquil, picturesque, historic French settlement. A mere 85 km from Christchurch, it is a perfect day trip destination. Sadly, the overcast sky today meant the colours of the harbour and the surrounding hills are not as spectacular as they usually are. Nonetheless, it was a relaxing and enjoyable day.

Photography — Leave a comment
08
Sep 14

Project 6: Nature

This photo was taken during a stroll along Ohau Stream, just north of Kaikoura. Seal pups gather at a waterfall upstream during the winter months.

Photography — Leave a comment
05
Sep 14

SmugMug discount

Get 20% off the SmugMug subscription price if you are signing up for the first time! To claim the discount, simply use the following referral link.

https://secure.smugmug.com/signup?Coupon=CxHJibBV9reeI

DISCLOSURE: The referral link is part of SmugMug’s Refer-a-Friend Program. In return for my endorsement, SmugMug will compensate me for any referrals that subscribe to their service.

I have recently switched from Flickr to SmugMug. Despite having paid for a Flickr Pro subscription, the service is simply unusable. It takes literally forever to upload anything. SmugMug has been fantastic so far. The upload speed is good, and the site is very customisable. I did pay extra for the Power plan, which unleashes the extra customisations. I would strongly recommend SmugMug if you’re looking for an alternative to Flickr.

Photography — Leave a comment
04
Sep 14

Project 6: Small treasures

I usually pick up a little souvenir whenever I visit a new place. At one stage, I was collecting shot glasses. Here are the ones from my travels around New Zealand.

Photography — Leave a comment
28
Aug 14

Project 6: Home

Project 6 is a photo assignment of six photos. For each photo I take, there is a corresponding photo from the other side of the world. My photo is here, the other is somewhere out there.

The first photo is home.

There are more than one place that I call home. These are photos of the home that I grew up in. Some of the details in the photos are somewhat lost in the low resolution; but one of them says home is where the heart is.

Travel — Leave a comment
21
Aug 14

Transit in Changi

I’m currently on my way home to New Zealand. A 10 hour layover in Singapore Changi airport. A chance to do some duty free shopping, and to grab some much craved Asian food; though currently tethered to a free charging point. 13 hours of flying down, another 9 hours to go.

I’ve been living in London for the past 20 months. Alas, my visa is close to expiring, and is therefore time to head home to apply for a new visa. This means a journey halfway across the world. Life would be much simpler if the UK immigration rules do not stipulate that I can only apply from my home country. However, rules are rules; and it is one that I was well aware of. I just was not expecting to stay in the UK for so long that I would need to get a new visa.

This trip does give me a chance to catch up with family and friends, as well as to explore the new post-earthquake Christchurch. When I left, much of the city was still cordoned off; but from what I have heard, businesses have started moving back in to the city.

100% – fully charged. Time for a break.

As much as I could use a snooze, and with a free snooze lounge in sight, I just could not bring myself to sleep in public. Especially, when there is no one to watch over my belongings. That, and the fear of missing my flight. Therefore, it is back to more writing. Thankfully, the bright sunny sky is keeping me wide awake. It is a balmy 28 degrees Celsius outside. Some temporary nice weather while I move from chilly British summer to cold New Zealand winter.

5 hours to go, and I’m looking forward to my Singapore chicken rice lunch/dinner. A must have whenever I stop by Singapore. I would eat it now except my tummy is feeling somewhat confused. The flight from London served lunch around 3 pm UK time, and the next meal was breakfast at 7 am SG time, with a fruit snack in between. I then fed myself another breakfast at 10 am SG time. So, when is the next lunch time?

Time for a free foot massage.

Ouch. But it is a good, hard massage. It’s an OSIM uPhoria Warm. There are several modes to choose from including relax, energise, high heels, toning, reflexology, sleep, sports recovery, and senior. It does come with the following caution though, amongst others.

Please consult your doctor before use if you are pregnant or menstruating.

Sounds like a very serious massage. Having used up my recommended 15 minutes of massage, and having had a wander around on foot, I am confident that it has not done any harm. Now, if only there is a full body version of this available for free.

Goes have Singapore chicken rice at Singapore food street @ T3.

Contented. This is now a good, successful layover. Currently lounging in the MTV corner, cradled in a single seater couch with inbuilt speakers. Songs from yester-years. Was going to chill in the free cinema, but it is currently screening Frozen which I have already seen.

Time to sign off for the day. The wifi access has been great. Expect more posts in the next few weeks. I have a photo assignment to complete.

vBloga collection of my notes and thoughts…