Hi folks, Kia Ora!!! just got home from beautiful NZ yesterday. I am not going to upload any photos here, if you all wanna see photos, you can go to my picasa page when i put them up.
Day Two 15th June 2009
Places visited :
1) International Antarctic Centre
A place to experience how life is like at the South pole. I also get to see some penguins that were saved and protected, not only that,took this Hagglund Ride to get this Antarctic adventure. I had abit of a shock there and even knocked into Zu's head during the ride.
2) Parks
This place is beautiful. It has very nice houses and scenery and a rose garden. Everything is so calm and serene.
3) Cashmere Hills, Canterbury Plains and a visit to the museum
We went up this hill to see the greenery around the south island. We went to the museum to see and experience how life is like in early New Zealand
4) Cathedral Square
This place is in Christchurch. The place looked very antique.
Day three 16th June 2009
1) Arthur's Pass
We took the Alpine train and went to Arthur's Pass. Along the way, the scenery is really beautiful with mountains and farms.
2) Hokitika
Hokitika is a small quiet town during lunch time.
3) Westland National Park
I have a helicopter ride up to see the fox glaciers. The pilot actually stopped on top to let us take photos. It was really cold up there.
Day four 17th June
1) Lake Wanaka
2) Lake Hawea
The lakes are all so scenic and beautiful till i cannot differentiate which is which already
3) Kawarau River
I was waiting for my fellow tour mates to finish their jet boat ride at Gold Fields mining centre.
4) Arrowtown
Arrowtown has unique buildings and shops. We had some shopping over there before we head to Queenstown.
Day Five 18th June 2009
1) Highlight of the day Visit to LOTR scenes
We had a guide called Mike who was an avid fan of LOTR and watched it like more than 10 times. We went to about 4-5 scenes in LOTR. Along the way, we were welcomed by beaituful scenery. The first was up on this ski mountain to see the scenes of LOTR, we were told that in X men Origins, the part where Wolverine woked up with his gf was also filmed here too! It was really cold when we are up on the mountain. Next we went near Kawarau RIver where one of the scene of these 2 golden statues were found. There was another scene in the forest that was shown to us too. After that we had this ride that goes into the river and up on the rock...a very exciting ride where u see the river water almost up to the wheels. We stopped by the river side for a fantastic picnic prepared by Mike and learnt how the people mine for gold in the past. Lastly we went up this mountain to admire the beautiful scenery of the mountains around it.
After that, it was a free and easy afternoon for us. We had cup noodles for lunch. For your info, meals in NZ is pretty expensive, u need at least 10 dollars for a proper lunch. As we are like really short of cash, we decided to scrimp on lunch to but more stuff for ourselves. Outside our Hotel Ridges was Lake Wakatipu, i think this river is the most beautiful of all. We walked around Queenstown and shopped for more souvenirs.
Day six 19th June 2009
1) Bungy Jump at Kawarau River
Alot of my friends were asking me how i felt. U may see this link http://jadebottleparadise.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-bungy-jump-video-at-queenstown.html
2) Lake Tekapo
Why are there so many lakes in New Zealand!!!??? This lake is also as beautiful and we went to see this church by the lake.
3) Farm stay at Fairlie
This is a farming place. We got a very warm welcome by our host Derek and Chris who brought us to their cozy abode. We enjoyed ourselves so much interacting with the farm animals, feeding them and taking lots of photos around us.
Day seven 20th June 2009
1) Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
We bid farewell to our host and make our way back to Christchurch. Along the way, we stopped at Farmers' Corner to shop and to see more farm animals. In the evening, we went to Willowbank to get a look at different animals and the Kiwi. We had a fantastic dinner and was entertained by this Maori show.
Day eight 21st June 2009
We bid farewell to Ewen our driver in South NZ and took the plane to the north.
1) Te Puia - Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley
We see hot and erupting geysers, bubbling mudpools and steaming hot springs
2) Maori Arts and Crafts Institute
We were entertained by the Maori dance and were given an explanation on their culture
Day nine 22nd June 2009
1) Mount Ngongotaha
We took a gondola ride up the mountain for a champagne breakfast at Skyline Skyrides. There was this Luge ride that we took similar to the one in Sentosa, but this one has a longer route and cheaper too.
2) Agrodome Farm
I enjoyed this alot alot. There were so many kinds of sheep and they were so friendly. We watch how the sheep is sheared and how the dogs managed the sheep.
After that, it was a free and easy time for us. We went around taking photos of Rotorua, having another cup noodles meal and went around looking for beautiful scenery to be captured!
Day ten 23rd June 2009
1) Waitomo Caves
The guide showed us how these caves were formed and then we went further on a boat to see the glowworms
2) Angora Rabbit Shearing Shed
We saw how the rabbit was sheared and was very much amazed!
3) Mount Eden
Up on a dormant volcano, and having a bird's eye view of the city
4) Auckland Harbor bridge
Auckland is also known as the City of Sails, so we see alot of yachts parked around and a beautiful sunset view.
Day Eleven 24th June 2009
We did not go anywhere as it was our last day. I bid farewell to beautiful New Zealand with lotsa mixed feelings. I think i would miss this place though, a place good for relaxation and retirement. I really don't feel like coming back to Singapore!
If you all would wanna see photos, please click on this link
http://picasaweb.google.com/jadebottle/NZ14th24thJune2009
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