06Oct13 - Arrived at Auckland and then transit to Christchurch. 1st stop we head pass Canterbury Plain and arrived at Tepako Church adjacent to Lake Tekapo.
The water is remarkably blue, from the rock flour from the glacier at head of the lake, which further got suspend in melted water.

07Oct13 - Stop by second lake. Lake Pukaki, with Mount Cook behind 

There is a shop which sell very good salmon, smoked or not, next to the chapel. Should try it, good and fresh. 

07Oct13 - Starts off with bit of rain and arrive at Hermitage Hotel. We then have to change bus and walk 20-30 minutes to take boat. On the way walking there, we saw rainbow which lasts through our ride on the Glacier. Sun comes out. Have to wear the stiff and heavy life jacket for safety. Is Cold along the whole trip.

The Glacier has been exposed to air for too long and has changed white, the grey. We are lucky to catch glimpse of the original blue colour at bottom of some of the floating glacier. The crystal are cool and clear under the sun which looks amazing.

After boadt trip, we head back to Hermitage Hotel for Buffet lunch. See photos attached under restaurant commentary. 

After Boat ride, head for Buffet. Food is good

07Oct13 - After Tasman Glacier, we head to visit the 1st Historic bridge used for Bungy Jump in New Zealand. AJ Hackett jumped here in 1988.

Saw a kid and Korean jump. Tour mates and I did not jump though... 

Arrived nearly sunset. This is the best preserved gold mining town in 1862.

Lucky to catch a Bride and Groom taking wedding photos. 

If you are into History, then can pay to get into the Museum for quite view. 

08Oct13 - Best part of the day is the short visit to Mirror Lake on the way to Milford Sound. If you turn the photos upside down the view will be exactly the same.

Passing Cleddau Valley where the water from the snow mountain can be drink raw. We all drink and the natural water is so clear and sweet.

Arrived at Ferry Terminal and flow through the World Hertiage site, 16km long Fjord. Famous Mitre Peak mountain and Falls.

Ferry park right under Stirling Falls towards end of tour and we get to feel the strength of the waterfall coming down above our body and head. Real fun. 



 

09Oct13 - Arrived at Skyline Gondola station to take cable car in the morning. After arrived at top, saw Queenstown Magnificent View and people playing luge car, paraglider. Then lunch at Skyline restaurant with world best view.

This resturant has best view over Queenstown and do very good buffet. Caesar salad is freshly made and Mussels are huge and delicious. Dessert counter have lots of varieties.

The hotel room is decent and surrounding atmosphere is good.

However, this Millennium Brand hotels (same apply to the hotel in Rotorua) charge us 25 NZ for Wi-fi where we only say overnight. We opine is absolutely ridiculous. All other hotels we stay through the tours charge us a 5-10 NZ, and Auckland one is free. For such a common use item, this is not acceptable. 

Arrived at Pukerangi Station (A shed like building) and got on the train. Reminds me of England train. There is Snack bar and each carts have different design in them.

They stop off at 1 station each time, and this time we get to stop off at hindon for scenery shots.

Train travels through 77km, opened in 1879. Passing through scenery of Dunedin coast, grasslands, rocks of Strath Tieri and cut through 10 tunnels, bridges and viaducts on the way above the Taieri River.

I stand at the Entry platform 90% through the journey as the heating inside is too much.  

10 Oct 13 - After arrived by train on 09Oct13, we head towardsthe  City Centre (Octagon Square) where St. Pauls Cathedral and Municipal Chambers are. 

It is rainy day. So bit cold. But if you are bored after seeing lakes and landscape for 4 days, here you are some Architecture to counter balance the tour.

Dunedin is the City where Universities are. Commercial centre during gold rushes back in 1860s. Railway Station was opened in 1906, designed by George Troup.

We head to Guinness Record Steepest Street in the World, then Otaga Pennisula to see Wildlife before taking flight back to Auckland. (Photos will be in next album) 

10Oct13 - First stop after we ate breakfast is to get some exercise to wake you up. 

Walk all the way up to the top. Is actually real fun. Downside is the Souvenir shop who can chop certificate to certify you have been here has closed down... 

Modern Interior but take you a whoel night and STILL cannot connect to Wi-fi.

Other than that, Hotel itself is clean and modern, good for stay 

After seeking landscape and architecture, time to have some fun with Animals.

We went to Otaga Pennisula and ride on the 8 wheels Jeep all across the island to look for Sea Lions, Yellow-eye penguin, Blue penguin and rare birds. Was real fun.

We have Sea lions right at our feet and posing. We have luck to see the yellow-eye penguin from a distance (these species ONLY live here in NZ). We saw blue penguin sleeping and rare birds on cliffs, etc.

One thing I must warn you is if you cannot stand bumpy ride. Don't try. The road are so bumpy that we nearly feel off our seats. If you are sleepy in the first plce, this ride will bound to wake you up. Is very cold too. 

10Oct13 Arrived at Night from flight from Dunedin. Enjoy spectacular night view while enjoying French Dinner at Orbit.

Revolving restaurant is like the one at our Hopewell Centre Revolving 66. Be careful not to place your bags when takign photo at the outer ring. By the time you took your photos, your bag will be at few tables back

Is convenient to live right next to Sky Tower.

We saw the Australian Rugby Team also.

Room is clean and comfortable. 

11Oct13 - After leaving Hobbiton, we arrive at Whakarewarewa Thermal Area.  Saw the Pohutu Geyser (Hot Spring) & Mud Pool & Maori Culture Centre Meeting Rooms.

It was great seeing the release of energy fron the ground and sit on the stone floor which release heat (especially on a cold day).

Cultural Centre is oly display of exhibits nowadays and there is no show there, so bit disappointing. 

Similar to Queenstown. The Hotel requires us to pay 25 NZ$ for 1 night Wi-fi.  This is absolutely ridiculous, consider Wi-fi is so common around the world.

Other than that, the service is good and friendly.

Saw the Maori Show at Dinner. Very simple. 

Buffet Dinner again...Food is OK

Well, saw the Maori show, bit disappointing. Maybe I was expecting too much.  Is mostly simple dancing and playing with tools.

12Oct13 - Saw typical shred sheep show, dog chasing ducks/ sheep, feeding lamb and milking cow shows.

I am pretty sure that they put tranquiliser in the sheep food as most of them fell half asleep after the introduction.

As a whole, the show is OK. Sheep and lamb are adorable. 

12Oct13 - Arrived at Waitomo Cave after lunch. Cave first found in 1887. 45km long linking to Waitomo River.  Walked down 3 floors passing Banquet Chamber, Pipe Organ, Cathedral before taking the boat trip.

As we have to keep absolute quiet and cannot take photos, there will be no interior photo attached.

The scene is so amazing. Imagine sitting under a whole sky of green stars, with flashing one mating. Tour is around 15 minutes. Wish to be longer. 

12Oct13 - Had this lunch at 2:30pm after overrun in the morning tour. We have freshly BBQ Steak (you can choose fish but Tour mate said fish is very fishy).
Other parts are yes, more buffet. 

12Oct13 - Last stop before we head to Airport to get back to Hong Kong