Kiwi Land: Part II

by - Tuesday, November 20, 2018



Searching for the balance in life
Always doing silly things together with this one

Found a vintage place in the town to take #ootd
Day 6
Today is a day with a lot of driving and sightseeing. Arrived to Christchurch via Lewis Pass cause Arthur's Pass bridge was washed out due to the heavy rain. 1.5 hours extra but we had fun taking photos at empty railways and exploring new towns.

Day 7
Kick started the day with a good breakfast at Bakermans of Fendelton and then to more driving! We went for a short walk / hike at Port Hills, set up the tripod at Governors Bay, ran and had fun laughing at Birdlings Flat where the beautiful beach is. And I thought New Zealand is just famous for greens and hill views. We then went in search for the famous cheese at Barry's Bay Cheese and bought some really good cheese to bring back home, and drove to all the way to Akaroa (via Gebbies Pass) just in time for their famous fish and chips. Every drive, every scene were beautiful and picturesque. After hanging around at the jetty and more photos taken we headed back to Christchurch. We had a little time to spare, hence we went for a stroll at New Brighton Pier before we call it a day. Another tiring, satisfying day.


Port Hills with my supermodels

Governors Bay - 那些年的我们
Birdlings Flat with my strength pillar at Temerloh, my housemate, my boo


Barry's Bay Cheese

Akaroa famous Fish N' Chips 😋
Always one with my dear - the one who's always having my back 💗
My kinda blue 💙
Day 8
Woke up on a sunny day and decided it's a good day to fly! Skipped our breakfast and decided on our spontaneous skydive at Christchurch - though we know the sceneries might not be as amazing as Queenstown, but we didn't want to risk another activity cancellation due to bad weather. We reached an empty space at Ashburton and realised we were the only ones there. We were given short briefings and asked to fill in some forms, and it's done. We were geared up and ready to go, and being the "lucky" one always - I was the first one to go for our 9,000ft jump above sky. I could feel butterflies in my stomach but there was no turning back. The whole experience was just soooo awesome! I swear I'm gonna do it again! After all the adrenaline rush, we were starved when we reached Fairlie Bakery for their delicious pies.

Done the 9,000ft skydive! Totally awesomeeeee

Off we go to our next adventure - camping at Lake Tekapo. We were greeted with blooming Lupin flowers. We walked to the Church of Good Shepherd and took more photos. "Checked-in" to our camp and realised there were no heater (well, its summer afterall) but really it was freezing cold and we were given one hot water bag each. Of course, the hot water is at the kitchen area where it was quite far from our camp. Shower place is also another entire new experience itself. Each person could only use the hot water for 6 minutes, and a flash of cold water will alert us when 1 minute of shower time is left. And of course, the water will turn cold automatically thereafter. 


Lupin Flowers


The Church of Good Shepherd



Dinner overlooking Lake Tekapo before sunset
This is my favourite place of the entire trip. Lake Tekapo is an area under the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, with light pollution strictly controlled, making it one of only eight darkest spot in the world. Though' we were freezing cold at night, we still made our way out for stars gazing. Besides seeing the milky way for the first time in my life, I saw shooting stars too! Totally worth freezing ourselves out there for that couple of hours.
Where I saw the milky way and shooting stars

Star gazing - this photo doesn't do justice to what my eyes witnessed
Day 9
Only one activity for the day cause' we are going for a 10km trail hike at Hooker Valley. We were already in awe with the amazing Mount Cook view while on our drive there. During the hike, we crossed three swing bridges and reached Hooker Lake. Two tones darker on our skins, now this is the summer we are talking about.
Little heart attack of the day: Someone lost our car keys among the bushes. Not a day without adventure, really.


Breakfast beside Lake Tekapo with an amazing view


Hooker Valley Track


Hooker Lake

Day 10
Arranged another hike today, to the Summit of Sealy Tarns. Fed our tummies with fresh salmon and incredible view at Alpine Mount Cook before starting our track. Sealy Tarns is also known as the stairway to heaven which consists of 2,200 steps and upon reacing the top, it provides the spectacular views of the Hooker valley, and Mount Cook in near. The track is steep and stepped with a height gain of 600m. To my frustrations, I didn't finish this hike with my girls. After probably less than a 1000 steps, I gave up the track given with my poor stamina and also the fear of the steepness of the track. I climbed back down and went side track to Kea Point where I ended up at a platform to enjoy views of Mount Sefton, Mueller Lake and Mount Cook from far.
This will remain as a minor disappointment of the trip of not completing Sealy Tarn track.
After two days of "working out", we rewarded ourselves with famous Ferburger at Queenstown. Their slogan: Ferg Loves You. Well, we love it too!

Fresh salmon at Alpine Mount Cook with that sparkling diamond lake view!
On the way to Sealy Tarns


Seeing Mount Cook from far

Sealy Tarns, Stairway to Heaven - the steps that I didn't complete

There's a saying that goes: You've not been to NZ if you've not been to Ferg
Day 11
Last day of the trip before flying back home tomorrow, we are back to Queenstown. The sky is bright and the sun is out. This means our skydive is still on! This time, we are going higher - 12,000ft from the sky overlooking The Remarkables. It was cold up there, my nose didn't stop dripping and the best part was I had everything caught on the video which I paid for a fortune 🤦

That's what NZONE Skydive taught us

Did another skydive from 12,000ft above sky!

YASSSSS!

We didn't want the adrenaline rush to stop so we slot in ourselves for a white water rafting experience at Shotover River after lunch. All energy drained after two exciting activities, we slept in our wet hairs and cold bodies in the entire bus journey back to Queenstown. Last night here and we finally slowed down our pace for some quiet times and walked around the town and treated ourselves to a nice Japanese cuisine at Tanoshi Restaurant. Our Asian genes were kicking in hard. It's time to come home.


"Life was meant for good friends, and adventures. Friends that travel together, stays together!"

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