Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Photoblog: Chapter 1 of New Zealand
I was looking forward to this trip and finally when the day arrived, it was sexcitement! Packed my luggage one day before I left. Was so afraid that I might forget to bring things over. As compared to my previous trip, probably because that was the first time I went alone, I packed abit almost everyday one week before the trip. lol. I'm finally moving away from Japan to another country. hahah
I'm traveling with Chan Brothers this time round. It was a very expensive trip to New Zealand, an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (North & South island). We took 10 days to explore both the islands. It was an eye-opener, as well as enriching because of the history. And it's summeeeeer. A very differnt summer which I love - Cooling summer! Shiokness!
Photos were all taken by my trusty LX 2, otherwise Canon Powershot SX10 IS or Sony T5 =D
Day 1
This was super wasted. hahah. The first night was to take a 10 hours flight to NZ. I thought I could movie marathon but who knows, I was so sleepy that after one show, I fell asleep, only to be awaken by some babies crying and fell back to sleep again. lol
Anyway, the girlfriends to accompany me for some Chinese crusine before I went in as they thought that I wouldnt be eating this over that. However, they were superb wrong. I had more Chinese cruisine than Western. lol. They were all very nice, came all the way to the other end of Singapore to eat and send me off, like I'm not going to return back. lol. KIDDING alright!
CoolPix S50C
Our flight was delayed due to idunnowad. We were left loitering outside the gate for quite awhile. Then, I got the window seats. Like yay. But it was dark, so nothing much to be happy bout, just that I videoed the whole process of taking off and I was super amazed that we were pretty near the moon. I can literally see the whole moon shining directly in front of me. So round, so glowing. heh
This was how we were seated. The whole row was my family members travelling
Supper????
I had a few mouthfuls and gave up because I was thinking 'I'm going to gain weight if I finished it'. lol. So I continued watching the HK movie, gradually, I felt sleepy but managed to finish off because it was quite funny. Took a drink in between and went to brush my teeth. I fell asleep while watching Kungfu Panda till the very next morning. When I was widely awake (local time bout 5am), I opened the shades, the sun was up, the sky has already turned blue. What a fine weather! I swiped out my camera and begin to snaaaaaap! heh. It was bout 10+ in NZ time. So I slept bout 5 hours in that uncomforty seat with my sister fidgeting the whole night. It was quite warm too :(
Day 2
NZ was 5 hours earlier than us due to daylight savings. Normally, should be 4 hours only.
Approaching runway
Auckland International Airport
The plane finally stopped moving
Arrived at Auckland City (North Island) in noon. The airport doesnt look grand, different from what I had imagined. Auckland City is also known as City of Sails because the harbour is often dotted with hundreds of yachts.
When we stepped out of the airport, a breeze blew across my face which send a chill down my spine. I love this kinda weather, sunny yet cooling. Not like the humid Singapore. tsk.
Outside Auckland Airport
The funny looking zebra-crossing
Due to the delay of flight, we had to change part of our itinerary and headed straight to Rotorua. We had to travel for 4 hours on the road there. We stopped by Lake Taupo, longest lake in NZ, for some snacks and toilet break. I saw the first McDonald's. Its choices and selections are different from what we have. I guessed when you go to different countries, each outlet will cater to suit the locals' tastebuds. heh
Lake Taupo
There's a bee on the flower
Wouldnt it be perfect if there's a couple of cowboys here. heh
Back on the road to Rotorua
The main difference between Singapore and NZ (town areas) is that there are very few cars on the road (Although on average, each Kiwis family got 2 cars. Cars over there are cheap as most of them buy second hand cars from Japan.), no traffic lights, land markings and occasionally few street lights. But driving is safe as the sun sets only at 9.30pm. And because we arrived on a Sunday, it was family day, so not much crowds anywhere.
Te Puia is the first sight-seeing location. We encountered a natural wonderland of bubbling mudpools, erupting geysers and steaming hot springs in Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.
The maori tour guide
She made us read and pronounce the whole full name of 'Whakarewarewa' before we could enter to look at the geysers. This whole place smell of sulphur. It been a year since I last smelt sulpur. lol. The last time was in Japan at Mount Aso.
Geysers from afar
The water flowing under the walk way.
Next, was the mudpool. The hot spring region with its boiling mud will eject mud into the air quite often. The temperature is high enough to cook eggs. hehe
Residents staying near the geyser and mudpool
First stray cat I saw snuggling in this fine weather.
After that, we learnt about the inimitable Maori (NZ tribe) culture at the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. The whole trip was boring to the max and I dun think I have absorbed because her accent was too much for me. Din really take much photo because everything was hurried off as they were closing -_-
Maori Arts & Crafts Institute
These leaves are powerful strong
First, they add the desired colourings and then made into many fine and delicate products and then dried it. There's sweat and efforts in making these. Very hard work.
With that, ended our second day's sightseeing. Nothing much I think because the flight took up the time and the vast time difference was something we couldnt do bout it. Furthermore, it doesnt help that their shops or places of interests close at 5.30pm on the dot! Thereafter, we went for dinner. Had Chinese cruisine which was good, so much better than the Japanese's chinese food!
Ginseng chicken soup
Hotplate deer meat! This is godlike. Tender and juicy. Oh mine!
Horrible death from the look of its facial expression
Happy with the dinner. Slurppp
Checked in Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua. To our great amazement, our hotel room was OMG big. Totally like a one room flat. We even had a mini kitchen with one queen size bed and three single beds and two televisions. hahah. It's good to have 3 people sharing a room because we always got the biggest room. lol.
Our coach and driver, Steve
NZ has got pretty flowers everywhere
Sunset
Once we entered,
Another room on the left with 3 single beds
BIG right for a hotel? hahah. But the three of us din sleep on the single beds, we cramped together to sleep on the queen size bed because we felt the other room was quite eerie. lol. I think probably because of the curtains.
Anyway, hotels in NZ dun have aircons. They use natural aircon as temperature drops quite drastically at night and true enough, it was very cold when the sun sets and it's very good to snuggle in bed under the thick blankets. And they dun have room service on Sunday because it's family day. haha. So next time, better fill your tummies or stock up some food especially on Sunday if you visit NZ. heh
Show you guys the exterior of the hotel in the next couple of chapters. hahah. And throughout the night, I breathe in a mixture of sulpur and oxygen!!!! Pukes!
Labels: Auckland City, Changi Airport, Lake Taupo, New Zealand, NZ Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rotorua, Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua, Te Puia, Terminal 3, Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley
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