NZ Day 7 - 27 Oct

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As TSS Earnslaw is celebrating her centenary in the month of October, we brought tickets on the second day of our stay at Queenstown to take the cruise and visit Walter’s Peak Farm.

It started raining before we started our cruise and we stayed in throughout the cruise as the wind was really strong and cold!

However, we managed to catch a rainbow on the sea and was really happy, especially LGD who started dancing (because he said that at the end of every rainbow, there are many carebears dancing there, so he’s joining in too).
 
Reached the very beautiful Walter’s Peak Farm where tulips are grown freely everywhere on the farm ground in many colours. Saw sheep shearing and the sheepdog rounding up the sheep, which was really amazing because the dog can really control the sheep. She will study them very carefully and once any of the sheep makes a movement, she will stare down the sheep to prevent them from running amok and the sheep are REALLY afraid of her. 
 
Afterwards, we had tea in the farm where we had one of the bestest scones with tea.
 
Reached back at Queenstown at about 1plus where we walked around the Art and Creative Market at the Earnslaw park before packing lunch at PJ Fish and Chips again and headed back to our hotel.
 
Seeing all these dogs over the past few days made us miss the dog at home quite badly and it hit me especially bad on this day as the long duration of seperation is affecting me. Looking at the acres and acres of green grassland  in NZ, we really wish that we could bring Cotton here or better, even migrate here with him where he gets acres of nice green grass to sprint on.

NZ Day 6 - 26 Oct

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We are spending both day 6 and 7 in NZ in Queenstown and woke up pretty early to start early and reach the town early. So that we do not spend the whole day driving and reached the town in the evening, just in time to see these shops frantically pull their posters and everything into the shops and close the shops on time.
 
Although we set off early, we had nothing planned for Queenstown actually (sounds contradicting hor? Don’t want to reach Queenstown late; but did not plan anything for it… Actually, it’s just because we are sick of reaching a town just in time to see people close shops) and agreed that we should stop as and when we see nice sceneries or when we see nice farm or town that we would like to visit.
 
After seeing many many sheep for the past few days, the husband is actually gearing to touch some sheep and told me that he wish to stop at the first farm that is friendly to tourist to pat their sheep. We drove pass this farm call The Vege Shed and saw that there are several vehicles parked outside their farm with advertisement and decide to stop by and see what they offers.
 
As I am severally DOG SICK from the long separation from the dog at home, I was extremely happy to see a little schnauzer running up to me, wagging his tail to welcome me. I just sayanged the dog endlessly and I think at some point, the schnauzer think that I am abit siao since I am so passionate about massaging him.
 
The nice owner of the farm showed us to this area at the front where they kept several sheep as pets and we can pet them. The husband was quite shocked when I (being the cleanliness freak and klutz) climbed over the fences and went into the sheep area and start petting them.
 
I can only say that I really miss the dog at home and seeing them reminds me too much of him that I cannot don’t jump in and pet pet them, give them some love and get some positive energy from them.
 
The products at the farm are priced at a reasonable price and we ended up buying a giant bottle of honey, a bottle of aloe vera cream and a tub of lip balm known as ‘lip shit’. Hahaha
It was only after leaving the farm that I realized that Bart (the name of the dog) left my glove (the one that I used to touch him) black. My gloves are white and he is really THAT dirty. Hahaha.. not that I mind, since he is actually quite cute.
 
We visited another honey place too but did not purchase anything from them since we purchased a giant bottle of honey from the farm earlier on. Next stop was at Kingston where we found out by chance that they actually have this old steam train that brings you on a scenic trail from Kingston to another place and back again. Unfortunately, we missed the last train and was not able to experience the train ride. We did stop by at the café thou for a mini break, where I encounter a second dog. Unfortunately, this dog is abit older and generally in a bad mood, he actually growled when I approached him. Therefore, I decide to leave him alone. Hey! Not only humans need space, animals need their personal space too!
 
Continued our journey to Queenstown, where as predicted by the husband, we did not get to do any sports activities! This is the fate he needs to suffer for marrying a klutz! Haha! But we did had a great time walking around The Mall (a clusters of shops, something like Holland Village, minus the second level) and a great workout since the hotel that we stay in is pretty near, we walked to and fro (a good workout is what we really need since we just eat and eat and eat here).
 
Shall retire for an early night as we are going for cruise and farm visit again tomorrow morning!

NZ Day 5 - 25 Oct

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We woke up super duper early to prepare our breakkie to bring to Milford Sound today to eat on-board the cruise.  

There are several cruise (I think four) that goes out to Milford Sound with two bigger companies having bigger boats and two smaller companies which have smaller boats.

We decide to choose one of the smaller brand, Jucy simply because we suspect that bigger companies have tie in with tour agencies to bring busloads of tourist on board these boats. Imagine us squeezing with many other tourists. I don’t think we will have an enjoyable cruise ride. PLUS! Jucy was giving discounts for the cruise ride!

One interesting fact that we’ve learnt today is that Milford Sound is not actually a “Sound” (a sound may be defined as a narrow sea or ocean channel between two bodies of land and is wider than a fjord). Milford Sound is actually a fjord which is a long, narrow inlet with steep sides or cliffs, created in a valley carved by glacial activity.

We have also learnt that the high amount of rainfall in Milford Sound made the place the 8th wonder of the world. Of course all these was told to us by either the very knowledgeable captain of the boat or the introduction board of Milford Sound. Haha

Overall, it was an extremely enjoyable cruise ride where we saw seals resting on the edge of the rocks! Apparently, they are wild fur seals that are native there and really cute. Sadly, the boat went really close to them and created loud sound (roaring of the engine as they tried to steer the boat away) which scares them.  

 The boat even went into the Bowen Waterfall and got us quite wet since I refuse to get into the sheltered area. Well, like I told TFB, this is the only chance where you can get so closer to a waterfall and in safety!

TFB was deeply attracted by the Jucy lady crew…….. ‘s Jucy sunglasses and we end up getting a pair of them.  

On the way back, we drop by several other nice places for photo-taking before reaching Te Anau at about 4ish. Brought some groceries and we had dinner in the hotel room.

Going for an early night now to prepare and head to Queenstown early tomorrow!

NZ Day 4 - 24 Oct

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Started day 3 in NZ with a brisk walk to the main town of Lake Tekapo by the lakeside where we admired the lake, passed by the Shetland Monument (this monument was erected to thank all the Shetland who helped in the herding of sheep.. meehhhh meeehhhh) and Church of the Good Shepherd. 

On the way back from the town, we were actually chased by a hoard of flies, which we are not sure if they are actually flies or mosquitoes but were really sure that they were chasing us since they just continuously hovering around us as we walk. It was quite comical because you only see such scene in cartoon where a smelly person gets chase by flies but I am pretty sure that we don’t smell that bad although we have not shower yet at that point of time. We managed to shake them off after TFB told me to cover my head as he was quite sure that our heads was emitting some smell that they like. Hmm…. Wonder what smell is that…..

After brekkie, we thank the wonderful owners for their hospitality and set off for Te Anau. It was quite a long journey as we took about 9 hours to reach Te Anau (including a trip to Cromwell for lunch, where we shared a fish pie and TFB said that the fish pie is one of the BEST because they gave a mountain of baked mashed potatoes).

Along the way to Te Anau, the landscapes changed to more mountains, ice capped mountains where the environment is really dry and harsh. We even saw a mountain with two colours, one side is full of green grass and the other side is brown with either dried grass or no grass at all. As we drove on the edge of the cliff, I felt really scared for the first time in my life as we were at the edge of the mountain, surrounded by other HUGE mountains and a HUGE ocean/sea/lake. I have always been a fan of Mother Nature, but have never felt so much Mother Nature before. We even saw a whirlpool/water spout which we could not figure out which one was it because TFB thot that it is a water spout, but water spout actually moves towards inland and the twisting water plus gas did not move at all. It just stayed at the original place and kept twirling. It truly affirms my belief that as a human, you have to respect Mother Nature and in return, she will love you back.

Reached Te Anau at about 8ish where we had dinner at one of the local restaurant and retired for an early night to prepare for tomorrow’s journey to Milford Sound!

NZ Day 3 - 23 Oct

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Decide to have an early night the day before due to the insufficient sleep we got from the flight to NZ.

Woke up at about 3ish as the heater was getting really warm and the rashes (sustained from speed drinking) was acting up and getting really itchy. Forced myself back to sleep till 10ish the next day.

Woke up fresh eyed and well rested and proceed to the Akaroa town to get breakkie and stopped by this cafe which serves one of the bestest poached eggs I have ever tasted. As the food serving in NZ was pretty huge, we decide to share one meal with poached eggs on muffin, bacon and a cup of hot coffee and chocolate respectively.

This coffee place that we went to, is an extremely geeky place because it is a cafe that offers internet and generally just a geeky place and I was pleasantly pleased with myself because I found the perfect gift in that shop for my equally geeky nephews..... World's smallest kite. Was telling myself that I will get something really cultural for them (no.. not kiwis nor sheeps) but when I saw these kites in a GEEKY shop, I told myself that I HAD to get these for the two fellows because it is just THE perfect gift for them.

After breakkie, we check out of Akaroa cottage and headed down to Barry's Bay cheese and saw the people making cheese while sampling some nice cheese before heading down to Little River Town where I tasted one of the bestest ice cream from their local brand Kapiti. I told TFB that it is very likely that I will fall into depression when I get back to Singapore because breakkie and ice cream in SG is no longer anywhere near good anymore as I have tasted really nice ones here done by people who take pride in their work.

After these sight seeing, we are off on our way to Lake Tekapo where we saw more sheeps, horses, cows, hares, birds, lamas and PIGS! Which got TFB and LGD arguing because insist on the other party as a pig.

Did a pit stop at Ashburton where we had lunch and purchased food products from the local supermaket for dinner as we heard that Lake Tekapo was really ulu. Stop by again at a quaint nice town call Geraldine where we were just in time to see people closing shops. At least we still did managed to shop abit with TFB getting his gloves and us getting some chocolates.

Reached Lake Tekapo at about 6ish where we checked into this really nice place call The Chalet where the couple upgraded our studio apartment to a full apartment with really nice lakeview after knowing that we are a honeymoon couple (yes! we shamelessly wrote on every single of our booking that we are honeymooning).

We woud highly recommend this place to every single person who tell us that they are going to NZ because it is such a nice place with breath-taking scenaries! The owner was really nice in advising us on what to lookout for, which way to drive and even offered their internet to us FOC.

So far, we have bursted our budget on accommodation at every single place, but these first two places that we stayed in was really nice and I hope that for the next few days, we will meet up with nice folks with equally nice accomodation place too!

Next stop... Te Anau where we still stay for two days (include a day trip to Milford sound where LGD was supposed to post as Wolverine) before moving over to Queenstown.

NZ Day 2 - 22 October

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Since our flight was a night flight, beginning of Day 2 was spent in the plane, still feeling really miserable from all the evil alcohol in my body.

We touched down at Christchurch at about 12.30pm and rested for a while at the Long White Cafe because TFB felt that I looked really really really sickly and felt that I will feel better after a cup of hot chocolate. While purchasing the drinks (funny right? TFB felt that I was about to faint, yet he sent me off to purchase the stuff while he went toilet. What to do? Tofu Brain mah.. you dont really know what's going on in his brain.. hahaha!)

Rested at the airport for about 1 hour I think. I am really feeling sickly lah, so must take a break on firm ground. Called Omega (rental car company) for the courtesy transfer which will sent us to the car company to collect our rental car.

New Zealand is SUPPOSED to be in spring going to summer now, but the weather was cold, gloomy and raining too. When we went out to wait for the ride, we realised that we could blow out cold air that was visible (like those 90s Taiwanese soup drama that you watched where the people kept blowing visible cold air?) and the two of us stood there like idiots entertaining ourselves with blowing cold air for a good five minutes while waiting for the ride.

We collected our car at about 1pm and because it was freeeezing cold, we asked for direction to the nearest mall to purchase gloves for me as I felt that my fingers are going to break soon. After purchasing the gloves, water and some snacks, we were on our way to Akaroa as that was our first stop.

Before Akaroa, we stop by a lavendar farm where the boss told us that we came in the wrong season as the lavendar do not bloom now but still entertained us abit by letting us into the shop to purchase stuff.

It was really funny because we wanted to purchase a bottle of lavendar freshen up spray and asked the boss how much was it. He told us he dont know and we asked is there anybody else that he can ask and he told us there is nobody around. Then we asked him how about the in-charge or anybody like that and he told us... he is the boss.. followed by a very embarressed "hur hur hur" because he dont know the price of his own products.

He just hamtum-ed a price and since we felt it was a reasonable price, we brought the spray from him and continued our journey to Akaroa.

On the way to Akaroa, we saw many many sheeps and many cows with some horses, lama, hares, birds and a few deers. We reached our breath-taking logging for the night known as Akaroa, The Cottage which offers a really good lake view and it was a five minutes drive from Akaroa which was a little quaint french looking town.

Unfortuntely the system hang moments at the airport, the walking around mall looking for gloves (hey... it is supposed to be spring going summer you know? The mall was selling straw hats, bikinis and shorts rather than gloves, scarfs and wooly hats) and driving around took longer than expected and when we reached Akaroa, all the shops were closed.

Still managed to have dinner at this not nice place in Akaroa where the waitress refused to accept the fact that we are sharing a main.

That concludes day 2 where I had my first encounter with NZ and although the dinner was not really nice, I am still grateful that I am here and enjoyed day 2 very much.

NZ Day 1 - 21 October

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After two years of "should we go for our honeymoon or not?", we decide that we should just go for it now that we are young with no attachments (e.g. smelly kids)... there are a few places that we have shortlisted but we decide on New Zealand because TFB went there once when he was really young and had really good impression of the place. Since we go together, he's been telling me many times that he would love to bring me to New Zealand one day as the place is really nice and I would really enjoy myself. For a very forgetful person to mention this consistently so many times, I guess he is really keen in bringing me to New Zealand.

Fast forward to 21 October, we embarked on our journey to New Zealand via a night flight that has a transit over at Sydney.

It was by far, the worse flight I ever had.. Not due to the long flight hours, but due to my trying to be funny... - -"'

Since it is a night flight and me being such a troublesome and light sleeper, I thot that some alcohol would help me sleep thru the whole flight without any problem. BIG mistake and BIG problem..

The problem rise because I forgot that I am a uber lousy drinker and definitely shouldnt gulp down a can of volka plus ginger beer within 5 minutes. It was 11pm and we had to transit at Sydney at 4pm and I was anxious to get some sleep before the grouchy monster takes over you see.

My stomach started churning and I told TFB that I need to puke.. which I did into the paper bag provided and tried to sleep. However, the stomach was still churnig and I was feeling miserable with a bad hangover type of headache plus the headache sustained from not sleeping and the churning stomach. So I told TFB that I needed to puke again and this time, I decide to go to the toilet.

When I got up from my seat and walk out to the aisle, my vision darken and before I knew it, there was a moment where I couldnt hear anything. When I could finally hear and see things, I was sitting on the floor and TFB was holding onto me, asking me am I alright. I realised I blacked out.

I assured him that I am fine, although I am really not fine and attempt to walk towards the toilet. I remember telling myself that everything is gonna be alright although the vision around me darken once again and before I knew it, everything went black and silent again. When I regain my vision and hearing, I am once again, seated on the floor with TFB screaming at my face asking me to wake up.

I assured him that I am alright, but he told me afterwards that I look as pale as white paper and my eyes were rolled up showing only whites while telling him that I am alright.

Several kind hearted souls stepped forward to help TFB, went to alert the air stewardess and helped me onto the chair at the back of the plane.

The chief steward came and told me to lie on the floor with my legs up on the chair. We guess they suspected that all my blood was at my legs area (yes.. thank you big butt and big feets) and by lying on the floor, the blood will flow back into my tiny head.

I felt better instantly and they gave me oxygen mask to make me feel better. The people in front of my seat look really shock when they saw me with the oxygen mask. Hahaha!

I had the oxygen with me for the last 30 minutes of the trip as we were doing the landing and TFB was instructed to hold onto the oxygen tank to prevent it from sliding down when the plane is doing its landing.

It was really drama and we slept for only 2 hours for the whole journey.

Drama did not end there as I was singled out for security check at the Sydney transit security point. The guy was not too friendly (not that I expect him to be friendly, but I mean be nicer lah), and I was feeling really unjust because another chinese couple was with us and the girl was not singled out for check. I kept telling TFB... do they think I look like terrorist?!

Lesson learnt from this whole episode? Dont drink and fly... okay change that... dont EVER drink..
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