Category: Going Places

My travelogue.

Christchurch and Queenstown Trip (25/12/12-2/1/13) – Part 9

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After lunch, we went to Sumner Beach.


Here we are…


The view is rather nice but I’m sure it was nicer before the earthquake.


I’m always amazed by houses built like this. Very unique.


We didn’t stay long there, we wanted to catch the next bus a.s.a.p to go back as the bus ticket is only valid for 2 hours else we have to buy another ticket. Can’t remember how much was the ticket costs. No matter how far you go, the ticket costs the same.


Left: The containers along the way used as barrier to landslide caused by the earthquake 2 years ago.

Right: One of the views from the bus.


Left: Back to the city and spotted this double decker not far from our accommodation. It’s for city tour which of course you have to pay for it.

Right: One of the landmarks in Christchurch.



At night, we went out for new year countdown. It was so cold! I posted the video previously, will post it again here. The fact is this is the first time I welcome a new year outside of a building, in a public event, and with a friend *LOL* As all these while I just stay home or few years back was in the hotel room sleeping while last year I was in the aiport toilet!

Going Places, Kia Ora - Christchurch & Queenstown

Christchurch and Queenstown Trip (25/12/12-2/1/13) – Part 8

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I’m back! WOW! It’s been awhile! One week is over really soon. Gone is my one week in Adealaide. Going home soon… 🙁

Anyway, come back to my NZ trip post. Still quite a lot to go.

We stayed at YMCA, this time we had a room with ensuite, thank God! Deluxe double room ($110/night). You won’t get coffee, tea or chocolate in standard room.


It was good enough for what we paid.



After we check-in, we headed out to hunt for dinner. At the same time took some photos of the street.


We ended up at casino for dinner.


Ordered Roast of the day, it was NZD18.50. It was beef for the day. Sad to say that it’s not up to our expectation especially the meat. However, I like the bun! It’s yummy!


Once we’re done with our dinner, we headed back. So tired…


On the way back.


The next morning, the last day of 2012, it’s time for us to discover Christchurch on the deeper level. This is Re:START Mall, the mall where the shops are made up of containers.


This was taken outside Ballantynes.


We went to get our lunch at South City after that.


Left: Hehehe… Ignore this, it’s duplicated, lost track. Does this shop sounds yummy? Well… We thought it’s selling dessert but it’s actually an adult shop hahaha…

Right: Heading into South City.


We bought sushi and salmon for lunch.


Left: This big piece cost us NZD9+ only! Where to get this cheap and fresh salmon?!?! Man… It was divine!

Right: I bought my dinner at this stall.


Left: Crispy chicken and terriyaki chicken rice. Don’t remember the price though. It was very filling. Cannot underestimate it, I bought the small one and it took me ages to try to finish it.

Right: After we got our food, we went to Sumner Beach with the bus. The post will come soon.

Food Porn, Going Places, Kia Ora - Christchurch & Queenstown

Christchurch and Queenstown Trip (25/12/12-2/1/13) – Part 7

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On 30th December 2012 morning, we headed back to Christchurch.


We managed to have a stop at Jone’s Fruit Stall at Cromwell again! I like this place!


Why? Free tasting ;p lots of fresh fruits and snacks to try hehehe…


Continued with our journey to Christchurch…


Left: One of the views.
RIght: Shrek the sheep. Very famous sheep. What’s the story? [Read it here]


Lake Tekapo again! YAY! This time we had longer time here. Took a lot of photos.


Nice?



Different views along the way.


Stopped at Geraldine for a short toilet break.


Here we are in Christchurch. The bus stopped at the airport to dropped off people.


Left: A park in Christchurch.
Right: One of the badly damaged buildings in the city.



The damage done by the earthquake 2 years ago was really bad. The city is basically now in very bad condition.

More post of Christchurch coming soon. That’s all for now. It’s a long weekend tomorrow so I’m going off for a road trip to Robe.

Going Places, Kia Ora - Christchurch & Queenstown

Santos Tour Down Under 2013 – Prospect to Lobethal (22/1/2013)

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Santos Tour Down Under is one of the biggest cycling events in the world. So lucky to be part of it. Normally, I would never thought of going to such event. I didn’t make it to the race last year because I was in Busan. This year, I decided to join the tour with other UniSA’s students to cheer the uni’s team. I figured that I must go this year as this is my first and my last since I missed it last year even though I had registered for it.


First stop was at Prospect. Didn’t really get to see the starting of the race as we had to rush to Checkers Hill. We left just before the race started.


One of the bicycles of one of the cyclists.


UniSA’s boy was interviewed before the race at the starting line.


Here I am, Checkers Hill. We waited for them to come up the hill. Very steep! Luckily our bus dropped us right on top of the hill. Really got no energy at all to go all the way up by foot! It was hot! Not only the weather but the men were hot too! 😛


Left: Enthusiasts’ bicycles parked at the hill.
Right: Some of the cars with various mascots on it.


Here they are at Lobethal racing towards the finishing line!!


Left: The whole race took more than 3 1/2 hour which covered a distant of 135KM.
Right: One of the winners.


More winners of different titles. The one in the first and last photo is the student of UniSA. So proud of him! Not only putting the uni in the news but Queensland and also Australia.

Here’s the video taken at Checkers Hill where the King of the Mountain title was taken by none other than UniSA’s student, Jordan Kerby, but the video only showing those cyclists after him, and followed by the footage of the race in Lobethal.

Didn’t get to take photos of winners reaching the finishing line. Bad timing and didn’t get any good spot for it.

Finding Myself - Adelaide, Going Places, Public Events

Christchurch and Queenstown Trip (25/12/12-2/1/13) – Part 6

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The next day, we didn’t want to risk it anymore and check-out extremely early to wait for our transport to Milford Sound tour. We actually started to wait for the taxi half hour in advance.

Here we go…


The bus was amazing! Comfortable seat and allowed great views from inside the bus. Blessing in disguise. If we were on the tour yesterday, then the view won’t be this great. Some more we found out, we were sent on a more expensive tour package than what we paid initially. How nice? Things really happened for a reason.


First stop, Te Anau for first stop.


The most expensive toilet trip ever! NZD1/entry -.-” Didn’t know there’s other toilet, so ended up here. Everyone rushed in this toilet after alighted from the bus. I didn’t fully utilize the facilities though hahaha… My friend did.



Took some photos while waiting for the bus to continue with the journey.


We stopped at Mirror Lakes. Nice!


Another toilet stop as this is the only fully functional toilet. There won’t be any along the way except the long drop toilet *LOL* Everyone rushed in for it as afraid that there won’t be any proper toilet anymore.


Indeed, there’s no stop for any toilet.


Left: Magnificent view!

Right: We went on a very short jungle trekking, the rainforest in NZ.


It’s similar to what we have back home.


Milford Sound, here we are…


On the cruise with our picnic lunch. Rather expensive for just these. NZD17 for it but luckily ours were already included in the booking with the other company. The one we were with did not include it in their package and it’s more expensive than what we booked.


Very strong wind and it was raining that day.



The highlights of the cruise. The seals and the waterfall. The whole trip was 12 hours+


So tired… We were so lucky to have the taxi sent us to our new accommodation, Hippo Lodge. Another blessing in disguise. If we went on the trip the day before, it would mean we would be lugging our luggage all the way up the staircase and hill! Instead, now we had taxi sent us straight to the door step.


I booked the room with ensuite. We were surprised with how good the whole thing was. It was NZD88/night. Too bad we only stayed here for a night. What’s more, it’s less than 12 hour! It’s so near to the town centre. Highly recommended.


The next morning, we had to go to the bus stop to go back to Christchurch. It was not easy with our belongings but at least better than the staircase. We decided to go along the road travelled by car instead of the staircase. I don’t think I will be able to get all my things down the tiny and steep staircase in one piece.

We almost missed our bus again despite going to the bus stop 45 minutes before the departure time as we didn’t know it was sub-contracted to another company instead of the one we booked with. -.-” Gosh… Again… We didn’t check the ticket properly.

Going Places, Kia Ora - Christchurch & Queenstown