Day 10:
Good morning!
Breakfast and we gonna start the day very early because we are heading back to Christchurch!
Sun is slowing rising!
Sun rise at Lake Tekapo!
Last view of Lake Tekapo before our journey.
After 2.5hrs drive, we reach the foot of Mount Hutt!
We actually tried to drive up to Mount Hutt but we didn't expect the road to be so slippery and when we almost reached, the car slipped on the road and it's kind of scary. We met 2 lady who stop by to check if we are ok, and they advise us to head back down to chain our wheel before heading up again. So, we drive back down to the info booth.
We are actually quite traumatized by the incident just now, so we ask the chain retail booth what are the other way to head up. They told us the bus service is sold out already, so the only way is we can try to hail a car and see anybody willing to drive us up.
We are so lucky to meet an Asian couple who is also going up to Mount Hutt, and they are very kind to bring us up!
The car park at Mount Hutt is full so we can only park the car at their temporary car park and walk for the free shuttle bus to bring us up.
The bus is here!
From the picture you can imagine how slippery the road is?
The car park is really full up here!
Finally, we reached safely to Mount Hutt!
We actually paid for a snow ski class with instructor but unfortunately due to the incident just now, we didn't make it in time for the lesson. They mention that they will refund the fee into our account (which we have to apply on the spot), and the credit can be used to rent skiing equipment, buy food, merchandise from the gift shop, or we can use the credit for another ski lesson within a year.
Let's enjoy!
So crowded!
We decided to go grab some bunch first.
Food... was ok only but it's expected.
Even we do not have instructor, we decided to rent the equipment to try skiing ourselves.
We are not planning to come again next year so we just want to finish up the credits.
First, we choose the ski pole. The ski pole comes in different length so you will need to measure your height to know which length of ski pole suits better.
Next, choose the helmets.
And next, the ski boots.
Measure your feet and let the staff know.
Haha! The ski boots seriously are difficult to wear, and this friendly staff came to help us after getting our boots for us.
Tada!
And this friendly staff (the name tag says Kalam I think?) decided to continue to help us at the skis counter!
And he patiently teaches us how to use the skis. Super nice of him!
Lastly, we store all our belonging at the storage counter.
The price list.
And off we go!
Picture first before looking bad by all the falls!
We are skiing at the beginner area and I'm so prepared to fall because that's what happen when I try in a ski resort in Korea many years back! Haha!
Done and dusted!
I officially do not have potential in skiing because I keep falling!
Simin and Weihao had some potential and gets better and better each time.
Well...Teresa had fun watching us! Haha!
No potential but can still post and act very well!
Wondering did someone took the helicopter here or it's a rescue helicopter?
Last bit of our credit, we decided to each get a Mount Hutt tumbler as souvenir!
Look at the amount of people!
Heading back down to the car park!
The cloud looks like a reflection of the snow!
Bye Mount Hutt!
Going back down to our car together with the couple who bring us up!
Thank God, we saw them again when we are about to leave if not, we need to ask around again to see anybody can give us a lift.
We exchange contact with the couple, because they will be coming to Singapore few months later for concert and we planned to meet up with them for dinner to thanks them!
After 1hr plus of driving, we finally reach our last Airbnb for this trip!
The living room area.
Kitchen area.
Bedroom 1 at level 2.
Bathroom 1 at level 2.
Bedroom 2 located at level 3.
Bathroom 2 also at level 3.
Nice little yard outside.
Time for dinner!
Found a Korean BBQ restaurant and of course we need to visit!
Operating Hours: 5pm - 1am (Sunday to Thursday)
5pm - 3am (Friday & Saturday)
You know it's authentic when you see many side dishes!
How can we not have kimchi soup right?
So happy to see they had Korean cold noodle here!
Best meal so far!
This is really a comfort food kind of meal!
After dinner, we went to the Christchurch Casino to have a look!
Operating Hours: 12pm - 12am (Sunday to Thursday)
12pm - 2am (Friday & Saturday)
Every wrist tag comes with a set of numbers, and it's for the lucky draw.
Obviously, none of us won anything! Haha!
We stay till the luck draw and left once we didn't win anything.
Back home and good night!
Day 11:
Good morning! It's our last full day in New Zealand, so we gonna give our rental car a bath before returning.
Operating Hours: 9am - 5pm (Monday to Sunday)
Closed (Public Holiday)
Pay the car wash service using the machine. The cleaning fee is 28NZD (=SGD$23.10) if I'm not wrong.
Once the payment is done, we received 2 coins which is for the last step.
Let's start the cleaning!
Follow the instruction.
Last steps, self-service for vacuum and also spray fragrance inside the car. The coin is to be insert here.
Eye power by 3 women.
Nah.... just kidding, Teresa came to help too!
After our cash wash, we head to the Christchurch farmer's market!
Operating Hours: 9am - 12pm (Saturday)
Closed (Sunday to Friday)
Such a young performer and audience!
Many foods vendor here!
You can get fresh vegetable too!
(well... it's farmer's market after all)
I feel so noob when it's my first time seeing brussels sprouts looking like this!
The apple looks so good!
Got my family a homemade kiwifruit jam by Gran's!
After the farmer's market, we went to City Mall for lunch.
Our lunch place is at the Riverside Lane.
Lunch at Midnight Shanghai! Having Chinese food today!
Saw the flight entertainment on the New Zealand airline introducing this restaurant, hopefully it's good.
Operating Hours: 11am - 10pm (Monday to Friday)
11am - 11pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Very oriental interior.
Their menu.
They have Dim Sum too.
They have karaoke?
Our food is here!
Verdict: The food here was ok only. Spicy dish is not spicy enough and a little salty too.
After lunch, we went to Riverside Market, which is just located below Midnight Shanghai to have a look.
Operating Hours: 7.30am - 6pm (Monday to Wednesday)
7.30am - 9pm (Thursday to Saturday)
7.30am - 5pm (Sunday)
Website: https://riverside.nz
Looks like a cooking school!
Coffee time!
The seasonal menu all looks good!
S, M, L. Guess who is the coffee addict?
I had the Banoffee Latte, and I will never expect banana and coffee together will taste this good!
Next, we just went around the area to explore.
Massive dog!
And I went to another pet shop to see if there is anything for my dog!
Operating Hours: 10am - 5pm (Monday to Friday)
10am - 4pm (Saturday)
Closed (Sunday)
Website: https://pawsclub.co.nz
Some of the brand can be found in Singapore, so I will try to get brands that is not available in Singapore, and it's made in New Zealand!
And look how cute is the store fur staff!
And next we drove to a very big Chemist Warehouse!
Operating Hours: 8am - 9pm (Monday to Sunday)
Website: https://www.chemistwarehouse.co.nz
The Chemist Warehouse is located in the South City Shopping Mall and just nice they have Whitcoulls here.
And nope, I'm not here to buy books but to buy one of my candle brands, The Aromatherapy Co.
The price in Singapore (if it's on sales) for each candle is almost double the price here!
And we went another shopping mall call The Colombo.
Operating Hours: 9am - 5.30pm (Monday to Saturday)
10am - 5.30pm (Sunday)
Website: https://www.thecolombo.co.nz
And then, we went to The Crossing Shopping Street and happen to see this Beercycle passing by us, so cool!
So, I went to googled about what exactly is a Beercycle, and the answer is it's a 2hr pedal powered bar on wheels. Usually per session, there will be around 3 to 4 pits stop for you to drink and while pedaling on the road, you can't drink but you can make friends with your cycle mates!
Understand more about Beercycle here: https://www.beercycle.co.nz
Last night in New Zealand, time to get some local snacks for our friends and family back in Singapore!
Operating Hours: 7am - 10pm (Monday to Sunday)
Closed (Public Holiday)
This PaknSave is HUGE!
Woooo.... So many different flavour options for the coffee!
Even Kitkat chocolate had so many choice.
Haha and the pet food section again! A local lady told me her dog love the Vitapet brand, so I got 1 treat from that brand for my dog!
And it's dinner time! Last dinner in New Zealand will be at this Cafe Valentino!
The review of this place seems to be good so let's try it!
Operating Hours: 5pm - 9pm (Tuesday to Thursday, Sunday)
5pm - 9.30pm (Friday to Saturday)
Closed (Monday)
Website: https://www.cafevalentino.co.nz
We didn't make any reservations, so we waited for an hour to finally get a table!
No more Asian food since it's our last night here but we will have Italian cuisine!
Finally, our food is here after waiting for another 50mins.
We are starving!
Love these truffle fries!
The pasta here indeed is good!
I would suggest you make reservation before you go.
Back to apartment and time to pack our luggage!
Here's my loot of instant coffee! Can't find these in Singapore!
Anyway, good night!
Gonna wake up super early to head to the airport in a few hours.
Day 12:
Good morning! It's 4am now and I'm already at the airport!
I was so afraid that I couldn't get any uber at this weird timing, but luckily, I manage to get one
Just nice! But actually New Zealand airline allows 2 x 23kg check in luggage!
Oh wow! There is a check in counter for pet at the airport!
Woke up too early, so let me have some coffee first.
Heading back home alone because of the flight difference!
Off I go! Bye Christchurch! I'm heading to Auckland for a transit.
Again, whole row by myself!
Here I'm at Auckland domestic airport!
Honestly speaking, the signboard at the airport is very confusing and airport staff are not very friendly to help, so while looking for my way to the international terminal, I found myself already out of the airport!
Then I walk over to this bus stop, I found out that this is the bus stops for the shuttle bus to international terminal. When there is no one to ask around, you just need to figure out yourself.
Anyway, with all the confusion, I have arrived the international departure hall.
Got myself my favorite Most juice because I need to clear all my coins!
Ok time to check in!
I got a lanolin hand cream from Lanocreme at a giftshop at Queenstown and find it quite good!
Gald that airport has it so I can grab a few more for my friends, but of course the price is slightly higher here.
I thought I didn't have enough time to grab the Mcdonalds, so I went straight to the gate but ended up my flight is delayed, and I am quite a distance away from Mcdonalds already. Luckily, I packed one chocolate in my carryon bag.
And again, whole row by myself! How lucky I am?!
Ok now, really gonna bid goodbye to the beautiful but expensive New Zealand!
Breakfast time!
And lunch time!
Coffee break!
And home sweet home!
Signing off! Stay tune for my next holiday!
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