Amazing New Zealand

After watching a video liked by Ashwin (Koli) on facebook (guess it was from 100% Pure New Zealand)  i put "to visit New Zealand" into my bucket list.
When i shared this video with Sadhvika, she immediately liked it and asked if we can visit the place for our Honeymoon. (Your wish is my command) rest was history 👀

Aug 2nd 2017

7:30 pm

Booked the tickets on a Malaysian Airlines to Auckland on Dec 9th at Broadcom reception.

Thanks to Windmill for booking the hotels as per the plan selected by us.
Here is the detailed Plan

Dec 9th 2017 

11:45am

Boarded the flight from namma Kempegowda Airport. Without a single NZ Dollar in the pocket (as the NZ currency was not easily available at Bangalore) we decided to go digital by using our MasterCard.

6:39pm

It was Sadhvika's first ever flight and took the window seat and she felt very happy with the experience. 

<<< Switch to New Zealand Time Zone>>>

Dec 10th 2017

1:30pm

Reached Auckland Int terminal and got our Hertz rental Car. A Toyota Camry GL!!!, had never driven a Sedan before in my life. I only had the 10 min crash course on how to drive in New Zealand, studied a couple of months back and my favorite navigator google (obviously not you Sadhvika)
Initially was very nervous to drive this beast at a new country among unfamiliar people, but after encountering the polite drivers i loved to drive here.

After missing an speedway exit, we had to travel 10+kms to get back on track. Thanks to Sadhvi for later guiding me correctly with the help of google maps.

3:30pm

Reached the Auckland City Hotel. Both of us were recovering from viral fever, hence decided to take the antibiotics and rest till evening.

8:30pm

Decided to visit the city center.

 

The sky was still bright, as it was summer and the days were very long.

9:00pm

Went up the Sky Tower (approx 60 floors) and experienced the amazing view of Auckland.

10:30pm

Ordered food at a takeaway (where a bunch of Indians sold 10rupee indian made kurkure at 60rupees. lol!!!)  and went back to hotel.
The quantity of the meal here per person is huge compared to Indian meal standards. A Single chicken bucket (4pcs) and medium fries was more than enough for both of us, but we ended up ordering two of those and over eating.

Dec 11th 2017 (377Kms driven)

8:00 am

Had English Breakfast at the restaurant, bacon and omelette was yummy. Sadly Sadhvika didn't like the bread and meat, she settled for some omelette and orange juice

8:22 am

Left Auckland early to prevent getting caught in the Monday morning traffic. Took the Southern Motorway

9:32am

Stoped at "Taupiri Urupa" after driving for 100Kms in 1hr 10mins.

11:05am

Stopped at otorohanga after slowly driving another 86Kms in 1hr 23mins

11:20am

Reached Waitomo Glowworm Caves 

They requested us not to take any photos as the flash would disturb the glow worms.

Once we entered the caves, it was completely made from rain water creeping through lime stones.
Then we went through the boat along the river to see the glow worms. They were amazing, similar to seeing starts on a clear sky.

<<<< Below 2 Photos from google >>> 

12:30pm

Went for a small hike around the caves

1:24pm

Had Lunch at Mc Donalds

<<<< Below 2 Photos from google >>> 

 

3:21pm

After driving for 90Kms for about 1hr 10mins reached the Hobbiton Movie Set. (Koli and Vibha had suggested to visit this place)

Tasted the non alcholic 'Frogmorton Ginger Beer' at the THE GREEN DRAGON™ INN

7:30pm

As soon as we arrived at Rotorua a scent of sulphur was in the air.
Reached IBIS Rotorua Hotel and freshened up.

8:30pm

Headed to the nearby geothermal hotspots, Polynesian Lake Spa and soaked ourself in the mineral rich warm bubbling water. There were separate pools with different temperatures. We started with the coldest one and then continued our way to the hottest one. Amazingly the sky was so bright even at 9pm

9:47pm

Just in time before the store closed, we ordered a take away at Just Kebebs
<<<< Below Photo from google >>>

12 Dec 2017 (42 Kms Driven)

9:00am

Drove to Rotorua Central mall to buy a NZ to universal power socket converter.

11:15am

Reached the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park.

Attended the Bird show

Then experienced the 'Big Splash'. The adrenalin rush ride, which at the end accelerates towards the water below creating a spectacular and exhilarating plume of water.

We were able to get a glimpse of the very famous new zealand parrot the 'Kea'

This bird was very intelligent and its trainer showed us some very interesting tricks  the bird could do.

Then moved around the park to the aquarium, reptile park and Kiwi house. 

The Kiwi house was a nocturnal house, it had a habitat which was made to simulate nocturnal conditions, as the kiwi is a nocturnal bird. It was mesmerizing to see it dancing within the habitat

1:45pm

Didn't have NZ currency to park our car at the Auto Pay Parking area. After searching for a while parked at a place without the Pay and Park sign. Walked a Km to 'Lady Janes Ice Cream Parlour' and bought 2 ice cream cups. As said earlier the food quantity is large and we had to get back to the hotel to store the ice cream for later consumption.

2:30pm

Reached the Agrodome Farm Show, we were almost guided to the farm guide with other Chinese visitors but we were informed by the van driver that we had tickets for Farm show and not farm guide. We were on time for the one-hour performance, presented live by a skilled enthusiastic Stage Presenter. The presenter gave us an exciting and informative insight of agriculture in New Zealand. 


Saw nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage, the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feed lambs and an exciting sheep auction.

I was also invited on stage for cow milking and got a certificate for the same.

4:00 pm

We were picked up from our hotel to 'Te Puia Te Ra + Te Po'.

Te Puia is New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, Te Ra is a 60 hectare Geothermal Valley and Te Po is 'Māori welcome ceremony, warrior's challenge and Kapa Haka'

We had a great experience with the 'Pohutu geyser'

Then we had the traditional Dinner (The Māori Feast (Hangi Dinner)

13 Dec 2017 (740Kms By Plane and 32 KMS by Car)

9:30am

Reached the Rotorua International Airport. Had forgotten my favorite Mobile holder in the rental Car itself, but couldnt get it as i had already dropped the Car Keys at the Hertz Counter (which was closed). 

11:30am

Just in time before boarding the hertz counter got opened and we were able to retrieve it.

12:30pm

Took off in the Mt Cook airlines (My first flight in a ATR 72 twin-engine turboprop)

2:30 pm

Landed at Christchurch International Airport

After waiting for 30mins at the hertz counter for our sedan, we got a free upgrade to a SUV

Toyota RAV4

3:30pm

Reached Hotel Quality Elms and rested till evening. 

7:00pm

Drove to Cathedral Junction for dinner at the 'Christchurch Tramway Restaurant'
It was a 36 seater air-conditioned, colonial style dining tram.

It was our first dinner on a moving Train/Tram we enjoyed the 4 course meal thoroughly

14 Dec 2017 (626 Kms !!!!)

8:30am

Started our long journey leaving behind the amazing city of Christchurch

10:00 am

Stopped for some photos at Chertsey on the Rakaia Highway.

We could see miles and miles of amazing grasslands with thousands of cattle farms ranging for several square miles.
There were even Deer farms (only if Salman knew about this, i.e. deer meat was legal here 😈

The weather was amazing and we could capture some really amazing photos

12:30pm

Finally we reached the blue pristine Lake Tekapo

Had never seen such clear water anywhere in my life

2:30pm

Reached Lake Pukaki another stunning glacial-fed lake.

3:30pm

Drove along the lake for abut 50kms

4:00pm

Mount Cook National Park or as known in Maori, "Aorangi", the cloud piercer, looms in the background.

4:30pm

Reached the base of Mount Cook Village which is at the base of New Zealand's highest mountain of an impressive 3754m. Had Lunch at The Old Mountaineer's Cafe

5:10pm

Finally got some chance for trekking, as we decided to go to the Tasman Glacier View Point.

The view from the top was Breath taking. People were so friendly as they offered to take our photos

6:30pm

When you forget your Tripod and try to use the car to hold the DSLR :D and The result

7:30pm

Stopped at Lindis Point

8:30pm

Passed Cromwell

9:00pm

Stopped at the Roaring Meg

9:45pm

Reached the adventure capital of the world Queenstown

Ordered takeaway at the Dominos Pizza and checked in to Scenic Suites Queenstown.

15 Dec 2017

1:30pm

Started towards Skyline Complex on Brecon Street. After searching 30 mins for parking space we finally found a tight spot.

Took the cable car to the summit of Bob’s Peak, steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere. 

The best views in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular 220 degree panorama, with breath taking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks

2:00pm

Finally got to experience the Skyline Luge, which is fun filled gravity ride.

For the first time users we had to take the scenic and gentle track. 

But for subsequent rides we were allowed to take the advanced and adventurous track.

Initially Sadhvika was very scared but after looking at kids enjoying the ride, she accepted to give it a try. After the first try, there was no one to stop her.

6:30pm

Decided to drive around Lake Wakatipu. 

'

7:00pm

Drove upto the shore at the devils staircase. We spend some quality time there.

8:30pm

Drove around the Golf fields and finally settled back on the shores of Lakj Wakatipu, looking into the amazing Queenstown city

9:30pm

Had Indian Cuisine for dinner at Bombay Palace Queenstown

The walked around the city and on the pier

16 Dec 2017 (383 Kms of drive through the Mountains)

9:30am

After having our Breakfast, we said our final goodbye to Queenstown and started to drive towards Fox Glacier. Our aim was to cross Haast Pass by 5pm and Makarora by 5:30pm.

10:30am

Our Drive through the mountains was amazing. Zig Zagging through the grasslands.

11:00am

Reached Lake Wanaka and decided to spend some time on the shore. Covering an area of 192 km², it is New Zealand's fourth largest lake, estimated to be more than 300 m deep.

A friendly dog came towards us and Sadhvika screamed at her top of her voice.

Finally took out my 250mm  Lens and it never failed me.

12:00pm

Reached Lake Hawae, another crystal clear lake. Lake Hāwea is 35 kilometres long. and lies in a glacial valley formed during the last ice age, and is fed by the Hunter River.

1:00pm

Reached the Neck, its a rocky ridge, where the two lakes are only 1000 meters apart.

2:00pm

Reached Fantail Falls. A 23-meter waterfall,it is located in Mt Aspiring National Park, along HAAST Highway.

The mail attraction was the Rock stacking. How can anyone have such patience!!!

2:30pm

Thunder Creek Falls is a tall waterfall that tumbles into the Haast River on the West Coast 

We got bitten by Savage sandflies and could spend only 10 mins there.

3:15pm

Had Lunch at Haast

4:15pm

'Knights Point Lookout' is the first place after the Haast mountains. We get to see the Tasman Sea from here.

4:45pm

Reached the Lake Paringa Camping Area and relaxed there for a while.

5:45pm

Checked into Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier.

7:00pm 

Reached Franz Josef Glacier Hot pools and spend time at the natural spa pool.

The 23Kms drive through the Curved section was amazing. Got to test the full potential of the Toyota Rav 4 Sports mode.

8:45pm

Had Dinner at the Copper Pot.

10:00pm

Came Back to Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier

17 Dec 2017 (415 Kms of Drive and 10Kms of Trek)

10:00am 

Checked out of the hotel and the hotel manager suggested not to visit the Franz Josef Glacier as it is cloudy and not worth it.

10:30 am

Changed my mind within a fraction of a second at the intersection, as we wanted to see the Glacier at any cost. Parked our car and started our trek (second trek on our honeymoon, nothing could have got better than this). God answered our prayers and cleared the sky just in time for us :)

And there it was the mighty Franz Josef Glacier, the temperate maritime glacier located in Westland Tai Poutini National Park.

We came across couple of waterfalls along the path

11:10am

After walking nearly 40 mins the glacier looked very distant. The clouds were playing hide and seek with the glacier.

11:30am

Finally we reached the base of glacier

12:00pm

After enjoying the view there for 30mins we decided to take the long walk back.

12:45pm

Reached 'Lake Mapourika'

2:00pm

After driving for about 100Kms, was struggling to keep my eyes open and steady the vehicle. Sadhvika was happily sleeping after the hike. Pulled over at a camping area by the lake and decided to take a nap. We went aroung Lake Lanthe

4:00pm

Crossed Kumara Junction and headed back inland towards Queenstown.

Decided to eat at the 'Theatre Royal Hotel'

They made amazing Pizza here

6:00pm

Stopped at Bealy to take some snaps

6:30pm

Some more snaps at Lake Grasmere

6:45pm

Some more snaps at Castle Hill

8:00pm

Checked into Hotel Quality Elms, Went to the Northlands Shopping mall, bought some goodies and ate dinner at KFC.

18 Dec 2017

Flight back to Auckland and than to Kuala Lumpur

19Dec2017

1:30am

Landed at namma Bengaluru.

Finally one of the memorable trip comes to an end.