New Zealand
Admittedly, much planning was done in a rush. I planned the route of advance for South Island and left for Fiji after that, so all North Island is planned by Edmund. Impromptu planning help was given by Andy. New Zealand is full of mountains and lakes, beautiful, but grew sick of it fast too. It is amazing how New Zealand can develop while keeping the lakes and mountains so natural. The people you travel with matters a lot to the trip. Learn to see the good in everyone. I did so much driving in this trip I definitely improved a lot.

28 June 2014, Clear, Christchurch
Landed nicely in New Zealand and started planning in the airport. Did not have a good rest and it accumulated from last night, but went to Jucy and collected the car. Driving mountain road when you are sleepy is just not advised. Checked in at Point Break Backpackers, visited New Brighton pier and did groceries. Went to take Christchurch's gondola up crater rim for some scenic views. We then drove 40 km to Akaroa but it was late and we cannot do any lake activities. Dinner was shared Fish and chips, really well worth it. Had an early night since today was spent zombie-like. We sang songs along the way to keep ourselves awake along the road trips. Seems so far that New Zealand is all mountains and lakes so far.


29 June 2014, Cloudy, Christchurch > Lake Tekapo
After breakfast and final grocery shopping, we left Christchurch and went to Lake Tekapo. Was a sleepy three hour drive. Seafood basket at Doughboys for lunch. We then walked around the lake for scenic views and played stone skipping and throwing. It was actually fun. The winds here are very strong. Saw the Church of Good Hope too. Dinner was at Thai Tekapo, was not good. Planned for Dunedin.

30 June 2014, Clear, Lake Tekapo > Dunedin
I did not rest well because the room is not very well ventilated. We had to keep the windows closed for the heater to work efficiently. We woke up early and drove to Dunedin, stopped halfway at a cafe along the way. I got my regular flat white. We went into University of Otago to meet with Edmund's friend Li Kee, and she took us around the campus. We then tried to go for the train rides in Dunedin, but none suit us. We then went to Larnach Castle. It was beautiful, got some nice pictures. LiKee commented on how my pictures are always very nice. Dinner was at a very nice steak house. We then went up Signal Hill to get a glimpse of the night scenery of entire Dunedin. It was impressive indeed. Turned in for the night.


1 July 2014, Cloudy, Dunedin > Te Anau > Queenstown
Woke up late and left Dunedin for the long drive to Te Anau. We reached Te Anau and cooked our own lunch. Explored Lake Te Anau, looked at the fjord at ground level while exploring the area. Te Anau is beautiful, however, Edmund did not really appreciate the beauty. We then decided to forgo the rent and went straight to Queenstown for the night. It seems that Queenstown is beautiful too, but it was already nightfall and we can't see the surrounding and the lookouts. Dinner was Fergburger, awesome meal. We went into an Ice Bar, -8C, to have cocktail and be around ice sculptures. So, it was heard that it is going to snow, at -4C. We were really excited about the snow! Having budget constraints, we plan to luge tomorrow.


2 July 2014, Snow, Queenstown
Woke up slightly late and watched world cup over breakfast. It dragged a little. Don't you think it is a waste of time watching world cup on a trip? It started to snow slightly in Queenstown itself. We went up the gondola in Skyline Queenstown, to go up to take the luge. It snowed very heavily up in the mountains!

You can really see each crystal with the naked eye, provided they don't melt too quickly, how amazing is that! Made snowman. Seeing snow in my exchange is finally off the bucket list! . Tried the luge without gloves, and my hands felt like they don't belong to me anymore. Kept them safe from chill bane, fortunately. Lunch was at a mexican restaurant, okay prices, but small servings. We then drove out of Queenstown to Paradise, one of the scenes of Lord of the Rings. It was a scenic drive. It was paradise. Pictures cannot do it justice. Snowy mountains in the backdrop, horses, sheep and cows grazing around the grass. Serene peace. We drive back, in tired mood. We cooked our own dinner and then turned in for the night. I decided to check on my good friend Andy, who helped me a lot in this travel.


3 July 2014, Foggy, Queenstown > Auckland > Rotorua
We woke up rather early to return the car and catch our flight to realise that... it has been delayed! It was due to fog/snow/ice on runway. After wasting five hours in the airport, we are finally set to take off. North Island is very green from the sky. Landed and ate MacDonald's in the airport because we were too hungry, and while finding Jucy car rental, we found a rainbow. Jucy Auckland moved to Aintree Avenue, which caused us quite some trouble finding and ultimately getting the car! I realized the fuel isn't full, but I thought they are pretty lenient on that. Drove to Rotorua and was greeted by the sulphur smell. Did some groceries and cooked an awesome meal. The backpacker accommodation that we have in Rotorua is cheap, but yet the best one. We had the whole room to ourselves. There was only bath tub. Used it and enjoyed it, although it wasn't clean. A whole day of just waiting and travelling.


4 July 2014, Clear, Rotorua
We decided that we would split up today due to differing interests. After breakfast, we dropped Cheryl off at Agrodome, them went to Wai-o-Tapu thermal park. Although the smell is strong, the unique geothermal activities got me very excited. Got a lot of nice smoky pictures, craters, sulphur lakes, sulphur rock deposits and the famous Champagne pool!

This place was really a beautiful and curious place. I think the gases in the smoke caused us headaches. Bought oven mittens for Joyce here as an encouragement for her, a budding baker. We also visited the mud pools to see exploding mud. A very eye opening experience. Made a huge delicious lunch. Walked around Rotorua for a bit and found a parade happening in city centre. There was a ski rink, bumper car, and a large screen showing Frozen. What a find in the night! Made our own large late dinner again, then turned in for the night.


5 July 2014, Rain, Rotorua > Auckland
After eating own breakfast, we set off to see an important scene from Lord of the Rings: Hobbiton! The entire place was very nicely built. It was dreamy, and the whole place is like straight out from a game with good graphics. It was a pity it was a rather rainy day. Took a lot of beautiful game-like pictures.

Had a fast drink at Green Dragon Inn. The afternoon was spent in Hamilton, had a rather bad lunch, walked into Hamilton Gardens. It probably was not a good idea to visit the gardens in winter. I was not disappointed though, beautiful gardens. Drove back to Auckland after sun down, the drive reminds me of Singapore roads. Had a cheap, awesome, unhealthy dinner of chicken and chips, then rested for the night.

6 July 2014 Clear, Auckland > Sydney
The day is spent in Auckland. It did not go as well as we wanted it to be. Started the day by visiting Mount Eden, a non-active volcano. It sure has a large crater. We then visited One-tree Hill. It is amazing that there are a whole lot of sheeps (and shit) at the hill. I then drove to Auckland Skytower, went for a bit of looking, then ate lunch at a 'hawker centre'. We came back to find that our car has been booked for exceeding the parking time. We drove to return our car. The Jucy staff told me that the fuel isn't full. I argued that it wasn't even full in the first place, in fact, it was less than three quarters! Stupid Jucy Auckland, I'll remember you for that. First you move out of the airport and made yourself difficult to find, next you gave me a car that doesn't have full tank and expect it back full. We then arrived at the airport and hour and a half early before flight to find out that there is only one check-in counter for Jetstar, and the queue is very long. We made it about 2 minutes before check-in closes. Landed in Sydney slightly early and met up with Cherry, Andy and her parents for a last dinner together. The meal itself was very nice. However, many different things are going on for my two friends' minds. I had some hopes that I could at least meet Cherry alone, but that didn't happen. I did not manage to say a 'proper goodbye', if you know what I mean, because whenever the two of them are together, I can't do anything and Cherry becomes super passive. I would like to believe, in our minds, Cherry and I knows. Note to self not to let this happen on myself. Leaving Eastwood with regrets on the train. Had a slight rest for the next and last trip: Melbourne.