Tuesday 15.12.09Today is our last day in New Zealand. We slept in abit then got up to do the rest of our packing before we checked out.
I thought i lost my wallet and was going crazy looking for it. But when i went to the Reception they had it with them. Apparently the taxi from last night dropped it off because i dropped it in the taxi. What a nice taxi driver he was. We did tip him $5 before we left.
Sam and I then headed out to city centre and grab lunch and browse around. Not really much to do in Christchurch now. We got bored so decided to go see the aquarium and Kiwi birds. By that time was time to catch our shuttle bus to the airport.
We finally got on the plane. Bye Bye New Zealand! and 3 hours later landed in Sydney.
It was pretty warm compared to New Zealand. From wearing a Jacket to without a Jacket. HOME SWEET HOME!!!!!!!!!!! My parents came and picked us up. Was happy to see them.
____________________________________________________________Monday 14.12.09Sam and I decided to get up just before 7am so we could meet the Contiki people again for the last time before they fly back home. We already had plans to have breakfast with Pav and Tan.
It was great just to sit around and chat but sad at the same time.
Sam, Rachel and I met Pav and Tan at their hotel. We then made our way to the city centre and got lunch. Rachel wanted Sushi so we got food from there. After that we did some souvenir shopping and also bumping into contiki people constantly. Afterwards we had to say bye to Rachel as it was time for her to go to the airport to go back to Sydney. But we said we will definitely meet up when we are back.
Sam and I continued doing our shopping and browsing around. We walked passed Cook 'n' with gas and thought why don't we see if there is any booking tonight. Surprisingly they did have some availability so i called Tan and Pav and asked them if they would like to joined us. I was happy that they did joined us. They are a great and funny couple. We had alot of laughing going on and then at the end of the dinner and catching a Taxi back to our hotel we had to say our goodbyes and go our own separate ways. Hopefully one day we will be able to meet again.
______________________________________________________________Sunday 13.12.09I got up at 4am to leave at 4.30am to see the Sunrise with Sam. It was sooo cold and windy. But i would say it was worth the wait and getting up. After that we just crashed in the lounge room were i kind of dosed off about 6am. At 7am i decided to go back to my room to make sure my luggage was packed and then headed back out for breakfast.
There was also an option to go on a spectacular glacier flight over Mt cook but unfortunately it was cancelled due to bad weather.
So we were on the move again and headed on the bus again through MacKenzie Country, home to the sheep industry to christchuch.
When we arrived to Christchurch Contiki organised a local dinner at Lone Star for our final night. Everyone pretty much attended but some couldn't as they had a flight to catch. After that we crashed a local pub as usual and grabbed a drink and chatted. Then we had to say our farewells. Everyone was sad that it had ended so soon. We have had such a wonderful time with Contiki people and everyone got along with each other.
____________________________________________________________Saturday 12.12.09In the morning we had breakfast on the cruise before heading back to mainland. We travel past Lake Te Anau and the Clutha River to Arrowtown. It was a very small town. Then we headed to the Southern Alps to our lodge at Lake Ohau which affords view over Australasia's tallest peak, Mt Cook. The drive was a long 9 hrs drive. Omg, it was so long and i'm sure everyone had a snooze atleast one time while we were on the bus.
When we arrived to our lodge my room had the best view. It was amazing. We all had dinner together with Contiki and at night there was a Toga party which i didn't attend to because i wasn't feeling to well.
_______________________________________________________________Friday 11.12.09We all had to get up early in the morning to get everything packed and ready because we were on the move to Milford Sound. We had breakfast at the restaurant at the lodge and made our way onto the bus to get ready to be on the move again
First we went to Kawarau River for those people that wanted to do Bungy Jump and then picked up micheal from Sky diving. After that we made our way towards Fiordland National Park where he went through the Homer Tunnel again for the first view of Mitre Peak and Milford Sound. We finally arrived to Milford Sound on an overnight cruise.
Some people and my friends did the Kayak which i wish i could do but i couldn't because i injured my thumb he day before.
After we had dinner some people did their own things. Some went to sleep, read a book and some play board games. We were playing Monopoly which was so much fun. We were all tired so had early night at 10.30am.
______________________________________________________________Thursday 10.12.09We had to get up at 6am for breakfast because we had to be at the station for the Shotover Jet. Sadly it was cancelled on us again so we re-booked it for 11am. There isn't much to do at that time. So we just sat around abit and walked around and headed to Queenstown Garden which there wasn't much there. We then got bored so headed to an internet cafe to used the net for abit. Then it was time for our Shotover jet but guess what? It was cancelled on us again. That was three times. Sigh! Oh well! So we really didn't know what to do. We thought of going back to our hotel but though nah, we then had to head back out. So we checked out the info centre. We then though we should go up to the Gondola for the Luge. It was alright i guess. Something to pass time.
We then went to Fergburger for lunch. Burger was great there but massive. Could never finished it. After lunch we headed over to Nomad Safari for Quad Biking. When we got there they went through safety and gave us jackets, pants, helmets and boots. Then they went through how to operate the bike and train us abit so we could get the hang of it. After we were down there was a track we could go up. Within 30 mins i lost control, crashed and injured my thumb. They had to call the manager from the office to come pick me up to take me to a medical centre. During that time Dave Bandage my hand and filled in the Accident form.
When i got to the medical centre i had to get an X-Ray done. Dr said there was no fracture but said it didn't look good. So she had to put a splint on my hand. Which means i can't used it or get it wet. Yes, i was in pain. But luckily it was my last night in Queenstown.
As i got back to the hotel and barely out of the taxi i was immediately question by some contiki people what happen to my hand. Then went bumped into Pav and Tan and asked them what their plans were for tonight and they asked if we would like to join them at The beef eater restaurant. Food was great and we had a great dinner. After dinner we walked around town and bumped into Outi which she ended up with us for the rest of the night. After a nice long walk and chatting around we headed home to bed.
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______________________________________________________Wednesday 09.12.09Sam, Racheal, Anita and I met at the reception to go and grabbed lunch. Sam and I was meant to do the Twin Challenge which consist of 40 mins of Jet Boat ride with 360's and fast corners plus white water rafting on the Shotover River but the Jet Boat was cancelled because of the the weather and water levels. So we only went on the Water Rafting but on the Kawarau river instead of the Shotover river. It was so much fun. I almost feel of the Raft but luckily i didn't
When we got back to the hotel we still had time to relax abit before we headed down to the restaurant to lodge for a buffet dinner. Food was alright but the view was stunning. Omg, it was like the best i've seen. Then Contiki all headed out for a night out. We first went to the minus 5 bar which we had vodka in a ice glass and ice sculpture. We were only allowed in there for 30 minutes but it was great. And then went to a pub to wait up for the other half of our group. Sam and I walked out of the pub for like 2 mins and came back to the pub to find that our group had disappeared. Hmm.. we wondered where they went. Probably to crash another club. hehe! So, sam and I browsed around and the headed back to our lodge.
______________________________________________________________Tuesday 08.12.09We had and early start for the morning. Took our luggage out and waited for Breakfast. The staff there was late and didn't know breakfast was at 6.30am instead of 7am so they were rushing with everything.
Then we headed to do our own activities. Sam and I did the Glacier Hike 'Fox Trot'. Its a 4 hours trek to the terminal face of the glacier and then we get to climb up to the glacier itself. I felt sick on the bus after breakfast. I seriously had a bad stomach ache. Everyone though i shouldn't go on the hike but i really wanted to. Last minute i decided to take my chanced and go ahead with it. I'm glad i went because i would of hated myself forever for not going. It was so nice and beautiful up there. Because we were running a little behind we had to rush back to grab something quick to eat. I was starving and my feet was killing me.
After that we all hoped on the bus and then went through Haast Pass to Queenstown to our lodge at Aspen Queenstown. We went to our lodge and relax, unpack, had a shower and got ready for the Skyline Restaurant. It was wonderful to see everyone all nice and dressed up.
The view from the Skyline Restaurant was amazing and food was great. We all had a great time. After that we walked down to the Buffalo Bar for abit of fun and a few drinks then went back to our lodge and dozed off.
______________________________________________________________MONDAY 07.12.09We got up early to get ready and make sure we got everything packed. Today is the first day we start the Contiki tour. I so can't wait. Bus was leaving at 7.30am i think and luggage was to be at the bus at 8.20am and before that breakfast at the restaurant.
We made our way from Christchurch were we had about half an hour to explore for those travelling from the North Island haven't and we stopped for a half and hour lunch break at Arthur's pass and then headed to the Jade Greenstone Factory at Hokitika.
Then we headed to our destination Franz Josef Glacier to our lodge Rainforest retreat. When we got there we headed out to the shops to get some snacks for the following day. Then we had dinner at the restaurant there. I must say the food wasn't great at all. After dinner there was bingo so Sam and I stayed for it. Was fun! Then we went or separate ways to our lodge.
_____________________________________________________________SUNDAY 06.12.09We got up about 7am to get ready and head out to the City Centre again and headed to Denneys 24 hrs restaurant for Breakfast. It was alright but i had better. Then we went for a stroll back to the Cathedral square for information at the info centre. Betty and Richard wanted to go bike riding. Sam and I wanted to do the Grand Tour which is Tram, Gondola and Punting. But because they didn't want to do all of it we only choose Tram and Gondola. Their bike riding was cancelled due to some parade.
We caught the bus to the Gondola which we went up on. The view was really nice. Then we made our way down the track. It was really steep and the gravel was loose. I slip several times and i have 4 scratches on my leg. Betty and Richard went ahead of us so we met up with them when we finished.
We went back to the City Centre where Betty said to me she wasn't hungry and didn't have lunch when she did. I was the one that haven't eaten but wasn't hungry for some reason. So Betty and Richard decided to go into a sushi place to eat and we waited outside for them. 40 minutes later we went to look for them inside the restaurant but they weren't there. I was thinking wtf? where they go? and they didn't even bother to tell us? Arrg! Yes, i was angry. They knew we were waiting for them outside and didn't even other to let us know. By now we got the point that they wanted to be left alone but they could of just told us.
We went back to our hotel and at 6.30pm we met up with all the contiki people and tour manager. Then we had dinner with them afterwards which was great way to get to know some people and was fun. Sadly Betty and Richard didn't come to join which i don't know why. I would say they missed out. After that went home and slept
_____________________________________________________________SATURDAY 05.12.09YAY! Finally! New Zealand here we come baby! I'm extra excited!!!!
My mum and brother took Sam and I to the airport and we arrived there about 7.30am. Our flight was due to fly at 9.50am. Betty and Richard arrived about 8.30am and luckily Sam and I lined up first because when they came we were nearly at the front. We actually rushed to our plane as it took awhile for Sam as they were checking his camera bag.
We finally got on the plane and was on our way to New Zealand.
We arrived to New Zealand at 2pm. Catched a Shuttle bus to our Hotel and unpacked our stuff. Betty apparently thought that we had separate rooms when i clearly told her from the beginning it will be a Quad and also said so on the tickets. She looked like she was upset.
We then made our ways down to the City centre. It was about 20 mins walk from our Hotel. We browse around the City centre and then had our firs dinner at Claredon Restaurant. Food was great. What surprises me was the sun didn't set till about 9.30pm. Wow! Thats alot of day light.
After that just walk back to our hotel and relax. _______________________________________________________
FRIDAY 04-2-09I picked up Sam from work. Sam went home to clean up and brought his fish, TV and luggage over to my house so my parents can mind it.
We had a family dinner before Sam and I leave to go to New Zealand.
_____________________________________________________________WEDNESDAY 02-12-09Today is my last day of work before i start my holiday.
I took an extra two days off so i could pack my luggage and make sure every thing is organised ant that i have everything and also cleaning my room before i go.
