I wanted to go Gold Coast initially, but hubby suggested to New Zealand instead. He wanted to try out their bungee jumping, and it is all set. I took at least three months planning our itinerary, and it pays off since I have friends asking for them (this is my first time). I felt so proud that we chose a wonderful destination which changed my friends' decisions to travel to New Zealand instead.
Everything is awesome, from our cottage's owner (Matt & Lisa), the friendly people in Queenstown, their delicious seafood to breathtaking mountains & rivers. We went straight to New World Wakatipu Supermarket http://www.newworld.co.nz/south-island/otago-and-southland/wakatipu upon touching down at Queenstown airport. That is after we rented our car from Go Rentals http://www.gorentals.co.nz which was 10 minutes walk away from airport. You can call the staff to pick you up. I wanted to rent caravan but baby is too young, we might rent it the next time we go back to New Zealand.
I was so careless that I left my iPhone 5 at the trolley and left. Fortunately, I realised it at the car park and went back to cashier counter. The manager at lost and found section passed my phone back to me as I had our family portrait as wallpaper. The honesty of locals impressed me even more, and I appreciate it a lot. This is something, we, Asian, have to learn and must start with older generation. If not, how do you expect the young ones to follow? So ashamed of some of our Asians' cultures.
I happened to come across this warbrick stone cottage http://www.holidayhouses.co.nz/properties/15909.asp located at Gibbston Valley. Price is reasonable at SGD 150 a night. The view around is spectacular, and I booked it immediately. It is 25 minutes drive away from town as well as airport. I don't mind the journey as I prefer staying near mountains rather than by the sea.
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| Their yams look like our ginger |
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| View along Gibbston Highway |
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| Matt is kind enough to give us a fence to prevent baby from going near fireplace |
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| Looking for woods |
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| Free papers & 10 farm eggs from Matt (we could not finish though) |
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| It's like heaven dining with such astonishing view, but we rushed into our cottage after this shot. Too cold! |
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| Our owner's house which is just next door |
Bungee jumping is the first activity on our list. But before that, we dropped by Kawarau River http://www.bungy.co.nz/kawarau-bungy-centre which was along the way from Gibbston Valley to town. Famous for Kawarau Bridge Bungy, but hubby decided to try out Nevis Bungy instead. It is the highest bungee in New Zealand (which attracted him), and located at the opposite mountains of our cottage.
Our breakfast was at Bob's Weigh Cafe which is direct opposite from AJ Hackett Bungee Jump office. I forgot about the huge serving in foreign countries, I totally could not finish my potatoes.
We boarded bus from town and it sounded funny since we were travelling back to near Gibbston Valley just for the bungee. As this is a private area, only designated transport is allowed up the mountain.
Do drop by Fergburger http://www.fergburger.com, they are famous for their huge burger and is usually packed with locals and tourists.
Second day tour was to historical Arrowtown http://www.arrowtown.com, a 15 minutes drive away from Gibbston Valley. Pasta from Boujour Restaurant http://www.bonjour-arrowtown.com was so delicious, it was unforgettable (the best I ever had). The restaurant was just in front of free car parking along Arrow River.
Next stop is to Lakes District Museum whereby we get to see early Chinese settling at the town. Arrowtown is well known for their gold mining in early days.
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| Trying his luck to search for gold |
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| Water is so cold, our fingers nearly froze |
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| Having fun at playground |
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| Cute rule |
Make it a point to hop onto TSS Earnslaw http://www.tssearnslaw.co.nz one of the World's last coal-fired steamer which was launched on 24th Feb 1912. Sail away to Walter Peak https://www.realjourneys.co.nz/en/experiences/cruises/tss-earnslaw-vintage-steamship-cruises for barbeque lunch and at the same time visit its farm animals. A live performance of shaving sheep's wools will be shown.
Dinner at Captains Restaurant http://www.captains.co.nz, good service and tempura oyster is not to be missed.
We decided to try out Gondola (cable car) http://www.skyline.co.nz and had our buffet lunch at their skyline. No regrets as the view was so beautiful, it blew me away on the spot.
I didn't expect to find hot springs in New Zealand. Well, Onsen Hot Pools http://www.onsen.co.nz is more of hot pools instead, but you get to soak for an hour facing mountains & rivers. Just imagine this is during winter, I will die just to go there.
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| Pumpkin Soup |
Souvenir for ourselves, Ti-toki wine added to our collection.
