Day 4 South Island: Tasman Glacier View, Blue Lake, Queenstown

In the morning, we went on a hiking trail exploring the foothills of the mountains and Tasman Glacier recommended by the hostel staff.

The area is quite remote. Access is by a gravel trail. Here you're up close with the rugged terrain and a real glacier. Well worth the steep hike to the hill top to view the glacier and surrounding area. The view will take your breath away.



All ready and eager to go



 

On the trail



Icy cold water from the melting snow fields

 

The journey

Taking a breather
 

At the top



Tasman glacier. Closest as we will ever get.



The edge of the retreating glacier



Blue Lake and surrounding

 

 

Couldn't resist another stopover at Twizel for shasimi salmon!



Fruit stall along the highway to Queenstown



Queenstown



The famous Fergburger



Sinful indulgence. Angus beef patty with bacon strips.



Accomodation 3 nights in Queenstown. Best Western Cranbury Hotel

 

 

Day 3 South Island : Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Accomodation : YHA, NZD180

The journey from Christchurch to Aoraki/Mt Cook passes through small towns, farmlands, Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki. As we near the lake region, the scenery changed dramatically to snow capped mountains backdrop.



Can even do a jump shot in the middle of the road



Fields of Gold. 

 





Samsung ad...

 



The oldest church in all of NZ!

At Lake Tekapo, we stopped at the famous Church of the Good Shepherd




Lake Tekapo.  The opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension.

Church of the Good Shepherd overlooking the lake




This is not a beach scene. Fresh water lake.



Shepherd dog statue

Lake Pukaki



Mt Cook Alpine Salmon. You cannot get it any fresher. Superior grade shasimi.



Salmon shasimi and a beautiful view. Priceless.

The alpine mountains beckons. Road to Mt Cook.

It was very cold

The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park has the highest mountain in Australasia i.e. Mt Cook at 7,255 metres.

 

YHA Hostel. Mt Cook is actually located at the base of the mountains.

The views were breathtaking and the air sickening clean and fresh! lol.



The hills are alive..with the sound of....

 

 

 



New Zealand - Land of the Long White Cloud

Travel Date : 1 November to 13 November 2013

Our long anticipated NZ holiday started from KLIA on 1 Nov at about 8.45 am. We reached Auckland just past midnight (NZ time) on 2 Nov. The journey took about 10 hrs, a distance of approximately 8,727 km.

From Auckland, we took a Jetstar flight to Christchurch, South Island to start our amazing journey of New Zealand.

Christchurch, 2 Nov to 4 Nov 2013

Accomodation : YMCA Christchurch NZD300


Weekend Market, Riccarton Farmer's Market

 



Bacon and egg sandwich, what else



So cute...

 

Air Force Museum

 



Imagination run wild!

 

Akaroa, historic French and British settlement



Fish n Chips