The South, Duo
29th August 2007: Christchurch/Queenstown
It was another long haul bus journey as we headed southwards towards the largest town in Central Otago, Queenstown.
Along the way, we stopped by Lake Tekapo, "the largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand".
Lake Tekapo looked like... a lake.
Church of the Good Shepherd (taken from afar)
I was positively irritated that we weren't able to dwell around the area to at least enjoy the scenery. Expectedly, the NUSsers were roughly the last to aboard the bus.
After another over 4 hours of bus ride, we reached the heart of Queenstown. Butt-aching and stomach growling... As recommended by the bus driver, we headed to Wakatipu Tavern for our dinner.
Gourmet pizza = $7.00
Add beer = $10!
Although I ended up ordering a shot of Jägermeister out of pure curiosity.
Basking in the warmth of a fireplace in winter... What more could we ask for?
30th August 2007: Queenstown
Yup, this was home for us for the next few days.
While I concede that the name "Hippo Lodge" sounds rather cute, the journey uphill to the hostel was certainly no joke.
Coupled with killer stairs
If you were to slip and fall off, death would definitely be a swift yet messy episode as your body tumbles down the long flight of stairs and then met followed by the steep... *censored*
Why am I writing such morbid stuff?!
Anyway, back on track... It was a wonderful bright morning on 30th of August for some touristy gondola (aka cable car ride) up Bob's Peak.
Okay, the view in the gondola wasn't groundbreaking, but it wouldn't be too nice if it really did break some ground.
Next up was 3 rounds along the two circuits (beginners and advanced) on the luge.
Yup, Sentosa also has its own luge but nothing could beat the mountainous picturesque view from up here.
The chairlift up the slope
Before taking the gondola down, it was snap snap snap for more postcard pictures.
Next event installed: Nomad Safari's 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) Macetown Tour where we would be exploring New Zealand's gold mining history of on a jeep
Conquering the ranges along the one way road allowed us to enjoy great views of the mountains.
Rose Hip
Sitting on the 4WD was certainly an eye opener. Couple the amazing skills of the driver with a damn powerful jeep, we were able to cross almost any terrain, even shallow rivers!
Unofficially sneaking in a Lord of the Rings scene into the tour, can you guess which scene this is?
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Well, things were much less glamorous at the back seat.
After some really bumpy ride, we finally reached the neglected Macetown.
5 minutes walk away, we were treated to a snack of ginger cookies, fruit cake and tea in front of some rather breathtaking scenery.
The last part of the tour involved gold panning.
And naively, I thought it was time to make a killing!
Professional panning at work
But nahhh... Despite freezing my hands after attempting to sieve out some gold nuggets, I was left with a pathetic speck of gold dust, or at least that was what the guide tried to convince me that thing was. Hmmmm...
Quite frankly, I didn't find the tour was worth every penny. The journey on the 4WD was a tat too long and I was actually falling asleep despite the bumpy ride. But nonetheless, it was different experience.
One of those random pictures I took of Queenstown, but I thought the name for the supermarket was really apt.
31st August 2007: Queenstown
After adventure on the lowlands, it was back to the mountains top!
At over 1500m above ground, Coronet Peak is one of the more popular ski fields, with its close proximity to Queenstown.
Queuing up for the correct skis
The gross slope and steps to conquer which is rather daunting for beginners who can't even balance properly on their lead-heavy boots...
Under a inspirational irritating coach, Mark, we actually manage to move around quite a bit in our skis despite the ever so frequent gale-magnitude winds.
The magic carpet was installed along the beginners slope where it would bring you from the bottom to the top, so you wouldn't have the tremendous task of ice trekking every time you skied down.
Without hand rails or any support, I officially declared the whole equipment as unsafe and unfit for human use. This was evidenced when I was "blew" off balance out of the magic carpet by a sudden gust of wind. Okay, the wind was not entirely at fault even though it did cause me to lose my balance. So I deliberately threw myself to the right so I would be able to land on the soft snow.
It was ridiculously embarrassing as other skiers (including children!) riding up voiced their concerns as I laid sprawled ungainly in the soft white snow. Thank God no one manage to capture it on camera. *phew*
I really wanted to go onto the chairlift but our amateurish one-day-old-skills would mean that it was impossible to ski down the steep slope without risking breaking our backs. We continued under the verbal abuse from Mark.
Oh, and did I mention the cafe there was well-overpriced and served utterly underwhelming food?
They were lucky to be blessed with a million dollar view though.
I looked horrendous in the disgusting oversized red jacket that they handed to me, so I've wisely refrained from posting any pictures that included me inside.
After a tiringly rewarding day, in spite of the generous dose of snide remarks from Mark, we ended the day with a burger meal. And not just any lame boring burger from your typical fast food restaurant, but FERGBURGER.
Yep, they are have seriously serve serious burgers.
It was a mad house in the kitchen as orders were pouring non-stop from the counter. But if you notice, one cook still had time to pose for a picture.
They call this Mr. Big Stuff.
Crumbed Squid with Ferg's unique wasabi mayonnaise
The menu states that Mr. Big Stuff is made up of "Half a pound of prime NZ beef topped with melted edam cheese, American streaky bacon & bbq sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion & aioli". What in the world made me think I could finish that alone?!
Overate and... *burrrrrp*
1st September 2007: Queenstown
The livelihood of Queenstown seemed to be solely supported by the tourist industry but I absolutely love it.
It was another long haul bus journey as we headed southwards towards the largest town in Central Otago, Queenstown.
Along the way, we stopped by Lake Tekapo, "the largest of three roughly parallel lakes running north-south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island of New Zealand".
After a really unsatisfying lunch of soup (with tonnes of pepper) and bread, we quickly left the horrid cafe to snap a few photos of the lake outside before the bus left.
Lake Tekapo looked like... a lake.
Church of the Good Shepherd (taken from afar)
I was positively irritated that we weren't able to dwell around the area to at least enjoy the scenery. Expectedly, the NUSsers were roughly the last to aboard the bus.After another over 4 hours of bus ride, we reached the heart of Queenstown. Butt-aching and stomach growling... As recommended by the bus driver, we headed to Wakatipu Tavern for our dinner.
Gourmet pizza = $7.00Add beer = $10!
Although I ended up ordering a shot of Jägermeister out of pure curiosity.
Basking in the warmth of a fireplace in winter... What more could we ask for?30th August 2007: Queenstown
Yup, this was home for us for the next few days.While I concede that the name "Hippo Lodge" sounds rather cute, the journey uphill to the hostel was certainly no joke.
Killer slope
Coupled with killer stairs
If you were to slip and fall off, death would definitely be a swift yet messy episode as your body tumbles down the long flight of stairs and then met followed by the steep... *censored*Why am I writing such morbid stuff?!
Anyway, back on track... It was a wonderful bright morning on 30th of August for some touristy gondola (aka cable car ride) up Bob's Peak.
Okay, the view in the gondola wasn't groundbreaking, but it wouldn't be too nice if it really did break some ground.Next up was 3 rounds along the two circuits (beginners and advanced) on the luge.
Yup, Sentosa also has its own luge but nothing could beat the mountainous picturesque view from up here.
The chairlift up the slope
Before taking the gondola down, it was snap snap snap for more postcard pictures.
Next event installed: Nomad Safari's 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) Macetown Tour where we would be exploring New Zealand's gold mining history of on a jeep
Our Starting Point
Conquering the ranges along the one way road allowed us to enjoy great views of the mountains.Willows and more willows...
Rose Hip
Sitting on the 4WD was certainly an eye opener. Couple the amazing skills of the driver with a damn powerful jeep, we were able to cross almost any terrain, even shallow rivers!
Unofficially sneaking in a Lord of the Rings scene into the tour, can you guess which scene this is?
..
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
- Flight of the Ford
- Arwen: Im Arwen. Telin le thaed. Lasto beth nîn, tolo dan na ngalad. [Translation]: Frodo, I am Arwen. I come to help you. Hear my voice, come back to the light.
- Merry: Who is she?
- Arwen: Frodo...
- Sam: She's an elf...
- Arwen: He's fading. He's not going to last. We must get him to my father.
- Arwen: I've been looking for you for two days.
- Merry: Where are you taking him?
- Arwen: There are five wraiths behind you. Where the other four are, I do not know...
- Aragorn: Dartho guin Beriain. Rych le ad tolthathon. Stay with the Hobbits. I will send horses for you.
- Arwen: Hon mabathon. Rochon ellint im. I will take him. I am the faster rider.
- Aragorn: Andelu i ven. The road is very dangerous.
- Pippin: What are they saying?
- Arwen: Frodo fîr. Ae athradon i hir, tur gwaith nîn beriatha hon. Frodo is dying. If I get across the river, the power of my people will protect him. I do not fear them.
- Aragorn: Be iest lîn. According to your wish.| Ride hard! Don't look back!
- Arwen: Noro lim, Asfaloth! Noro lim! Run fast, Asfaloth! Run fast!
- Sam: What are you doin'? Those wraiths are still out there!
- Nazgûl: Give us the Hafling, she-elf.
- Arwen: If you want him, come and claim him!
- [Nazgûl begin to cross]
- Arwen:
- Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer:
- Rimmo nin Bruinen dan in Ulaer!
- Nin o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer:
- Rimmo nin Bruinen dan in Ulaer!
- Waters of the Misty Mountains, listen to the great word: Flow, waters of Loudwater, against the Ringwraiths!
Well, things were much less glamorous at the back seat.
After some really bumpy ride, we finally reached the neglected Macetown.Macetown is a gold rush ghost town originating from the late 1800s. Macetown is situated 40km from Queenstown and 20km up the Arrow Gorge from Arrowtown. The history of New Zealand's early European settlement began in remote places like this. What remains is authentic, from the actual houses the settlers lived in, to the machinery and implements left behind when Macetown was abandoned.The last remaining evidence of the town's existence: Macetown Bake House
5 minutes walk away, we were treated to a snack of ginger cookies, fruit cake and tea in front of some rather breathtaking scenery.
The last part of the tour involved gold panning.And naively, I thought it was time to make a killing!
Professional panning at work
But nahhh... Despite freezing my hands after attempting to sieve out some gold nuggets, I was left with a pathetic speck of gold dust, or at least that was what the guide tried to convince me that thing was. Hmmmm...
Quite frankly, I didn't find the tour was worth every penny. The journey on the 4WD was a tat too long and I was actually falling asleep despite the bumpy ride. But nonetheless, it was different experience.Alpine Supermarket
One of those random pictures I took of Queenstown, but I thought the name for the supermarket was really apt.31st August 2007: Queenstown
After adventure on the lowlands, it was back to the mountains top!
At over 1500m above ground, Coronet Peak is one of the more popular ski fields, with its close proximity to Queenstown.
Queuing up for the correct skis
The gross slope and steps to conquer which is rather daunting for beginners who can't even balance properly on their lead-heavy boots...
Under a The Magic Carpet
The magic carpet was installed along the beginners slope where it would bring you from the bottom to the top, so you wouldn't have the tremendous task of ice trekking every time you skied down.Without hand rails or any support, I officially declared the whole equipment as unsafe and unfit for human use. This was evidenced when I was "blew" off balance out of the magic carpet by a sudden gust of wind. Okay, the wind was not entirely at fault even though it did cause me to lose my balance. So I deliberately threw myself to the right so I would be able to land on the soft snow.
It was ridiculously embarrassing as other skiers (including children!) riding up voiced their concerns as I laid sprawled ungainly in the soft white snow. Thank God no one manage to capture it on camera. *phew*
I really wanted to go onto the chairlift but our amateurish one-day-old-skills would mean that it was impossible to ski down the steep slope without risking breaking our backs. We continued under the verbal abuse from Mark.
Oh, and did I mention the cafe there was well-overpriced and served utterly underwhelming food?
They were lucky to be blessed with a million dollar view though.
I looked horrendous in the disgusting oversized red jacket that they handed to me, so I've wisely refrained from posting any pictures that included me inside.After a tiringly rewarding day, in spite of the generous dose of snide remarks from Mark, we ended the day with a burger meal. And not just any lame boring burger from your typical fast food restaurant, but FERGBURGER.
Yep, they are have seriously serve serious burgers.
It was a mad house in the kitchen as orders were pouring non-stop from the counter. But if you notice, one cook still had time to pose for a picture.
They call this Mr. Big Stuff.
Crumbed Squid with Ferg's unique wasabi mayonnaise
The menu states that Mr. Big Stuff is made up of "Half a pound of prime NZ beef topped with melted edam cheese, American streaky bacon & bbq sauce, lettuce, tomato, red onion & aioli". What in the world made me think I could finish that alone?!
Overate and... *burrrrrp*1st September 2007: Queenstown
The livelihood of Queenstown seemed to be solely supported by the tourist industry but I absolutely love it.
The Last Parting Shot
Labels: Coronet Peak, Fergburger, Gondola, Lake Tekapo, Macetown, Nomad Safari, Queenstown, Ski, Skyline Luge
posted by Kelvin Lim at 12:30 pm
7 Comments:
Hey, u just posted rite? I was still reading ur old entry when i refreshed the screen.
Oh, I dont care about XX liao lah, he's an arse.
And I'm going to Shanghai, so HAH!
So I'm leaving Sun morning, with my snr and fellow A2. Mgr will only be there on Wed night!
And I will be taking the morning flight there, so we will reach there like about 5pm, and it's Sunday mah, which means most prob we can go aroud sightseeing a little and stuff!!!!!!! YEAH!
Anw, anw, anw, I totalli forgot to mention in my previous post that your hair (in the constipated pic) looks so FATABULOUS now!!!! Such a nice long fringe! U sld totalli grow ur hair long lah.
Oh oh oh, the most impt thing, do u a have Albertine's mp3s? Give me all you have, I can't find Shadowfeet and I want it before I depart on Sun.
Yup. I'm rushing through my blog entries now.
And did I tell you? I cut my hair liao so any fringe that I have is non-existent liao. Heh.
Yah, I'll send a dl link to your email.
OMG i love that scene from the Fellowship!!! But i suppose they cleaned up the waters a bit.. remembered the crystal-clear waters turning into white horses and crashing down onto them.
eeeks i dont even know whether I'd be going skiiing or not.
NZ is so picturesque! Anyways I can't wait for you to come back! You have got to do a slideshow for us and give us a picture by picture account on your adventures there!
Nah... Apparently most of the scenes for the Lord of the Rings is heavily CGIed, and this is no exception.
WK, YOU MUST SKI! I think it's really fun, something like ice skating but with the additional speed factor.
Heh, and Shaz, I doubt I can do a pic by pic account. I've taken gigabytes and gigabytes of them each weekend and holiday. Considering that I'll be grabbing photos taken by others too, just backing the pictures up on DVD is already mind-blowing.
Greetings from Novotel Hotel, Shanghai!!!!!
Idolicious Kelv Bing! Kelv!!!!!
Shanghai's kinda like Spore, but travelling time is longer and everyone spks veri fast chinese.
I have to pause for a while before replying my client when she tells me stuff cos I'm tinking in English and tryin to translate it to Chinese. URG.......
But so far so good, oh well, it's only Mon, I have 5 more days to go.
Anw, sharing room with snr, haven killed her yet.
WOW. I guess I would really be lost in translation in Shanghai if I were to go... Heh.
Anyway, hope you remembered to bring your trusty bat along in case the need arises.
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