New Zealand South Island Trip (Part 2)

Hi there, to recall Part 1 of our New Zealand trip, please visit

  New Zealand South Island Trip - Part 1

So after visiting Skyline Gondola, we started heading towards Te Anau. 

Here are the view along the way.... 

At Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown

Interesting rock formation

Hi little lamby!!

The Remarkables

Narrow bridge for only one-way traffic

The weeds are dancing with the strong wind

Can you see the vast land of weeds?

Hi lambiiieessss!!

Turning at the dead end

where is this? LOTR fans...

Finally, we are here at Te Anau!!!

Te Anau Lake from our window front

After watching the 30 mins video about the fords at the Fordland Cinema, we had our dinner at Ming Gardens Restaurant. We did not visit the famous Glowworm Cave as we don't like worms. So, we slept early for that night as it is going to be a long day tomorrow to our final destination:

Milford Sound!!!

Getting the hints and tips online, we started our journey as early at 6am to avoid the heavy tourist traffic.

Morning sunrise from the room

Another tips: Filled your petrol tank FULL to get enough petrol for the return journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound as there is no petrol station at Milford Sound. (We actually used half tank only. But better be safe I still suggest you guys go full tank)

Once we stepped out of our hotel, we immediately saw a double rainbow!

I can do magic show

This journey from Te Anau to Milford Sound takes 2.5 hours non-stop driving. However we actually ended up about 4 hours from driving real slow and taking lots of pics along the way...

There is only one route to Milford Sound, so don't worry about getting lost. The drive was quite scenic, and quite relaxing at the same time. It wasn't that hard to drive in New Zealand actually (especially if you are from KL)

the winding route...

and also boring linear route...

fantastic scenery along the way..

and you can spot heaps of lambs during the drive!!! Try talk to them!

Our first stop along the journey was The Mirror Lake. Famous for its name, you can see the mirror reflection of the landscape when the lake is real calm. It was another drizzling morning for us, so what we saw is only "drizzling lake" without clear reflection :(

the mirror lake without mirror image

you can see the word reflection if it's a calm lake

But we saw the full rainbow while stopping by at Knobs Flat!! Having the tripod and plenty of time to spare, we started taking crazy pics with the rainbow...

setting up

chik chak! - the end product

Continue our journey...

while driving....

don't forget to stop to take some pics!

driving in between the valleys...

and photo shooting again!

The mountain still covered with snow despite it's already summer

sometimes you can see lake

Finally, we reached the scary Homer Tunnel!!!

Actually, it wasn't that scary if you are an experience KL driver... The tunnel is a one way traffic, about 1.2km long, at a gradient of 1:10. Don't trust me? Watch the video. It was FUN!!!! and the view after the tunnel is stunning!

before we enter the tunnel.. the campervan was thinking twice before he enters haha...

inside the tunnel, nearly reached the end of it

the train-like building on top is the exit from the tunnel, and there is a fantastic spot to take pictures after

the picture pretty much tells the story

hello!

And finally, we have reached Milford Sound!!!

Feeling excited, lets let the pictures speak for itself..

a bit sunny..

a bit cloudy..

no matter how's the weather, food is a priority XD

the waterfalls at the fiord are not permanent. They are formed whenever the weather is wet..

waterfall falling at all directions..

can you see the scale of it? or you only see me?

magnificent carved out stone formation

and more waterfalls...

the fiord

and finally a seal! can you find it?

Finally, we can see the famous waterfall!

A sneak peak of it

finally we saw it! look at the strong current!

we went in DRY

but we came out WET

the strong waterfall current 

and the scale of it

Getting yourself all wet, we head back to the dock..

feeling happy and grateful :D

kacha!

another shot

another one

more of the fiord

and again the fiord

finally back to the dock

inside the waiting hall

at the entrance

To be washed by the waterfall and to see the stunning view of the fords, no doubt that was the most memorable experience! This is a must-go if you are visiting South Island.

On our way back, we stopped by at The Chasm. A 20 mins return walk took us 1 hour... That

 was because we did all of these...

hi!

so huge

where am I?

trying to hold the tree? 

trying to hide?

what's next?

big entrance

tiny entrance

like the horn of a deer?

finally at The Chasm River

don't ask me how fast is the water current, it is crazy

yay!

*tink*

hohoho

looks like in a movie scene

looking down at the current

holes formed by the strong current I guess?

no mum, no mum, I can't enter this hole!

spot that HUGE broken trunk?

photography fanatic risking to take picture

we followed and got this

Having lots of fun at The Chasm, now we continue our journey back..
This is the toilets that are provided all along the way. So, don't worry about can't find any!

Around 4pm, we are back to Te Anau. Feeling that it was still early, we went to the Glass Chapel. Just like the name, it has glass all around.

At the Glass Chapel

looking from the side, it is all "transparent"

Back to our apartment, my little daughter started preparing the dinner for us. Such a lovely girl..

focusing on making the wrap

hehehe before it enters the microwave...

My finger was too excited till it felt painful

view of Te Anau Lake from our balcony. Nice view huh?

Here came the next morning....

The sunrise at Te Anau was really pretty and calming at the same time.

waiting for the sun to rise...

a slight drive to somewhere with better photography location

can see the mountain capped with sun rays...

water droplets all around....

zoom in to the water droplets..

After touring Te Anau for the final round, we said bye to Te Anau. Despite being a small town, it was a great location to relax and wind down...

Heading up, we checked into Scenic Suites Hotel at Queenstown for our last night in New Zealand. We thought we could have a room with stunning lake view, but apparently we only got a room at the ground floor facing the balcony walls. That was disappointing. Anyhow, the day was really sunny and we toured around Queenstown for the last time!

Spot number 1: The Fergburger

The Fergburger is a must try in Queenstown. Don't trust me? Look at the queue!

Long queue? Let's take a pic!

We tried the original Fergburger, the Little Lamby, and the Sweet Bambi. We were so filled after having a burger each. They are huge!!

Fergburger.. So yummy, fresh and filling at the same time!

Spot number 2: Kawarau Bungee Center

Here we were seeing at the bungee center. None of us dare to try it.

Bungee Jump! We dare not try it haha

Spot number 3: Arrowtown

Having extra time, we head off to Arrowtown. Me and my younger daughter were busy busying souvenirs from this little town while waiting for my elder daughter to wake up from her nap....

Arrowtown in one glance

part of Arrowtown...

JUMPPPPPP!!!!

ok cool, posing in front of the shop

At night, we tour Queenstown for the final round...

Lake Wakatipu at sunset

at the famous walking street

After returning our car the next morning, we head back to Auckland and met with my little daughter's friend - Jessie and her mum.

Here are some pics of the journey...

Where did this UFO cloud came from???? (At Queenstown Airport)

We missed Malaysian food

1, 2, 3, jump!

Acting like the statue at One Tree Hill

posting in front of the museum

And last round of shopping for Chocolates...

do you note the size of the supermarket?

Finally, we are at Auckland Airport again. But this time is going back home...

Are we too early? Relax ~~~

the sculpture work at Auckland Airport Departure Lounge area

After few hours, we were back to Kangaroo Land

And this marks the end of our New Zealand trip..

Till we meet again, chao!

Extra info:
Roughly expenses is approximately RM22,568.65 for 3 people, including all flights and souveniers. It is different for individual depending on the type of trip you want. We spent in the mid-range. Nothing too fancy, nothing too budget.

Breakdown are as below (in NZD):
Hotel + Car rental + Flight + Entrance tickets - $4,308.87 + AUD$887.85 + RM2717
Fuel - $313.84
Eat (restaurants) - $440.30
Shopping (food and souvenier) - $619.52
Misc - $244.48