Saturday, February 15, 2014

My Trip To The Southern Parts Of New Zealand, The Catlins, Lake Manapouri and Doubtful Sound (1)

When it was first suggested, though I wanted to go, I was a bit hesitating, on driving on my own, in a totally unknown zone, but then, if I am a real Buddhist, and being an Aquarius and also knowing my character, I will do it. The other thing of my concern is, I think I have overspent my budget, haha, yes, I do have my budget too and the first few days, together with my friend, Ghaz (who for sure is on sabbatical, is easier and me, presently, not working, has to be careful a bit with my expenses, haha. Nevertheless, that is not a major issue, as it is part and parcel of traveling, but it was a small concern for me.

THen my visit to Dunedin Visitor information centre, with the customer service lady, Sharon, who has been very helpful from beginning, hence I got everything arranged for my whole trip.
Car was booked, hotel or motel was arranged and ticket bought, and at the time I was booking, I only managed to secured the only seat on the 11th. And 10th was my Birthday, hence the day I started my driving after having my birthday breakfast with Ghaz.

The drive throughout was smooth, all along the way, and I was searching for the SOuthern Scenic Route sign, until I reached Balcutha information centre, then the excitement starts after the lady there informed my of the various places of interest. You start finding one attraction after another, the first one will be very impressive and you tend to spend more time on it, then as you go along, the time will be lesser.....In short, it was very beautiful scenic driving, but not until my drive in some gravel roads (the roads that are tarred and were covered with some small stones)... it is dangerous, and if you do not hold your steering well, you could lose control of your driving which I almost did on the way coming out from cannibal beach, if I remembered the name of the seaside well.


As I was driving along these routes, time flies and it felt like time was too rushing and short for me, and the need to cover so many places makes me a little bit tense.

I will write more after this, as the internet is a bit slow here. Nevertheless, you see a lot of beautiful, nice and splendid sceneries, though the driving could be terrible at gravel roads sometimes, and speed can come to like 10-20km per hour.

Will write more on my driving experience, my emotions, etc, about the need to find petrol stations and the need to reach my motel before 9pm,.....

Choong
Picton
15 February 2014

Thursday, February 13, 2014

My Trip To NZ..........An Adventurous, A Meaningful one

This trip has been a trip that I wanted to do many years ago, but it just never happen, because of other form of commitments, be it on my work, or other form of personal engagements that had prevented my traveling to the Southern Island.

I must say, this time, since I have the time to go, I grabbed the chance esp when a friend of my, Ghaz is going there for his sabbatical at Otago University. The ticket I got was extremely expensive, but since you lose some in the form of the money (ticket and hotels spent by joining part of this trip with him, but at the same time, the gain from his experience, his guide are bountiful, which I appreciate. And his sharing of his stay, his experience in every corner of south Island and, not to mention his treat for the meals (which of course is not obligatory) but are very much welcomed.

The journey starts with our arrival in Christchurch, and walking around the city really makes me understood more about what Buddhism says, nothing is permanent. And you can see this in the form of the city, once everything was standing proudly there, are nothing more than a ruin, and the city looks at being in a state of war, or have been attacked by a bomb before. And it was so sad to see all these.

Then driving throughout Christchurch to Ghaz friend's house at a farmland, somewhere 40KM from Christchurch is also an interesting part, esp the lemon tree they have in the garden, they are superb.

I think the most interesting part of was driving to Lake Tekapol and also to Mount Cook, the sceneries were amazing, and you know what, the whole journey, to all these places, it was sunny. And when i was resting at a city or hotel, only then it rained. This is amazing, is this not? Haha.

 And next driving to Queenstown again is nice but Queenstown to me is more for tourists and the place is quite expensive. But as I said, when we arrived it was cold, and then it became very sunny and we were having food in the outdoor, which rarely happens according to my friend. So, again, it was a blessing.
From Queenstown, then we drove to Dunedin, and on the way, passing through Alexandra was an eye    opening drive for me, in terms of the sceneries and pictureque highways.

 And finally to Dunedin, a city I was very much impressed with. And visiting Otago university for the first time is also touching as it was a University that I intended to do my MBA which I never did during that time, one reason being not wanting to spend my dad's money, and secondly and thirdly, excuses and excuses which I do regret of not being more adventurous than I should be.
Nevertheless only look forward, who knows I might be back.
And the highlight here is the visit to Cargill hill and also to the castle and also to a friend's farmhouse which I like a lot.

And then my trip to the south, esp the Catlins and Doubtful sound, I will write separately. That is the mother of this whole trip, very soulful and I was driving on my birthdate. I am very thankful for having the chance to do so, and it was extremely meaningful.
Will write later.

Choong
755 Regal Court
Dunedin,
NZ

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Christchurch, NZ

Just arrived here. It ia amazing, feeling is great that i finally arrived here. The hotel i hv just checked in into was very affected by the earthquake, and has been closed for biz until recently. They have just reopened three weeks ago. It is peaceful here, n hope to explore more n find out more of this city....will update.

Choong
Thomas's Hereford hotek,
Christchurch, NZ.