SPL#2 - NZ Trip (1-11Nov 07) Day 7

DAY 7 - NOV 7, 2007

The day commenced with a morning stroll in the Arrowtown Park, to take in the fresh air. We would be leaving Arrowtown for Queenstown later in the day, so we wanted to enjoy the tranquility, and the inner peace which tranquility brings, one last time before we left.

Arrowtown Park

Swinging around in an old town's playground


Feels like being at the top of the world?

We went around taking photos of the houses in the vicinity, of the Arrow River and of the Arrowtown Park till it was almost time to check out. Then, we proceeded back to our motel, packed our belongings, dialled a cab and off we were to Queenstown!

Arrow River


Settlers used to mine for gold here

There was a problem, however. Our plan for that afternoon was to join the cruise on the TSS Earnslaw plus the Walter Peak farm tour at 12 noon. Usually the check in time for motels is at 2pm, so the thought of dragging our luggage along onboard the ship appeared both impractical and impossible.

Our motel unit in Arrowtown


The garden area


Sure wish I owned this house!

So, our cabbie suggested that we drop by Sherwood Manor, the hotel we would be staying in, on our way to Steamer Wharf (the pick up location for the cruise) to ask if we could leave our luggage with them. To our delight, when we got there, the receptionist indicated that our room was ready for occupancy anyway so we could leave our luggage in it.

Steamer Wharf


The TSS Earnslaw

Then, we were off to Steamer Wharf for the TSS Earnslaw cruise. The TSS Earnslaw is a steamship which operates on coal, and it was going to transport us across Lake Wakatipu to our destination at Walter Peak high country farm.

The vessel being loaded with coal

After receiving a journey's supply of coal, the ship set sail, or rather, "set steam" at noontime for the 30 minute journey to Walter Peak. Food was available onboard but we did not order any as we were going to have our lunch at Walter Peak itself. So our time onboard was spent exploring every crook and corner of the ship, exaggeratedly speaking. And also relishing the sights of the scenic Lake Wakatipu accompanied by the stunning backdrop of the Remarkables mountain ranges.

Bye Queenstown!


For we must be on our way to Walter Peak

Upon arrival at Walter Peak, we indulged in our BBQ buffet lunch, which consisted of barbecued chicken drumsticks, beef sausages, lamb chops, grilled fish, pork ribs, salad and fruits. Lunch was at an open dining area by Lake Wakatipu. It was wonderful because there was scenery to enjoy and fresh air to breathe along with lunch. Although it was cold, we'd agree that it was a worthwhile experience.

BBQ lunch feast

Lunch by the lakeside

I should be ashamed to say this, but lunch was so good and we so engrossed with it that we were still eating when the farm personnel beckoned everyone to join him for the farm tour.

In the farm tour, which wasn't really a tour actually, we experienced a sheep performance and sheep shearing. We had the chance to hand feed the sheep, but they defecated all over the place after eating. That was pretty grotesque - some unsuspecting tourists even stepped on you know what... eeeeewwwwww!

Yes there were plenty of these in NZ

The sheep had this uncanny behaviour of moving around together, and not just together as you will see in the pictures, but very closely together even when they are dashing from place to place, led by the sheep dog. I really wonder how they were able to run so fast so closely together without tripping over one another - if they were humans we'd possibly have a stampede.

See how they run together


So close together

Besides seeing how a sheep got laid bare in the sheep shearing performance, we were also shown a demonstration on how wool is woven. Takes a lot of time and patience, I'd say. I wouldn't be able to imagine myself sitting there all day trying to make something out of the wool; I'd probably go mad.

The sheep shearing performance


That's a lot of wool!


Reminds me of Grandma & her sewing machine!

After the farm tour, we took the TSS Earnslaw back to Queenstown. Since it was pretty early when we got back to Queenstown, we decided to do some shopping. My parents had been trying to find high quality honey since day 1, but the UMF20+ ones didn't come cheap and cost 50 bucks per bottle. I don't know what UMF is exactly, but supposedly the higher the figure is, the more active ingredients there are in it.

And one last shot before we leave Walter Peak

While we were shopping, however, we chanced upon a shop which was selling these quality honey at a sale price of $33 per bottle. As you'd expect, my parents bought a couple without any hesitation. As for myself, I bought two T-shirts. I was also looking out for a suitable wallet and keychain for I couldn't find any design I liked so the tees were all I bought.

In the evening, after 3 hours of shopping, we decided to have KFC for dinner. I know its weird, going overseas and eating something readily available in Singapore. But it's cheaper, and I thought the chicken was juicier and definitely a lot bigger compated to Singapore.

With that, it marked the end of yet another day. Our New Zealand holiday was fast drawing to a close. Four more days and we would be back in Singapore - the prospect was unthinkable but surely unavoidable...

SPL#2 - NZ Trip (1-11Nov 07) Day 6

DAY 6 - NOV 6, 2007

I was awoken by the sound of the engines, bright and early. We were going to cruise the full length of Milford Sound this morning out to the Tasman Sea and back.

Good morning Milford Sound!

It was another extremely cold morning, and the mist we exhaled when talking to each other confirmed my suspicions.

While cruising the Sound, the skipper drove the boat really close to the waterfalls so everybody could get some nice close up shots and an opportunity to get themselves wet if they wanted. There was water coming down from the waterfalls, splattering all over the deck, bouncing off the surface to whoever and whatever was there.

One of the 1000 (reportedly) waterfalls in the Milford Sound area

Breakfast was served shortly after and consisted of hash browns, bacon, sausages, eggs and toast. Meanwhile, our ship was approaching the Tasman Sea and the sea started to get quite rough. The vessel was sailing by the rules of this vast ocean - we could literally feel the boat being lifted, going up and then down at every oncoming wave. Then it dawned upon us that a vessel, no matter how big, is always at the mercy of the elements.

The dining area


The cabin

After spending a little time to take in the sea and the sights out in the Tasman Sea, we turned back towards Milford Sound, heading for the docking area. A couple more photo opportunities and then we were back at where we boarded the ship yesterday, signalling the end of the overnight cruise on the Milford Wanderer.

Flight option: $300 Photos: FREE

Next up, the return journey to Queenstown. Everyone had the option of taking a helicopter flight and landing on one of the snow capped peaks at Milford Sound. But it was extremely costly, like $300 for just a 30 minute ride so we decided not to opt for that.

One last photo stop before we bid goodbye to the Fiordlands

We stopped over at Te Anau for lunch en route to Queenstown. As we were not very hungry, we shared some light food - fish and chips, chicken nuggets and ice cream. Then, we proceeded with the rest of our journey to our destination.

Back in Te Anau for lunch!

Because we were going to Arrowtown, Real Journeys (the company with which we booked the overnight cruise) did not have any obligation to send us to our destination. They had indicated they would only drive customers to their destination if it was in Queenstown. Obviously on this occasion they had to stick to their plans, but guess what?

We were dropped off in Queenstown, but the coach driver arranged for a taxi transfer to our motel in Arrowtown. Remember taxi rides in NZ cost four times as much compared to SG. So we hopped on, wondering how much the 20 minute ride from Queenstown to Arrowtown would cost us. As it turned out, when we arrived at our motel, we were told that we didn't have to pay a cent because Real Journeys already paid for it. How wonderful.

Back in Arrowtown!

And with that, I was back in Arrowtown after four long years. A town I liked very much when I visited it the last time I was in NZ. Obviously it's springtime and the town didn't look like it did in autumn but it was beautiful nevertheless. Colourful trees, rivers, hills, uniquely designed buildings, spring blossoms - Arrowtown never fails to delight.

Viking Lodge motel


We stayed in one of these double storey units

Upon checking in to the Viking Lodge motel, we also rented a set of gold panning equipment. History has it that many gold miners flocked to Arrowtown in the 1800s to mine for gold in the Arrow River, and many present day visitors still try their luck at the river. Obviously gold wasn't going to be as loosely available as it was in 1862, but who ever knows...

So we brought our gold panning equipment to the Arrow River and did our thing. As it turned out, not only was there no gold, the water was freezing cold. Maybe we'll try out luck again in summer sometime in the future.

After failing to find gold in the Arrow River, we sauntered towards the town centre hoping to find gold pieces some careless tourist miner might have dropped along the way. No luck either!

Arrowtown town centre


Arrowtown pharmacy


Lakes District Museum

Exhausted, jaded and discouraged after our futile efforts, we hoped to find some renewed energy and encouragement in dinner at a good makan place! After browsing the streets and taking pictures of the uniquely designed shops, we did settle at a cafe for a dinner of seafood basket with chips, squid rings and pork rib burgers.

"Hello family and friends, can I choose to remain here?"

People go horse riding, we choose sheep riding


Oops.. didn't know sheep riding was illegal!

Then, with whatever was left of that evening, we went for a stroll in the Arrowtown park, which must have been the best stroll I've had in years, walking in a cool and non-humid environment, or simply lying on one of the benches, staring at the sky, or take in the marvellous scenery nature has to offer.

Happy to be at the summit of... uhm a huge rock

When it started to get dark, we went back to our motel and played card games for the rest of the night, accompanied by great music on the radio. And times like these, are when you wish time would just stop.....

SPL#2 - NZ Trip (1-11Nov 07) Day 5

DAY 5 - NOV 5, 2007

It sounds crazy trying to do this in such cold conditions, but since our motel was just a two minute walk to the lakefront, we thought we'd rise early to take a morning stroll by the lake.

A beautiful morning

So we woke up at 6.30am on this cold and misty morning, navigated our way to the lakefront in the semi-darkness and were greeted by blasts after blasts of cold wind. It may have been much warmer, but with the strong gusts of wind it truly felt like winter.

Fifteen minutes was all we could bear before we dashed back to the motel. Although I didn't have a great appetite as I was not used to having such early breakfasts, I very much welcomed the hot cereal my father prepared after spending that fifteen minutes outdoors.

Looks so good you can smell it, can't ya?

Then 10am came along and we checked out of the motel. But because our Real Journeys coach would only arrive at the motel around noontime we had 2 hours to spare. So we went once again to the lakeside for more photos and to enjoy the scenery, basically.

Lake Te Anau


Sure wish that boat was ours


Trees swaying lazily in the wind

Around 12.15pm, our coach, a specially designed bus with roofs made of glass so tourists like us could fully enjoy the magnificent views en route to Milford Sound, finally picked us up at our motel and off we were!

Mirror Lakes


It is truly a mirror, isn't it?

It was a 3 hour drive north to Milford Sound. If it were a direct drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound, it wouldn't even have taken 2 hours. But for our sakes our coach driver decided to make several photo stops along the way, like Mirror Lakes and The Chasm for example. We also had the opportunity to stop by a small stream and fill our water bottles with natural spring water which tasted like fresh mineral water. Sure was value added stuff I didn't get on my last NZ trip!

The Chasm

That's where a thirsty man goes to quench his thirst


And yet another photo stop

Upon arrival at Milford Sound, we went through some registration procedures and then waited for our turn to board our vessel, the Milford Wanderer. As you can see from the pictures, the Milford Wanderer isn't a cruise ship but a mid-sized vessel equipped with just the basics.

The Milford Wanderer


Side view

Our ship left dock at 4.30pm and the first event on the overnight cruise was an introduction by the skipper, plus a safety briefing. Hot mushroom soup was served shortly after, and many probably welcomed the hot soup after being battered by the wind at the docking area earlier. But I didn't because the soup tasted so buttery, and I gave my portion to my mother just after one sip.

One of the many waterfalls


A closer look

Thereafter, we were led to our cabins. To our surprise, our cabin had no doors!! But it wasn't just our cabin, ALL the cabins had no doors. The cabin area was also very cramped, with each bed just about half the size of a super-single mattress.

Brushing aside the thoughts of spending the night in a cramped cabin, we then proceeded to the lounge area and were greeted by an announcement: water activities would be commencing in ten minutes and everybody had the choice of either paddling around in the kayaks or joining the tour in the tender craft.

Whatever the activity, lifejackets are mandatory!

Meryl wanted to kayak but we thought it wouldn't be safe for someone her age, so we opted for the speedboat tour. In any case, the demand for the kayaks was overwhelming so they didn't have enough kayaks for everybody.

Touring the surroundings in a speedboat meant we were exposed to the elements, and exposed to the elements meant it was going to be very cold, but it was a good thing our guide had the initiative not to speed, else it would have been even colder. On the boat, he gave us insights into the geological aspects of Milford Sound, and it's flora and fauna.

Good day skipper! And off we go!

Thirty minutes later we were back in the Milford Wanderer, ready for dinner. On the menu tonight - Lamb Chops. Oh goodness, how dreadful! Both my sister and I don't consume mutton! So we asked if they had something else in store and boy were we lucky - they only had 2 pieces of chicken breasts left and since we asked they said we could have them for dinner! Along with the main course we had some really delicious fruit crumble pies and chocolate chip ice cream. Still thinking about it now, you know?!

After dinner and for the rest of that evening we engaged ourselves in some card games. And with that we bid goodbye to the 5th of November.