South Island, New Zealand Day 3

13 October 2011 (Thursday)


Lake Tekapo is so so beautiful that I have to capture its splendour as much as I can. So woke at at 5.00am, in the freezing cold, again drove the short distance to the Church to get more pictures.

Hoping the area would be deserted, cause I do hate having people in my landscape pictures.

South of the lake, up on top of Mount John is the International Observatory. Read its the perfect location since there's virtually no polution from any industry in the area and hence crisp clear view of the night sky.

Up there, there's the great bird-eye view of the Lake again as well as the township.

Back down the Mount John, on route 8 to Lake Pukaki.

On the way, went pass the a river with the same baby blue colour as Lake Tekapo (and the bigger Lake Pukaki further south). Made a detour the the Salmon Farm, reach there and found the farm-visit closed for maintenance. Well at least managed to get nice pictures of the river and its colour.

After Lake Pukaki, which did not look spectacular since the sun is too bright, took the turnoff to the base of Mount Cook.

One hour drive each way.. okay, I am a lousy driver.. so sue me :)

At the base of Mount Cook is the Hermitage Lodge, a high, very high-end accomodation with killer view of the splendid Mount Cook from every room.

There's also a statue and an Alpine discovery Center in honour of Sir Edmund Hillary, one half of the duo who first stepped on to the peak of the Everest.

But also spend too much there at the Hermitage browsing through souveniers.

Sceneries on the way out back to Route 8, driving all the way worrying about my petrol level. Although that didnt stop us from stopping again and again for more photos :).

Stopped by Twizel, the nearest town to Mount Cook for petrol and some groceries.

Due to time constraints, missed Oamaru, stopped for a while at Crowmwell for a toilet break.

Entered Queenstown passed 5pm, and to our disapointment, all the wineries are closed.

Luckily, managed to get to see the last couple of bungy jumps at the Hackett bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge.

Stopped by Arrowtown first for a look-around and more photos.

Arrived in Queenstown, checked in at our accomodation. Took the Skyline Gondola up even though was told every outlet up there was booked for some private functions.

Managed to get some stunning sunset though. Wanted to wait for some night sceen of Queenstown, but the sun dont seems to want to set down.

Hunger force us down, walk to Queenstown for dinner and more souvenier shopping.

Accomodation for the night, Creeksyde (NZD72). Got our own private carpark (which is totally useful for tomorrow). One thing though, you need to rent cooking utensils here.

South Island, New Zealand, Day 2, Part 2

Lake Tekapo

First view and you will realise it is such a beatiful place. The baby-bluiesh colour of the lake are so mesmerizing and imho, cannot be describe to those who have not seen it before..


The little Church of the Good Sheperd by the lake

The Lake Tekapo township is quite small, and there are not many things to do at when the sunsets.

Driving up Mount John for a bird's eye view.

Evening at Lake Tekapo

Accomodation tonight, Lakefront Backpacker's Lodge (NZD70)

South Island, New Zealand, Day 1

11 October 2012 (Tuesday)

Touched down in the Christchurch International Airport.

You cannot miss the huge multi screen LCD display promoting this beautiful country while waiting for Immigration clearance.

Especially like attitude the Customs officers. Really courteous without the 'hao lian' look of Aussie Customs. They really make you feel welcome and not trying to intimitate, as if all of us are there to overstay.

Can see Angmoh travelers coming in with sporting gears, like bicycles and hiking poles. Can also see Asian travelers coming in boxes and boxes of instant noodles and other Asian foods.

After clearing custom, wanted to call our accomodation for pickup. But no NZ coins leh, so have to use the airport shuttle, have to pay for that.

Tonight we stayed at the North South Holiday Park close by the airport (Tourist Cabin NZD91).

For dinner, theres a truck stop accross the road from where we are staying, but dont look promising. There is also a Thai Ffood delivery service, but after looking at the menu and the price, I decided that I cannot bring myself to spend a mini fortune for Asian food here. So biscuits we brought from KL for dinner with free tea and coffee from our accomodation. Really really regreted did not bring any instant noodles.

Rental car will only for pick up tomorrow, since I thought I ll be too tired from jet lag. But I am not and although we walked around in the surroundings, felt a day has been wasted.

South Island, New Zealand, Day 2, Part 1

October 12, 2011 (Wednesday)

Took the car.

Use Route One heading south. With view of snow-capped Southern Alps accompanying us all the way.

Passed by Rakaia, supposedly famous for rivers full of Salmon. Maybe we did not look hard enough, but the rivers were dry.

Had our first properly bought in New Zealand meal. And coffee.

On to Ashburton. First supermarket trip in New Zealand.

After Ashburton, came to route 79, turnoff to Rangitata and the town of Geraldine. Some interesting group of shops at the junction to Lake Tekapo. Stopped there for some look around which turns to a mini shopping trip. There are a cheese factory/shop, ice cream, souveniers, lots of cafe and also the Barker's outlet famed for their jams made from local fruits and produces.


On to the beautiful Mackenzie Country.

And continued driving towards Lake Tekapo..

KONY 2012

In this age, the Facebook age.. anybody can make a difference.. everybody can make a difference..

Not to be sideline by the message of this clip, but watching this clip makes me realise the above.

Anyway, invest 30minutes of your time to watch this clip, know the name, know the face and .. hopefully we will make a difference..

Jalan Jalan Cari Makan 07Feb2012, Round 3

Back to the town of Kampar, although we are full from our earlier meals, I am not going to miss trying this , especially after since we are here.

Yau Kee Restaurant at 55 & 57 Jalan Idris, 31900 Kampar (look for it in the older part of town, near the bus station).

Famous for it's Curry Chicken bread or Roti Ayam (hey.. they put that on their signboard)... i.e. curry chicken wrapped and cooked in a bread dough.

There's two sizes, big or small. This is the small one. Looks small because the chopsticks by the bread are much longer than the average chopsticks you find elsewhere.

Even the small size is quite large for the two of us.

The waitress opened it up.. and voila... ready to be enjoyed..

Dipping the bread into the curry to soak it up.

The bread is nice, soft and tender. Tasted milky and sweet.


But the curry chicken itself is a disappointment. Sure, there are plenty of chicken chunks in the curry but the curry itself, I found to be quite bland. Maybe it is more suitable for those who is not accustomed to spicy food. Definitely Penang curry chicken wins hands down. Well I have tried it, and will I be back here... for the novelty, maybe .. for the ummp factor...not likely..

This Rori Ayam cost us RM28.00.

Towels, tea, groundnuts another RM7.10.

Jalan Jalan Cari Makan 07Feb2012, Round 2

Tanjung Tualang, Perak.

A very very small pekan, about 45 minutes south of Ipoh. Heck, there isnt any official road sign pointing to this place.

Taking the Gopeng exit from PLUS, head towards Kampar. After the old Kampar town, turn left at the Kampar clock tower. Then take a right at the next traffic light (I think, cant really remember :P).

Head straight and will come up to a wood factory on your left. In front of the wood factory is a small sign showing you to turn right to Tanjung Tualang. From there road mile markers will guide you.

Be careful that you might drive pass it if you dont look out for it.

Pekan Tanjung Tualang

For such a small pekan of about 3 streets, one thing in abundnce here is renovated, modern looking, fully air conditioned restaurant. I counted about 8 of them. They all specialised in the main attraction of Tanjung Tualang..... fresh water marine food, especially the fresh water big-head prawns.

Aquariums with the prawns are shown outside all the restaurants.

Being first time here, dont know and cannot decide which restaurant to walk into. So ask a local for a recommendation, and was directed to

Hup Kar Foon Restaurant, No 37, Jalan Homan Tanjung Tualang, 31800, Tg Tualang Perak

Not sure because its the nearest, and can be easily pointed at from where we ask her.

Tanks full of prawns are exhibited outside the restaurant.


And some of them are huge.

Something else unique to this place is the 'Jelly' drink. The restaurants dont sell them, but will be willingly phone the stall selling them to bring them in for you.

There's two version. One with coconut milk and the other with kumquat juice. Nice and refreshing.

Yellowish jelly on top, coconut milk in the middle and some shaved ice below.

Ordered a kilo of the medium sized prawn, RM80.00/kilo. Half of it to be pan-fried, another steamed. Was told 1 kilo of the biggest would only be like 3-4 prawns

Arriving first is the dry pan fried in soy sauce with a hint of black pepper. Dont look impresive but is nice.

Special prawn chili sauce to go with the prawn. Made from prawn essences.



These beauties came next, steamed in chinese wine and ginger.


A plate of vegetable to go with the main dished. Must not have a totally cholestrol ladden meal, right?


I have to say, the prawns are real firm and succulent. The cooking method complement the prawns well. I especially enjoy the steamed version.

The prawns served dont have much roe though, but their heads are quite packed with the gooey gooey stuff that I like.

Cost of the above meal

Prawn RM80, Vege RM8, Drinks RM1.50 x 2.

By the way, I ve read that the prawns here are from a large scale prawn farm in the area, so was expecting cultured farm prawns. Not that I can taste the difference between wild and farm prawns :P.....

But the lady boss of this restaurant told us that most of her prawns are wild prawns caught in surrounding rivers, that her place is where to go for wild river prawns.

Round 3 to follow....