Where do I start? This was my 11th JY trip and possibly the best ever. I have wanted to do New Zealand for over 20 years so this was the best way to get the most out of a trip.
Stayed at Park Inn overnight as it was an early start. Met Brian our TM, had a Lounge pass and met quite a few of the group. I had emailed Singapore Airlines asking for window seats and they had listened giving me window seats for all 4 flights. My daughters were tracking flights and the youngest Laura took a photo as we flew over her house 🙂 We left late and made good time into a hot and steamy Singapore. Our hotel gave us a room with water and hot drinks until our rooms were ready at 11 am. I finally got my room at 1 pm :dodgy: I collect pins and shot glasses from Hard Rock Cafes. There are 2 in Singapore. With the help of the Concierge, a taxi took me to Cuscaden Street, and within half an hour, the proud owner of a HRC shot glass and pin. I was back where they were still waiting for rooms. Paid $60 for a tour to Gardens on the Bay. This is the famous metal upside down trees that are seen on Singapore photos.
Next day was the Orchid gardens then in the afternoon took the Metro to Marina Bay Sands Hotel which is the 3 tower with the 'surfboard' on top. $20 to take the lift to the top and see the fantastic views. ABT on the 3rd day- Another Bloody Temple and a walking tour seeing a lot of temples and history of the City. I had seen a photo of a car vending machine in Singapore so with the Concierges help again found out where it was and took another taxi to see it. A late evening flight to Auckland and an hour back in England now put us 13 hours ahead.
Auckland and one of the gentlemen had an apple in his luggage- $400 and an hour later we finally left for our hotel which was near the Sky Tower. Met Dennis who was our coach driver for the whole trip. Brian took us up where we had a beautiful view. Weather was glorious and sunny. I was on the 22nd floor, one of the elevators had a glass window to see the view. A morning tour took us the War Museum which was amazing. Sat in a room with some children when the volcano exploded in the bay- don't know about them, sure scared me 😉 The afternoon was free so some took the ferry over to the nearby Island and explored the guns on the hill. I walked down the hill from the hotel exploring. The Gucci shop had a long queue as they only let one in at a time?
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves on the way to Rotorua was good fun. Very dark and dangerous to those with night vision problems. Luckily Penny guided me from overhanging rocks. Rotorua is smelly- no other word for it. The sulphur smell is very strong. The float plane was planned and cancelled due to rain. Hobbiton was amazing. A bus will take you to the original set from the second set of films as the original was taken down. We walked around the houses ending at the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. The others had gone to the Rainbow Springs with the wine tasting. The afternoon was spent at Te Puia where there are thermal springs and we saw my first geyser. The Hangi in the evening was brilliant. The men learnt how to do the Haka, some ladies swung balls and I learnt with Eleanor how to throw sticks without hurting 😃 The food was gorgeous and the entertainment was spectacular.
As we had done Te Puia, we drove onto Napier which is an Art Deco town. Beautiful buildings with the hotel overlooking the South Pacific. That evening was a posh dinner at the Mission Estate, a big vineyard just outside of Napier.
Drive to Wellington and a city tour. On the 21st floor with a great view over the Bay. I read the earthquake instructions just in case, decided to look up when was the last one. 3 hours before at 2.33 magnitude and that was the 5th one that day! On our day of leisure, Brian took us up on the cable car to the top- some went to Zealandia, the others walked down the Botanical Gardens and then onto Te papa Museum. This time in an earthquake with a load of children 🙂
Ferry for 3 hours between North and South Island. They even had a scone round with a trolley 🙂 Since the earthquake 1 year ago on the Kaikouro road, we had an 8 hour detour as they are still rebuilding the road. They hope to be finished by Christmas. Christchurch for the night as we were up early for the Trans Alpine Railway upto Arthur's Pass where Dennis was waiting with the coach. Shame on the panoramic windows as all our photos have reflections of us in the photos. Hokitika for lunch by the Tasman Sea had a wonderful shop where a German sells his photos on blocks. I could have spent a fortune there. No helicopter flights at Franz Joseph due to cloud again. Did walk upto a viewpoint so we could see it.
Queenstown and a great view over the Lake Wakatipu from my bedroom. Also on the flight path from the airport so quite disconcerting watching the planes coming towards you and then suddenly veering away. Stargazing night after a wonderful buffet. Did not realise that you had to walk up a dark path up the mountain to get to the view point. However, saw Southern Cross, Alpha and Beta Centuri and Saturn. Those who could see it through the telescope saw its rings. A satellite flew over and some saw a meteor. No Southern Lights 😞
Another early start and a 4 hour drive to Milford Sound. Lunch was included on the ship- a huge box containing everything. We saw Bottle nosed dolphins, Fiordland Crested Penguins and Fur Seals. Weather was sunny and cold. Some paid $399 for a 40 minute flight back to Queenstown, 12 of us went back by coach.
Saturday and a quiet day unless you went on the Dart River Safari. There is a craft market in the town so on a beautiful day where I got sunburn, spent another fortune then walked around the Gardens. That evening was the Walter Peak trip. The TSS Earnslaw is the oldest steam driven ship in the Southern Hemisphere. The meal was substantial before a sheep shearing demonstration and One Man and his Dogs herding sheep into a pen. Big sing song around the piano on the way back to Queenstown.
Arrowtown and the Chinese Settlement where they mined for Gold. Big mistake as there is a brilliant craft shop and I spent a fortune again. AJ Hackett and bungy jump was good fun. Omarama and no flight around Mount Cook- yes you quessed - no flight due to cloud cover. Next morning, cloud covered the mountains then all of a sudden, big beaming smiles so 18 of us paid $425 and flew around Mount Cook with the Fox, Franz Joseph and Tasman Glaciers. Off to Christchurch with a city tour. Some went around the gardens and some went to the cardboard Cathedral. I went with Brian to the cathedral. A great shame as the earthquake in 2011 destroyed so much and killed 185. The cathedral had a spire and a rose window, now in ruins and closed. So sad 😞
Early morning and a trip to the airport for a 12 midday flight to Singapore. 6 hours in Singapore waiting for the overnight flight home. Worked out that from 6am Tuesday till 8 pm Wednesday- 51 hours with 2 hours sleep 😞
All in all- a brilliant trip which has fulfilled 20 years of dreaming of such a journey. Loved it all and thank you Brian and Dennis for giving us the opportunity.
