Date: June 12-17, 2009
Venue: New Zealand (North Island)
Airline: Singapore Airlines
Flight Duration: 14 hours
Fare Price: RM4,000.00
Visa: Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Accommodation: Oak Smart Stay Apartment & 4 Canoes Hotel
Activity:
I
love to travel, so the reason that I established this blogs to share
with your guys out there who loves to travel my experience and some tips
that could be useful to you all.
When
I was small I dream to go to New Zealand. Dr. Mahathir Mohammad says
"aspiration is greater than realization". There go my dream comes true
for me to step to the country call "The land with the long white cloud"
or in Maori language "Aotearoa". Actually from Hawaii to Malaysia and
New Zealand has Polynesian but the most of their population in New
Zealand where they develop Maori Culture. The Polynesian words some are
the same with Malay language itself. I post about this topic during my
visit to Rotorua, where they have Maori Village over there.
Jun 12 - KLIA
 |
| My parents sent me to KLIA (Kuala Lumpur International Airport) |
Jun 13 - Auckland
Reach Auckland International Airport in the morning. The airport
situated at the beach side, so during the landing I thought that the
plane will landing on the sea and it was a very windy day.
 |
| Waiting for Airport Transfer |
 |
| This is the Living Room |
 |
| Study Desk |
 |
| Clean Toilet |
 |
| My bedroom |
 |
| Auckland Sky Tower |
Auckland Sky Tower is 328 meters, if we compare KL tower is 420 meter.
Inside have casino, whenever I go to casino on New Zealand or Australia
they security thought that I'm under age, maybe I look younger than my
age. Obviously the Asian people will look younger than their age. If you
look at Middle Eastern or European they look older than their age. You
could be mistaken 16 years old girl to late 20's. So do the man 26 years
old man once I thought he is 40 years old. In Islam, gamble is haram,
obviously it only can make people poor due to the addiction of loosing
money.
 |
| Located at Hobston Street |
This is Hobson Street. The population in Auckland is only
1.3 million (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland) as what as I can
see very less human compare to boat and poultry like cow and sheep.
 | |||
| Hobson Street |
Ever
wonder what does the Canterbury Logo mean, when I stare at the logo for
so long then only I know its picture of 3 Kiwi birds. What I like when
going abroad during winter is less humidity so my hair will always look
good without blowing, seriously it does give effect.
 |
| Viaduct Harbour |
There are not so many cars on the road as well, but I saw
more boat, I think its the culture of the local there to travel by boat
more than on the land. Maybe 1 New Zealander has more than 1 boat.
 |
| Me at Viaduct Harbour, 15 minutes walking distance from the hotel |
 |
| ATM Machine |
Jun 14- Titirangi
 |
| At Titirangi |
 | |
| Off to Titirangi to try the speed boatd 95 knot. The journey from Auckland to Titirangi is about 16km for 20 minutes by car. |
Tips:
It
such a windy day during winter, so my advice if you wanna go to seaside
better cover your hair with hat or scarf because if not you keep
holding your hair all day long and it is not good to take picture with
the messy hair.
 |
| New Zealand is famous with the fresh seafood from the deep blue sea. Seafood is the best cause other food is non-halal |
Have
you ever eat ice cream during winter, well I does it ice cream everyday
during winter. This ice cream flavour won so many awards the best ice
cream in the world. I was once mistakely order the ice cream "Can I have
one hanky panky". Everybody in the restaurant laugh at me, the name is
Hokey Pokey not hanky panky. What makes the taste so good well the
creamy of the ice cream itself, is not like same with others because
other creamy is more to fat taste.
 |
| Swashbuck for lunch treat |
 |
| Visit Naval Arch Company |
 |
| The famous Harbour Bridge of New Zealand |
 |
| The Chef/Owner from Penang |
Jun 15- Silverdale
 |
| This is my breakfast |
 |
| Off to Silverdale 31km northern part of Auckland and the journey took about 30 minutes |
 |
| Beautiful scenery of New Zealand |
 |
| Seafury International - Propeller factory |
Jun 16 - Mata Mata, Waikato & Rotorua
Visit to Peter Jackson Movie Set
This
story will tell you my journey from Auckland to Rotorua. The journey
for 160km take about 2 hours to reach. even though the place so call
village or in Malay language we call it "kampung". But the road I tell
you very smooth without any hole. That's why New Zealand is the highest
tax paid in the world. But that is the price that they have to pay.Along
the way I can see only the greenflies breathing with the fresh air,
almost the cleanest air in the world maybe it is because of less
population to pollute the land.
It
was in June so it was the winter time, yeah but I could not really see
snow like when I was in Japan, even though it was winter. From Auckland
in the north heading to Mata Mata in the South the temperature is
getting colder. But on the way to Mata Mata I saw a sign board to
Bombay. I wonder what would be there. Well as we all know Matamata is
the place of the famous movie for Hobbit in Lord of the Ring. The
director is Peter Jackson from New Zealand that is why he like to show
off the beauty of his country. Well it is really true about that.
But I stop here about half an hour only and buy some souvenir then I have to rush to Mount Ngongotaha in Rotorua for lunch.
 |
| Hobbit House |
 |
| Peter Jackson is a New Zealanders |
 |
| From the famous movie "Lord of the Rings" |
 |
| Going up with the Gondola |
A 900 metre long Doppelmayr cableway system with a vertical rise of
178.5 metres, is capable of carrying 2000 people an hour in eight-seater
cabins.
Gondola
 |
| Heading down with the Luge |
Conveniently located just minutes from Rotorua's City centre, high on
the side of Mount Ngongotaha, the Gondola will carry you to 487 metres
above sea level to a stunning enviroment. Providing panoramic views of
Rotorua City, Lake Rotorua and the surrounding area.
 |
| Nice view of Rotorua Lake behind |
 |
| Luge |
You can choose the track either scenic luge track, intermediate luge track, advance luge track or twilight luge track.
Luge
Toddler Luge Ride $2.00 *
Multi luge rides are non-transferable and sold per person
Luge activity based at the top complex, access is via Cableway Gondola
Reference: http://www.skylineskyrides.co.nz/rotorua/ssr_luge/
Before heading to spa we check in at Four Canoes Hotel
Visit to the Smelly Town
Venue: Polynesian Spa, Rotorua, New Zealand
 |
| Top 10 Best Spa in the world |
If you go to New Zealand it is not complete without going to the Top 10 Best Spa in the World.It was winter when I went to New Zealand, so the first step to Rotorua town, the sulfur smell was so strong. And staff at the spa told me "Its the smell of money, honey". The temperature was about less than 10 degree Celsius, meaning to say its a good time to soak your body into hot pool. You also can choose either private or public pool. All the pools are facing Lake Rotorua. The lake was formed since 240, 000 years ago from the large volcano.
 |
| Public Pool |
The prices as below:
 |
| Lake Spa |
Adult $43.00
Child $15.50
 |
| Private Pool |
Deluxe Adult $26.50
Standard Adult $18.50
Accompanied Child $6.50
For further info you can visit the website: http://www.polynesianspa.co.nz/
Standard Adult $18.50
Accompanied Child $6.50
For further info you can visit the website: http://www.polynesianspa.co.nz/
 |
| Map |
But what is
interesting about the spa where there have 4 different type of alkaline
pools with different temperature from 36 Celsius to 42 Celsius. Plus the
spa is facing the lake of Rotorua which is so damn beautiful with the
nature surrounding and relaxing sound of water and birds.I will tell in
my other posting how I reach Rotorua from Auckland.
Mitai Maori Village
196 Fairy Springs Rd
Rotorua
Rate:
Adults: $106.50
Child 10-15yrs: $52.50
Child 5-9yrs: $20.50
*Family Pass: $279.00
*2 adults and 2 children
Included is a hangi meal, cultural performance, bush walk and return transfers within city limits.
Schedule:
Only
5 minutes from the central city. Return courtesy transport is provided
within 10kms of the central business district. Pick up from your
accommodation is between 5.45 to 6.15pm.
6.30pm Arrival and introduction
6.40pm Unveiling of the Hangi
 |
| Hangi |
6.45pm Waka (war canoe) ‘Turehu’ / welcoming ceremony
 |
| War Canoe |
6.55pm Cultural performance - Powhiri beginnings with a challenge to the visitor' chef.
Karanga- the women's call of welcome
 |
| Karanga- the women's call of welcome |
Hongi - Pressing the nose means friendship and sharing the breath of life
 |
| Hongi |
Haka - A dance of strength and vigor not only to welcome visitors but also to warn them
8.00pm Hangi meal - cook in traditional style (Dinner time)
8.30pm Question and answer session
9.00pm Guided bush walk and glow worm tour
9.30pm Depart Mitai Maori Village
I would like to explain more about the activity.
The
night starts with the introduction of the nation at the Mitai.
Basically they ask the participant origins country. When it comes to me
they get to know I come from Malaysia, a lot of Malays language similar
to Maori language because originally we are Polynesian. For example
"langit" which mean sky in Maori language also call "langit". They also
ask one participant from Haiti, "what do you call choclate cake in your
language?" then the girl reply "chocolati caike" After half an hour,
introduction visitors were invited to see the Hangi Unveiling. All the
activities were outdoors activities except dinnertime. The Hangi
Unveiling is the traditional cooking style of Maori hangi meal like
chicken, lamb, stuffing, potatoes and kumara (sweet potato) cooked in
the hangi pit. Actually, it is like underground oven. There food was
delicious but it is kind of smell of the sulfur.
After
we saw the hangi meal, we were brought to the river. On the way to the
river, which was at night in the jungle with the temperature 2 Celsius
even when we talk the smoke will come out from our mouth, we saw the
warriors were ran to the war canoe which call waka carved by the Mitai
family. Witness a pass by on the Wai o Whiro Stream with warriors
dressed in traditional dress. At the river, we saw the warriors in the
canoe and sang a traditional song. Then they went out from the canoes to
the stage but the chief fall down in the water, which at that time was
so damn cold.
The
cultural performance took place after that the welcome ceremony calls
powhiri; begins with a challenge to the visitor’s chief. A challenger
gestures lays a peace token to be uplifted by the visiting chief.
Picking up the token mean peace and not picking it up means war. In the
past, this ceremony determined whether the visitors were peaceful or
hostile. In today’s society, it is always performed with peaceful
intentions.
When our chief take the token which is a branch of leave the women’s call of welcome calls karanga sang a traditional song also.
During the cultural performance a lot of thing that we will learn about Maori like their customs and cultures.
Your
trip to New Zealand won't be complete if you did not go to Maori
Village especially Mitai. There you will know Maoris better and you will
love it because they are so gorgeous and you can fall for them. Is
there any Maori guy reading my blog buzz me, they are cute.
For further info you can visit: http://www.mitai.co.nz/
Jun 17- Venue: Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, New Zealand
 | ||
| Kulim Park, Kulim Avenue, Tauranga, New Zealand |
From
the photo above you can see that is the Mount Maunganui. This is the
view from Kulim Park. So I've been to 2 Kulim in the world one in
Malaysia and the other one in New Zealand. The more I go to Southern
part of New Zealand the weather become more cold.
My
friend show me her house that she rent to other people, this house is
on the way from Rotorua to Mount Maunganui. Along the way I can see many
fruit farms like kiwi, apple, lemon and grape.
 |
| This is how the farm looks like in New Zealand. This is Kiwi Farm |
About
1 hour an half I reach to Mount Maunganui. A very clean beach in New
Zealand, I can see the sun but its still cold. The name is from the
extinct volcanic cone which mean mount itself.
 |
| Behind me is Mount Maunganui |
 |
| Kiwi Farm |
I bought many fruit
from New Zealand and brought back to Malaysia and it was very cheap.
For example like 1 big bag of lemon on $3.00, the other fruit like
apple, kiwi and grape cheap as well.
The journey from Tauranga to Auckland is about 200km and for 3 hours by car. I remember on the way I pass by place name Katikati, this is the place for fruit farm.
The journey from Tauranga to Auckland is about 200km and for 3 hours by car. I remember on the way I pass by place name Katikati, this is the place for fruit farm.
 |
| Stop at Katikati |
 |
| Going back KL |
This
is my flight Singapore Airline. Auckland - Singapore - Kul.
0 comments:
Post a Comment