South island ~ Kaikoura

Kaikoura, 183km from Christchurch. A pretty peninsula town with wildlife such as dolphines, whales, fur seals, albatross & many marine animals around !

 

 虽然在这里的跨年发生一些不愉快的事，可是它还是我心目中的Top 1！

Transport: Nakedbus (Christchurch - Kaikoura)

Till now I still did not know why Nakedbus was late for almost 3 hours. Quite a number of people was waiting the bus at Kaikoura bus stop heading to Christchurch. The story not yet ended after the bus came. Due to Nakedbus online system error, there were no seats for five passengers, and yes, unfortunately, included me. Therefore, we waited for another 25 minutes to hop on a small private van. Anyway this was not the fault of the driver and nobody complaint him about this. This day was definitely a long day for me. I found myself tired, but no complain anymore as long as finally I reached Christchurch safely :)

 
 






Accommodation: Albatross Backpacker Inn [BBH]

What i have done here:

(a) Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway [Free]
This is the only activity i did here.I did it everyday in Kaikoura and it took me almost 1.5 hours to walk from the hostel to the carpark of Peninsula Walkway, and another 2.5 hours to finish the Peninsula walkway, and again 1.5 hours to walk back to my hostel! That's how i spent my time here.

My "friends" haha, they're following me everytime i passing by here :))

 

But i really enjoy the walk because I never felt bored by walking alone. The beautiful scenery along the road make me felt relaxing and enjoyable.I even spotted few fur seals sleeping at the roadside!

Most of the activities in Kaikoura are not that cheap, maybe i will join them if i travel NZ again next time :)

For example:
(a) Whale-watching tour - NZD145 (www.whalewatch.co.nz)
(b) Swimming with dolphin (Dolphine Encounter) - NZD175 (www.dolphin.co.nz)
(c) Dive Kaikoura - NZD250 (www.divekaikoura.co.nz)
(d) Birdwatching (Albatross Encounter) - NZD120 (www.albatrossencounter.co.nz)
and many many more.

 

打工旅游这件事: 28岁“高龄”出走记

 
2013年的八月，我一个人出发了。去完成一直在脑海里徘徊著好多年的想法。

Mount John, Tekapo, New Zealand

一个行李箱，一个背包，二十八岁，当别人在这个年纪开始买车买房，结婚生子, 我毅然做出了这个决定，辞去安稳的工作，走向一个未知的世界。

On the way to Milford Sound, New Zealand

去冒险，是我当了二十多年乖乖女第一次的尝试。后来，爱上它了，无法自拔。

Mirror Lake, New Zealand

去新西兰打工度假绝对不是一个草率的决定，那是一个前后想了又想，再三斟酌，从大学毕业，到工作了近五年，这个想法一直在脑海中挥之不去。

Kaikoura, New Zealand

当对生活的热情逐渐在繁重的工作压力中一点一点地被消磨，被腐蚀，脸上真正发自内心的笑容越来越少，行尸走肉般地上班，下班，当自己越来越看不见生活中的美好，不停地逛街买东西发泄，还有渐渐消失的耐心和逐渐急躁的脾气，我知道，我的心，已经生病了。

Mount John, Tekapo, New Zealand

尽管朋友不断告诉我外面的世界很危险，一个人遇到坏人怎么办？可是，就算没有人陪伴，我还是决定出发。最欣慰的是妈妈和妹妹的全力支持让我更加勇敢迈进。

Arthurs Pass, New Zealand

在路上发生太多美好的事，遇见太多可爱的当地人，认识许多来自世界各地的背包客，这些新体验让我欣喜若狂。

当然，也有一些不愉快的事。可是我想这是老天特地安排给我的考验，经过一些事，心智越来越成熟，人也越来越豁达，快乐才会接踵而来，不是吗？

Queenstown Hill, Queenstown, New Zealand

这趟旅行改变了我，沿途风景此生难忘，心，被治愈了。我找回了自己内心久违的平静。

我不再是那个对生活感到麻木疲倦的女生，最算在外走了一圈，还是回到了跟出走前一样的生活，但是，心境已经变得不一样了。

Queenstown, New Zealand

而旅行，也已经变成一辈子的事了。当你克服了内心的恐惧之后，对一个人去旅行这件事，会无法自拔地上瘾，戒不掉了呢。

South island ~ Christchurch 《和我臭味相投的单身背包客》

Christ's College

To me, Christchurch is a city for me to rest & stay overnight before moving on. Most of the times I only stayed here for one night before I moved to Kaikoura, Tekapo, Wanaka, Oamaru and finally flew back to Auckland. I been here for six times and a total of 10 days I stayed in Christchurch.

Botanical Garden

Transport: Nakedbus / Atomic Shuttle (from greymouth to Christchurch)

Accommodation:
(1) Dorset House (BBH)

Maybe because of the peak season, NZD35 per night looked too expensive to me. This figure was even after the deduction of BBH membership price! Dorset House is the BBH nearest to Nakedbus bus stop (the bus stop located right in front of the Canterbury Museum), but I still have to walk about 20 minutes to reach my hostel.

Despite of the high rent, Dorset House is the best hostel I have ever stay. The mixed dorm room is spacious, no bunk beds, a plug socket beside every single bed, a well-equipped kitchen with all kinds of seasoning ready to use for free & plenty of storage space, modern shower room with glass door and even hand liquids & towels are provided! The overall cleanliness of this hostel is superb and it is more like a hotel than a backpacker hostel.

My room was located upstairs.

I was late! The reception already closed. The key, wifi password & emergency exit map were inside the envelope.

(2) YMCA
It is recommended by my Korean friend due to the good location and price. NZD30 per night for female dorm. YMCA is located just within 3 minutes walking distance from Canterbury museum.

(3) Thomas’ Hotel
This hotel is recommended by an Austria girl I met in Oamaru. At first I was getting confused by the name “hotel” , but yes, they have mixed dorm and the price is surprisingly same with YMCA, NZD30 per night. It just located on the same street with YMCA, within 5 minutes walking distance to Nakedbus bus stop.

话说我住在Thomas时那房间乱得和战场没什么两样。房间地上居然出现叉和汤匙，还有切面包的小刀！还有位仁兄有床不睡，每天睡在房间门口，害我早上起床好怕会踩到他 （虽然当时有冲动想给他踩下去）

(4) At the Right Place (BBH)
I couldn’t find any room available in the city due to the peak season. I have tried to call every BBH one by one but the answer disappointed me. The kind girl I met in Tekapo offered me to stay at her place in Christchurch for one night, but I think before I troubled her on this matter, I should tried my luck again. I went to Dorset House again, and the helpful desk staff asked me to try my luck on either “Kiwi BaseCamp” or “at the right place”. It was a light drizzle and i carried all my luggage and walked for another 20 minutes to reach this BBH. Finally, and luckily there was one dorm bed available!
The price is much more cheaper, around NZD25 per night for a mixed dorm bed. But for me, it is still too far away from Nakedbus bus stop. 

(5) Christchurch Airport
I went back to Auckland on 11st of February by Air New Zealand. This was the first time i stayed overnight in the airport and to me, it was a very special experience. I spent NZD5 to sleep in the airport lounge and the most important was the FREE wifi provided. (But you have to log in to the wifi every hour, a bit troublesome huh)

The sleepover lounge only open from 8pm to 5am. It is quite safe as the airport officer will keep guard over the luggages in the lounge.  Showers are available in the airport too. The officer woke us up on 4.30am sharp for leaving the lounge.


On the way to airport

那个休息室的空间并不是很大，当天里面大概有二十多个人左右。还不算很拥挤。手脚快的话可以先“抢”到沙发座。这时那好多次都想被我丢在路上的睡袋终于派上用场了 ：）

What I have done here:
(a) Canterbury museum [admission by donation]
Opening hour: Apr-Sep: 9am-5pm, Oct-Mar: 9am-5.30pm

(b) Botanic Gardens [free entry]
Opening hour: 7am till 1hour before sunset
Every time I came here, the garden was busy with different kinds of activities such as mini concert, acrobatic show and charity event.  

Endless Summer Hydrangea

(c) Christchurch Farmers Market  [Riccarton House,16 Kahu Rd, Riccarton]
The biggest farmers market in south island and it started at 9am till noon.

铁腿之旅：看我在太阳底下来回走了四小时的路就知道我有多么爱逛纽西兰的周末市集！这里真的很多“宝物”！林林总总的古董，二手书刊衣服,唱片胶卷，手做娃娃及毛帽， 还有世界各地的美食点心，各式各样的纪念品，零食，有机蔬果，甚至到盆栽，都让人目不暇给呢！

(d) Hagley Park [free entry]
The serene scenery of the park definitely make my day : )

来了纽西兰后就没看过电影。在这里看的第一部电影是The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug，价钱没想像中的贵，NZD15，看这部电影时还觉得一些场景有点眼熟呢 （好自豪）

Shuttle bus to Antarctic Centre (near to Wellington Airport), waiting passengers at Canterbury museum

Cathedral Square under reconstruction after the earthquake

因为地震的关系，基督城很多建筑物还是处于维修当中。一些道路也被封了，开车的话会有点不方便。刚开始觉得这里很凄凉，可是后来慢慢地发现这样子的基督城还是有它迷人之处。

我很喜欢植物园里时常有一家大小或三五好友在一大片绿油油的草地上野餐，看书，聊天，弹吉他唱歌，或自在地躺着什么也不做，小孩们快乐地奔跑嬉戏，这种欢腾的气氛。因为治安不好的关系，再加上天气太过潮湿闷热，自己的国家很少能看到这样的景象呢。





基督城：和我臭味相投的单身背包客

在这里我认识了不少朋友呢。而且他们全部，无论男生女生，都是自己一个人出来旅行的。

刚开始听韩国朋友们叽叽喳喳地说韩语时，感觉好像在“听”韩剧耶，口音语气一模一样呢（废话！） 话说回来，这个国家的男生有种“气势”，比较大男人的感觉。女生就个个皮肤都好好！

而日本女生真的好有礼貌，好斯文，一举一动好有女人味，想较之下我显得好粗鲁，吃相还真豪迈。本来我想装优雅慢条斯理地吃，可是又真的很饿很饿！结果还是狼吞虎咽了 （想想还真悲哀！）

英国人就有点严肃呢。好认真的感觉。相比之下，美国人就热情开放多了，很爱说笑 (虽然我常常听不懂笑点到底在哪里,还是有假笑捧场几下)　

不过也许都是一个人的关系，大家都很聊得来。因为知道以后不会再见面，所以会更容易说出心里话。甚至会情不自禁地脱口说出一些不能轻易对家人好朋友说的话呢 ; )