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 ; )

South island ~ Tekapo 《与星星的缘分》

Finally I am here!! Except for Oamaru & Waitomo cave, this is another place I've been looking forward for a long time, even before I booked my air ticket to New Zealand!



The view from summit of Mt John

 

Transport: Nakedbus (Christchurch - Tekapo)

Accomodation:
(a) Lake Tekapo YHA

It's not cheap to stay in YHA, and i am not the member as well, the price is about NZD35 something (i cannot remember the exact amount) for a mixed dorm bed per night. The main purpose i stay here is due to this amazing views across the lake to the mountains beyond from their lounge!

在YHA遇到热情的伯伯亲自下厨请吃晚饭呢。除了厨艺了得，最厉害的是他和他徒弟两人单车环岛耶。还有另一位笑容腼腆的日本人，才刚刚大学毕业，就一个人来纽西兰骑车环岛。真佩服他们啊！

(b) Lakefront Backpackers Lodge
It is about 1km from the township. I still remember it was a big sunny day and i lost my way. I wish to stay in YHA again but unfortunately the hostel was fully booked. This hostel is cheaper than YHA, but not a good location if you don't have a car like me.

The high temperature almost killed me while walking under the sun with all my luggage with me. My GPS failed to locate the address again and i asked few people there but nobody know where it is. Thirty minutes passed by and I was getting desparate and standing alone at the roadside with the hope of help from anybody (actually i can walk to i-site for help but it looked a bit far to me).

Luckily soon there was a van coming. The driver approached me and offered his help! He drove me to the hostel and carried all my luggage to the entrance. Such a kind person :))  

View from Mt John

What i have done here:
Lake Tekapo definitely listed on my top three favourite place in south island.  Strongly recommended!!! I visited here for twice, the first time was during christmas,and the last time was before i took my plane leaving south island．　

(a) Mount John (Must do!)
The popular track to the summit of Mt John.

It took me about four hours return. The entry located just beside Tekapo Springs at 6 Lakeside Dr. Strongly recommended and You won't be regret! The stunning view from the summit relieved my fatigue after the two hours long climb :)

 

The Astro Cafe at Mt John

(b) Church of the Good Shepherd [free entry]
Opening hour: 9am - 5pm

The church was built in 1935 and also a favourite place for weddings. I really had a great time here and took as many photo as i could. The holy church looked so beautiful surrounded by the magnificient mountains & hills and the turquoise water of the lake!

You can find a statue of a collie dog nearby too, a tribute to the sheepdogs that helped develop the Mackenzie Country.

 As it is one of the main attraction in Tekapo, therefore that area always full of tourists and many tour buses at the carpark.It is advisable that to visit the church in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds.

Carol Singing

(c) Earth & Sky (Website: www.earthandskynz.com)
You can book the stargazing tour at NZD105 from Earth & Sky office located at the town. It is one of the most popular activity in Tekapo. But due to the limited travel funds i left, instead of joining the tour, i did my own "free stargazing” at the lakeside XD

(d) Kohan Restaurant

Salmon Bento

Green tea ice cream

The Japanese restaurant famous with their sashimi.I like their green-tea ice-cream very much! About NZD25 for a salmon bento.Booking ahead is recommended especially for the busy dinner time.

(e) Four Square Supermarket
This is the only supermarket in Tekapo, you won't be surprised when you see the price! I bought my foodstuff first in Christchurch before i came, and this must be a good idea for budget traveller like me :) 

(f) Lake Tekapo

This was so fun!

 

 

第二次来到这里结交了一位很独立的韩国女生，年纪轻轻就靠奖学金独自走遍很多国家，而且我才知道原来很多韩国人整容只是为了可以得到工作！（什么道理啊）另一位很酷的韩国人呢正在澳洲打工度假，我想他真的赚到了，因为房里那位中国女生下半身只穿条内裤睡午觉！该看的都被看了！囧（突然扯到这里 哈哈）

 
 

对我来说，旅行不一定是要去到每一个地方，或非得做过什么疯狂的事不可，只要那个地方能带给自己小小的感动，那已经是旅行的意义了 ：））

Lupine flowers 

     

与星星的缘分

"Ellie, Ellie wake up!" 还在梦里的我被下午刚认识的美国女孩给叫醒。现在是晚上十一点零五分。
 

睡意未醒的我迷迷糊糊中听从她的指示拿了自己的睡袋和手电筒，再套件保暖衣就跟着她走了。
 

”Look!" 一从宿舍走出来她迫不及待地指向天空。
 

“Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" 我不禁发出尖叫声。
 

"Shhhh....." 她连忙提醒我现在可是半夜啊。
 

太美了。实在太美了。美得。。。。冒泡（借用周杰伦的形容词:P）
 

几乎一整天的细雨让我以为晚上看不到星星了就早早上床睡觉。

没想到与号称”全世界最美星空“的Tekapo就这样不期而遇。

我们随便在湖边附近找了张桌子，铺上睡袋，就这样躺在里面欣赏这片纯净星空。

数不清的闪烁繁星，清晰可见的银河，还有时不时划过的流星，感动着两个各抱着不同目的来旅行的女生。我们交换了彼此的悄悄话，还有一些。。。。不能说的秘密。

我和她的烦恼就在此刻烟消云散。挥别了过去，许愿更好的未来。

今生有缘才能与她一起在这片耀眼星空下看星星呢:))