Mini Travel Log: Hamilton Gardens, New Zealand

Hamilton is a small beautiful town just 1 hour drive away from Auckland metropolitan. One of the main attraction of this town is the Hamilton Gardens. It is truly world class. It has gardens from different eras and parts of the world. The most beautiful ones I've seen are the Italian and Indian themed gardens. The best part is that entrance is free and you can also enjoy picnic on beautiful rolling hills and grass by the beautiful lake.

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Mini Travel Log: Hobbiton (Matamata), New Zealand

Hobbiton (located in Matamata) is a movie set place used in the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbits. In the movies, this place is called the Shire lived by the halfling race of Hobbits. Situated in the middle of nowhere, 99% chance you'll give in to pay NZD$75 for the entrance to the movie set; after 1.5 hour drive from Auckland and with nothing else to see here. Unless you're a big fan of the movie, some may think the steep entrance fee is not justified. The movie set is located off the main road, restricted access and hidden. So be assured there is no free sightings. After paying for the entrance at the ticket counter by the main road, the private buses will bring you into the movie set complete with tour guide. The tour lasts about 2 hours with a beer pit stop at the Green Dragon. You cannot visit the inside of Frodo's house, which may prove another disappointment. There is nothing inside except a hole in the ground. I'm sure the house interior that we see from the movies are filmed from Hollywood studios instead, as the actual hole is too small.

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Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo is one of the many beautiful lakes surrounded by snow capped alps in South Island of New Zealand. This is a must stop location for the scenic drive from Christchurch to Wellington. The lake is crystal blue in color fresh from the melted glaciers. This place will be UNESCO's first "starlight reserve", the perfect place for stargazing due to unpolluted air. During winter months, visitors will be dazzled by the Southern Lights/Aurora Australis.

My visit this time was definitely too short and at the wrong time when it was too cloudy. I definitely need to return next time on a proper holiday so I can stay a few nights at Lake Tekapo for stargazing activities and also astrophotography to capture the spectacular light shows of the Aurora Australis.

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Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (5)

Devonport is a small town across the Auckland city harbor with its own charm and character. This sleepy town is mostly deserted during the daytime as people sail across the harbor to work in the city. By nightfall, this town springs into life when its inhabitants return from work. The city folks also love to drive over to this town to enjoy international cuisines in many of the restaurants. Two volcanic hills tower prominently on both ends of the town, offering scenic view of Auckland city and surroundings. WW2 era bunkers and guns can be explored on the hills. There is a nice long stretch of beach dotted by beachfront homes on the east side of the town. The Navy Museum displays huge collections of naval artifacts particularly from the WW2 era. Entrance is free.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (4)
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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (1)

Mini Travel Log: Akaroa, New Zealand

Akaroa is a small French town just south of Christchurch. This town is surrounded by volcanic hills, which offers fantastic view down to the town and harbor if you drive along the scenic mountain top road. Because of the earthquake, much of the town buildings were damaged and abandoned while painfully awaiting re-construction. On top one of the hills in the residential area, one must visit the Giant's House. This house is home to a renowned artist whom she converted the place into another realm with interesting sculptures and landscapes. If you decide to stay overnight, you may even consider staying in this house which also serves as bed and breakfast for tourists.

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Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (4)

Waiheke Island is one of the many islands formed by volcanic activities around the Hauraki Gulf; just outside of Auckland harbor. Unlike some of the other protected islands, Waiheke has gone through major agriculture transformation. Almost the entire island has been stripped bare of its original vegetation and transformed into an "island of wine". Population are concentrated at the western side of the island close to the ferry terminal linking the island and Auckland city center. On the eastern side of the island, you'll find many privately owned vineyards which many are open to the public. At the eastern tip lies the Stony Batter Fort built in the WW2 in anticipation of the Japanese invasion. 3 huge guns were built here linked by myriads of tunnels. The guns can shoot a whopping distance of over 30km; out of enemy sight and retaliation range. Even though the guns have now been dismantled and shipped back to UK, it will still be a fun weekend to bring your family and kids to explore the long dark tunnels that will lead you to huge gun emplacements facing the gulf.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (3)
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Mini Travel Log: Christchurch, New Zealand (3)

I am so thankful for the earthquake happened right after I touched down at the airport. At a magnitude of 5.5, the airport buildings were shaking. But sitting in the big aircraft while getting off the runway, all of us didn't feel a thing and lucky to be away from the building as things could have fallen onto our heads.

With the double major shock and countless of other small tremors, Christchurch city is devastated now. Most parts in the city had already been locked down, beyond salvage, and needed to be rebuilt. To be safe, we were put up in a resort away from the city. This resort is called the Peppers Clearwater Resort and it is such a paradise considering the devastation around Christchurch. The staffs were as cheerful as ever despite the nightmares they had gone through. I really have to give it up to them and the people of Japan who had gone through similar tragedies.

This resort is so beautiful and peaceful; perfect for the family. There is a beautiful lake outside the balcony where you can BBQ while enjoying the sunset. For the golf lovers, you can play here while enjoying the peaceful surroundings.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Christchurch, New Zealand (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Christchurch, New Zealand (1)

Mini Travel Log: Waitomo + Rotorua, New Zealand

While many people are fascinated with the Lord of the Rings movie and its location of the movie shoot which is located on the South Island, they did not notice the hidden beauty and treasures that are on the North Island of New Zealand. The glow worm caves hidden in the region of Waitomo for example awe tourists more than any other plain mountains of the Lord of the Rings. Inside the pitch dark caves, you can imagine yourself floating in the vast darkness of space with millions of bright universe stars shining brightly above your head. Why is that so? This is because of the rare glow worms found only exclusively in New Zealand live inside the caves and emit lights to attract other insects for food. If you find fireflies are cool, this is ten times cooler. Next up, destination Rotorua. This city is known for its hot springs and geysers. There is also a big beautiful lake named after Rotorua as well. With so many geysers spurting and big sulphur deposits, the city smells of rotten egg and earned the nickname Sulphur City. The Pohutu Geyser in the area is a main attraction and it spurts almost every hour up to a height of 100 feet (10 storeys).

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Mini Travel Log: Christchurch, New Zealand (2)

4 months since the massive earthquake that struck Christchurch, aftershocks continue to shake this region almost daily. In my 2 days here, I had already experienced 2 aftershocks powerful enough for the building to sway. Devastation from the earthquake is still visible in some parts of the city after so many months away. There are some parts in the city being cordoned off with rows of buildings still in ruins.

With nothing much left to see in the city, I took a trip down south to the mountains. Unfortunately, weather was not on my side this time. It was cloudy for most of the day. Nevertheless, I had a fun time with the speedboat that does insane speed down the beautiful blue mountain rivers. The trip ended with a 4WD around the farms and hills.

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Related link: Christchurch, New Zealand (1)

Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (3)

On this trip, I made a boat trip to the iconic volcanic island of Auckland; the Rangitoto Island. This symmetrical volcano cone is clearly visible from the city area and probably the most photographed icon of Auckland; where pictures of it are widely circulated over the internet. It is a very young island formed by eruptions just over 600 years ago. Black lava stones where the lavas once flowed are clearly visible; thus giving the island distinctive black color in areas where the ground is still sterile to vegetation. The crater rim at the summit offers interesting sights. One can view the volcano opening, albeit being covered with cooled off molten rocks and mud surrounded by green vegetation. Around the rim, you can have a 360 panoramic view of Auckland and surroundings. Although not active anymore, future eruptions are still predicted to likely happen by scientists. So, visit this island at your own risk. If by chance I spot signs of smoke, I'll be the first one off the island considering the fact of recent earthquake in Christchurch and many more in other parts of the world this year. I ain't wanna be roasted.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (2)
Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (1)

Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (2)

My 3rd time to the land of Kiwis and 2nd time to Auckland. I'd love to apply for an NZ citizenship if possible, hehe. This time around, I visited places away from the city; which I was not able to do last month due to closures on Christmas Day. Rather than sightseeing, I think it was more of an exercise trip for me. Climbing the volcanic hill of Mt. Eden was not easy. I was already panting and sweating by the time I reached the top. And there, I still have another hill to conquer which was One Tree Hill later in the day. It was a rewarding trip. But the UV rays from the sun were too strong. My SPF 50 sunscreen was not able to save me and I was roasted. Say hello to an African boy.

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Related link: Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand (1)

Mini Travel Log: Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch; the gateway to Antartica and Middle Earth of the Lord of the Rings. It is summer but on the day I arrived, it has already been raining for the past few days. Can you believe it, temperature dipped to 8 deg celcius, it's freaking winter during summer! Amazing to see everyone including myself in jackets and boots instead of t-shirts and shorts. It was better on the second day as the sun managed to penetrate the thick clouds momentarily. Still, I had a very hard time taking pictures due to lack of light. What a gloomy day! As usual, I was a lone ranger exploring the whole city and even ended up on the hills. From Port Hills, I had the best view in the world overlooking the city to the North, the blue sea to the East and white alps of Middle Earth to the South. I was crazy enough to rent a bike and cycled along the mountains to the beach. From there, I had to cycle up the hills again to return the bike. I was dead tired and only realized the trip was 20km! If only I knew from the beginning...Nevertheless, I had no regrets. I had the best time on my own and would also recommend it to anyone going there.

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Mini Travel Log: Auckland, New Zealand

Spending my christmas in Auckland was not entirely cool. Many shops and tourist attraction sites were closed. On the morning of christmas, the streets were literally deserted and the city looked like a ghost town. Fortunately, the harbor cruise and tourist sight-seeing buses are still operating. It was a lovely sunny day. The cruise down the harbor was wonderful. I'd recommend that for anyone visiting Auckland. Hop-on buses brought me to many attraction sites; but mostly closed, so I spent most of the time outside. There was one thing which I couldn't do which is the bungy jumping off the Auckland Harbor Bridge or the Sky Tower. Perhaps next time when I return again.

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