NZ Day 7: Franz Josef Glacier

After so much of consideration - to take the Glacier Hike or to take Glacier Ride. 

We finally opt for Glacier Ride as my health condition was not in an excellent condition.

We were worry that I'm unable to enjoy the 3 to 4 hour hike.

We booked the Glacier Ride with YHA Franz Josef.

We took the 20 minute Franz Josef & Fox Glacier ride which cost NZD270/pax.

It was indeed very expensive but a memorable experience :)

Preparing to on-board the helicopter.

View from the helicopter. Still green.

And here come the snow mountain. It took 5 minutes to go up.

Landing on between the peak of Franz Josef & Fox Glacier.

Yeah.

It is not as cold as I'd imagine up there.

We are allowed to spent 10 minutes ONLY on the ice before we head back down.

5 minutes ride down the snow mountain.

And NZD270 gone just like that.

How I wish we could earn money as fast as that too.

Nevertheless, this is a very great memorable experience!

No regret :)

NZ Day 6: Lake Wanaka to Franz Josef

After lunch, we continue our journey to Franz Josef.

It's an approximately 3.5hour drive, not inclusive of stopping for many scenic view point. :)

Our first stop, when we saw the blue lake. Amaze us.

But as we go further, the view gets nicer! :)

And further more, brought us to this.

Really amazing and calm view. As calm as the static lake which able to gives reflections of the snow capped mountains. :)

Continuing our journey.

We stop by Salmon Farm. But it's closed when we arrived. :(

After a long drive, we finally reach Franz Josef town.

Stop by 4 square to buy groceries.

Check in YHA Franz Josef (NZD73 for private room) and cook ourselves Salmon Spaghetti.

YHA Franz Josef offers free soup for dinner (we got vegetable soup) and also free bread for breakfast! :)

NZ Day 6: Lake Wanaka

Before we leave Lake Wanaka for Franz Josef, we stop by a few famous tourist spots.

Puzzling World Lake Wanaka.

Just had some shots outside. We didn't purchase an entrance fees.

Because Malaysia had a few of this already.

We then go to Transport & Toy Museum.

Hubby being a fan of automotive, we bought ticket to have a look what's inside. Cost NZD34 for 2.

It's divided to 4 areas, each with different theme.

Cars. This excites him but not really exciting for me.

And more cars.. lol.

After the short tour, we went back to Lake Wanaka for lunch.

I'm craving to have rice. So we had out lunch at Sasanoki Japanese Restaurant.

Bento lunch cost NZD16.

And teriyaki salmon rice cost NZD15.

Seriously, it's salmon everyday. :)

NZ Day 5: Arrowtown to Lake Wanaka

Continuing our journey from Queenstown to Lake Wanaka.

We stop by Arrowtown for a quick lunch.

Arrowtown is a quiet town with this one street of shops.

My fever is striking me and I started to feel so unwell. There's a pharmacy here. Bought Panadol. A box cost me NZD5. Oh.. should have brought it from home.

We stop by The Pub Company.

Thanks to the menu board which display mash potato as foods of the day.

Feeling so uncomfortable makes me feels like eating something soft.

I opt for Kids Meal. Sausage & Mash Potato. NZD10.

Hubby choose their menu of the day. The Pub Pie. NZD17.

At 2pm (NZD time), we were their last customer. They told us that they would just call it a day due to the very less number of customer on that day. And they can go for sunbathing too as the weather of the day is quite good.

Wao~ I was amaze. How relax Kiwi is. Less customer - call it a day and go for sunbathing! Envy!

Continuing our journey from Arrowtown to Lake Wanaka, we stop by a look out point.

Meet a group of Malaysian and they are friendly enough to offer to help us take some pictures :)

We then pass by Cardrona and stop by the famous Cardrona Hotel.

FAQ.

Not long after that, we arrived Lake Wanaka. A peaceful town :)

Calm lake.

Our stay for the night is YHA Lake Wanaka. Room with private toilet and lake view. NZD87/night.

The view from the room is amazing.

But fever struck me and I didn't manage to fully enjoy it :(

NZ Day 5: Queenstown & Gibbston Valley

There is not much choice for breakfast in Queenstown.

We settled at Chico's Bar due to the crowd this Bar had.

Macchiato NZD4

Pancakes NZD16.50.

This is the worse pancake I'd ever had. I'd only manage to finished up one piece and hubby helps me on another one piece. He then agreed that it doesn't taste good and allowed me to waste the last piece. I'm not sure is pancake really taste/ textured this way because it is not in my country.

Egg benedict NZD17. Hubby was very disappointed with this also.

We then had a brisk walk around Queenstown before depart to Lake Wanaka.

Jet boat. It is in my itinerary but due to my health condition on that time, we skip. So regret.

Bye Queenstown!

Friends that had been to NZ telling me that Queenstown was the best town in NZ. At the end of my South Island trip, I'm agree on this. Because Queenstown is the only town that is so happening and shops opens up until 10pm. At the other part of South Island, it is very quiet, peaceful and shops closed as early as 5pm.

On our way to Lake Wanaka, we stop by Gibbston Valley for tour wine.

Happy man.

Wine Cave tour. NZD15/ pax.

They brought us to their cave to show us how the keep the wine.

And we had 3 glass of wine tasting.

End of tour.

What? End of tour? I was quite disappointed as I thought the tour would show us how wine is processed and I thought there is something unique and special about the cave.

Aih.. it's OK. We continue our journey! :)