I Dream of New Zealand

I just cannot stop from dreaming of going here and there. I guess it is already my habit to put everything into words whenever I have the desire to step foot here and there. And this actually helps to quench my thirst for traveling after almost 3 months being 'dormant'.

So here I will go, must go and never-say-no go....New Zealand, The Land of Kiwi, The Land of Maoris...whatever you call it. Another 3 weeks solo traveling (or maybe couple...who knows!!) that I badly want to experience, with a less damages to the pocket. Why? Because I am so going there by renting a car and CAMPING!! I cross my fingers that I will be able to get myself a credit card to ease the car renting procedures. I don't particularly enjoy swiping the credit card but for this once a lifetime experience related, I have no choice but to have one.

Before that, I miss the chance to travel to Christchurch from KL with AirAsiaX. Last flight service was in May 2012 and that really hurts ME A LOT!! But I have just found alternative and considerably cheap option to get to New Zealand, so I still have the chance to explore another amazing and stunning country on the southern hemisphere.

Owh by the way, before confidently putting my plan in words, I think it is prudent to remind myself on the preparations I have done for this trip.

THINGS DONE (20%)
- 1 way flight KL - Melbourne
- countless of dreaming

THINGS TO BE DONE (80%....dangggg...still a lot more to do)
- 1 way flight Melbourne - KL (~RM800)
- 1 way flight Melbourne - Christchurch (~RM500)
- 1 way flight Auckland - Melbourne (RM300)
- application for credit card (siggghhhhh.....not one the thing I fancy about)

So, here is the route which is based on my monstrous lust (I am not a monster though) for traveling. 100% total achievement probability will depend on how much money I have at that particular time, and if I'm traveling with a buddy, it depends who my buddy is.

Kuala Lumpur -------> Melbourne ------- > Christchurch

Christchurch
 Day 1

Christchurch -------------> Ashburton 
 Day 2                     1.25 hrs              

Ashburton -------> Geraldine -------> Lake Tekapo --------> Lake Pukaki
Day 3                 1 hr                                  1 hr                                    43 mins

Lake Pukaki  ------------> Timaru ---------> Oamaru
Day 4                        2 hrs                                   1 hr

Oamaru --------->Dunedin  -----------> Barclutha
 Day 5            1 hr                              1.5 hrs              

Barclutha ---------> Invercargill --------> Te Anau
Day 6              1.5 hrs                                 2 hrs

Te Anau --------> Milford Sound ---------->  Te Anau 
Day 7           1.5 hrs                                       1.5 hrs          

Te Anau ---------> Mossburn---------> Lumsden ---------> Kingston -----------> Queenstown 
Day 8                                                                                                          

Queenstown --------->  Omarama ---------> Twizel ---------> Omarama 
Day 9                    2 hrs                                    0.5 hrs                          0.5 hrs

Omarama -----------> Mt. Cook ----------> Omarama  
Day 10              2.25 hrs                              2.25 hrs

Omarama -------> Queenstown  ---------->Wanaka ----------> Haast
Day 11           2 hrs                                     1.25 hrs                              1.75 hrs    

Haast ----------> Fox Glacier  ---------> Franz Joseph --------> Hokitika
Day 12   1.75 hrs                                    0.25 hrs                                    1.75 hrs

Hokitika --------> Greymouth --------> Punakaiki 
Day 13        0.5 hr                                  0.5 hrs        

Punakaiki ----------> Westport --------> Nelson
Day 14          0.75 hrs                                3 hrs          

Nelson ----------> Blenheim ------------> Picton ----------> Wellington    
Day 15       1.5 hrs                                                                          2 hrs 

Wellington --------> Palmerston North----------> Turangi --------->  Taupo
Day 16             2.5 hrs                                             0.75 hrs                             1 hr

Taupo ----------> Rotorua --------> Waitomo Caves ---------> Waitomo Caves
Day 17     1.5 hrs                             1 hrs                                               1 hr                                                     

Waitomo Cave ------------> Hamilton
Day 18                        1 hr

Hamilton -------------> Auckland 
Day 19            1 hr

Auckland ------------> Melbourne ----------> Kuala Lumpur

I think this route is pretty simple. I choose the scenic route and on top of that, I choose to stop at several townships to check out the attractions there. It might be a good idea to drop-by at these towns in case I run out of food stocks and other needs. And it is pretty uneven days spent at both islands, 14 days in the South Island and less than a week on the North Island. More days will be spend in the South Island due to its larger size and return trip is required from one point to one point to avoid driving fatigue.

By the way, this trip must happen and will happen in Spring next year, probably by the last week of September till mid October. I want to see flowers blooming here and there. Lucky I do not have problem with pollen allergies, or else, I will not be able to appreciate the lovely scent and colours of the flowers.

So now,  I am waiting for the airfare promotions by AirAsia soon. It is really good to have AirAsia X around because this company does help travelers to reach places without having to burn a huge amount of money, only if you don't mind planning 1 year ahead of the intended traveling time.

Pictures are the most important element that must be acquired by avid traveler. But before traveling, I personally think it is a good idea to browse for the pictures available online just to get a rough idea what kind of pictures should be obtained and what is environment like. But it does not mean the picture must be the same as what being published on the net; be creative, compose the pictures according to one creativity and skill, and that is satisfaction one can get.

One of the landscape in the Christchurch CBD
photo by : kiwi_explorer (www.trekearth.com)

Lyttleton, near Christchurch
www.trekearth.com

Ashburton Vintage museum

Ashburton Trotts Garden

Mt. Hutt, Ashburton district

Lupens, Ashburton

Methven

Rakaia Gorge

Rakaia Gorge

Canterbury Plain

* all pictures copied from Google Image, courtesy from the website www.ashburtondistrict.co.nz

There millions of beautiful pictures proving the beauty of New Zealand and they are all driving me insane. So before the chance that I  might be administered by any type of tranquilizers due to hyperactivity of the neurons, I better stop here, and get back to the reality, get a job, work hard and fulfill my dreams. Dear Allah, please grant me the chance to see every corner of your amazing Earth, and grant me the highest of all knowledge from the observations and appreciations I will do. Amennn!!