12/8: Walter Peak High Country Farm

Caught the Intercity at 7:15am to Milford Sound but found that I made a wrong date upon departure. Oh, should be tomorrow, stupid me!

Anyway, I walked around the street and decided to take a streamship and visited Walter Peak High Country Farm. With the view of alpine scenery, there was an on board pianist playing the piano all along and steam engine hissed from time to time. It seemed like stepping back in time, and also recalled me an old film "Back to the future".

Walter Peak Farm is situated on shore of Lake Wakatipu. Here there are deers, sheep, highland cattles... It's funny to see how shepherd dog bringing the sheep from the hills into the fences. I watched the kids feeding the sheep and patting the shepherd dog... Such a lovely piece of land and such lovely kids! The world should be like this, right?! Back to the origin, back to the nature, and we, back to be kids...

In the evening, I walked along the long beach, watching seagulls and ducks around living so freely and peacefully. lt's a great day for me! A day of nature! A day of love... Though started with a stupid me, thank God!

11/8: Mt. Cook

After havig my 3rd round white bread breakfast and milk, I hiked again. I passed the heritage and found the signal of Kea Pointtrack. Walking through the high dry grass and wooden path, the route seemed to be more sophisticated. There was scrubland with many ferns and then an icy route with some unidentified footsteps. I wondered if they were belonged to the so-called kea, a kind of parrot appear in gracier region. I followed the footsteps with a wish to meet kea.Throughout the process, I could only hear bird sing, the sound of my footsteps and heartbeat.

Where the track end, I looked down the large basin on the right, the two level of lakes on the left, all surrounded by the snowy mountains. I did it, on my own, at a mountain side that I have never known. At the same time, I finally met someone else. I was so excited to ask him to help me take photos of this memorable moment of my breakthrough.

In the afternoon, I got into the intercity and arrived Queenstown in the evening. No more that lucky, I have to share the room with 5 strangers tonight. Omg! One just came in with a small towel rounding the body. I guess he should have forgotten to bring clothes with him before bathing. I pretended focusing with my typing to avoid embarrassment. Hope I can sleep la......

10/8: Lake Tekapo to Mt. Cook

Do not want to leave this beautiful Lake Tekapo with regret, I woke up early automatically and then had a walk without hesitation. Along the lakefront, I walked through the village and reached the Church of the Good Shepherd, where a Collie Dog bronze statue was nearby. This stonemade little church is small but lovely in my eyes, simply because of its name, its being unsophisticated and the surrounding environment.

Just in time, I carried my bulky baggage breathlessly and caught the InterCity at 11:25am and headed to Mt. Cook. Honestly spreaking, for me there is nothing else to do except hiking in Mt. Cook (no need to use extra money ma). So.... I really hiked quite a lot in the national park.

After hiking, I went back to the hostel for today with bread and soup, intending to prepare my dinner. Lucky enough, there is no one else moved in my room. I again occupy a full room today. Haha! Sure win!

At night, I read and lay in the sofa of the rest room, in such a hea manner. Maybe it's the reason why a couple soon smiled at me. Their family in four came from Taiwan and would have a 1 month trip in South Island. After knowing my coming route, they reminded me a number of things to be aware of.

Most probably, I will stay 2-3 more days in South Island. I read from book today and identify that there is a place called Dunedin, where can go further to NZ Marine Studies Centre and see wild penguins and royal albatross (used to know it from national geographic and 愛與夢飛行). There is flight here from Dunedin to Auckland as well. I will head to Queenstown tomorrow. There will be more easy to grasp information and determine my route later on.

Too much hiking in these few days. Have to sleep a bit early la! Good night, Mt. Cook! Good night, all my dears!

9/8 : Lake Tekapo

 Thank God! Sleep well last night though shared the room with 4 strangers from 3 different countries. At 7:15am, I caught the InterCity bus that would bring me to different spots in the forthcoming days.

At noon, I arrived Lake Tekapo. After around 30 minutes walk, I finally found my hostel. The enironment is extremely good and there's only me who occupy the 6-person room!! How lucky I am!!! Yeahyeah!

Lake Tekapo is surrounded by snowy mountains and covered by the blue glacier water. With the shadow of the mountains in between, it presents a perfect mix of blue and white of sky, mountains, water and shadow! What a magnificent view of nature!

I hiked from the foot of Mt. John and walked along the lakefront. The lake was calm and pure. It seemed that whatever happen in this world could never change a bit of its harmonies.

At night, I joined the stargazing tour. Though here on the top of mountain the weather dropped to -3 degree, the desire to explore the wonders of the southern night sky motivated me forward. Galaxies across the dark sky demonstrated our God's creativity of this amazing universe. I saw the satellites move and the stars twinkle, though failed to catch the shooting stars as some others did. With the aid of telescopes, I was impressed to view the jupiter with very clear ring, just like magic! Unbelievable starry night! Awesome !!!

8/8: Christchurch

It rained almosts whole day long from midnight to noon. After having a long morning walk along the riverside and visiting the museum, I totally got wet. I decided to go back to the hostel at noontime in order to make a reservation for one more night.

In the afternoon, I visited the collapsed Cathedral during the earthquake last year. In fact, after the disaster costing 185 lives, there are many areas under recovery construction. Nevertheless , there are still lots of traditional British buildings and beautiful heritages in the city. I joined a tour bus to go up the hills and down the seaside for 2 hours, giving me a brief idea of the landscape here.

To avoid mind-floating too much, I finally purchased traffic package from i-site, though I still don't know if I can stay some more days or change the departure venue in South Island.

Well, I cannot deny I am a "Fook" as I again met a passionate old lady who served in i-site today. She told me that she loved backpackers, especially those individual young ladies !! Haha , I turned to be a cool Asian young lady in her eyes!!! I told her I had poor sense of direction and could not even read maps! She tried to find me the route I requested and arranged convenient hostels for me at a very good price.

Now somethings are fixed with her help!
9/8 - Christchurch to Lake Tekapo (1 nt)
10/8 - Tekapo to Mt. Cook (1nt)
11/8 - Mt Cook to Queenstown (3 nt)
13/8 - Queenstown n Milford Sound
14/8 - Queenstown ......

In this regard, I will leave this city tomorrow morning.

One thing wanna say here, I have to share the doom with some unknown people, including guys from today onwards..... Never have such experience and do hope I can still have good rest la. God bless!

7/8: Head to Christchurch

昨晚格霖上網時突然叫我，只見他的notebook 彈出Caelum正在出浴的模樣；他媽媽又是的，為了拍照連囝仔亦出賣，我亦好不了多少，跟他online 玩玩，就拍下他的美男出浴照，然後又post 出來。; )

隨後格霖幫我訂今日的機票落南島，其實我事前只打算會落南島，行程和資料卻未有任何準備，至於跟local tour 還是自由行，亦沒有所謂，當然要provided that affordable。 訂完機票後，即落實入房看書，看著看著,問題就來了，時間可能不夠，可以用另一條路，不如。。。唯有拜託格霖幫忙可否改改機票，留多兩日，最好回程可以改由Queenstown 返啦！Sorry for being Ms Change-a-lot and incur troubles to u guys.

下午格霖送我到機場時，發現他手背寫了些字，原來是關於我的reminder，我要求他放慢車子讓我拍下手背，當然，他沒理會我的無聊要求啦 ! XP
到達Christchurch 的hostel 已經9時了，checkin 完放下行李即去醫肚，可店子都關門了，還好看見有個油站，便走進便利店買三文治，店裡沒有什麼人，店員見我在店子的一角食三文字，便跟我閒聊，說她也有一位香港朋友，還提我明天可到附近的i-site. Such a considerable young lady.明天再去探探她，順道買定些朱古力做 reserve!

Really tired n have to sleep la! good night !

6/8: Auckland

早上很大霧，耍耍太極，再看看介紹NZ的書，heahea 下很快就到正午! 隨auntie去town 逛逛，雖然是小鎮，圖書館卻很不錯，裝置和環境也很人性化。超市好好行，很多蔬菜食物，沙律菜意粉果實可以按需要量重。

之後又在附近和backyard閒逛，看看鄰家的馬和遠處的牛羊，未達家門，已見愛周街逛的公雞大阿哥帶著他的一眾姐兒們從鄰家走回來，隔著後門等待開飯!

原來雞和人一樣，平時都貪玩，愛周圍去，肚餓才肯回家; 食飽之後又走佬，連生蛋也要往人家園子裡生!

唉!我的鮮雞蛋無望了!

5/8: Auckland

一覺醒來，已經是9時了!若不是auntie 拍我房門，恐怕會繼續睡到不省人事。吃過早餐，便隨uncle n auntie 返崇拜，一出門即見一大片青蔥，途中只見羊馬不見人，望著這片恬靜的地土，我覺得自己就像一隻風箏，一邊繫著大地，另一邊直往天際高飛。

到了教會，剛巧遇上這裡的宣教月，敬拜詩歌分別是"全世界都讚美"、"神是愛"、"我在這裡"。對於這個來自繁囂絕然不同世界的我而言，就有一種很不一樣的感覺；即使身處世界的另一個角落，仍可以讚美，因為神就是愛，而我也平平安安坐在這裡!!

午飯過後，格霖帶我去Auckland Museum，之後再去劇院看默片，劇院的確值得一看，此劇還有樂團即場伴樂，可片子嗎?可能我有幾段打盹，加上全場沒有對白，到最後真有點摸不著頭腦。哈哈!

回到"家"中，雖已一片漆黑，我還是想往後花園走走。抬頭望漫天星宿，我不曉得分辨方向，也不懂得天文，只想到︰諸天述說祢的榮耀，穹蒼傳揚祢的手段。

這天，我發現一直弄錯了一件事，原來格霖是真名來的，我一直以為是筆名，怪不得我問jacqualine︰ kevin為什麼叫格霖的時候，她的反應那麼奇怪，又叫我直接問他好了……原來I make a wrong assumption for almost 6 years, from the very beginning I knew him from my little cottage!!! Oh, 6 years.... unbelievable!


夜深了，繼續好眠!

4/8: Arrive Auckland

When I arrived Auckland airport, Jacqualine was already there waiting for me. It was a sunny day and Jacqualine drove me to her home. It was my first time to meet Caelum, a very lovely baby boy! I walked  with this small family of three at the beach. Caelum enjoyed looking at our kicking sand so much and could not held laughing.

Kevin arrived later as well and he couldn't see how happy this little Caelum was when we kicked the sand. He picked me to his home where located at the countryside. Soon after we were back, Uncle was back  from fishing as well. He brought along with some fresh fish from the sea. Uncle fired a furnace with wood and the room turned to be much warmer. It was the first time I had fresh fish as such for meal. Delicious and primitive.  How lively! 

3/8: Head to NZ

太多東西想記下了，可這幾天太多事要跟進，根本無從記下，昨晚整理行李時，竟然彈出左首歌，卻也只曉得有一句:情與義值千金。。。究竟是那首歌，卻無從記起。我想，如果情和義真的值千金的話，這個long vacation的前奏，書棧賺到的情和義又豈止值千金!


多謝出走期間的義務接線生
多謝掌匙人，讓課程可以繼續
多謝大家的靚湯甜品，其實我只是出走一個月
多謝照顧花花草草和捉拿小強的老闆娘
多謝家中樓下的看更叔叔，讓我可以放部份植物到大廈平台，又答應幫忙每天淋水
多謝樓上的朋友仔，特地從廣州帶來草藥讓我起革命
多謝遷就我出遊的人客，特別趕在我出遊之前相見或取書
多謝各位的祝福，和知我粗心大意老是忘這忘那那，whatsapp 來提我這提我那
多謝NZ的兩位人客好友，一落機就有人接又有地方住的感覺真好！
。。。
很多東西還未記下，但要上機了!拜!