I'm back, for the moment. And I realized, I haven't had the chance to write and share about my life-changing trip to Australia and New Zealand earlier this month. I promise you, more words in the beginning to explain stuff that I hadn't get the chance to snap it, and more pictures as I gradually grew camera-crazy. Also, I Have finally got my hands on all the pictures from the trip, which means I have the pictures from my phone's camera, the Canon camera, my dad's Lumix camera and my parents' phone's camera. Makes everything easier, y'know?
We (my parents, a family friend and I) took the 9 am flight to Sydney on the eighth of May and the flight took approximately 8 hours and 15 minutes to arrive there. It was unfortunate that I've caught this rather unforgiving case of flu the day before and I distinctly remembered how I frequently requested extra tissues to blow my nose with. Auntie Azie gave me this pill for stuffed nose that worked its maaaagic on le nose. Hahah.
We arrived at the Sydney airport around seven pm; give and take an hour or so to get through customs checks, baggage claims and whatnot. It was quite late so our main choice of dining would be the Fillet O' Fish from the McDonalds in the International Arrivals building. And after that, we took this shuttle van to Ibis Budget Sydney Airport, where we'll be staying for the night before flying to Queenstown next morning. I was to occupied with my runny nose that I declined Ibu's and Auntie Azie's invitation to get some sugar fix from Krispy Kreme restaurant just beside the hotel. And they came back with a box of sugar-glazed doughnuts that I ate the next morning.
My first view of New Zealand!
To be honest, I couldn't wait patiently enough to arrive at the Queenstown Airport. I couldn't wait to see my sweet little twin baby brother who had been staying there for half a year. yeah, we all have that awkward post-puberty macho-act from the boys but what surprises me was he hugged me the moment we laid eyes on him, as he was waiting for us at the arrivals section.
Like, a real wholehearted hug, accompanied with his hearty laugh.
Trust me, it took me all I got not to cry because I really do miss him.
Twinsies reunited!
Bish has a car, I tell ya.
While the rest of them took Apex's (the car rental company) shuttle, I rode with Adan in his Nissan Tiida car. (Okay, in Malaysia, it's called Nissan Latio) to the car rental company. Mind you, New Zealand (and Australia for that matter) uses right-handed drive cars which is super cool because if we have this international driving licence, we could easily rent a car and drive wherever we want to go!
We stayed at Heartland Hotel and Ibu booked this two-stories family room with gorgeous and breath-taking view of the famous Lake Wakatipu. One queen-sized bed downstairs and two single beds upstairs. Naturally, Ibu and Ayah got the queen room while Auntie Azie and I got the singles (scenic, duh hihi) room. However we invited Adan to sleep over sooo yeah. I had to share my single bed with Adan, which was okay with me since the both of us aren't the kicker-sleeper kind of person.
We conquered the window-side bed, ofc.
It was raining so things got all misty and foggy and the sky was murky that evening.
Twinsies reunited take 2: Bitch we are crazy.
So, *clearing throat* Let the photo-log begin. Some of them are from my trusted and still-alive iPhone 4S and the remaining would be from Canon EOS 600D that my sister lent to me to further brush my still-teeny-weeny photographic skills.
And also because I gave her my Instax Panda to her and she couldn't stop playing with it the moment she laid her hands on it HAHAHAH.
Ahem, so.
Aotearoa Day #1: Queenstown/Dinner-hunting.
Waterproof winter jacket, since it was raining lightly and windy that night.
They don't have Diet Cokes, but they have Coke Life yaww!
Quaint, isn't it? I almost want to live forever in a room like this.
Midnight gossip session with Adan while watching rugby.
Aotearoa Day #2: Queenstown & Arrowtown.
Beautiful day that day was!
Bangun pagi, cari makan. Omooooo memuah
Adan's college. I'm a proud sister *lap air mata*
The gondola ride up, people!
Lake Wakatipu, take 1.
Lake Wakatipu + The Remarkables.
The Remarkables.
Air New Zealand detected!
Fly away, people! Fly awaaay
Mata takleh lagi coklat ke bro? -.-
S. S. Earnslaw.
Ever wonder how I remember this ship's name? It's because I looked at the picture of it EVERYDAY in our hotel.
GELATO! *minion's voice*
Already on our way to visit Arrowtown for a bit; HAHA kawan siapa entah ni.
Arrowtown take 1.
Arrowtown take 2.
One of my first ever long exposure shot for flowing water, yeay!
So autumn-y I can't even.
Coronet Peak Ski Resort for a while before dinner.
I can't help but feeling small compared to what and how He created all sorts of miraculous yet beautiful and unique places in this world.
Okay so Pt. 2 will be about our road trip from Queenstown to Dunedin and our Australia journey. I promise to be committed to this trip's log sine it had a very special place in my heart; undoubtedly, I have fallen in love with New Zealand. I'm only leaving this because I had to go to bed early to maintain my NZ/AUS body time. Which is awesome cool I tell ya.
So, stay tuned guys!