Fox Glacier Walk

I took the Nimble Fox: All Day Glacier Walk with Fox Guide. I signed up for a day before my walk online at NZD 165. The price also includes the use of jacket, gloves, stocking, crampons and hiking boots. Unfortunately lunch was not included and you have to bring your own lunch box. Nevertheless the experience was well worth the price. 

The company offers a variety of package including

• Half Day Guided Glacier Walks - a suitable family activity

• All Day Guided walks for the more adventurous

• Thrilling helicopter flights to and from a more remote part of the glacier on Guided Heli-hikes

• Gentle, informative Valley Guided Walks to the dynamic glacier face

• Day Heli-Treks & Overnight Alpine Trekking high above Fox Glacier with superb views of NZ's highest peaks

• Ice climbing Adventures - expert instruction, small groups, Heli-ice climbing options

First we started hiking to the starting point, then when we reached we put on out crampons. 

First sight

What you will see

Waterfall

The valley

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

What you will see

My hiking mates

My Guide Johnny took very good care of me.

My favourite blogger also wrote about glacier hiking but in Franz Josep. Click here.

The ones that doesn't make the cut

I had a tough time selecting the pictures for capture the colours contest because there are other pictures i like such as the following;

Yellow

This is taken @ Mt Sunday

On the way from Wanaka to Queenstown

Blue 

Initially this was my first choice for quite some time. Taken in the heart of Christchurch, a temporary ATM that came to live after the quake.

Red

Was my first choice as well, I kinda like how the flowers look like pixie/fairy with wings. Taken in the Domain in Auckland

Green

Taken in Havelock North (between Hasting and Napier,North Island)

Taken in Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury

Taken in Rakaia Gorge, Canterbury

Two Weeks South Island Itinerary

During my working holiday in New Zealand I took 2 weeks off work to go on a short trip around South Island for 2 weeks.


The following was summary of my expenses:

Accomo	Transport	Gas	Food & Drink	Activities	Misc
195	138.38	22.53	201.61	230	63.4

Route: Christchurch - Arthur's Pass (2) - Greymouth - Punaikaki - West Point (Cape Foulwind) - Greymouth (1) - Fox Glacier (1) - Franz Josep (1) - Wanaka (1) - Queenstown (3) - Arrowtown - Dunedin (1) - Oamaru - Timaru - Christchurch (1) - Akaroa - Queenstown (1) - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (2) - Cromwell - Ashburton

Accomodation: Stayed mostly in BBH (backpacker hostels). Price ranging from NZD 23-26 ( price after NZD3 deduction when using BBH card). Couch surfed with my Wellington CS host who moved to Queenstown.

Hitch-hike: Most of the time; altogether 16 rides. Longest ride: Cromwell to Ashburton; picked up by 3 French guys who were doing car relocation.

Car relocation: Twice. 
* Queenstown - Christchurch, relocating a Toyota Yaris with Budget car rental 
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Dunedin (1) - Otago Penisula - Oamaru - Timaru - Christchurch (1)
**Christchurch - Queenstown, relocation Dahaitsu Sirion which was manual with Jucy. Engine went dead 8 times.

Both cars were picked up from airports. We only paid for insurance. I traveled with my host Erika on both relocation.

Lakes Visited/Passed by: Lake Matheson, Lake Wanaka, Lake Wakatipu, Lake Tekapo, Lake Te Anau

Hiking Trail: Arthur's Pass - Avalanche Peak Track (Up), Scotts Track (down), Queenstown Hill Walkway

Interesting places visited: Punchbowl Waterfall, Punaikaki Rock, Fox Glacier, Moeraki Boulder, Milford Sound, Baldwin Street (World Steepest Street in Dunedin).

Activities: Fox Glacier Hike, Milford Sound Cruise (Jucy).

P/S: Contact me if you need more information, suggestions or have questions.

Highlights of my South Island Working Holiday

All Blacks vs France rugby match
The match was on 15 Jun 2013 at AMI Stadium Christchurch. The stadium was a sea of black with and some hint of red/blue/white, the colours of France. I got my face painted black and white for the occasion. The Haka performance was engaging. In the end All Black beat France by 30-0.

Hitch-hiking
It was relatively safe and easy to hitch-hike in New Zealand. I've been taken in over 50 rides. Average waiting time is 15 minutes. Longest wait for a ride was 2 hours on a rainy day in Franz Josep. Guess who finally pick me up? A famous travel blogger in a luxury camper van ;)

Road trips
*2 weeks trip - Christchurch, Arthur's Pass, Punakaiki, Greymouth, Fox Glaciers, Franz Josep, Wanaka, Queenstown, Dunedin, Moeraki Boulders, Christchurch, Akaroa, Queenstown, Te Anou, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Christchurch
*Day trips to Mount Sunday, Rakaia Gorge, and peel Forest with my housemates.
*Queenstown for clubbing and skying
*Christchurch - Ashburton - Lake Tekapo - Twizel - Christchurch

Working in Rakaia
I've done grading job with onions (7 weeks), potatoes, yam and lily bulbs. The jobs were repetitive and boring but I can't really complain as it was my main source of income.

My stay in Ashburton
I stayed in a backpacker hostel called Rambler's Rest when I worked. It was actually more like staying in a house. My room mates were really cool gals from Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Uruguay and Czech. It was a lovely town.

Not much attractions but it has all the fast food chains (McDonald's, Burger King, Subway, Pizza Hut, KFC), Countdown and New World supermarkets, Warehouse and even Kathmandu store. It has a decent Art Museum there. 

Every Wednesday we would be at Speight Ale house to take part in quiz night. We won on my last time at the quiz.

Couchsurfing in South Island
My host Peter and Craig who live in New Brighton were the most awesome host. They were my host when I first arrived in Christchurch. They welcome me with open arms and I had gone back there many times during weekend. My other host is Robert and gang (Pimmy, Myra, Grace) and Poorna a vet I met for coffee first. All my hosts were in Christchurch. When I was in Queenstown I stayed a few days with Erika and Erin whom hosted me before in Wellington. 

Dating a kiwi guy
I met him on my 2nd week in South Island. He gave me a ride when I was hitch-hiking and we had been together till I left. He was from Christchurch therefore I traveled there quite frequent to see him. He kept me grounded. When I was in Queenstown I thought of moving there but decided against because that would mean I won't be seeing him so frequent anymore and that I will miss him too. Before I leave New Zealand I was considering to travel to the North of South Island but somehow find it hard to stay far away from Christchurch. I still remember one of the message he sent to me, "I had the best time with you and the best memories of you" very touching. We did had a very good time together.

Glacier Walk in Fox Glacier and skying in the Remarkables, Queenstown
Both activities in the presence of ice. The glacier walk was a first one. As for skying  I tumbled on my first attempt. Towards the end I was in control. my guide just praised me. She said she like to watch me ski because I was so graceful ;)

Meeting the Dalai Lama
I volunteered at an event where Dalai Lama the Tibetan Monk was suppose to gave speech about Suffering and compassion. I got this rare, once in a lifetime opportunity thanks to my host Robert. 

The food
Endless chocolates, wines, beers. My housemates love to cook and we have numerous get together dinner session, most of the time with the same bunch of people. We had pizzas, sushi, Israeli dish, Chinese, desserts and cakes. I get to sampled some Czech dumplings courtesy of my next door neighbour. We had christmas party in Jun with lots of good food. 

Highlights of my North Island Working Holiday

Zorbing in Rotorua

Jumping off Taranaki Wharf

Strip Club visit - Mermaids

Hitch - hiking in New Plymouth

Tangariro Crossing

Hiking the Pinacles in Coromandel

Camping in Coromandel

Hot Water Beach

Soaking in the hot pool near Huka Falls

The Light festival in New Plymouth

Having the most fun time staying with CSers in Wellington

Working in an office in Lampton Quay

To be updated,...

Diary of a Holiday Maker in New Zealand

This post detailed where I've been and what I've done throughout my working holiday trip. This is Part 1 just in North Island. Altogether 84 days. 

Week 1 (13-18 Nov)
I arrived in Auckland from Melbourne. The first person I met is my CS host Julie-Anne, another M'sian. I stayed at her place for 2 nights.
Visited the famous Queen Street, Domain. 

Wed- Attended the weekly CS gathering at Bungalow 8 at Custom East Street. The gathering was massive for such a small city. Close to 200 people attended and the whole place was filled to the brim with Csers. I met a guy Jason and eventually he became my host. 

Visited Mission Bay, One Three Hill, Helliers Bay, etc

Sunday - went to Tapapakanga National Park with CSers.

Week 2 (19-25 Nov)
Hiked Rangitoto
Met Prana while staying at Jason, together we embarked on a mini road-trip. We went to Coromandel, camped at the camp-site by the beach, hiked Pinnacles (the most physically demanding I've undertaken in NZ, even Tangoriro Alpine Crossing can't compare). Not forgetting spending some time at the Hot Water Beach ;). Then we went to Raglan the famous surfing town, Mata-Mata as Prana wanted to go to Hobbit Town, Rotorua and Taupo. We tried water rafting and zorbing in Rotorua.

Week 3 (26 Nov - 2 Dec)
Mon - Arrived in Napier. At night Went to the town centre to explore. Not a big place at all.
Tues - Moved to Andy's Backpacker. The manager there is super good looking. Watched Breaking Dawn 2 in local cinema. Made some friends with lots of Germans staying there. We hang out out, drink and played drinking games.
Climbed the lookout point there.

Week 4 (3-9 Dec)
Mon - Apple thinning in Hasting. 
Tues - Moved to home-stay.
Fri - Met with a CS (Nandy).
Sun - hang out with a German and French guys at the park. Discussed whether the end of the world will happened as predicted.

Week 5 (10-16 Dec)
Mon - Apple thinning work resumed
Fri - Met Nandy again, went to Blue Water Hotel for a drink and Thristy Whale and next door.
Sat - Off day. Went to Cape Kidnapper

Week 6 (17-23 Dec)
Mon - Last day of apple thinning job. 
Tues - Went to Havelock North on Tues. 
Wed - Went to Taupo (Huka falls and the hot spring nearby) and then Tangariro National Park. Thurs - Completed the Tangariro Crossing!! 
Fri - Went back to Napier, stopped at Taupo again.  Started my accommodation exchange at Blue Water Lodge. 

Week 7 (24-30 Dec)
Had dinner with my apple thinning colleagues at Thirsty Whale, stopped by at Shed 2. We expected countdown at mid-night to welcome Christmas but nothing happened.
Christmas at Blue Water Lodge with the residents there.
Sat - Took a bus to Wellington, stayed at the hostel. At night I met up with Erika at Cuba Street. She eventually hosted me for almost 10 days.
Sun - Went to Island Bay.

Week 8 (31 Dec - 6 Jan 2013)
Lived in Wellington the whole week. Hangout at Cuba Street, Tepapa Museum, Courtney Place, Embassy Theater all the time.
Mon - Went to Mount Victoria Look-out. Celebrated New Year eve in Wellington. Firework was cancelled because it was too windy. 
Tues - Met up with a CS along with Erika.
Wed - CS weekly gathering
Thurs - Did data entry work in an office in Lampton Quay
Fri- Spent 2 a few hours with data entry work. Jumped to the ocean from Taranaki Wraft. Went to a strip club called Mermaids and watched topless gals pole danced. What a day!
Sat - Went to Mount Victoria again
Sun -  took the cable car to Botanical Garden

Week 9 (7-13 Jan)
Mon-
Tues - Palmerston North
Wed - New Plymouth -went to the park for the light festival
Thurs - Hitch-hiking to Straton??, Dawson Fall.
Fri - moved to Auckland
Sat - window shopping in Queen Street, hang out at the beach
Sun -  went to Art Museum, moved to Warkworth, waiting to start mandarin thinning work. met a bunch of cool kiwis who were attending some course in Warworth.


Week 10 (14-20 Jan)
Wed - Mandarin thinning job started. Working while hang over wasn't a good idea.
Sun - Went to Wellfords with Nandy who happened to be in Auckland for the weekend. Had awesome pork-roast.

Week 11 (21-27 Jan)
Mandarin thinning job resumed. Boredom resumed.
Sat/Sun - Went on a road trip to Cape Reinga, Paihia, Whangarei with my co-workers cum hostel mates. I tried hangi when I was Paihia and hang out with my co-workers' ex supervisor and families drinking and playing pool.

Week 12 (28 Jan - 3 Feb)
Mon - It was a public holiday
Tues - resumed mandarin thinning work
Wed - moved to Auckland, attended the CS weekly meeting
Thurs- Moved to another host CS Joanne. Just watched Hong Kong drama all the time.
Fri- Camping and party at Muriwai beach.
Sat - moved to CS Lin's house. 
Sun -  Walked around waterfront alone on my last night in New Zealand :(

Week 13 (4 Feb-5 Feb)
Tues - lunch at a M'sian restaurant before taking my flight leaving New Zealand.

One thing I regretted doing was taking this mandarin job because it's a contract position and I'm slow at it. I should've put more effort to find jobs in other factory/orchards or even waitressing job. I didn't do as much travelling and sight-seeing as I wish. 
To be revised,...