30 Oct - 8 Nov 2011
The trip started with Qantas labor union strike on 29 Oct which delayed the flight. So I had to book SIA on 30th Oct instead. Well, the first dinner I had was seafood themed. Which was a welcome especially after the Qantas delay.
Seafood!!!
Fast forward to the West Coast trip, still being inexperienced in planning trips, I did not check the weather beforehand, therefore, the 4 seasons of West Coast greeted us.
We visited Greymouth and the roaring waves,
Big Waves
Franz Joseph Glacier, with frozen trees on both sides of the valley
However, when we are leaving the west coast, the weather clears up. Giving us a taste of what it would look like on a nice weather, which is what spring should be.
Lake Mapourika - Morning mist with still mirror-like reflection
Southern Alps still have the trees frozen even though the weather already cleared of rain and hell.
Akaroa - French Town in a crater
Lastly, before we leave New Zealand, we went to visit Christchurch city center, which most of the areas still closed due to the earlier earthquake.
Still closed off section of Christchurch
Last thoughts, I'll be back!! (with better preparation)