C'est LA viE

finally is the day! Yes, i had been looking forward for this tranz alpine train trip for a long time

and of cause i also wanna go to the west coast glacier desperately in these recent years

woke up very early this morning because i had to arrive the train station before 7.45am

but glad that everything gone smoothly as i am inpatient and easily got panic....

Back to the train, it is a long train, about 14-16 carriages, and my seat is located at the second last carriage, which is just before the luggage storage carriage

the seat is comfortable and lucky me got a window seat!

there's a small screen on top which showing the tranz alpine route, crossing from the east Chch to the west Greymouth.

the view in the begining was still alright, but after 30mins later, the train started entering the mountain area at where the signal started become poor

i went to bought a light sandwich and drink which were sold on board (yes they have everything except for entertainment and comfort kits)

While i back to my seat, the train ald travelled within moutain area

and we got a 5mins stop at Springfield, Mr. Simpson and his family were nt waiting for me, but a beautiful world is:

awesome!! very spectacular scenary!

Then, for the remain 3 hrs, i just enjoyed the view and my comfy seat on the train~

well, it was hard to take a good photo on the train, unless u go to the open-air viewing carriages to take photos

However the open-air viewing carriage is located at the middle of the train, which is quite far to where i was sitting

thus, is winter time, it was cold at that carriage plus the train was moving

therefore, i just stayed at my seat quietly enjoyed the view....

Then we arrived at Arthur Pass....where is famous for hiking and look out viewing

you can tell it was really cold at this area, snows covered everywhere....

i actually fall asleep after sitting for nearly 2 hrs...but when i opened my eyes, the train was very close to west coast

the white world just dissapear, seems like i travelled from a white world to a green world~

Sunshine made me so warm, just like what the information provided on the train described, West coast indeed is a sunny wetland

the whole tranz alpine train trip took about 4hrs, i arrived safely at Greymouth around quarter to 1pm.

Then i hopped on intercity bus at 1.30pm and Franz Josef here i come!

The scenary on the way is amazing....

and i got half an hour stop at Hokitika for short lunch

Then continued my bus trip and arrived my destination around 5pm...

I continued treat myself with a good meal at The Landing bar hehehe =P

I had a light main - smoked Akaroa salmon salad with rye bread along with a local cocktail

though is weird to have dinner by myself at this fine dining restaurant, but i enjoyed my dinner a lot =)

actually i do think that i should have skipped staying one night at Franz josef and continued my bus trip directly to Fox Glacier where is just another extra 30mins journey as I am not really going to explore Franz Josef, I am leaving to Fox Glacier tomorrow early morning too.

oh well, a good lesson to learn then.

Not sleeping very well last night, too many ppl in the room (Yes, all 10 beds were occupied later after I back) and they were having early schedule.

So many ppl awake and left in the early morning, but i still sleep until around 9am. =P

I gone to the Re:start mall, which is currently the highlight of the recovering city.

I really love colorful thing and artistic design, that's why i really like how they rebuild the city.

Container! Sound environmental friendly and down to earth.

there's also a small garden, decorated in green, giving the public more positive message...

this special wall was kinda contributed by a Taiwanese backpacker who travelled to NZ. He did this project called 'smile for Christchurch' by capturing photos showing all the ppl who are giving Christchurch a smile, a positive energy!

Indeed to recover, is start from a smile!

I was too early, most of the shops still closed, and i went to the Hummingbird cafe for my breakie.

Though they took a very long time to prepare my omelette, i am forgiving them because i really feel sorry for the ppl at chch.

Then i started to visit the shops, there's mainly souvenir and gift shops.

But i like most of the shops because they sold good quality gift and daily living goods. I kept on thinking how if I continued staying NZ and i will buy this and that....

oh well, be realistic viv! And there is no regret and turning back, keep life optimistic.

Still I bought this:

Something for me to remember NZ.

Though the icon is small,but there are icon represent NZ, such as kea, fantail bird, koru (NZ fern) etc.

I was asking the seller if this sort of chain is getting popular around the world because i saw heaps in Dunedin, but seems like it just happened in NZ =S

Oh well, i still like it =)

Then, I gone to the gap filler - where Mr. Osaka food truck is located atm.

Mr.Osaka is my favourite Japanese restaurant in Chch, it used to be located in a shop in city centre, but the shop was damaged in the earthquake.

Since then, no one knows where Mr. Osaka gone and if the restaurant will be reopened...

and I found it was reopened via a small food truck at Gap filler yesterday on my way to YMCA! Awesome.

Just like many other restaurants in chch which got damaged from the quake, they continued their business using a small and cheaper food truck rather than renting new shops in other 'safer' area.

I bought a cup of takoyaki balls, though the taste not like very good, but is still yummy=)

Gap Filler is also another spot at the city gathered these similar food stalls/trucks.

They used wood to stack up the place, turning it to a hawker stall area (just there are not many stalls), very recycling principal.

carried on my way to find the greatest macaron in Chch and saw this special outdoor cafe

'the things which have seen now can see no more' - so true and just accurately applied for this quake city. So appreciate and enjoy every single moment. =)

i walked to the Colombo Mall which located in quite a far distance as I was told the macaron shop which i wanna go since long time ago - J'aime les Macarons is located in the mall.

My first ever macarons were from their shop, but i tried them at a cafe at Ponsonby, Auckland which they sold J'aime les macarons but not the official shop.

Well, their business was not that big yet back to that time, and they dont really own a shop at else where.

But see how they emerged now!

The macarons are so attractive, and they got many varieties and unique combination of flavor in one small macaron

too bad i was full from breakfast and lunch, i couldnt eat much.

But i still ordered a big one! It's just super yummy!!

ALso takeaway another 3: pistachios, rose and a combination of apple, berry and rhubbarb....i was so full after that.

Besides this, i also noticed that Samurai Bowl, another good japanese restaurant at chch had been reopened and relocated too!!

I had dinner at here with Josephine, who i also had not seeing each other for almost 3yrs.

Samurai bowl stil serve good and cheap food, i ordered a spicy miso ramen along with a plum wine.

it was a good night to catch up with Jo at Samurai bowl, and this also marked my last night at Chch, alright cant wait for one of the greatest train trip in the world tomorrow! =)

Is moving time again, had to say goodbye with Ondy today and continued with my solo trip to Christchurch.

It is always sad and hard to separate from friend who you knew is probably never gonna see them again later. Well, perhaps not never, but the chance to meet again is very small.

Though i am not very close with Ondy, but i do appreciate with her care within these 3 days.

Trip to Chch was not very tiring, especially i got to stop at Timaru for breakfast.

I ordered the used to be famous hot chocolate at the intercity bus stop cafe at Timaru, why i said used to be?

Well, it was bigger and taste better 3 yrs ago =S

Arrived at Chch around 2pm, and the intercity bus-stop at chch had been relocated to Beverly Avenue now which was not close to town at all.

I spent quite some time walking with my 2 bags to my backpacker -YMCA. On my way, I saw how empty and desolated the city is....is still a big shock because it was not the chch i familiar with anymore.

Most of the traffic are still unorganized, road are still under-repaired and many buildings are under-construction.

Luckily the weather was good on my way to YMCA, and guess i am still considered an early bird at this time, i was the first one to arrive at my 10-dorm beds room. Actually i was quite unlucky to get placed in a 10-bed room, but at least i got my favourite spot, the lower deck of bed. I super hate sleeping on the top, especially if the bed is very tall and hard to climb.

Then, i gone to the cathedral square to look around.

Good that it is finally opened for public regardless how badly it was damaged. It's still unbelievable when i saw it with my eyes.

It used to be so spectacular but in just 5 minutes, Chch had lost its iconic landmark.....

I am holding a deep feeling about this because i really love Chch, I recalled how I falling in love with this city when i walked by the river and impressed with the beautiful garden city 4 yrs ago.

However, I think the future is bright, I can see how chch council and ppl are trying to rebuild the city with their best effort.

Everything is so colorful and artistic. I can feel the hope and bless given to the city, and continued falling in love with this city again and looking forward on Chch recovery.

I am impressed with how they used up the space with their cool artistic design to recover the city, there are some cool spots that's just couldnt be missed out.

Just like this giant chair and table at the middle of the city! Represent green, represent the missing but returning garden city.

I also finally met up with Jah after 3 yrs! She invited me to her house for a simple dinner.

Felt a bit pity that she quitted her study but good to know she is working well now and got engaged!

And her fiance is just 21 years old and both of them only started relationship a year ago~

Well, but seeing how they coped up with each other while living in Chch, working hard for their big wedding next year, I sincerely wish they happily even after <3<3<3

It is lovely to see how they teased each other and her fiance, Josh, cooked me a nice dinner.

Then we also skyped with Kanami who is in Japan! I dint skype her at all though i have her skype because i think is abit awkward. But after this time, i think ppl just need to try and make a forward step.  We did have a good time chatting with each other =)

Good to know everyone is doing great and I am happy with this.

I just have to keep positive with my future as well, just like Chch =)

Is all about outdoor today! We gone to the Elephant rocks at Duntroon today which is my main targeted destination at Oamaru this trip, I personally requested Ondy to bring me there after seeing the photo on Oamaru tourism website.

Basically it is located at Waitaki valley district, and only accessible via cars. Luckily I have Ondy with me, though we actually lost for nearly an hour to arrive there.

We met a helpful farmer to lead us there, though Ondy was saying there is another easier way because we were driving along a gravel road across the farms and on top of the moutain, but look what we saw on this way which the farmer indicated!

I felt myself was in heaven =)

Around 20mins later, we finally reached!

I was super-excited and ran to the rocks like a child who just first learnt to run.

 The view is magnificent, superb! All rocks are huge with different shapes.

Some looks like elephant,

crocodile,

whale,

and even human face!

I was too excited while i fall down again when I roughly climbing on the hill with slippery limestone enriched =S Anyways, i am ok.

It is just unbelievable how these stones turned into this formation, and they are not lining side by side, each of them is standing by their own. Just like what Ondy described: Stubborn rock.

We packed and had a simple lunch on top of the 'whale'

Perhaps the scenary was too amazing and sarced, I actually had a lot of thought after lunch.

Ondy kept saying i love to think, i wonder if she means a good or bad way? Oh well, at least i am not stucked with my mind...

these rocks are too fantastic to view, so hard to leave them. Anyways we departed to the next stop, but before that not to mention there probably a movie set beside the elephant rocks!

Interesting! I so wanna explore it, but it was prohibited =( However, good to find out!, Probably is movie set for Horbitton or LOTR!

Then we visited Ondy's fren who owned 4 horses!

Her horses are really cute, although the only male - Shaf was fierce initially and kept on 'attacked' me...LOl

He kept on pushed me with his HUGE head, sorry if i only just gave u a small piece of carrot but it was yr owner's idea.....Blame her! =P

While Shaf is a bit capricious, the other 3 lady horses are well behaved and friendly =)

One of them (i think named Cookies) licked my hand too, so cute and warm.

They are actually quite big  while I standing beside them.

After spending some time with horses and Ondy's fren, Ondy dropped me at the Oamaru garden for a short while.

The garden is quite huge and also very chilly in winter. I personally like the playground, I think Oamaru did a good job on entertaining children, it was the humty dumpty!

Let's stay young! =)

After some rest yesterday, I woke up early this morning to explore this beautiful small town - Oamaru.

Thanks to ondy, i got to see the magnificent view on top of the hill, seeing Oamaru sitting beside the beautiful harbour.

 I dint stay long at the lookout point as it was too windy and cold, but good to see the view.

Then Ondy brought me to the penquins crossing area. Apparently, penquins will cross the road in the evening after their long day hunting for fish in the sea.

The road is just right beside the harbour, and penquins have their 'house' at the other hilly side after crossing the road

There is a penquin visiting centre at the end of the road, and visitors got to see the penquins crossing with administration fee

but actually locals choose to see the wild penquins crossing right outside the visitor centre too, and this is what we going to do later tonight.

Before the sunset, as the visitor centre is opened for free (only in day time), we just explored around

I am quite satisfied with the 'fake' penquins =)

and also got to see wild seal from a very far distance (u dont want get too near as they real aggressive and will attack human)!

Later, Ondy left me alone at the town while she back home busy with her stuff, and I went to the newly built playground

Oamaru is such an artistic place, where there are so many surprise to be seen.

The playground is very unique, seems like it was built based on the old train station, many reusable items around

for example, the bench at the ground was designed with the train compartments.

I specifically like the old tree around the playground...

The playground actually quite desolate, perhaps because there was not many ppl around, and it was very spacious...

but i really love how they design the swing or other facilities, making the playing area more unique and modern

The playground is located at the Friendly bay... good to come here for a visit.

Then i walked around the famous heritage Victorian precinct area, it is actually a narrow lane with many local artist shops

apparently there are many popular artist grow and based their art workshop at Oamaru, interesting~

I was real lucky because I heard foot steps coming from the top and realized there are also some shops on the second floor

or else I will regret i missed this:

It is called the grainstore gallery, and according to Ondy, the lady (who also is the artist) who owned this gallery is a very famous artist

her artwork which also exhibited in this gallery is very popular in Europe!

I can tell, as her artwork really very beautiful, really masterpiece!

 I also love how she designed her gallery, i felt like i just back to the old time, difference was just i am not european =P

Then i continued explored the precinct area and met this cute girl, she was shouting: 'please ask for a photo!'

I was curious because i actually couldnt hear what she was saying at first and then only realized she wants a photo

why nt? I asked her dad politely for a photo, and her dad was like: u are not doing bad thing are u?

Hell no, do i look like a bad ppl?

I actually shopped a few stuff at this old area, bought a lime stone art statue, then went in to beads shop and own my first designed bracelet

Then, yea u are right, is lunch time!

I went to the Star and Garter restaurant where i sit facing the famous steampunk HQ building, (too bad it was closed today) and ordered a blue cod and chips

After lunch i just continued walking around the small town

and yes, Oamaru just won the title of the Sharpest town in NZ yesterday, and i am honoured to visit here as a tourist at this sharpest place

I did think they deserved the title because Oamaru is really a cool place to visit.

Then I also went to the famous whitestone cheese factory at Oamaru

too bad photo was prohibited at the factory, but it is actually a very small factory, though the business scale is small, they produced very good cheese

I actually got to taste 3 quite big pieces of cheese of the day, and impressively their blue cheese - windsor blue is so yummy!

I am not a blue cheese fan, and actually i hate blue cheese because of the smell, i only eat blue cheese on pizza, but this windsor blue cheese is really good that the smell is not too strong and the taste really flavorful! I was hesistate wherther i should try out their cheese platter or cheese cake as i real full but it was such a pity as i already here.

So ended up, i bought this cheese platter for NZD5! It is actually good price because the cheese was sliced in big piece and the lady was really kind to me. She allowed me to choose my favourite cheese to be placed on the board. I chose double cream as i havent tried this kind of cheese before

Haha i couldnt think of other cheese variety, but in general the lady chose a good combination of cheese for me.

I love the nutty cheese, the 4th one from the right, which is cremy harvati. There is also other unique cheese like goat cheese or combination of goat and dairy cheese.

Overall i ranked the windsor blue cheese for the best i had today. I will definitely miss cheese a lot after leaving NZ.

As mentioned above, Ondy brought me to see the wild penquin crossing at night

and here it is~

actually we were late as most penquins finished crssing and gone earlier then we expected due to winter

well, we were lucky at least we spotted a few...we almost knocked down one small blue penquin upon our arrival, thank god Ondy brake on time

then i spotted the blue penquin with my perfect dark vision =P under dim light (they hate light), and got to capture them real close

It is so tiny and cute, and i had to be real quiet and motionless to approach it. Thus my camera function real bad under dark condition, i only able capture one clear photo

but good enough, and u can see the blue penquin is hiding its head (really remind me of ostrich)

After seeing those tiny cute little ones, we purposely stopped at the Opera house at town to see the colorful LED light

they changed color like every 3 seconds, very beautiful but Ondy was complaining they need to pay so much for it. (from taxes of cause!)

Haha good thing take effort and money =)