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@New Zealand: Love you thousand times (Queenstown Day 2)

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Breakfast at Joe’s Garage.

Joe’s Garage

We were so anxious to know whats our next challenge.  In my mind… bungy jumping! I knew it the moment Eugine rang Uzair asking  if I’m in good health or not.  New Zealand excites me… so I told Uzair, I’m in good condition.  Actually, I’m having hypertension and diabetes.  Bungy Jumping… I just don’t care! I want to do it! I’m sure I can!  Fear? No!

We arrived at Kawarau Bridge.  The world’s Original first bungy.  The historic Kawarau Bridge is home of Bungy pioneers AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch’s first commercial Bungy site.  It was there in 1988 that the Bungy phenomenon began.  43m above the stunning Kawarau River, this Bungy Jump is still the most popular Bungy in New Zealand.

Kawarau Bungy Centre

The moment we step into the Kawarau Bungy Centre… we knew  there will be the ultimate Queenstown challenge.  That is Bungy Jumping! Argh!!!! my heart suddenly down… from brave women to nervous.  As we walked in, I try to comfort myself.  Be cool… be cool! I’ve never been opposed to bungy jumping.

Jumping on the trampoline is one of the good exercise

As for today’s challenge… we have the trampoline flips, the horizontal bungy and the tandem bungy.   The challenge begin with one person of each team member, to do 5 flips of trampoline flips.   When complete he needs to run to their other team members and tagged.  The next team member to do other challenge.  Its either the horizontal bungy – which one person is tied on the bungy rope and have to run forward to grab 4 items laid down, OR the tandem bungy where 2 team members will be strapped together and need to jump off the magnificent Kawarau Bridge which is 43metres high and once they have completed all the challenge – they have to run to the assigned finish line and grabbed the T-shirts prepared by the AJ Hackett Bungy team.

Kate (blonde hair) giving instructions and spirits (Luv you Kate)

Kawarau River

The first challenge was between Uzair (Team Kaitaki) & Vincent (Team Kairiri). When Uzair tagged me and Zaid… both of us quickly ran and get ourselves ready for the tandem bungy.  Hey… you know what happened?  My nervous gone!  I’m sure Swee Ping, Fiona, Melanie, Guy especially and all members of the 2 team will focus on me hehehe… Yes! We ready at the count of go!  Zaid and Me jumped off the platform.  This is my most unforgettable extreme challenge.  I scream of course! All the way down.  So I have proved… old does not mean you can’t do it!

Get ready for Tandem Bungy – Zaid and me.

Argh…!!!!!!!

The bungy jumping swings us hanging high above the River Kawarau like spring up and down.

These daring souls share the adrenaline rush

We did it!

This not done yet! I have to climb the cliff up to the finishing line.  I am out of breath…  Fuuhhh! Thanks Fiona…she walks me up, giving me courage and comfort me.  I’m really out of breath due to blockage of airflow in my trachea.  Not because of the jumping but… climbing up the cliffs.

AJ Hackett awesome! Thanks for the T-shirt

The team in AJ Hackett Bungy offering those who don’t have the chance to do the bungy jumping… to do the jumping.  So why not?  Take the challenge boys!  This is your only opportunity to do the bungy jumping @ KAWARAU Bridge.  Many of them faced their fear by taking up the offer.

Uzair… taking up the offer

Take the challenge Thenly…

Vincent… he did it.

She didn’t move at all… everyone thought she went unconscious.

That was our bravest experience that we all never forget. It so remarkable! This going to be the best activities ever done.  We all safe and still in good shape.  Thanks to AJ Hackett Bungy  for the friendly and professional service.  Experience Bungy Jumping @ Kawarau Bridge… I will never forget.  Wow… I got certificate! Well… we have to bid everyone in AJ Hackett Bungy goodbye.

We reached Queenstown at 3.00. It takes half hour to get back from Kawarau Bridge to Novotel Hotel. This time we are heading to Walter Peak High country Farm. It just a walk distance to the Waterfront. Everyone got  their own lunch.  We boarded into a boat to Walter Peak High Country Farm.  I’m sure this going to be our next challenge.

Waterfront, Queenstown

Walter Peak High Country Farm

We were greeted by Tom & Peter from Walter Peak High Country Farm.  Tom’s best friends…  Meg and Bess greeted us too.  Meg and Bess (smart d0g) short-haired Border Collie.  The border collie was trained to move sheep by eye contact without barking.  Sorry… I don’t want to have eye contact with you Meg.  You too Bess.  Please don’t come near me.

 

Credits to Swee Ping

Our first challenge was sheep herding.  Mr Tom shows us on how to blow a whistle.   I never manage to make any whistle sound.  Guess what? Only my saliva comes out.  Hehehe… sorry.

Sheep herding!  Sounds simple but everyone having  hard time chasing after the sheep.  This really fun and fills with humor.  My job… just get ready to open the gate and let the colored green’s sheep in.  The New Zealand sheep really smart!  And they can do high jumping.  I presume… they can do Bungy as well hehehe…

After herding sheep, we have another challenge.  Making pancake or in New Zealand they called it Pikelet.  Suppose, it easy for me.  I have been making pancake several time before.  But I failed my team.  I forgotten that I was in a race.   You want to know why?  Emm… I want my pancake (pikelet) texture small, thin layered and crispy edging.  I like it that way.  But the judges prefer thick, fluffy and follow the original size.  So the winner goes to team KAIRIRI.

Pikelet challenge

The judges

Zaid and Frenly

3.30pm we sailed back to The Waterfront.

 

@New Zealand: Love you thousand times (Queenstown Day 1)

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Peppers Resort

We had a warm and pleasant night. Thanks to Tourism New Zealand for the comfortable stay and atmosphere.   So nice… my room facing the Lake of Tekapo.  I believe if you step in the Peppers Resort… you should be enjoying your stay every minute of the day. Huhuhu… so sad, we have to leave Peppers Resort for Queenstown early in the morning which takes a journey for 3 hours.

Run 77 Cafe/Deli

Before the journey begins, we stopped at Run 77 Cafe/Deli General Store and took our breakfast.  We had toasted white bread and hot chocolate. At Run 77 we can find winter accessories at reasonable price.  The temperature at Lake Tekapo –1 degree Celcius. After having our breakfast, we start our tour to next destination, Queenstown.

Fiona questioned: What’s the name of the sheep that just died?

Answer: Shrek the Celebrity Sheep and Te Papa Shrek’s final resting place in Wellington.

Shrek the New Zealand sheep, whose ability to avoid the shearers made him a national celebrity, has died aged 16.

Cromwell – giant fruits replica

On the way to Queenstown, we passed by Cromwell and took the opportunity to take picture with the giant fruits replica  which represents the little historic precinct where fruit orchards and wineries surrounds it.

grapes orchard

the Alps covered with ice

Its so lovely as we headed along the journey to Queenstown. When we passed Fairlie, we can see the Alps slowly covered with ice and snow. The beautiful scenery really lovely and stunning.  Thanks to Tourism New Zealand.    Watching the mountains… It the most precious experience of all.  We will never get it in our country. Both side of the road, we can see dairy farming and grapes orchard.

This is winter time so the orchard gets dried up. At Twizel we can see pine trees along the road. This town is called the Town of Trees.

If you plan to fish, choose Lake Benmore.  Lake Benmore is the second most-fished lake in New Zealand.

At noon, we reach at Novotel Hotels, Queenstown. This is our next stay in New Zealand.  Upon arriving in Queenstown, Fiona sent us for our first challenge of the day.

Fergburger Hunting

That was the FERGBURGER hunting! Teams need to travel together and hunt for the famous Fergburger in Queenstown.  Our task to order specific burger which must have ingredients that is uniquely New Zealand.  Soon as the order ready, we need to run to the assigned finish line located in Steamer Warf.

Fergburger’s Kitchen

Our team lost the way to the neighborhood blocks.  Luckily groups of Singapore girls  showed us the way.  Thanks girls!   Wow… Team KIARIRI reached FERGBURGER earlier.  We need to place the order and according to Miss Lindsey… food ready in 10 minutes.  So we ordered The Codfather of Fresh Blue Cod with fruits juices.  We enjoy the delicious Fergburger with the beautiful view of Lake Wakatipu (the deepest lake in New Zealand).  We share our burger with the beautiful birds.  This momentum will never be seen again once we leave Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown.

Enjoy the delicious Fergburger

The Codfather of Fresh Blue Cod

Waterfront

clear water of Lake Wakatipu

Zaid and Frenly

Our next event, that is to ride the Doppelmaur Gondola, Skyline, Brecon Street, Queenstown. Skyline is famous with the gondola ride to the top and see the beauty of Wakatipu basin.

skyline

Guy and Uzair

After having the tickets, we happily ride on the Gondola to all the way to the Luge. We took a short trek down and met Miss Kelly. She has arrange our event, to ride luge by carrying a glass of water and boil egg on spoon on a helmet.

Kelly of Skyline giving instruction

Swee Ping, Me and Uzair

Luge challenge (credit to Swee Ping for the photos)

We need to go up by riding a chairlift to the next destination. We were given time to practice the luge for the trial. We make the round and enjoyed it so much. First challenge was between Mohamad Uzair and Fanly. Both really taking care with the water from spill all over.  Our point equals, Fiona had to think another event. After being experienced at Skyline viewing the spectacular views we went down to the restaurant.

Luge Challenge

KAITAKI and KAIRIRI

A warm welcome given by the Kapa Haka groups.  KIWI HAKA have always entertained with cultural performance that gives us the educational of the Maori heritage.  The name of New Zealand in Mouri is AOTEAROA, Queenstoem is TAHUNA.  We experienced the fearsome of the Kapa Haka groups.

Kapa Haka Groups

Me doing the Poi dancing hehehe…

Time for Kiwi Haka performance challenge.  I representing team KIATAKI doing the Poi traditional dancing.  But Thenly from Team Kairiri was selected as the winner.   Cayalah ko Thenly… jadik Maorian worrior!

Thenly… The Maorian Worrior

Can you make it…

Time to go back to the hotel and jump into the gondola and ride down.  We check in at Novotel Hotels and get our room key. This is our first stay in Queenstown. As for dinner we have to get on our own.   At 8.30 pm, we went out to find our food.  We ate at Turkey’s Kebab.

Turkey’s Kebab

Queenstown

Queenstown so peacefull and I love the environment. Thanks Tourism New Zealand and AirAsia X  for the great experience. It’s the most wonderful gift I ever get.