This was one of my most enjoyable trip. Firstly, it is my first time driving overseas. Fortunately, New Zealand has the same traffic rules as Singapore. Both are right hand drive. A driving holiday has its benefits in that we can stop and admire the scenery whenever and wherever we like. Second, we only explore the places we desire, and not those dictated by the tour company.
Our self drive holiday took us to both the North and South islands of New Zealand. We landed at Christchurch, drove much of the South, then we took the car onto the ferry, a 3 hour ride to the North island. Then we explored the North before coming back from Auckland.
This holiday was also memorable because we saved on accomodation. We actually went there with only our air tickets and car rentals. We did not book accomodation at all. So where did we stay? Some nights we slept in the car, while some nights we stayed "for free" at hostels or bungalows if we passed by one. We entered very late at night and left very early, so that we don't bother anyone else. Fortunately, it turned out fine. Thinking back, I think there was one incident where we had to pay to leave. I can't remember the incident already. New Zealand has paid public showers at certain places, for days that we slept in the car and had no access to shower.
Now, driving in New Zealand is quite easy. Apart from the same traffic rules as here, after leaving big cities like Auckland or Christchurch or Wellington, traffic was bare minimum in the countryside. The only thing to look out for is driving fatique. The roads are so straight, so long and never ending that you may be tired after a while. Also, the bends can be very sharp, though there are always warning signs before one.
We went in December 2011, which is the summer season. Yet the temperatures are cooling, sometimes cold, and the car do not need winter tyres. New Zealand countryside is very scenic. No matter which route you take, the scenery is just breathtaking. Snow covered mountains, glaciers, farmlands, rolling hills are some of the sceneries you will come across.
We went there after doing some research and picked out a few places we want to visit, but ended up visiting many others along the way. The trip was just marvelous.
One point to note. On the way back at the Auckland airport, the immigration officials needs to know your last stayed accommodation place. We got around it by saying that we forgot the name, but then we told him or her that we stayed in the city of Rotorua. Luckily, the person didn't pursue the matter.
Another surprise for us. After checking in at Auckland airport, we discovered that we were issued business class tickets on the Sydney to Singapore leg on British Airways! We travelled on economy. And the check in person did not even let us know. We realized it only when we looked at our boarding pass. We were very happy! My first time ever in business class!
At transit in Sydney airport, we went to do some airport shopping for souvenirs and became the last to board the aircraft. Really the last. On board the aircraft, immediately after the meals, which was delicious, I turned the seat into a full flat bed, and slept soundly until almost time to land. I believed I missed out on another meal or snack. After more than 2 weeks of sleeping mostly in the car and only a few hours, the bed was just too comfortable for my sleep.
The self drive trip was very convenient. After landing at Christchurch airport, a shuttle brought us to the car rental company. After quick paperwork, we were on our way. The petrol pump was mostly self service, so I had to learn how to operate it, unlike in Singapore where there are pump attendants to service us. We pump first, then we go into the convenience store and pay. We can choose how many litres we want to pump. The GPS will also show you the pump locations across New Zealand. Parking is free in all countryside attractions, but in the city areas, there is metered parking, which I didn't learn how to operate. And there are no toll roads in New Zealand. We returned the car near Auckland airport, and another shuttle transferred us to the airport. This was really great service.
Driving conditions... street lighting only exists in big cities like Auckland and Wellington. Otherwise, it is pitch dark at night. The only light source is the car's headlights. One more thing, there is this kind of rabbit-like animals that will dash across the roads at night. If you are not aware, you will run over it. You will feel a bump. In the countryside, some roads are single lanes and very narrow, so you have to watch out for big trucks in the other direction, which usually comes very fast. In some areas, the bridge is only a single lane wide. There will be a sign telling you who has the right of way. It depends.
In terms of food, well, nothing fancy. But I had this bosenberry flavoured ice-cream and kiwi burger, which is not common in Singapore. Other things worth buying is the manuka honey.
The strange thing is. In the countryside, we never once came across a tour coach in the 2+ weeks there. Don't really see a lot of tourists, even at the popular destinations.
Hitchhiking is common in New Zealand. We actually stopped for 2 male tourists who signaled to us. Not sure whether we are on their way, but they asked to drop when we approached our next destination. I totally forgot about the conversation we had in the car.
Okay, after talking so much, time for some nice photos
\
Our self drive holiday took us to both the North and South islands of New Zealand. We landed at Christchurch, drove much of the South, then we took the car onto the ferry, a 3 hour ride to the North island. Then we explored the North before coming back from Auckland.
This holiday was also memorable because we saved on accomodation. We actually went there with only our air tickets and car rentals. We did not book accomodation at all. So where did we stay? Some nights we slept in the car, while some nights we stayed "for free" at hostels or bungalows if we passed by one. We entered very late at night and left very early, so that we don't bother anyone else. Fortunately, it turned out fine. Thinking back, I think there was one incident where we had to pay to leave. I can't remember the incident already. New Zealand has paid public showers at certain places, for days that we slept in the car and had no access to shower.
Now, driving in New Zealand is quite easy. Apart from the same traffic rules as here, after leaving big cities like Auckland or Christchurch or Wellington, traffic was bare minimum in the countryside. The only thing to look out for is driving fatique. The roads are so straight, so long and never ending that you may be tired after a while. Also, the bends can be very sharp, though there are always warning signs before one.
We went in December 2011, which is the summer season. Yet the temperatures are cooling, sometimes cold, and the car do not need winter tyres. New Zealand countryside is very scenic. No matter which route you take, the scenery is just breathtaking. Snow covered mountains, glaciers, farmlands, rolling hills are some of the sceneries you will come across.
We went there after doing some research and picked out a few places we want to visit, but ended up visiting many others along the way. The trip was just marvelous.
One point to note. On the way back at the Auckland airport, the immigration officials needs to know your last stayed accommodation place. We got around it by saying that we forgot the name, but then we told him or her that we stayed in the city of Rotorua. Luckily, the person didn't pursue the matter.
Another surprise for us. After checking in at Auckland airport, we discovered that we were issued business class tickets on the Sydney to Singapore leg on British Airways! We travelled on economy. And the check in person did not even let us know. We realized it only when we looked at our boarding pass. We were very happy! My first time ever in business class!
At transit in Sydney airport, we went to do some airport shopping for souvenirs and became the last to board the aircraft. Really the last. On board the aircraft, immediately after the meals, which was delicious, I turned the seat into a full flat bed, and slept soundly until almost time to land. I believed I missed out on another meal or snack. After more than 2 weeks of sleeping mostly in the car and only a few hours, the bed was just too comfortable for my sleep.
The self drive trip was very convenient. After landing at Christchurch airport, a shuttle brought us to the car rental company. After quick paperwork, we were on our way. The petrol pump was mostly self service, so I had to learn how to operate it, unlike in Singapore where there are pump attendants to service us. We pump first, then we go into the convenience store and pay. We can choose how many litres we want to pump. The GPS will also show you the pump locations across New Zealand. Parking is free in all countryside attractions, but in the city areas, there is metered parking, which I didn't learn how to operate. And there are no toll roads in New Zealand. We returned the car near Auckland airport, and another shuttle transferred us to the airport. This was really great service.
Driving conditions... street lighting only exists in big cities like Auckland and Wellington. Otherwise, it is pitch dark at night. The only light source is the car's headlights. One more thing, there is this kind of rabbit-like animals that will dash across the roads at night. If you are not aware, you will run over it. You will feel a bump. In the countryside, some roads are single lanes and very narrow, so you have to watch out for big trucks in the other direction, which usually comes very fast. In some areas, the bridge is only a single lane wide. There will be a sign telling you who has the right of way. It depends.
In terms of food, well, nothing fancy. But I had this bosenberry flavoured ice-cream and kiwi burger, which is not common in Singapore. Other things worth buying is the manuka honey.
The strange thing is. In the countryside, we never once came across a tour coach in the 2+ weeks there. Don't really see a lot of tourists, even at the popular destinations.
Hitchhiking is common in New Zealand. We actually stopped for 2 male tourists who signaled to us. Not sure whether we are on their way, but they asked to drop when we approached our next destination. I totally forgot about the conversation we had in the car.
Okay, after talking so much, time for some nice photos
A common sight in New Zealand
Is it lavender?
Interesting cloud formation
Gravel roads. Sometimes I drive on it. Fortunately, the car tyre is good
\
Dunedin
Sandfly bay. Probably how its name came about
A tunnel going down to...
the beach
One of the steepest roads in the world. I think is 45 deg incline
Fog
On a milford sound cruise.
Waterfall
In Queenstown
Wanaka Puzzling World
Spent a lot of time at this maze. Wonderful!
The sun opening into a pool of water
At a popular glacier. The river dried up in summer
My favourite flavour in New Zealand
At Picton to board our ferry. In small towns, we are allowed for park for free for first hour only.
Chanced upon a windfarm on our way in the early morning
At a sheep wool factory
Interesting landscape
It got its name from ?
Rapids
Giant chessboard
On an expensive boat ride to ..
this island. Rotorua has a volcanic landscape. The whole town smells of sulfur, anywhere you go.
Boiling mud pools. In New Zealand, people buy these in packaged containers to make their skin look nicer. I didn't try.
Blue lake
Green lake. Can tell?
Lady geyser, steaming at regular times every day
How did it get this colour?
Close up of a boiling mud pool
Seagulls
Passed by this village. The village chief even came out to chat with us.
Kiwi burger
Such beauty. Sunrise or sunset?
Finally... Auckland tower. No, I didn't go up this one.
A very tall Santa Claus
That's what I eat in business class on British Airways
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