The last time mom and dad were here was October 2006. We didn't do much of the travel around the country then. So, this time South Island trip was a must as dad hadn't step a foot on the South land, not even when I was studying at Otago University, down in Dunedin.
There are two ways to get to the South, either by flight or by ferry. Ferry is out of the picture because dad is not a fan of the sea, especially the blowy Cook Strait, separating the North and the South Island.
So, I got us 4 air tickets to Queenstown on Xmas day and we flew back from Christchurch on new year's eve.
The highlights of the trip were Queenstown, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Two nights alone were spent in Queenstown, the most scenic town in NZ as the locals refer. Christchurch, the city of flowers and old architectures, was remarkable despite the scorching hot weather. We managed to find our way around after getting lost few times.
Dunedin Railway Station
Dad wanted to see my old school, where I lived, so, we popped by Dunedin or the second name "Student Town". If you have seen "Scarfies" then you would know what it's like being a student in this city. Old memories flashing back, good and bad ones. It was quite an experience, woke up in the morning for the 8am lectures during winter, the car's windscreen froze and I had to throw hot water from the tape as a quick fix to get to class on time, the snow day when school had to shut and my first part time as a caregiver in a rest home....
We made it to Christchurch through West Coast, where all the glaciers lie. The scenery was picturesque.
It's probably true when they say "NZ is the land of the long white cloud".
