2015 Re-visit to New Zealand: Sydney - Christchurch - Akaroa

9 - 10 April 2015

I fell for New Zealand when I first came here for working holiday in 2011. When I returned to Malaysia, I made up my mind to bring my parents into this beautiful land one day. 4 years later, this trip finally happened after I decided to resign from my job.  

Unfortunately Air Asia no longer provide the flight route between New Zealand and Malaysia. As an alternative, we took Air Asia to Sydney and bought separate flight between Sydney and Christchurch via Virgin Airline. We made full use of the transit waiting time to visit the Sydney Fish Market to feed our starving stomach. 

 It was very crowded despite it was a week day, filled mostly with Asians

 Flamed cheesy scallops

 If you are looking for affordable food, fried seafood platter is probably your best option

 We enjoyed our lunch along the harbour

 Birds were eating the leftover

 Green abolone sashimi

 Salmon Sashimi

 I did not fancy raw oyster back then, now I am eager to try one

We went back to the airport and collect our luggage from the baggage storage service. We boarded the plane and headed to Christchurch. At Christchurch airport, we collected our rented car and drove to our accommodation. It was very late and we only had not more than six hours of sleep as we woke up early the next day for our  first day in New Zealand.

In the morning, we first went to PaknSave supermarket to buy necessary grocery as we will be staying two nights uphill in Akaroa later. PaknSave is my favorite supermarket which usually can be located in city and it provides wide range of goods at affordable price. It looks like a warehouse market. 

 Very big white button mushroom

After shopping, we met one of our old secondary schoolmates, Susan. She is a very closed friend to FV so I planned the meeting secretly without telling FV to give her a surprise. 

 

New Regent Street in central Christchurch is home to an exciting range of boutique businesses in a stunning heritage setting. 

We did not have time to do Avon River Punting and the Tram journey, so we enjoyed our brunch looking at passing trams.

Christchurch was still struggling with shaky recovery from 2011 earthquake, two month before I went for working holiday. When I returned to Christchurch this time, many of the damaged buildings remained unrecovered. 

The Giant's House was the first bank managers house in Akaroa, built 1880 of totara and kauri. It is grand in size, proportions, and features. Elegant and comfortable, it is designed and decorated in the french style. Being the home of an artist it balances and contrasts the historic and contemporary. Both the house and terraced gardens are full of surprises -expect the unexpected at The Giant's House!

The house and terraced gardens now is decorated with creative and unique sculptures and mosaics done by Josie Martin. The Giant's House also provides B&B accommodation.