Saturday, April 8, 2017

New Zealand:15 days of North Island

Travel Period: 15D13N

 Travel Mode, Time & Cost:

 KL - Gold Coast (Transit) - Auckland
-Flight: Air Asia
-Time: 8 hour to OOL airport - 1 hour transit at OOL airport - 
-Cost from Malaysia: RM 2,800 (Premium Flex seats), booked in July'16

Accommodation (We know some people in NZ hence, we get free homestay):

 1) Rotorua - Moutain Road - Homestay (FOC)
2) Ohakune - Ruapehu Mountain Motel & Lodge incl. breakfast on the day of Tongariro Alpine Crossing (NZ$ 200/night)
3) Wellington - Setup on Manners (NZ$ 225/night)
4) Hamilton - Homestay (FOC)

Visa:

 For Malaysians, visa-free.
For Air Asia visa-check, click here. A fly-thru flight including my flight from KL to Gold Goast then Auckland does not require visa to transit at OOL airport. You will not require to fill up Australia arrival card as well.

 General Remarks: 

 - Food portion is relatively huge compared to Malaysia's portion. If you are not a huge eater, do cut down your orders. No one will stare at you. We are a family of 4 but we usually only order 3 portions unless we're really hungry (i.e skipped breakfast)
- Pak n Save is definitely hands down, the cheapest groceries shopping available. However, subject to items and sales, Countdown and New World are available too. They are pretty good places for souvenirs shopping too (if you prefer chocolates, oat bars and honey > key chains, pens, magnets)
- Don't bother relying on their public transport, rent a car.
- Get amazing offers from GrabOne or BookMe

 *all price stated is meant for adult tickets

Rotorua (R)

 Rotorua Canopy Tours (R)

 Website: http://canopytours.co.nz/
Personal Rating: 3.5 stars (0.5 additional for the guides!) / 5 stars
Remarks: We had Arial and (sorry-I-forget-the-other-guy) as our guides. They were great, made the experience better. But if I'd have to compare it with Skytrex Malaysia - Extreme, really, this is just okay as they do not have that single pole walk or many obstacle challenges. Just pure ziplining. (besides the fact that they allow you to go upside-down on the last zipline). 
Price: NZD 150/pax


Off Road NZ (R)

 Website: http://www.offroadnz.co.nz/
Personal Rating: MUST DO.
Remarks: I did Bush Safari (which was amazing, I kid you not) and Raceline Karting. Both rides are drive your own! How cool is that. Besides, there are no comparison of rides like this back at home. (not that I know of / tried before)
Price: NZD 161/pax
Drive it down the dry version of Kaituna Waterfall
Skyline Rotorua Luge (R)

Website: http://www.skyline.co.nz/rotorua/ssr_luge/
Personal Rating: 3.5 stars/ 5 stars
Remarks:It will probably be 4 stars if you never did it before. I tried the Queenstown luge prior and I feel the one is Rotorua is way longer (hence, more worthy). Extreme gives you more adrenaline rush but shorter rides, scenery luge gives you a longer ride.

Price: Varies according to package.

Capers (R)

 Website: http://www.capers.co.nz/
Personal Rating: 2 stars/ 5 stars
Remarks: I do not know why they are the best cafe in town (we did not order coffee, to be fair) but the food was just average/below average. Pork belly that my dad ordered was not even crispy (we had better ones in a shopping mall's food court), mum's smoked salmon tasted like the ones from supermarket (no additional effort) and probably the best of what we ordered is Capers Constitutional (Big Breakfast, basically).
Price: Varies according to menu.
*no picture worth advertising*

 Rotorua Night Market (R)

 Website: http://www.rotoruanz.com/nightmarket/
Personal Rating: 3.5 stars/ 5 stars
Remarks: Open every Thursday, 5 PM to 9 PM. I had the best churros here for NZD 5! The grill kebabs (beef and pork) were not bad as well. When I mentioned kebab, it's pretty much like satay.
Price: Varies according to order.
Credit:Picture from Google Images

Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (R)

 Website: http://www.waiotapu.co.nz/
Personal Rating: 2.5 stars / 5 stars
Remarks: I'd probably rate it higher should there be some sulphur spa to enjoy but everything is about experience hence, I enjoyed 50% of the beauty.Be prepare for some naturally stinky scent and pretty colours of sulphur. Suitable for science curious / anything natural-seeking peeps.
Price: NZD 32.50/pax

Mount Maunganui, Tauranga (T)

 Website: http://www.bayofplentynz.com/discover/mt-maunganui
Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars
Remarks: Basically a free hike (about 2 hours to complete) to the peak for a view of Maunganui! If you have some free time, why not? It's free anyway.
Price: FREE

Orca Wild Adventure - Swim with Dolphins (T)

 Website: https://www.orcawildadventures.co.nz/
Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars
Remarks: It takes an early day and a few hours on the boat before you'll get to swim with dolphins. Also, it takes a lot of strength to hold on to the bar as the boat will still be moving while you're swimming. I gave up after awhile because there will not be any life jacket available and I was gushed by water. Still, that few minutes were great. You will also get a chance to snorkel and swim with seals (we were lucky), spot some eagle ray & others while some hot dogs are being prepared for you.
Price: NZD 87.50/pax (GrabOne offer)
Tougher than it looks.
Ohakune - Tongariro Alpine Crossing

i) 
Accommodation: Ruapehu Moutain Motel & Lodge
Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars (I'd rated it 5 if it was more sound-proof from the snores of my parents below)
Type: 1.5 storey personal cabin/lodge with personal kitchen, dining table and attached bathroom
Remarks: Almost perfect with transport to Tongariro was included and we got complimentary cooked breakfast on the day of hike (cause hell yes, you need the energy!)

ii) 
Website: http://www.tongarirocrossing.org.nz/
Personal Rating: MUST DO.
Remarks: This crossing is basically from Point A to B hence, you usually will need a bus driver to fetch you to point A (starting point) and pick you up at Point B (ending point). The entire crossing is free but hikers usually book a hotel/lodge nearby so that you can grab a rest after the 6-8 hours hike (our record was 7.15 hrs). I was almost blown off by the wind when we were hiking up the summit but I had no regrets for this hike despite the sores and red nose after. Did I tell you how freezing it was?
Price: Free hike, pay for accommodation & transport to-fro from Tongariro
#hikeofmylifetime
Wellington (W)

 Accommodation: Setup on Manners
Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars (Totally sound-proof with the adjoint door closed!)
Type: Serviced apartment with personal kitchen and bathroom but does not have the luxury of a dining table as Ruapehu.
Remarks: Centralised location.

 Scopa Caffe Cucina (W)

 Website: http://www.scopa.co.nz/menus
Personal Rating: MUST TRY.
Remarks: The hot chocolate I will crave everyday. Thick, smooth, creamy.
Price: NZD 4/reg, NZD 6/large
Still craving for it, every-single-day.
Bistro 52, WelTec - Training Restaurant (W)

 Website: http://2017.weltec.ac.nz/weltec-work-zones/bistro-52/
Personal Rating: MUST TRY.
Remarks: Yes, the service is usually interrupted by mentors around but the service was still great. Food was above average, especially with the offer we manage to grab from GrabOne. 
Price: NZD 85/4 pax (Three-Course Meal with a glass of wine)
*hands down worth advertising*


Beehive Parliament (W)

 Remarks: Well... Not a political fan. We did not do the tour, as my dad said, "I'll do it if we get a chance to meet the prime minister, Mr Bill English."

Wellington Chocolate Factory (W)

 Website: https://wellington-chocolate-factory.myshopify.com/
Personal Rating: We did not do the tour. Visit to the shop was free though.
Remarks: I was more attracted to the mini peanut butter factory we found on one of the small alley towards Wellington Chocolate Factory.
*no picture worth advertising*

 Fix & Fogg Peanut Butter Makers (W)

 Website: https://www.fixandfogg.co.nz/
Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars (Rating is for the taste of dark chocolate peanut butter)
Remarks: Buy freshly made peanut butter through a window of the mini factory as advertised on their website. Price is relatively cheaper than supermarkets around.
Suggested Flavours: Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter / Smoke & Fire Peanut Butter
Price: NZD 15 / 2 jars

The Flight Coffee Hangar (W)


Personal Rating: MUST TRY (for coffee lovers)


Remarks: Knock, knock coffee lovers! A whole bunch of coffee variants for you to try.

Price: Varies according to menu.

Neo Cafe & Eatery (W)


Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars 


Remarks: Personally find the food tasted better than the best cafe in New Zealand (Capers).
Price: Varies according to menu.


The Little Waffle Shop (W)

Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: I heard that their menu changes often but I'd highly recommend to try out Snickers Waffle (if you ever see it in the menu)
Price: NZD 8/waffle

 Tommy Millions (W)

Personal Rating: 2 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: The crust was so hard to chew on that the entire pizza just doesn't taste good anymore.
Price: NZD 25 - 29/pizza

 Makara Walkway (W)

Personal Rating: 2.5 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: Cause there are so many other beautiful places in New Zealand hence, the rating.(and we did not do the 6km loop, just by the beach and a private farm land)
Price: Free
Met this pair of fluffy dogs. (Yes, there were 2)
TJ Katsu (W)

Personal Rating: 3.5 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: Good sushi at reasonable price, conveniently found.
Price: Varies according to menu.

 Crepes A Go Go (W)

Personal Rating: 2.5 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: A little too expensive for an average crepe. But at least their salmon is home-cured.
Price: Varies according to menu.
*no picture worth advertising*

Penray Gardens, Otaki

Personal Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: So we went all out to Pick-Your-Own (Fruits / Vegetables). You can pick whatever you want that is on season and pay for all your pickings. No entrance fees!
Price: Varies according to pickings.

Victoria St Bistro, Hamilton (H)
Personal Rating: 3 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: Food was just average but top-notch service and ambiance were great. They even made me a birthday plate!
Price: NZD 50/2 pax (GrabOne offer)

Dress Smart, The Base (H) (Outlet Shopping)

Personal Rating: 1 star / 5 stars 
Remarks: My rating for 1 Star is only directed to the outlet shopping. The Base on its own is huge, they have heaps of choices and this is the food court which I mentioned that my dad had a better pork belly. As for the outlet shopping, it's a shame as most of the stores were closed. It seems like it is closing down.
Price: Pay what you shop

Dress Smart, Auckland (A) (Outlet Shopping)

Personal Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars 
Remarks: Now, this place is a heaven for outlet shopping. Great deals for good brands!
Price: Pay what you shop (My purse was bleeding... For a good reason?)

We visited Hamilton and Auckland before hence, we were just chilling. If you would like to know more about (H) and (A), do check out my old posts!

I would like to make a shoutout to Caitie, our Hamilton host for one of the best apple crumble I ever had!


 Other Alternatives for Meals

If you would like save some cash (like we did) and have access to kitchen facilities, do grab some of the following for some home-cooked meals:

 1) Pak n' Save

 - Chicken Kebab (marinated)
- Watties' Very Special Italian Minestrone (Canned Soup)

- Champange Ham (cold meat section)
- Smoked Salmon (pre-packed)
- Fresh Salmon
- My favourite, Puhoi Belgian Chocolate Milk
I prefer this over Lewis Creamery anytime.
2) New World

 - Non-Marinated Steak (We tried both Pak n' Save & New World steaks and seasoned it ourselves with salt & pepper, but the steaks we had at New World tasted better. I don't know, maybe it's the freshness?)

 The biggest failure in life is giving up.
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