Kuala Trengganu, Arni Wedding

My wife had befriended Arni a couple of years ago while she was still married to her previous husband. Arni is getting married the second time after she was divorced a year ago. The second husband is her teenage sweetheart during the school days.

Me & wife left Saturday early morning. We took the KL Pantai Timur Highway to Kuantan and turn-off at Felda Bt Goh to use the Felda road to KT. We reach KT at 1.30pm just in time for the kenduri. It was held at the husband home in Jalan Kamarudin KT. We manage to snap some memorable photos with the newlywed. Right after the wedding, we drove to Losong for fresh-cooked keropok Lekor. Later we drove to Marang which is 25min away to check-in to Hotel Seri Malaysia for the night stay. Early morning before breakfast, I went for a jog to Marang town and later for a swim in the hotel pool.

Wife & Arni

Me, wife and the newly wed

We pack up for Arni wedding hosted at a chalet in Seberang Takir. The dias was erected at one of the Gazebo with the beach as the backdrop. We left the wedding early and stop by for Keropok Lekor outlet close to the Sultan Ibrahim Fikri school. On the way we stop by the Floating Mosque for the jamak prayers and to experience the Nasik Dagang. Reached KL home at 10pm after 6 hours drive.

Bandung, Jakarta-Indonesia

We travelled to Jakarta on Air Asia during Nov 2007 school holidays. Me, the wife and two younger child. In Jakarta we stayed 2 nights with a relative Fakrul +Zila and their 3 children at Pondok Indah. They drove us to a mosque with a gold plated dome. Inside the dome, they have beautiful paintings of the sky.

Me and the wife did shoppings at JCC (macam KLCC lar), Pondok Indah Mall, Tanah Abang & Magga Dua. After 2 days we took a van to Bandung.

Fakhrul Home in Pondok Indah

Masjid Kubah Emas

We spent 3 nights at a self service apartment at Ciumbuileit. We rented a chauferred driven van for the next 4 days. We use the service of Pak Tam during the stay to shop and sightseeing. Pak Tam owned 3 cars. He drove us throughout our stay. Pak Tam is a devout Muslim. He crack jokes everyn ow and then which make s our travell full of fun.

Day 1:

During the first day upon arrival from Jkarta, we walk and shop along Chehamplus Road. This stretch of road is the safest in the world since it has Superman, Batman, Rambo, Spiderman and Tarzan perching from the rooftop and the facade. Since it was already late, we only manage to scout along the main road window shopping. We went back to the apartment and rest for the night. We cook our own dinner.

Day 2:
On the second day we visited the famous volcanic site at Tankuban Perahu. It was very scenic mountain view of the dormant volcano. However it still spew sulphur which boils hot down below. We spent about an hour taking photos. There are lots of peddlers selling souveniors. We were advised by our driver not to entertain them or we'll end up harrassing by them.

Tankuban Perahu

Hot water spring

Sapu Lidi

Menu Kampung Daun

Sapu Lidi

On the way down we stop over at the hotwater spring. The water originated from Tangkuban Perahu. As it was lunch time, we asked the driver to take us to an eating outlet called Sapu Lidi. The place was recommended by some traveller in the internet. The restaurant is Gazebo-type outlet lies in the padi fields. It was worth visiting. The food was good and the environment is extremely amazing. Since it was closed to town, we went shopping at the factory outlet. Later we went for dinner at another place recommended by friend from Jakarta.

Sapu Lidi

Sapu Lidi

Known as Kampung Daun, the restaurant perched on the hillslope terrace blended among the trees and waterfalls. The weather was cool that we had to put on light blazer. The environment is as good as Sapu Lidi. However this time the backdrop is the hillside with sound of water flowing. The food is equivalently as good as the lunch we had earlier.

Day 3:

Kebun Teh

Kawah Putih, Ciwidey

Kebun Teh

Tasek ?

On the third day we went outside Bandung City to see the countryside. We visited another volcano site called Tasik Putih. It was about one hour drive from the hotel. Over here we had the opportunity to trek down to the lakes since  there were no more sulphur emission from the volcano. Later we drove to a Lake resort. which was 10 minutes away.Along the way we passed by tea plantation similar to Cameroon Highland but it  was very much bigger here. They have plenty of water activities at the lake. We had drink at one of the stalls there to try out the local delicacies.

On the way back we stop over at the strawberry plantation and picked  some. By the time we reach Bandung it was still early and we did more shopping. Every one bought lots of branded clothes. My wife as usual go for the handbags and purse.

We stop at one of the sea food restaurant for dinner.

Day 4:

We packed up ready to return to KL. To ensure we do not carry excess baggage, each luggage are weighed using bathroom scale that we brought along. On the way to the airport, we stopover at Kartika Sari to buy local delicacies to bring home. We flew out from Bandung on Air Asia to KL.

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown -New Zealand

Campervan at the Canterbury Plains

Route Itinerary

 A  Auckland

 B  Wellington

 H  Hanmer Springs

 G  Christchurch

 E  Mount Cook

 D  Queenstown

 F  Akaroa

This page served as a guide to first time visitor who wish to travel to New Zealand. I was on vacation with my family from 08 July 05 to 21 Jul 05. During the 13 days period we travel from North to South Island and back. The round trip journey trip took us almost 4000km on the road, but it is worth it.
We payed about RM5,000 for the campervan during the 13 days trip. The airfare itself cost RM2,000 per person from KLIA to Auckland. Other expenditure cost RM7,000 are spend on fuel, campsite rental, groceries, souveniors etc.

After doing all the 'investigative' work over the internet, we decided to travel using a campervan instead of other options. We had considered the following reasons before coming to the decision; convenience of cooking, stop-over, choosing our own route and costs factor. There are many campervans to choose from and finally we go for MAUI Rental. We were supposed to start our vacation a week earlier but since all campervans were taken up by the LION rugby tour, we posponed the trip to the following week. We made reservation for a 6 berth van. It came with 6 bed, toilet facilities, gas stove, utensils, refrigerator and a microwave.

DAY 1 (08 July 2005)

We left Kuala Lumpur International Airport on 08 July on a late evening flight to Auckland. My two younger children Humaira (10yrs) and Hazim (12 yrs) were very excited since they would be seeing new things even though we had lived in the US and UK before. They were still young during that period to remember them. The flight was almost full with travellers from Europe who take up most of the seat. 

The Campervan

View from inside the Campervan

We touched down in Aukland in the afternoon 09 July. I quickly look for a phone company selling local SIM card since my mobile was not on roaming. We look for MAUI pickup bus which took us to their vehicle depo which was 15 minutes away. We were given a diesal driven Mercedes Campervan. We quickly look for a Supermarket to get our groceries. 

We drove south to Hamilton where my elder son Hafidz (22 yrs) met his secondary school mate who currently studying in Waikato University. By the time we reach Hamilton , it was already dark and we checked-in a camp site close to the city. The night was chilly but everyone came prepared. We find a secluded place close to the utilities and power-up the campervan for the lighting and water heater. The camp site as I was told at the reception would be empty throughout winter. This is good news to us since we would be able to drive-in to these sites during the rest of our journey without making prior reservation. My wife prepared food for the family. We had rice, sardines and chicken for dinner prepared using the kitchen facility in the campervan. The chicken was purchased from a halal outlet.

Some extra job that we need to do renting the motorhome namely the need to refill water reservoir and emptying the waste tank each time they are empty or full. However the facility could be found at the many service station, but need to lookout for the signage.

Portable waste tank

Waste Disposal Signage

DAY 2

After a good night sleep everyone were freshen to continue the journey. However before the trip, I had to release all the waste water and refilling done. It was the first time trying to operate the facility and I had to refer to the manual to find the waste-release hatch. The night before, I had planned (maps were available in the travel wallet given by MAUI) the journey to drive via Lake Taupo, Desert Road all along Highway 1 to Wellington. At this time gps map are not readily available yet and we have to make do with old way of map reading After about 2 hours drive,  we arrived at Lake Taupo. The scenery was breath-taking and we took lots of photo using my Sony digital camera which I had brought along. My wife prepared lunch at one of the hilltop rest area overlooking Lake Taupo. 

Over lunch, I made reservation for the ferry crossing between North and South Island. The only available slot for us is at 2 pm next day. The van cost us NZ$150 and each passenger NZ$50 one way. By 3pm, we pack up for the long drive to Wellington. We are not able to see much during the rest of the journey to Wellington because it was already dark. We reach Wellington by 10 pm and checked into a camp site close to Wellington.

Lake Taupo North Island

DAY 3

We had all the morning before the ferry crossing scheduled at 2 pm. . Getting to the terminals is easy since before leaving I got direction from the hotel reception. We took the Interislander Ferry service to cross from Wellington on the North Island to Picton on the South Island. There were in fact a long queue of campervans getting across to South Island. 

For safety reason everyone has to leave the van to join the other walking passengers to the ferry cabin. Food and entertainment were provided during the 3 hours ferry trip. By the time we arrived on the other side (Picton town) it was already 5 pm and it was getting dark. The drive from Picton to Christchurh took us 4 hours. We checked to a camp site. We did our first laundry. For each wash, the machine takes NZ$2 and another NZ$2 for drying. The weather here is much colder than Auckland. Ice slates are found on the road and water droplets frozen on the grass

Queing to board the Ferry

On the Ferry

On the Ferry

DAY 4

We started off early today to Mount Cook. We drove along Highway 1 by the famous Canterburry Plains where we are seeing more sheeps and cows. We stop by Countdown Supermarket in Ashburton town to replenish our groceries. 
Further along Highway 1 we turn off at Winchester towards Mt Cook.

Countdown Grocery

Sheep Crossing

Canterburry Plains

Canterburry Plains

The scenery was getting more beautiful here. After about 2 hours drive we come over a huge beautiful lake called Lake Tekapo.

The water is blue with white capped mountain in the backdrop. We spent some time taking photos and walking by the pebbled water edges. 

Lake Tekapo

Lake Tekapo

Further on we passed by another lake called Lake Pukaki. We drove along the lake edges until we reach the foot of Mt Cook. There were lots of activities at the base station but most of them were closed except the helicopter services for the mountain view of Mt Cook. No wonder Hollywood had filmed Lord of the Ring in NZ, the plains was nothing I had seen before. Passed by small town called Omarama & Twizell.

Some guy called Omar may have migrated to this place years ago

We had been to the Lake District in England, but here they are more natural. We later proceed to Lake Wanaka town. It was already 10pm when we reach Wanaka. Camping ground are full and so we decide to spend the night in Queenstown instead. We chose a camp site by the Queenstown Lake. The next morning we tour the town.

Mount Cook

Lake Taupo

Lake Tekapo

Lake Taupo

DAY 5

Since it was raining heavily we decide to stay in the van driving thro the town. We did not plan to stay long here anyway. We later proceed along Road 6, Gibbston Highway to Kawarau Bungee Center halfway between Queenstown and Cromwell.

Kawarau Bungy

Bungy Site

Kawarau Bungy Jumping Site

Kawarau Bungy bridge

Hafidz all along had planned to jump at the Bungy Center. The drop from the bridge to the water level is 43m. His jumping slot was at 2pm. I would not do it even if paid to do so - too scarry for me. Each jump cost NZ$170 with the photos, JW Hackett T shirt and a certificate. By the time Hafidz finished his jump, it was almost dark. We quickly pack up to drive back to Christchurch.

We stopped at Rakaia camp site hoping to get to see salmon fishing along Rakaia River Holiday Park . 

The next morning I trekked towards the river. Along the way I stumbled across a New Zealander walking his two cute dogs. We chat on many subjects as we proceed towards the river. I was expecting water flowing heavily but it was a letdown since according to my newly-met friend, the water from the mountain flows too little at this time of the year.

Rakaia Holiday Park

Holiday park

Rakaia Holiday Park

Rakai holiday Park

DAY 6

We quickly pack-up and drove to a town called Akaroa at the bay once a French settlement just outside of Christchurch. The winding hills approaching Akaroa, reminds me of country-road drive we used to experience when we were in England. Slept in Christchurch by the beach.

Akaroa

Akaroa

Fish & Chip Akaroa

Akaroa

Akaroa

Akaroa

DAY 7

The next day we tour Christchurch, We took a tram ride to view the city center. The ride was not as adventurous as the San Francisco tram ride. After lunch we pack-up to drive back to Picton to catch the ferry back to North Island. 

We stop at several places along the way including a house selling used household items. Manage to get some souvenior stuffs there. The drive was pleasant and we stop by at several stops to snap photos along the way. 

We took a slight detour to stop over at a hot water spring tourist site called Hammer Springs. The drive along the mountains to this volcanic hotsprings township was very scenic.

By late evening, we drove to Picton. We spend the night in Picton to catch the early morning ferry to Wellington.

Tram in Christchurch

Riding the tram

DAY 8

Woke very early at 4 am since the ferry depart at 5am. We slept throughout the 3 hours ferry journey since it was still dark outside. Moreover, I had to drive all the way to Auckland which is 9 hours drive away. We took the same route when we drove to South Island last week. 

Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs

DAY 9

Wake up early next morning since we have to get back to Auckland to send-off Hafidz to the airport. He had to return early to Malaysia since he is working next Monday. We stop over by the supermarket to get All-Black souvenoirs for his friends back home. 

My family bought me a birthday card since it is my birthday today - 17 July. Hafidz bought some All Black shirts for himself and some for his friends. After sending Hafidz to the airport we tour Auckland and later drove further north to find a place to spend the night. We check-in a camp site by the beach called Orewa Beach. It is half an hour drive north of Auckland. My wife prepared dinner and rest for the night.

Auckland Harbour

Auckland Harbour

Auckland

Auckland

DAY 10 & 11

We went to Orewa town center to buy some groceries.Orewa is popular for its beach. Had lunch at Fish & Chip outlet. There is not much activity today. We spend the time walking and playing on the beach. Although winter, the weather in North Island is not as cold as South Island.

Wakworth

Wakworth

We drove north to Warkworth to kill off the time since we are scheduled to stay until 20 July. We did not plan to tour much in North Island since the scenery are almost similar to Malaysia with lots of beaches. We spent the night at the same site in Oreawa Beach.

Passing the time

Camp Ground

DAY 12

We pack up since we planned to spent some time in Auckland. In Auckland, walk by the wharf, bought lots of souvenir from Aotea souvenoir outlet, had Malaysian food for lunch at a food outlet managed by a Malaysian who had migrated to NZ.

Sipping Coffee

Souvenoir shop

There were still plenty of left-over food in the campervan. Since today was the last day in NZ, we got in touch with a Malaysian student to give away all the left-over food. We sleep at a camp site close to the airport

DAY 13(20 Jul 05)

It is the last day in NZ. We woke early to prepare for the flight home. Clean the campervan, refill diesel, LPG gas and water. Return campervan at the Britz and Maui company. Check in Malaysia Airlines for 2 pm flight back to Malaysia. Arrive KLIA 6.30 pm

Preparing to board flight to Malaysia