Going WAHHHH! at New Zealand South Island

It was a spontaneous trip which we decided in 3 days. Was deciding on South or North island and thanks to Sim, Jason, Victor, Julian and other friends which gave us some solid suggestions, we made our decision to tour around South Island in 11 days. Just an advice, if you would like to travel to South Island, please make sure you have at least 16 days to tour around as 11 days was just not enough to see and explore.

Without hesitating with such limited time, we booked tickets with Pacific Blue, 10 days car rental and our 1st night at Christcurch.. The rest is history!

Spectacular views from the plane. When I first looked outside, was wondering what's that. After a second I went "WAHHH!!!". Justin laughed at me..hahaha..

Our pad for the 1st night at YHA Hostel in Christchurch .. Here's the common kitchen with full facilities

Punting at Christchurch. I was just amazed at how freshly green their leaves and grass are as compared to Melbourne. Check out the different shades of green.

ANZ Bank Chambers

The City of Christchurch.. Errr.. this was on Friday evening. Where's everyone??!!

We left Christchurch the following day and headed to Lake Tekapo. This was caught at one of our toilet stops on the way. So colourful!

The views while driving. How to sleep?! I went "WAHHHH WAHHHHH WAHHH!" Can you see the snowy mountains? My pictures don't do much justice, you have got to buy your air ticket and see for yourselves.

Another "WAHHHHHH!! SO BLUEE".. We have arrived at Lake Tekapo!! This is just a glimpse

Lake Tekapo turquoise-blue glacier lake. I couldn't believe my eyes how blue this lake is. The water is derived from ground glacial rock suspended in the water. and it's very very cold. When we were there, the water was 6 degrees celsius. If you fall in there, you only have 10 minutes to get out of the water as hypothermia would be a major concern. BRRRR!
This was where part of the Lord of the Rings battle was filmed.
Why is the water of Lake Tekapo turquoise?
The majority of water flowing into the headwaters of Lake Tekapo comes from large river systems that extend right back into the valleys of the Southern Alps. Feeding these rivers are large glaciers. Glaciers are slow moving rivers of ice.
Glaciers start as fallen snow high on the mountain plateaus of the Alps. As more and more snow falls, the weight of the new snow compresses the older layers until it becomes a thick, heavy layer of ice.
Gravity draws the ice from where it formed and down the slopes of the mountains.
Just like water, the ice collects in valleys and pushes its way down the valley, ripping loose rock from the valley walls and trapping it in the moving ice.
Any rock trapped against the sides of the ice flow is ground, with huge force, along the solid rock of the valley floor and walls. Such is the force, the grinding action of rock against rock results in a powder as fine as flour. It is often referred to as glacial flour.
The fine flour is carried with the ice down the valley until the warmth of the lower altitude reduces the ice to water.
In the case of Lake Tekapo, the glacial flour continues its journey in the river waters of the Godley, Cass and Macaulay rivers until it flows into the lake where the majority remains suspended within the water. This results in the turquoise colour.(Extracted from http://www.laketekapo.net.nz/info/index.html)

WAHHHHH!

Just so beautiful

Situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd was the first church built in 1935. It has breathtaking views and weddings are held here pretty often. 

 View from the top, Lake Tekapo town with approximately 300 residents.  

Viewing Lake Tekapo from the top
On the road. They say there are more sheeps than humans in New Zealand.


 Hot springs next to our hostel. 


View of Lake Tekapo from the car. 





 OH WHAT A FEELING!

OK more pictures to come.. Hang on! Am trying to organise my 1500 pictures and show 2% of it. :P