The time was flying. My New Zealand trip was on fifth day already. I woke up at 6.30AM to take shower, get dressed, pack my stuff, have easy breakfast and checkout from the hotel. Then, I walked to InterCity Bus Stop Queenstown, the same place where I boarded the must for Milford Sound Trip yesterday. I arrived there at 7.30AM. Today, I booked the day trip package with Great Sights to Mount Cook and Lake Tekapo. But, it was one way day trip, starting at Queenstown and finishing at Chrishchurch. The package cost is 350 NZD/person (220 USD). It was the sad moment to bid the farewell to Queenstown, the charming city what I call it as “Lakeside Paradise“.

The bus was departed from Queensrown at 7.45AM. It had only 5 passengers on-board as this bus ran one-way to Christchurch, it would pick-up another passenger on the way. I could enjoy the tranquill atmosphere and the roadside view of the south island along the way. About 10AM, we stopped for the morning tea break at stand alone cafe in countryside, The Wrinkly Rams – Omarama about 15 minutes.

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At 11.45AM, our bus had arrived Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook Village which is the halfway between Queenstown and Christchurch. This hotel is stand alone hotel amid the beautiful landscape of snow-capped mountain range and turquoise lake. We had free time until 2.30PM to have lunch here and enjoy Mount Cook View with Lake Pukaki. In the hotel, it has Alpine Restaurant and Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Museum. Furthermore, the highlight activity for the day-trip visitor who is not staying overnight here is Trail Walking which has many ranges depended on visitor’s wish and style. I decided to have quick lunch at the restaurant in hotel to save the time and did not miss opportunity to walk to Kea Point, the easiest and shortest walking track from the hotel, only 3 kilometers (one-way). So, I could finish the round-trip (6 kilometers) within 2 hours. 😀

In front of Hermitage Hotel

Front view from Hermitage hotel

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Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Museum

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After my quick lunch, about 12.15PM, I started my walking to Kea Point from Hermitage hotel. The weather is the hardest thing to predict in New Zealand. It was sunny before I stepped my feet out from hotel’s door. However, after I walked for 5 minutes, the rain was dlizzling and the wind was getting stronger. But It was not my obstruction as I prepared for this situation with my hoody winter jacket and snow-walk shoes already. Then, after 10 minutes windy, it was back to sunny again. 😅 The walking path here is well constructed, it is mostly flat and easy to walk.

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I reached Kea Point at 1PM. It was quite tired to walk against windy and drizzling rain. But the stunning view from Kea Point is really worth. The mountain range with the blue lagoon in panoramic view here made me I am in the wonderland. It has nowhere in the world has such a view !

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I enjoyed the view at Kea Point and took a rest for 10 minutes. Then, I could see the storm is coming. I decided to walk back on the same way to Hermitage hotel. I could take a rest at Hermitage hotel lobby for 15 minutes before continue the trip to Christchurch. The bus was left Hermitage hotel at 2.15PM with more than 15 passengers on-board. The next stop was Lake Tekapo Village. Along the way, we pass the lakeside road. It was really great moment as we could see the lake view as if we are passing through the dreamland.

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We arrived at Lake Tekapo Village, the small township located at the southern end of the lake at 3.30PM for a short break. The landmark here is The Church of The Good Shepherd which is the outstanding lake shore Anglican church. It was built in 1935 as a memorial church to commemorate early settlers This church is the one of the most photographed items in New Zealand. We took only 10 minutes here to take the memorable photos. 📸⛪️

Lake Tekapo Village

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The Church of The Good Shepherd

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Lake Tekapo

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From Lake Tekapo Village, it still has 230 kilometers to reach Christchurch. As it was 3.40PM already, our driver had driven to Christchurch directly. We reached Christchurch Bus Interchange about 7PM. At that time, the sun was set already. Even Christchurch is the third largest city in New Zealand, the thing I could feel when I embark from the bus is the very quiet and peaceful city. I thought it is Fascinating city and I planned to explore this city in the next days.

Christchurch at Night……The peaceful city 🌃

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I had booked Hotel Give at Hereford Street which is 1 kilometers away from Bus Interchange. It is not so far to walk there as streets in Christchurch are flat and the traffic was not busy. I arrived the hotel at 7.30PM to check-in. It still had supermarket open at that time. After I kept my belonging at the hotel, I hurried to go out to nearby supermarket to buy some food to cook at hotel as my dinner and prepared the easy breakfast for tomorrow.

Today, it was one of my super tired day as I rode the bus for 600 kilometers from Queenstown to Christchurch. And, I also trekked through drizzling rain and windy track for magnificent view at Kea Point. Anyway, I still proud of myself as I could write a new adventurous day into my life and fulfill one of my dream to explore the distinctive view of mountain range and lake in New Zealand. It made me have sweet dream since the first night in Christchurch. 😘

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Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

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