Christmas and New Zealand 2014

I have not been updating this space for some time now because

1. I have just started a new job so things are still shaky
2. I have not been to Japan since then

Initially I was planing a few trips in the beginning of the year.

1. Taiwan for @JAM 24-26 Jan to see UUG
2. Japan 14-22 Mar for Team Makenki Spring Tour and C-ute Spring Tour

I had to scrap all these new plans due to my new job. Its very painful for me but I do not have a choice.

On the other hand I had a very enjoyable and long anticipated Family Holiday to New Zealand during the Christmas Period. It is the first time in a few years where my WHOLE family gets together for a good time over the festive period.

Not a stock Photo. New Zealand in 1 Photo  

My sister flew in from Japan and my brother and his wife flew in from Brisbane. We met up in Queenstown, which is a gorgeous Lakeside Town. Most of the business caters to the tourist who come from all over the world. Most noticeably from China, India and USA.

We exchanged Christmas presents, ate good food, and enjoyed exciting activities everyday.

Some of the activities we signed up for included: Horse Back Riding through Middle Earth, White water Sledging, Tandem Paragliding, Sight Seeing Cruises, Hikes to see Glaciers.

I have never felt more blessed in my life.

New Zealand is my 2nd mos favorite place in the word. (After Japan)

It was my 3rd time horse-riding and most enjoyable as well. We were driven to a place about 1 hour away from Queenstown for the half day tour. We rode along a valley and cross a few shallow rivers. Some of the horses we rode actually appeared in Hollywood movies like “Narnia: Prince Caspian” !! That valley also happened to be the location of the Misty Mountains in “Lord of the Rings”. Mountain Range surrounding us was stunning with snow capped tips. The valley is filled with Purple and Pink flowers called “Lipids”, which are the horses favorite snack, much to the irritation of the riders. The river crossings were especially fun because the horses were weary of the gushing water and slippery pebbles which gave it that touch of excitement.  

Next we did White water Sledging. Most people have heard of White Water Rafting. This is something like that, but without the boat. I was so apprehensive about this activity because even though it is summer in NZ, the temperature is about 15-deg cel. Which means the water temperature is about 11 deg cel. Luckily the weather on this day (day 3) was very warm. And also we were wearing wet suits and life jackets which insulate body heat very well. Armed with flippers and swimming floats (which they called “sledges”) we tumbled washing-machine-style down the rapids. At one point I had let go of my sledge and was being tossed about the rapids, my life flashed pass my eyes for that second as I was gasping for breath and I thought “Ok Im dead”. Lucky for me, one of the guides spotted me and pulled me up.

Selfi taken just after White Water Sledging.

Honestly no worries for safety because I was so piled on with bouyant coverings that I could not even submerge myself in still water if I wanted to.  

During the few still stretches of water, we have the pleasure of floating down the river leisurely and admire the beautiful scenery.

Also my limbs ached like hell for the next 2 days from all the flailing and kicking

We also did many other activities but they were not as impact as these

The last activity I will talk about is the Helicopter Ride to walk on the Glacier. It is my first time on a helicopter so I am trilled. The blades of the Heli are really scary, there is a reason why people always bend down low when getting on and off Helis. The views are spectacular. I am just about enthralled by the snow and the views. I built a tiny snowman on top.