A documentary I watched yesterday about whales brought to mind my family’s trip to New Zealand last year. We went on a whale watching trip with Whale Watch Kaikoura – which was featured in the film- towards the end of the trip.

I had fully intended to write about my New Zealand experience when I returned to Singapore. Two things kept me from doing so.

The first was that I was too tired after the end of each day to put down my thoughts. Meaning that I did not take copious notes. Also, I slept early as I needed plenty of rest to keep fresh while driving. That leads on to the second reason…

The accident.

Anyway, I did write down a few points that I can mention here:

1. Kiwis (the people) are very friendly
   This is something most polynesian cultures are famous for. New Zealanders are just very nice people.
2. Kiwis (the birds) are endangered
   Yup, those famous flightless birds are in danger of dying out.
3. Distance to…
   New Zealanders, as a people, seem to be acutely aware of their remoteness. In almost every city and town, you will find one of those signposts which show the direction and distance to different cities around the world.
4. Narrow roads and strange road rules
   The former may apply only to the South Island. Outside of Christchurch, almost all the roads are single lanes in both directions. Some of the roads get very narrow and there seems to be endless road works to repair damaged roads. There is also a very unusual rule about who has right of way at a junction.
5. North and South divide
   Yes, there seems to be some sort of rivalry between north and south islands. The southerners are supposedly more ‘country’.
6. Kiwis make fantastic beer (Three Boys)
   I am making a generalisation here. I was lucky to stumble upon a boutique beer called Three Boys. (So boutique that their website does not list their exact address.) They make a white beer that is simply marvellous. If you like Hoegaarden, you’ll love Three Boys witbeir.
7. There are many places where photography is not allowed
   This is either by design or by enforcement. Most of the adventure activities get you wet or jolted around. Not good for cameras. And/or they want to sell their photo packs of your group at the end of the tour/activity/show.
8. Disclaimer forms
   Many activities in New Zealand are considered hazardous. I’ve never signed so many “I will not claim damages” forms in my life. Horse riding, river rafting, quad biking… Hmmm… thinking about it, I’m surprised I didn’t have to sign one for the luge in Queenstown. I scoffed at the luge as my only experience of it was on Sentosa. Even though the same company designed and built the one in Queenstown, the luge there is much, much, much more of a thrill.
9. All Blacks Everywhere
   I know that rugby is a national passion in New Zealand. I never expected that they would be so commercialized. Every corner, you will find some sort of All Blacks merchandise. Every other media mention is about the All Blacks. Having only won the inaugural Rugby World Cup has got to hurt.
10. Backtrax Quad Biking in Hanmer Springs
    This was the most fun and value-for-money thing I did in New Zealand. Simon, who took the photo above, runs a very personal, informative and entertaining quad bike experience. Quad biking is thoroughly enjoyable and exhilarating. Exclusive ride (it was just my brother and I with Simon guiding), a picnic break stop overlooking nice scenery, photos of the trip on CD (part of the package unlike most other activities where photos are made available at a price). If you are ever in Hanmer Springs and you want to go quad biking, go with Backtrax!

Take that, Gregan! This particular van rental company paints their vehicles with nice murals.

The (in)famous Queenstown Sofitel toilet. I should have put the camera on timer and posed at a urinal.