2009 Term 3 School Holiday Ideas
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Qtownmum:
Qtownmum
As for whale watching - I have read in some guide books its Jun/Jul too but the tour company promises a 80% refund if no whale is sighted. Do you really think I should forego that? I was a little skeptical but DH wanted to do it. Its $$$$ too!
In replacement of whale watch, what do you suggest? I am just wondering if it is possible to go to Malborough and back to Christchurch in 1 day? Saw some nice pics on the guide book for that place!
Just to forewarn you that the whale watching cruise could be a little choppy, so do prepare your family about it. Eg, don't have too heavy a meal before the cruise otherwise it will all go overboard
Too ambitious to go to Malborough and back to Christchurch in a day. It will end up as a \"drive and drive and drive\" only, no time to \"stop and smell the roses\", if you know what I mean.
In my view, you should not plan to cover too much distance cos you end up spending more time in the car than appreciating the surrounds itself. -
Qtownmum:
depends on which whale you are planning to see....
As for whale watching - I have read in some guide books its Jun/Jul too but the tour company promises a 80% refund if no whale is sighted. Do you really think I should forego that? I was a little skeptical but DH wanted to do it. Its $$$$ too!
...
humpbacks only passes by there during their migration, but sperm whales are residents all year around. unlikely to see migrating blue whale as their numbers are too low these days. -
Can i k-poh abit and add some adjustment to your itinerary fr D8?
note*Remember to drop by the tourist info office (marked as 'i' sign along road) to pick up the local map for attractions and driving routes, very useful. Don't feel shy to ask any qns.
Day 8 - Do a 4WD Lord of the Rings tour and Shotover Jet
Shotover is fun! 4WD LOTR no comment, maybe too commercialized? can consider drop it and add luge to this day?
Day 9 - Steam train ride, gondola and luge rides
Suggest get up early, do the train ride, late afternoon drive to Te Anau (200km moderately windy road, with breaks in between, will take about 3 hrs at least? depends on the experience of the driver - presume only your hb?)
Stay at Te Anau, get up early for the Tour next morning.
(If drive the next morn from Q-town, very rush and might risk missing the Tour)
Day 10 - Drive to Te Anau and do the Milford Sound cruise and Glowworm cave tour
Next to the Te Anau lake, there're nice restaurants and water activities on lake.
Day 11 - Drive to Invercargill, do a horse back riding in the bush and beach
Another 200km drive.
Do the horse ride, then set off heading towards Catlins as the drive is inland, not much view too. Maybe 100+km then check in for the night.
This one seems interesting place to stay, chk out their website (ur kids can meet and feed the farm animals). About 150km non-straight road from Invercargill, which will take about 2-3hrs drive incl breaks.
http://www.catlins-nz.com/falls-backpackers/
So u might want to drop the horse activity in Invercargill and do this one instead, just my suggestion!
Other accom. in Caitlins
http://www.catlins-nz.com/accommodation.html
Remember to discipline yourself to wake up early, chop-chop and finish bf, pack n go. Last time we always set off after 10am and ended the days late, most of the time rushing to the next accommodation, missing some spots on the way.
Day 12 - Take the Catlin coast drive seeing all the blowholes and waterfalls along the way to Dunedin. Stay in Lanarch Castle for the nite
Spend you day at Catlins, take it slowly then drive to Otago Peninsula (LArnach) around 150km away.
I guess u'll chk in early for dinner and enjoy the room right?
Day 13 - Visit Cadbury factory in Dunedin before heading north to Oamaru and see penguins march in that nite.
It's 100km drive up north, you have enuff time to chk-in then go for the penguin parade. (need to purchase tics in advance? can buy fr tourist office at Dunedin i think?)
Day 14 - Drive back to Christchurch, passing through Lake Tekapo
Go google map - can gauge the distance. It's also important to assist ur hb if he's the only driver by being the navigator, tell him the distance fr chk point to chk piont (the major towns on map), so that he'll know how long more to next destination.
This is the roads fr Omaru-Mt Cook, then come back out to Christchurch.
http://www.postimage.org/
Distance to Mt Cook fr Omaru's around 250km, u'll reach Lake Pukaki 1st(200km fr Omaru). (can watch people catching salmon along the lake)
It's a pretty easy drive. The view in is spectacular, worth going, the mountain just appear in front of you after LAke Pukaki.
Stay a night at Mt Cook.
Day 15 - Last day - drive to Kaikoura for a whale watch cruise before flying back home
If you're willing to drop the whale watching then stay a night at Mt Cook. If not you really have to give Cook a miss.
BUT the drive back fr Mt Cook to Christchurch is round 300+km!! With some windy road after Lake Pukaki.
Lastly, most of the time you might have to pack snacks for lunch and picnic along the way. Buy a lot of fruits and bread to fill the stomach. We ever keep butter in the car, and it wont melt as the weather's cold enuff to keep it in shape! -
thebusybee:
Can i k-poh abit and add some adjustment to your itinerary fr D8?
note*Remember to drop by the tourist info office (marked as 'i' sign along road) to pick up the local map for attractions and driving routes, very useful. Don't feel shy to ask any qns.
Yeah, must be \"thick-skin\". My mum always says, \"the road is on your mouth\", all you have to do is ask.
Day 8 - Do a 4WD Lord of the Rings tour and Shotover Jet
Shotover is fun! 4WD LOTR no comment, maybe too commercialized? can consider drop it and add luge to this day?
4WD LOTR does seem a little commercialised. Our thoughts were to see the LOTR sight and get the 4WD feel. But can consider your suggestion and bring forward gondola and luge.
Day 9 - Steam train ride, gondola and luge rides
Suggest get up early, do the train ride, late afternoon drive to Te Anau (200km moderately windy road, with breaks in between, will take about 3 hrs at least? depends on the experience of the driver - presume only your hb?)
Stay at Te Anau, get up early for the Tour next morning.
In fact, this was exactly my concern when I plan the trip. Whether we are squeezing everything a little too much - kiasu lah, wanna do more within the little time we have...... But could risk \"not smelling the roses along the way!\"
Must seriously consider your suggestion.
(If drive the next morn from Q-town, very rush and might risk missing the Tour)
And it won't allow us time to get lost too!
Day 10 - Drive to Te Anau and do the Milford Sound cruise and Glowworm cave tour
Next to the Te Anau lake, there're nice restaurants and water activities on lake.
Is the Glowworm cave really worth visiting? We have seen \"ying huo cong\" before in Kota Kinnabalu. Aren't they the same? What else are there to see besides the glowworm in the caves?
Reason I am doubting this now is : Milford Sound Cruise trip gets us back to Te Anau at 6 pm and we have to gather again at 6:40pm for the 7 pm glowworm cave tour. Very rush....no time to have dinner!
Day 11 - Drive to Invercargill, do a horse back riding in the bush and beach
Another 200km drive.
Do the horse ride, then set off heading towards Catlins as the drive is inland, not much view too. Maybe 100+km then check in for the night.
This one seems interesting place to stay, chk out their website (ur kids can meet and feed the farm animals). About 150km non-straight road from Invercargill, which will take about 2-3hrs drive incl breaks.
http://www.catlins-nz.com/falls-backpackers/
So u might want to drop the horse activity in Invercargill and do this one instead, just my suggestion!
Do you mean to say that we leave Te Anau, drive to Invercargill (we wanna stop for photo at Stirling Point), skip the horse ride, drive another 150km in the afternoon to stay at this place you recommend and enjoy the animals?
Other accom. in Caitlins
http://www.catlins-nz.com/accommodation.html
Remember to discipline yourself to wake up early, chop-chop and finish bf, pack n go. Last time we always set off after 10am and ended the days late, most of the time rushing to the next accommodation, missing some spots on the way.
Day 12 - Take the Catlin coast drive seeing all the blowholes and waterfalls along the way to Dunedin. Stay in Lanarch Castle for the nite
Spend you day at Catlins, take it slowly then drive to Otago Peninsula (LArnach) around 150km away.
I guess u'll chk in early for dinner and enjoy the room right?
So, if we stay the nite in Catlins, then shorter drive to enjoy the coast on the next day, right?
Day 13 - Visit Cadbury factory in Dunedin before heading north to Oamaru and see penguins march in that nite.
It's 100km drive up north, you have enuff time to chk-in then go for the penguin parade. (need to purchase tics in advance? can buy fr tourist office at Dunedin i think?)
Day 14 - Drive back to Christchurch, passing through Lake Tekapo
Go google map - can gauge the distance. It's also important to assist ur hb if he's the only driver by being the navigator, tell him the distance fr chk point to chk piont (the major towns on map), so that he'll know how long more to next destination.
Yeah, he will be primary driver and I the secondary, need to give him a chance to enjoy too.
This is the roads fr Omaru-Mt Cook, then come back out to Christchurch.
http://www.postimage.org/
Distance to Mt Cook fr Omaru's around 250km, u'll reach Lake Pukaki 1st(200km fr Omaru). (can watch people catching salmon along the lake)
It's a pretty easy drive. The view in is spectacular, worth going, the mountain just appear in front of you after LAke Pukaki.
Stay a night at Mt Cook.
Day 15 - Last day - drive to Kaikoura for a whale watch cruise before flying back home
If you're willing to drop the whale watching then stay a night at Mt Cook. If not you really have to give Cook a miss.
BUT the drive back fr Mt Cook to Christchurch is round 300+km!! With some windy road after Lake Pukaki.
So, on Day 14, drive to Lake Pukaki, spend the day around Mt Cook and stay there for the nite and drive from Mt Cook to Christchurch on Day 15. What's there to do in Mt Cook?
Lastly, most of the time you might have to pack snacks for lunch and picnic along the way. Buy a lot of fruits and bread to fill the stomach. We ever keep butter in the car, and it wont melt as the weather's cold enuff to keep it in shape!
I expect to do a lot of picnic on this trip, cheaper too.... -
Qtownmum:
Day 10 - Drive to Te Anau and do the Milford Sound cruise and Glowworm cave tour
Next to the Te Anau lake, there're nice restaurants and water activities on lake.
Is the Glowworm cave really worth visiting? We have seen \"ying huo cong\" before in Kota Kinnabalu. Aren't they the same? What else are there to see besides the glowworm in the caves?
Reason I am doubting this now is : Milford Sound Cruise trip gets us back to Te Anau at 6 pm and we have to gather again at 6:40pm for the 7 pm glowworm cave tour. Very rush....no time to have dinner!
Ya, the kids might be tired by then, cruise can get a bit choppy and windy (Very Cold-must bring wind breaker & sweater, i remembered us shivering at the deck - no point stay inside the boat coz can spot dolphins, kids would love waving at other cruise ships passing by too!) ; then the windy journey back to Te Anau.... Give it a thought. It's a good time to enjoy nice dinner next to the lake......
Seriously, i think most glow worm caves should be the same, limestones and glowing worms in the dark caves....
Day 11 - Drive to Invercargill, do a horse back riding in the bush and beach
Another 200km drive.
Do the horse ride, then set off heading towards Catlins as the drive is inland, not much view too. Maybe 100+km then check in for the night.
This one seems interesting place to stay, chk out their website (ur kids can meet and feed the farm animals). About 150km non-straight road from Invercargill, which will take about 2-3hrs drive incl breaks.
http://www.catlins-nz.com/falls-backpackers/
So u might want to drop the horse activity in Invercargill and do this one instead, just my suggestion!
Do you mean to say that we leave Te Anau, drive to Invercargill (we wanna stop for photo at Stirling Point), skip the horse ride, drive another 150km in the afternoon to stay at this place you recommend and enjoy the animals?
I thot u're skipping the Bluff, then u probably just stop by Invercargill for lunch then head to Stirling Point (the most Southern tip of S. Island)
Guess u'll have to drop horseback riding...
Before that, check with that Backpacker place if still have vacancy (chk if they have horses to ride). I've not been there before but the environment looks good, especially driving on gravel farm road, smell of animal droppings and dirt..hee hee....And so close to the Purakaunui Falls
Other accom. in Caitlins
http://www.catlins-nz.com/accommodation.html
Remember to discipline yourself to wake up early, chop-chop and finish bf, pack n go. Last time we always set off after 10am and ended the days late, most of the time rushing to the next accommodation, missing some spots on the way.
Day 12 - Take the Catlin coast drive seeing all the blowholes and waterfalls along the way to Dunedin. Stay in Lanarch Castle for the nite
Spend you day at Catlins, take it slowly then drive to Otago Peninsula (LArnach) around 150km away.
I guess u'll chk in early for dinner and enjoy the room right?
So, if we stay the nite in Catlins, then shorter drive to enjoy the coast on the next day, right?
Yes, as mentioned before the Cathedral Caves' worth seeing (it's about 30km back South from where u coming from the day before if u decide to stay in The FAlls Backpacker). My 1st time there we made the mistake by booking the accommodation in advance, was rushing thru, knowing that missing all the nice spots, thats why we went back 2nd time, only came to realize need to pay entrance fees to see the Caves!
The cave's at the beach (kinda long walk fr the parking area)
http://www.postimage.org/
inside of the cave
http://www.postimage.org/
Day 13 - Visit Cadbury factory in Dunedin before heading north to Oamaru and see penguins march in that nite.
It's 100km drive up north, you have enuff time to chk-in then go for the penguin parade. (need to purchase tics in advance? can buy fr tourist office at Dunedin i think?)
Day 14 - Drive back to Christchurch, passing through Lake Tekapo
Go google map - can gauge the distance. It's also important to assist ur hb if he's the only driver by being the navigator, tell him the distance fr chk point to chk piont (the major towns on map), so that he'll know how long more to next destination.
Yeah, he will be primary driver and I the secondary, need to give him a chance to enjoy too.
Yea, straight road you drive, give him the windy parts!
I don't drive, lucky thing my hub loves driving. So i have to be a good navigator cum entertainer to prevent him fr zzz...
Distance to Mt Cook fr Omaru's around 250km, u'll reach Lake Pukaki 1st(200km fr Omaru). (can watch people catching salmon along the lake)
It's a pretty easy drive. The view in is spectacular, worth going, the mountain just appear in front of you after LAke Pukaki.
Stay a night at Mt Cook.
Day 15 - Last day - drive to Kaikoura for a whale watch cruise before flying back home
If you're willing to drop the whale watching then stay a night at Mt Cook. If not you really have to give Cook a miss.
BUT the drive back fr Mt Cook to Christchurch is round 300+km!! With some windy road after Lake Pukaki.
So, on Day 14, drive to Lake Pukaki, spend the day around Mt Cook and stay there for the nite and drive from Mt Cook to Christchurch on Day 15. What's there to do in Mt Cook?
I did the walk to see the Glaciers (Tasman i think) but tough for kids, there're other activities too, check out the NZ tourist site.
Lastly, most of the time you might have to pack snacks for lunch and picnic along the way. Buy a lot of fruits and bread to fill the stomach. We ever keep butter in the car, and it wont melt as the weather's cold enuff to keep it in shape!
I expect to do a lot of picnic on this trip, cheaper too....
the supermart's always the 1st stop to stock up necessities : food, food & food
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NZ against S$ is low too right now ā¦
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japhys:
This really looks good. Will really consider sending my son there this coming holidays. Thanks for sharing!!I am bringing my son back to Forest Adverture again with his friends. It's a great place to let the young children have their tastes of outdoor adventure with safety in place, thus parents need not worry about that.
http://www.forestadventure.com.sg/pages/events_birthday_grand.html -
The students deserve a break for their hard work in the prelims and CA2. Parents should take a day off or two to spend time with their kids.
Review their exam results and listen to the kids to understand how they plan to maintain their good performance.
The real holidays for P6 students will however be after PSLE is over. So it is really only a breather for now and the one week is a good chance for the P6 students to revise their work and prepare for PSLE. Shine your best in PSLE and the 3 month long holidays await the victorious students who did their best in PSLE.
Same for sec students and O levels students, the really long holidays start after the SA2 and O levels are completed in early October and November respectively.
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