Nuha in-charge today as she planned the trip and a picnic
she cooked nasi goreng and noisily woke everyone up
aided with map and GPS, Amin was the co-driver
we won't get lost... it's a tour friendly country
first leg of the trip we were excited
the farm getting smaller, scarce and deserted
there were more sheeps and hardly any farmer
so halfway the journey we fall asleep
poor Nuha she found herself in a lost world
she took the wrong turn at Mosgiel
she suspected it was the the wrong route
but never mention it until we reached Alexandra
woke up somewhere in Ida Valley
the place where Lord of the Rings were filmed
all around us was rocky mountains
remote outback with one or two sheep stations
Allahu Akbar the mountains were so huge
there's still snow gleaming at the top ridges
though it was summer, bright and shiny
wild buttercups thrive the hardy condition
when the signboard showed Alexandra
Nuha enlightened us with her last summer
nearby Alexander she went fruit picking
she revealed that she was fretful all the way
anyway we arrived by one hour late
the sun was bright as a smile
we joined the picnickers at the Pioneer Park
most of them are old folks
the young ones had fled to big cities
but the town was so peaceful
Noral and I had a go on the swings
enjoying the true summer
the air was pollution free
the town surrounded by mountains
once was the gold rush mine
moving on, we stopped at the highest spot
at Clyde Dam overlooking Lake Dunstan
the lake was as blue as the opal
the slopes were covered with thymes
no wonder the smell reminded me of pizza
From Kavarau Gorge we drove downhill
to a deep valley where a stream roared
we walked gingerly to the look out
down below the roaring meg flowed
to the hydropower station
scenic Queenstown is renowned as the country's adventure capital
get your adrenalin rush at sky diving , masya Allah
feel the thrill jetboating down spectacular canyons of Shotover River
or white water rafting over rapids of Dart River
Do you dare doing the bungy jump here?
AJ Bucket Club served for those interested
up from the bridge , gather your guts and jump down the Waikiri Creek
a shame we were not daredevils and missed the adventure
this four -season alpine resort has something for everyone
skiing in winter, cruising in the lake during autumn
flightseeing in summer and skyline gondola in spring
all were expensive activities for the rich tourists
so with no choice we shopped till we dropped
the souvenier shops have everything for everyone
Queenstown is not a city because there was no cathedral
it was founded by gold rush merchants who hiked on horseback
lake resorts or lodges and mall on the hills
overlooking the esplanade by Lake Wakatipu
the picturesque is more like european tourist spot in switzerland
tourists enjoyed skating, playing guitar, singing and sun bathing
group of hippies bubbled with laughters with their fun loving stints
chinese were owners of the souvenier shops
exchange salams with few Malaysians also scouting for souveniers
we ate kebab laced with cappucino at Turkish cafe
pubs and nightclubs are the local's business
we met a family from Brunei feeding the Muschovy ducks
there were no black or white swan around if not it will be a little romantic
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