Horticulture Job (1): Makikihi Apple Thinning

21.12.2014

I have a fun and great apple thinning life in Makikihi. The job did not require a lot of hardwork, and what we did was cutting off the marked/bruise apple from the tree. There was a time i did prunning as well! 

The orchard was just like our playground. I met a group of crazy workmates they like to talk nonsense around the orchard. That was small talk, hilarious and humourous, not to be too serious, because those were just joking! Thereby came a famous saying, "If you are too serious, you lose!" (如果太认真, 你就输了!)

Paul, the orchard owner was feeding the calf. He is a nice and responsible boss who take care of workers' welfare a lot.

20 over of us were sitting on a trailer to the apple orchard.

Paul guided us the way to thin the apple tree.

This was me! Hat, face mask, windbreaker, gloves, long pants, and gumboots all were on to protect me from killing by the sunlight here.

There are various types of apple, etc. Galaxy and Honeycrisp are the two I know here. 

Galaxy apple.

Honeycrisp apple. It cost USD 3 for one and it is only sell in US.

My first BBQ party in New Zealand @ Glenmark Holiday Park, Timaru. They are my workmates.

 

A birthday party celebration for one of my friends, Shawn (from Taiwan).

Hohoho... Christmas eve with them! Have our christmas present exchange.

From the front, Gemma (the representative), me, Carol (Hong Kong), and Yim Lee (big sister), we are a very lovely roomate! :D The guy behind is James, the "radio", he likes to talk, non-stop. 

***** The Last Day I With Them *****

Updated: 24.1.2015

I did not stay until the end of the apple thinning season as I chose for a helper exchange in christchurch, to experience how a kiwi's life is here. 

This little piggy nose apple said goodbye to me on my last day. 

They are Villy and Halen, very nice and helpful supervisor aka friend. 

A German couples, Hans and Katrin. Handsome and beauty, great to know them!

Photo with the St. Andrews park owner before leaving.

I know they will miss me for sure! Hahah..

A nice party with them. I had took the most beer in my life that night!

Dun•ni•den

4-5.12.2014

Yippie, Mission accomplished! I have done my first journey in Dunedin, when to most of the attractions that needed to be visited in the town centre. Dunedin is sound as 'Dun•ni•den', but not 'Du•ne•din' like i previously pronounced. If Queenstown has beautiful scenery, Dunedin has its beautiful buildings! It's deeply beautiful!

This city is bigger than what I expected. I extend one more day here so that I can have enough time to visit and also compensate for the hard journey that I had been through when the time i just arrive in Dunedin. Yeap, I was carrying an oversize backpack, walking through the steep streets in a rainny day. What a real mess! 

Steep roads everywhere!

This is my first time travel like a backpacker. I choose to stay in a backpacker hostel - Pavlova Palace at Elm Row.

•Rating: 3/5 

•Comment: A distance away from city centre, located on the hillside; comfort bed, friendly people but bicycle service and cleanliness in the kitchen needed to be improved.

Pavlova Palace Backpackers.

This is Pavlova - a local dessert in New Zealand, crisp crust like cotton candy and the inner soft and taste like muah-chee. Sweetness is just nice. 

The roomates. I am staying in a mixed-room, but luckily got a taiwanese girl, 舒舒, accompany me. The guy on the middle is a French, name Lucas. He is very friendly, and her mum is traveling with him together too!

***** The Attractions Of The Place*****

1. Dunedin Public Art Gallery

The art collections here are more and nicer if compare to Auckland Art Gallery. Those postcard sold there is cute and nice.

•Rating: 4/5

2. The Octagon

The center corner of the Dunedin town.

3. Dunedin Railway Station

Tourism point. Beautiful buildings! You can visit sport museum inside.

4. The First Church

A glorious and magnificient church. 

5. Speight's Brewery Tour

It is a beer factory. I din't take a tour inside but i when to their bar and restaurant - Speight's Ale House for dinner.

Highland lamp (NZD14.50) with Speight's Gold Medal Ale (NZD6). The beer taste very fine and not so bitter.

•Rating: 4/5

6. The Baldwin Street

Yeah.. The steepest street in the world! The famous and emblem of Dunedin. You can buy a cert in a small shop down there, mention that you have done the street climbing. 

7. Dunedin Botanic Garden

The flora and fauna, as well as many ducks inside.

•Rating: 3/5

8. University of Otago

Is Summer school! And now is graduation period, I saw many graduate walking around the street and take pictures.

9. Otago Museum

I love this museum! Really a lot of things you can see. You can know the history of how polynesian migrate to New Zealand and thrive a life here. Besides, I love especially the animal attic, a huge number of real animal specimen here, eg. Penguin, Kiwi bird, Kangeroo, Kola Bear, Polar Bear........ Is a lot! And i got to learn a very interesting animal, Rat King (you can search from web for more). 

•Rating: 5/5

10. Cadbury World

Cadbury factory is here! But i din't catch the time to visit it.

11. Toitu Otago Settlers Museum

A point to visit maybe next time.

12. Chinese Garden

Heheh.. I only visit from outside.

13. Street Art Mural Hunting

I hunt most of the mural on the streets. Very nice and some of the drawing is really fine. I like especially the horse with the little boy.

***** Food Of The Place *****

1. Chopsticks 101 (台北101)

If you miss chinese food, you can visit this restaurant. Food are nice and in quite a big portion, the price is reasonable too! Free packaging drink from 1pm-5pm, every weekday. 

•Rating: 4/5

2. Best Cafe (Fish and Chips)

This stall mainly sell fish fillet and fried food. I bought dory fish with only NZD2.80 and the fish is so fresh! It's located nearby the Dunedin Railway Station.

•Rating: 4/5