A trip down memory lane.

It was May 1990 when Yvonne and I went on our honeymoon to New Zealand a week after our marriage. We had decided on New Zealand at that time because my brother Stephen had just moved there and was working in Auckland. My sister had also moved there and she was working in Wellington. During that trip, we stayed with Stephen at Balmoral Road and later flew to Wellington and visit Debbie there. Together, we all flew to Christchurch and rented a car to tour South Island. It was Debbie's first trip to the south as well.
At that time, it was Autumn, but it is already cold and at certain places like Twizel, it was already snowing.

This time, during the school holidays here which starts from 1.6.14 to 15.6.14, I brought the children to this beautiful country while visiting Debbie in the hope of enjoying the winter. She is now working in Auckland and had been dutifully coming back regularly every other year. I can't imagine that it had been 24 years since I first went there. Yvonne and I thought it would be nice to visit some of those places that we've been and see how much changes. Most of the places remain exactly as what it was whilst some have developed, particularly Auckland. Of course, over 24 years, Yvonne and I had a kick when we see how much we have changed. This is a trip down memory lane.

This is how it is now at Queenstreet Aotea Square.

How it was before.

 At the same square at Queenstreet,

As it was 24 years ago.

At the ferry terminal.

Same ferry terminal, same spot.

 Full shot at the same building.

Full shot at the same spot.

Full house now.

24 years ago..

As it is now. No difference.

 Taken at Chinatown, Upper Queenstreet.

Same spot, but the shop had changed ownership. See the bus then and now.

 The cathedral  was the focus point of Christchurch.

It now lay in ruin. The same tree on the right is still standing.

 What was once the pride of Christchurch

is all but a desolate place now.

The Bridge of Remembrance was taken from inner section of the city

 We had to take this pic from the outside as the inner city section is being rebuild.

We hope Christchurch rebuild itself to it's full glory.

The Octagon was our first stop when we arrived Dunedin during our first trip.

 It is pretty much the same.

The children wants a part of this.

It was about 5.30 pm when this pic was taken 24 years ago at te Robert Burn statue.

It's about the same time we took this pic recently. The Robert Burns statue is still there.

This was an old bridge at Alexandra

We did not stop this time around but went ahead and cross the metal bridge.

Cromwell signage 24 years ago.

 The same signage but they landscape it better and is well maintained.

Come on everybody.

The Remarkables mountain was already full of snow in Autumn back then.

 It wasn't so now even though it's winter season.

24 year ago, Debbie and MK traveled with us.

 Yvonne stood here before, 

24 years ago it was very much the same.

At the jetty on the same platform.

 and now on that very platform.

 It's everybody in the picture now.

Another pic nearby with Lake Wakatipu at the back

 As it is now.

Some of the pics taken with Debbie during our trip together.

At Arrowtown early Chinese settlement

 The Chinese settlement is the same but with better info displayed.

The whole chink gang.

Lake Hayes was without development 24 years ago.

This is the only section without houses now. This is the same Lake Hayes, but we are not at the same spot.

Yvonne at the lakeside.

Not at the very edge as it is not the same spot. We could not locate the exact spot due to development around the lake.

At the Kawarau Bridge where AJ Hackett conduct the bungy jump. Each jump would cost NZD 100.00 

Now at the same bridge but with a viewing platform. Each jump now cost NZD 180.00.

It would be nice to have another visit sometime in the near future, not necessarily in another 24 years time. New Zealand is such a beautiful country. To enjoy it to the fullest, one must love the outdoor and plan for any outdoor activity, be golfing, tracking, skiing, tramping, camping etc. It's best you have a lot of time. 

The best of New Zealand will stay forever with you as it is with us.