Seeing the Seas and Lakes in New Zealand and Australia, Oceania | Vast Land, Sparse Population, Eco-Friendly Scenery, High Cost of Living

On November 30, 2023, a month-long Oceania trip kicked off, from Shanghai to New Zealand to Australia and back to Shanghai.

New Zealand (Christchurch - Lake Tekapo - Mount Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Glenorchy - Wanaka)

D1 (11/30): At 20:05, took China Southern Airlines from Shanghai to Christchurch, transiting through Guangzhou, lasting 15 hours and 30 minutes. New Zealand is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consisting of the North Island and the South Island, with Wellington as the capital. The land area is 268,000 square kilometers, with a population of 5.22 million. The North Island has many volcanoes and hot springs, with large cities concentrated, while the South Island features many glaciers and lakes, known for its diverse natural scenery. The official languages are English and Maori.

D2 (12/1): Arrived safely at Christchurch International Airport at 16:30 local time. Christchurch is located on the east coast of the South Island near the Pacific Ocean. It is the largest city in the Canterbury region of New Zealand and the main urban center of the area. The Canterbury region is the largest regional government on the South Island, and Christchurch is its core city.

Sunset is at 21:00 local time, so 17:00 is considered afternoon. Took a pre-booked business car; outside the window, golden slanting sunlight was bright and warm. The roads were clean and wide, the greenery well-trimmed, and there were few pedestrians. Arrived at the accommodation (Canmore) in less than half an hour.

After a short rest, went to the supermarket (Fresh Choice) for supplies. A hot electric roast chicken was half eaten by the two of us. The goods were fairly abundant. However, the prices in New Zealand are very high. The exchange rate of RMB to NZD is 1:4.4, and prices are about 3-4 times those in Shanghai.

New Zealand's average monthly income is influenced by multiple factors including occupation, region, gender, education level, and age. According to Baidu, it ranges from about $2000+ to $8000+ NZD, with an average of $4000-$5000. So earning NZD makes spending comfortable, but spending RMB in New Zealand feels sky-high, extremely expensive.

D3 (12/2): Today we strolled around Christchurch. The city has no skyscrapers; most buildings are 2-3 story standalone houses or shopping malls. Greenery is good, streets are clean and tidy. Traffic light poles are not tall; you have to press a button to wait for the green light, and the crossing time is very short, requiring quick passage. Perhaps because the city has a small population and area, there are few buses and no subway. The transportation infrastructure is not modern. A tramway provides a scenic tour of the city.

Today we planned to visit two art galleries. However, at the Christchurch Art Gallery, we had to store our backpacks to enter, which was troublesome (mainly because we had valuables). At the Arts Center, we could enter freely without conditions.

At lunchtime, we went to the Riverside Market, which sells food, similar to a Chinese food court. After just two days, we were already craving Chinese food. We searched everywhere for rice, but unfortunately their rice was barely edible. Eating cold food might be a habit of non-Chinese people; for me, with a Chinese stomach, it was uncomfortable.

In the afternoon, we visited the Botanical Garden. The ancient towering trees inside were very eye-catching—thick roots intertwined, lush leaves of various shapes. The roots spread 5-10 meters in diameter, firmly rooted. The greenery was rich, with green leaves layered from dark to light, especially beautiful when the afternoon sun refracted through gaps, making one's imagination soar. It's truly nice to enjoy the shade under big trees, and they purify the air. A botanical garden with so many ancient trees is rare in China; it feels like a restored primeval forest, well worth experiencing.

After leaving the botanical garden, it was dinner time. We found a Chinese restaurant hoping for satisfaction, but the value for money was low, and the taste was unremarkable.

D4 (12/3): At 8:30, we took an Intercity bus. The scenery along the way was breathtaking—large green meadows passing by. Lawn maintenance was mechanized, with lush growth. Flocks of cows and sheep leisurely enjoyed their meals, plump and shiny-coated, obviously well-nourished. No wonder New Zealand lamb is tender and milk is rich.

Agriculture and animal husbandry account for a large proportion of New Zealand's economy, with exports making up about 50% of total exports. It ranks first in the world in exports of lamb and dairy products, and third in wool. New Zealand is full of pastures, so vegetables are much more expensive than beef, lamb, and seafood. Vineyards are neatly arranged. The entire environment shows heavy human maintenance, so it's clean and tidy—blue sky, white clouds, green grass, cattle and sheep—a beautiful picture!

After two and a half hours, we arrived at Tekapo. The town is located between the famous tourist cities of Christchurch and Queenstown on the South Island. Our accommodation was at the Skybule B&B house, surrounded by quiet and openness. The living/dining room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, pots and pans, microwave, and even a small fridge were all provided.

After lunch, we went to Lake Tekapo and stayed by the lake for three to four hours. Lake Tekapo is 700 meters above sea level, with a catchment area of 83 square kilometers, adjacent to Tekapo town, under the jurisdiction of the Canterbury region.

The color of the lake is so blue you doubt your eyes—it's like deep blue sea mixed with milk to become a turquoise blue. A rare natural color. It is said that rock flour from the Southern Alps on the opposite shore flows into the lake via glacial streams, suspended in the water, giving Lake Tekapo its intense turquoise hue.

In the foreground: green grass and large fields of New Zealand's most famous lupines. In the middle: the calm, azure lake. In the distance: imposing snow-capped peaks.

Walking on the lake's reef toward the center, standing or sitting is a pleasure. Quietly gazing at the distant snowy mountains and forests, and the calm lake in front, undisturbed, just daydreaming, lost in it…

New Zealand is surrounded by the sea, with excellent environmental protection and low population density, resulting in good clear air. Lake Tekapo is absolutely stunning and enchanting. For those with money and leisure, it's the most livable environment.

On a clear day, the sunset over Tekapo's mountains is very beautiful…

From today, we started buying ingredients at the supermarket (Four Square) and cooking ourselves to satisfy our Chinese stomachs.

D5 (12/4): At 8:00, a small group of nine people set off for Mount Cook. First, we went to the Tasman Glacier walkway near Mount Cook. It took about 20 minutes to walk up. The snowy mountains were perfectly positioned, with the blue-green lake as a backdrop—the best photo spot. There weren't many people, so we could stay quietly for a while.

New Zealand's terrain is undulating, full of mountains and hills. Mount Cook National Park is located in the mid-west of the South Island, in the magnificent middle section of the Southern Alps. At 3,764 meters, it is the highest peak in the country and the second highest in Oceania. It is a long, narrow park, with one-third of its area permanently covered in snow, with many glaciers, waterfalls, and lakes among the mountains.

According to Baidu, 20 million years ago this area was seabed, and only 10 million years ago did it begin rising to become mountainous. Below 900 meters is the montane forest belt; 900–1300 meters is subalpine belt with forests, grasslands, shrubs, and bare rock; 1300–1850 meters is subalpine grassland; 1850–2150 meters is subalpine forest belt with exposed rock; above 2150 meters is the alpine zone, barren with only black rock interspersed with snow and ice.

Mount Cook National Park is open, with many trails. We chose a relatively flat gravel path. The entire trail was made of small stones, rough on shoes, without wooden boardwalks. There weren't many signs of human management. Perhaps because we've seen many similar alpine lakes, it wasn't stunning. There are more impressive sceneries in China, like Daocheng Yading, which is the pinnacle of alpine snow peaks, glaciers, lakes, forests, and grasslands.

Finally, the frontal view facing Mount Cook was quite spectacular. The scenic spot is free of charge, which is commendable.

It was cloudy with rain and fog in the morning. Passing by Lake Pukaki, the lake color couldn't compare to a sunny day. But after clearing in the afternoon, it was as breathtaking as Lake Tekapo. Lake Pukaki is even larger in area.

D6 (12/5): Today we go to Queenstown. The bus was at 12:50. In the morning, we went to Lake Tekapo again. There were many RVs parked by the lake—a travel style that saves on expensive accommodation. New Zealand has abundant water resources, and people attach great importance to environmental protection. People on the lakeside grass stood, sat, or lay, bathing in the morning sun. The turquoise Lake Tekapo is beautiful—a unique color I've never seen in any ocean or lake before. I was very reluctant to leave. Sitting quietly on a bench facing the lake in the sun, emptying my mind, thinking of nothing, or reading a book, practicing Tai Chi, doing things I love—that's how life should be; that's living.

At noon, as the bus started, my gaze slowly left Tekapo town for the next stop, Queenstown.

D7 (12/6): Queenstown is situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains. Excellent geographical location and terrain. The town center is not very large; a few streets can be covered in half a day on foot. There aren't many buses. Roads are sloped, some houses built on hillsides, but the commercial area streets are flat, also with 2-3 story flat buildings. There are significantly more people than Christchurch. Shops for clothing and food are abundant; supermarkets (Four Square), Asian supermarkets. Prices are higher than Christchurch. We thought Asian supermarkets would be cheaper, but they were actually more expensive. New Zealand's biggest feature is its good environment—streets are clean and tidy, no littering or spitting. Everyone consciously cleans up their trash and throws it in the rubbish bin.

In Queenstown, there is a small church. For some reason, it was closed—a bit disappointing…

When we went to the botanical garden, a strong wind blew, but it was sunshowers. Though it's supposed to be summer, it felt like autumn/winter. We were dressed for autumn, but many people wore shorts and short sleeves. Are Asians physically weaker? To avoid the rain, we entered a lamb chop restaurant. The lamb chops were tender, and the grilled garlic bread was crispy and delicious. This meal cost about 380 RMB.

D8 (12/7): After breakfast, we took a bus to Milford Sound. The round trip took 8 hours, with a 2-hour cruise. The wind was extremely strong. Even though it's summer, wearing a down jacket wasn't excessive. Milford Sound is similar to the Three Gorges—fjords, rocky coasts, cliffs, lakes. When the boat approached the mountain, the waterfalls rushing down from melting snow were quite spectacular and thrilling. If you didn't want to get wet, you could wear a raincoat on the deck. Personally, I didn't find the overall scenery of Milford Sound particularly stunning, but the scenery along the way was breathtaking—flocks of cattle and sheep, lush vegetation.

Dinner was again bought from Four Square and cooked at Holiday Inn. Queenstown prices are a bit higher than Christchurch. From Queenstown, you can also go to Glenorchy and Wanaka towns, each with its unique characteristics.

D9 (12/8): Glenorchy is at the northernmost tip of Lake Wakatipu, 45 km from Queenstown, an hour's drive. The lakes, mountains, and grasslands here are pristine. From Queenstown to Glenorchy, the road runs along Lake Wakatipu; the lake is on the left. If driving, you can stop by the roadside to enjoy the view.

A peaceful town, composed of mountains, lakes, flowers, grass, and lawns into a beautiful picture. Very few people, just a few locals working; tourists outnumber locals. It feels somewhat isolated. With mountains and water, and good environmental protection, I didn't want to leave. Another sunny day; we spent a leisurely afternoon and returned to Queenstown at 6 PM.

D10 (12/9): From Queenstown to Wanaka took two and a half hours. Like Tekapo, Wanaka is a lakeside town with blue lake water, surrounded by snowy mountains, quiet and relaxing. Today, the wind in Wanaka was so strong it was hard to stand. Pigeons flying by the lake were frozen in the air—a funny scene.

The town is small, with shops and supermarkets to meet basic needs. Our Airbnb was a two-story building with a homey feel, fully equipped with pots and pans. Very quiet, with large lawns around and a golf course opposite. It seems golf is very popular among New Zealanders, regardless of age or gender.

From a high vantage point, you can overlook the center of Wanaka. Transportation is mainly cycling and private cars. Since the town is small, walking is also a good way to experience its charm.

Dinner: bought ingredients at the supermarket and cooked at the accommodation.

D11 (12/10): Today we had a reservation at Rippon Private Winery, about 2.5 km from the town center. We walked along the Wanaka lakefront, then turned into a tree-lined path. Single-story houses dotted the lawns on both sides. There was also a private horse farm; the horses were robust, with beautiful bodies and dark red shiny coats.

The winery gate was electronically controlled. The private winery was huge, with large lawns, slopes, trees, and vineyards. The location near the lake was perfect!

Standing at the highest point of the winery, you could see Lake Wanaka—blue sky, blue water, white clouds, the lake surface perfectly calm with not a ripple. There was an island covered in greenery in the lake, with speedboats shuttling back and forth. The owner offered different wines for tasting, from light and elegant low-alcohol to rich and full-bodied high-alcohol, each with its charm. Enjoying the unparalleled scenery while tasting wine was truly refreshing. After a whole day, the beauty was so captivating that I really didn't want to leave.

Walking slowly along the tree-lined path back to Wanaka, the sun was shining directly; the lake surface sparkled. By the lake, people were reading, sunbathing, doing yoga, and even swimming in the water. This is living!

At around 10 PM, the sky was full of twinkling stars, with the real Milky Way star cluster right before our eyes! Such a scene is too distant for me—I saw it in my childhood! Today was a lucky, pleasant, and happy day.

D12 (12/11): From Wanaka back to Queenstown. Arrived in the afternoon at the Holiday Inn nearest to Queenstown Airport to rest. Tomorrow we fly to Sydney, Australia.

Overall impression of New Zealand's South Island: few people, beautiful scenery, fresh air, excellent environmental protection, clean and tidy. Buildings are not tall, not fancy but have a sense of age. Supply of daily necessities is abundant, but prices are extremely high!

Australia (Sydney - Melbourne)

D13 (12/12): Flight from Queenstown to Sydney, 2 hours 50 minutes. Uber to the Meriton hotel apartment. The area is large, with several 8-10 story buildings. There's a pool on the ground floor. Good layout, great experience, feels like home. Double living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, balcony—clear division. Fully equipped with pots, pans, seasonings, fridge, microwave, washing machine, dryer.

There's a supermarket nearby with abundant goods, prices slightly lower than New Zealand. Exchange rate to RMB is 1:4.8 (New Zealand 1:4.5). So in RMB, prices are also extremely high.

D14 (12/13): Sydney's public transport Opal card can be bought and topped up at convenience stores. Minimum top-up is 20 AUD, balance non-refundable. So calculate roughly based on your itinerary. Tap on when boarding, tap off when alighting; the system automatically calculates the fare. On Fri, Sat, Sun, after spending $8.9, you can ride for free unlimitedly within the day. Weekly cap is $50.

Central Sydney is bustling, somewhat similar to Shanghai's Nanjing Road area. Personally, I didn't like it—the environment was a bit noisy, the architectural style neither modern nor classical, overall uncoordinated. Hyde Park and St. Mary's Cathedral right in the city center were refreshing. For lunch, we chose a Chinese restaurant serving Shanghainese cuisine.

D15 (12/14): We were tight on time yesterday, so we passed Hyde Park and St. Mary's Cathedral without a close look. Today we spent more time there. The park is essentially a large grassy area without walls, combined with ancient trees, forming a green space. Benches are scattered on the lawn for residents' leisure. Many people sit or lie on the grass. A nice public space, a beautiful sight.

The opposite St. Mary's Cathedral is Gothic in style. Most notable features: tall spires, pointed arches, large windows, and stained glass. The design makes the cathedral look majestic and gives an upward visual. Gothic buildings have large windows for interior lighting, with stained glass depicting Bible stories and religious patterns, creating a mysterious and strong religious atmosphere. Entering the church, it was solemn and silent. Many people sat quietly on the pews in devout prayer, feeling God's presence and power.

Leaving the church, we walked to the Public Library of New South Wales. The library consists of an old main building and a modern annex. It holds many books. The building is Romanesque in structure, with a grand interior and a great study atmosphere. We also saw some oil paintings and photography exhibitions.

Opposite the library is the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, near the seaside, adjacent to the Sydney Opera House and CBD. A common feature of botanic gardens in NZ and Australia: many millennium-old ancient trees with thick roots, intertwined, lush foliage. An oasis in the city, pleasant scenery.

Following the botanic garden, you can reach the Sydney Opera House. From there, you can enjoy Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Seagulls spread their wings, hover overhead, or nestle at your feet—a beautiful sight.

D16 (12/15) - D17 (12/16): Possibly due to fatigue, I had a urinary tract infection and rested. Hospital registration fee: 130 AUD, equivalent to about 610 RMB—outrageously expensive. I found a pharmacy. After consultation, the pharmacist sold me 3 antibiotics.

D18 (12/17): Vaucluse House is a private estate built in 1805 during the 19th century. Originally a small stone cottage, in 1827, William Charles Wentworth bought the estate. Wentworth was a talented but restless lawyer and politician, one of the most influential colonists born in Australia. His wife Sarah was astute in managing Vaucluse House and the estate.

The estate includes stables, bridle paths, gardens, kitchen, and courtyards. The external paths, iron railings, and plant restoration complement the interior. The indoor furniture reflects the Wentworth family's occupancy from 1827 to 1861. It is one of Australia's most important intact estates.

Leaving the estate, we went to Watson Bay. There were quiet tree-lined paths and high-end villa clusters. People were playing, swimming, sunbathing by the sea; yachts and sailboats drifted on the sea. On a sunny day, the sunset should be beautiful.

Took a ferry back to Darling Harbour city center. On the sea, you can view the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

D19 (12/18): The University of Sydney was proposed and funded by William Charles Wentworth, the owner of Vaucluse House. It is an open university. The landmark buildings have a sense of age. Enclosed square-shaped buildings with Gothic pointed roofs, surrounded by lawns. Inside, there are carpets, and pillars with carved brick decorations, quite exquisite. Overall it looks solid. The museum collection is rich, helping people understand the world.

D20 (12/19): Today we went to Long Reef Point, on the outskirts of Sydney, over an hour from the city center. Cloudy, strong wind, high humidity, poor comfort. The vast sea stretches endlessly, waves surging, strong sea smell. If the weather were clear, it would be a good choice. Interestingly, along the coastline, two swimming pools of different depths were built with stone dams, filled with seawater for swimming and playing safely—truly natural pools. There is also a golf course nearby.

D21 (12/20): Today we flew to Melbourne. Originally scheduled to arrive at 15:30, the flight was delayed by two hours, landing safely at 17:36. Uber to the Nesuto apartment hotel, then went to Woolworths supermarket to buy supplies for dinner.

D22 (12/21): Morning rest, slept until 8:30. In the afternoon, bought a myki transport card at Southern Cross Station. Card cost $6 (about 28.5 RMB), non-refundable. Travel within the city is free. When entering a paid zone, there are signs at stops. Outside the city, fare is a flat $5 regardless of distance, with free transfers within 2 hours, capped at $10 per day. Melbourne's public transport is extremely expensive: once you leave the city center, boarding costs $5, equivalent to about 24 RMB! Round trip is 48 RMB!

Around 18:00, we went to Port Melbourne beach to see the sunset. On the way, we met a Shanghainese person who has lived in Melbourne for over 20 years. He said most residences are in towns outside the city; the city center is for business/commerce, with few residents. The town was quiet and leisurely—people sunbathing, sitting idly, reading, walking, jogging, chasing seagulls. It felt like a world indifferent to worldly strife.

Today the clouds were low; the sun was too dazzling when high, and the sunset was incomplete as it dipped below the horizon—a bit regrettable.

D23 (12/22): The Great Ocean Road is located west of Melbourne, Australia. It was built to commemorate soldiers who fought in World War I. Construction began in 1919 and was fully completed in 1932, involving over 3,000 workers. It is a road winding between cliffs and the blue sea along Victoria's west coast, stretching 276 km, passing through wind-eroded pristine beaches, picturesque towns, mountains, rainforests, and national parks.

I have seen many seas, but the ocean along the Great Ocean Road is stunning. The vast, deep sea is like a giant mirror reflecting the blue sky and clouds, like a spread-out blue velvet extending to the horizon where sky and sea merge. Sunlight scatters on the water, rippling like countless sparkling diamonds, dazzling.

The coastal scenery is incomparable; in my experience, it is the most beautiful coastal road. Starting from Melbourne, it passes through Geelong, Lorne, the Split Point Lighthouse, the Great Ocean Road arch, Apollo Bay, Port Campbell, the Twelve Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Bridge, the Bay of Islands, and other places.

Driving from Geelong along the coastline—curving roads, natural giant reefs, blue sky, white clouds, deep ocean, long coastline, beautiful beaches, towering lighthouses—the vastness of nature is breathtaking. The most impressive were the Twelve Apostles and Loch Ard Gorge.

The Twelve Apostles are limestone stacks off the coast of Melbourne, weathered by millennia of sea and wind into twelve independent rocks of varying shapes. Their number and shape resemble Jesus's twelve apostles, hence the name.

Loch Ard Gorge is a rugged coastline, named for frequent shipwrecks. Seawater surges through gates formed by cliffs, creating a deep blue-green emerald pool. Loch Ard Gorge is magnificent, one of the most beautiful spots on the Great Ocean Road.

Along the way, there are clean, comfortable towns, and delicious shrimp pies for 50 RMB each.

The Great Ocean Road along the coastline is definitely an excellent route. The road is flat, ideal for self-driving. The best duration is 2-3 days for a slow tour, to truly experience the beauty, the surprise of sunset and sunrise over the sea, and the leisurely lifestyle in the surrounding towns.

D24 (12/23): Morning supermarket shopping. After lunch, went to St Kilda beach to see the sunset. Strong sea wind. Most white people lay almost naked on the sand, exposed to the sun and wind, while we were wrapped up in jackets. Different Eastern and Western cultures, and different physiques. Few Chinese sunbathe like this. The result of heavy sun exposure is good for vitamin D but bad for the skin. Each has pros and cons.

New Zealand and Australian seaside towns share commonalities: slow pace of life, well-maintained environment, low-rise buildings, wider views. New Zealand is more thorough in environmental protection; Australia offers more convenience in daily life.

D25 (12/24): Today is Christmas Eve. At 6 PM, we went to St Paul's Church in Melbourne city center to experience the Christmas Mass. The church was decorated with Christmas trees, lights, and ornaments. The Mass included scripture reading, prayers, hymns, blessings, and the Gospel, recounting the birth of Jesus. We experienced the entire process. Though we couldn't understand the language, we enjoyed the choir music—peaceful, solemn, and awe-inspiring.

St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, both in exterior and interior decoration, is more exquisite and splendid than St Paul's Church in Melbourne.

D26 (12/25): Christmas Day—all shops were closed, and it rained all day. The streets were very quiet. We rested at Nesuto all day. At night, the rain stopped, and we took a walk around the neighborhood streets and the port.

D27 (12/26): Today's plan: visit the Shrine of Remembrance and the State Library (art gallery?). Actually, the Shrine and the National Gallery of Victoria.

The Shrine of Remembrance was built in 1934, next to the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. It is a large-scale memorial. Classical design style. The front relief depicts the goddess of peace from ancient Greek mythology, symbolizing that the soldiers fought for peace. There are stairs leading to the roof. Standing on top of this pyramid-roofed building, you can clearly view the north bank of Melbourne city center.

National Gallery of Victoria, located in central Melbourne, outside the free city zone, is Australia's largest art gallery, housing world-class art treasures from Australia, Europe, Asia, etc.

D28 (12/27): State Library Victoria, located in central Melbourne, is the oldest public library in Australia. It is famous for its large domed reading room built in 1913. It serves as a cultural, information, education, entertainment, and leisure center. It has spacious exhibition halls, galleries, display rooms, as well as multiple meeting rooms, lecture halls, and classrooms. The collection is extremely rich.

Carlton Gardens is essentially a public lawn for relaxation—people sit, stand, or lie down, enjoying a slow-paced life.

Passed by a church to see its exterior structure. Walked along some streets away from the city center, which lacked the glamorous appearance of main roads but perhaps closer to people's daily lives. A more realistic understanding of the diverse city.

D29 (12/28): Left at 8:30, took tram 70 to Southern Cross Station, an hour's ride. The Puffing Billy Railway, opened in 1900, is a narrow-gauge railway. It runs on coal; incomplete combustion produces black smoke. It crosses wooden trestle bridges tens of meters high, through the Dandenong Ranges. However, the black smoke has a significant environmental impact, damaging trees and forests along the way. What is the meaning of preserving the steam train? Simply as a historical witness.

D30 (12/29): Mount Cooper Lookout is a very niche viewing platform. From the top, you can see a panoramic view of Melbourne. Outside the city, there are no high-rises, only single-story two-room houses, quiet with no one in sight.

Kangaroos were jumping in and out of the open lawns. Not sure if they are afraid of people or might attack, so we didn't get close, but we could see they were very alert. Seeing kangaroos on the last day in Australia was a perfect ending.

D31 (12/30): Departed at 23:30 local time, transited through Guangzhou, returned to Shanghai. The 30-day trip came to a successful conclusion.

Summary from a tourist's perspective: the natural environment and environmental protection in southern New Zealand are superior to those in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. Australia is also good, but it has more vitality. The common point: extremely high costs. As for other aspects like social systems, people's welfare, medical systems, pension systems, I make no comments—they require in-depth research.