Normally, families get-together on Chinese new year eve for reunion dinner. Being in a faraway land, my friends and I have a different way to welcome the year of Ox. We went for treasure hunt on Quail Island!

Just a short ferry ride from Lyttleton, we arrived at Canterbury's largest island.

Bye bye Lyttleton.


On the ferry.


Quail Island, here we come!


Let's the exploration begun.


Little did we realize that the treasure hunt is actually designed for children! I guess university students nowadays think too much. Just when we were trying to figure out what does the place resembles and so on in order to solve the secret word, a kid shouted "There's an N"! The clues were actually very straightforward and letter was visibly seen on the tree! We were =_=""


Used to quarantine dogs. Does it look like O, or L, or I, or...?


Dog kennel.

Despite the silliness, we continued to explore the island. Quail island was used as a leprosy colony, quarantine station, dogs and ponies training site in the past. Therefore, many quarantine barracks and historical site can be seen along the walkway.


Walkers Beach.



Ballast Quarries.



Shipwrecks.



There are 8 of them.



Volcanic cliffs.

The scenery is breathtaking. The circumference walk took about 2.5h.


Spectacular view.



The walkway.



Native plants.



Close-up.



Lyttleton harbour can be seen from Quail Island.

To be out under the sun, enjoying the breeze, new year eve was not lonely after all!


Friends is the best gift of all time.

So, how did you celebrate Chinese new year eve? :D