The one and only time i went to New Zealand was for a glorious 2-week holiday with my family when i was 14. We traveled free and easy with my dad driving us in a rental car from Auckland to Wellington.
I remember at the time, i thought i’d be most taken in with the cities,
but the countryside in between was what snatched my heart by far!
We saw lakes, geysers, boiling pools and mud, hot springs, volcanic terraces, and craters. We stayed at bed & breakfast guesthouses with the cosiest rooms, farm animals prancing around, and lovely hosts. It was also the trip where i bungy-jumped for the first time in my life! My dad saw my face and asked whether i wanted to do it. I said YES. My mother shrugged okay and i hurried off to make them sign the form before she changed her mind haha.
From my wonderful trip in New Zealand, i know there is so much more to explore there, and have even told Clem i’d love to take a road trip with him there one day.
This is Lake Tekapo, reputedly one of NZ’s best kept secrets.
It even looks amazing when a storm is brewing.
You can go horse trekking there!
Or chill in Alpine Springs regardless what season it is!
There’s also the Mt. John Observatory for fascinated stargazers like me. Located 300 metres above Lake Tekapo, it’s renowned for the clarity of the sky and every year, thousands of people observe southern stars, aurorae, and meteor showers.
Its Astro Cafe has also been quoted in the Lonely Planet Guide as “possibly the best place on the planet for a coffee“. I WANT.
I found a video on YouTube taken by Fraser Gunn from Mt. John during the Aurora Australis display on 28th May 2011. This was all visible to the naked eye btw!!!
Imagine standing there watching the UNIVERSE go by you… and wondering what your place on earth means. Oh my soul, i want to go see that all for myself, i do i do i do!!! I just researched that the next batch of high aurora activity will be in 2013!
Besides Lake Tekapo, i also want to go to the Abel Tasman National Park!
And the Fiordland National Park where i can see wild dolphins!
In Christchurch i can go ballooning and view the Southern Alps on one side, and the blue ocean on the other!
Also in Christchurch is the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve – rated one of the top things to do there on Trip Advisor. You can see kiwi in their natural environments as well as other exotic breeds, feed the animals and have a Maori cultural experience!
As for Queenstown, there’s the Onsen Hot Pools. Rated as one of the Top 10 hot pool destinations in the world, Onsen Hot Pools will let me soak in a private pool (outdoor or indoor) while high on the cliffs overlooking the Shotover River canyon.
In Kaikoura, i can see seal pups up close while they frolick and play freely at Ohau Waterfalls! Reviews have described this experience as MAGICAL and a highlight of their trips – something i’d love to do!
I saw a quiz online (www.thegreatnzxcape.com) and registered myself for fun… who knows? If i win i’m NOT TURNING DOWN A TRIP TO NZ!!!!
I had to choose from 4 choices which type of traveler i thought myself to be.
1. The Scene-It-All
You hunt down breathtaking view after breathtaking view.
Crystal blue lakes for breakfast. Stunning mountains for lunch.
And gorgeous clear blue skies for dinner.
You eat, live and breathe for stunning scenery!
2. The People’s Traveler
You don’t just journey through life, you explore it.
Meeting new people, embracing different culture, and discovering the true meaning of man’s existence.
The more you learn, the more you realise how litte you know.
3. The Epic Thriller
You can’t live with a shortage of adrenaline.
You thrive on the element of extremity and would give anything up to stun yourself.
The term “extreme sports enthusiast” doesn’t do justice to who you are – an adventure junkie.
4. The Eco Traveler
Going green is so yesterday for you! You ARE green!
From stalking wildlife, forest trekking to watching grass grow,
becoming one with nature is your passion, obsession and ultimate thrill in life!
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That was kinda hard… cos i’m a bit of everything! But above all, i think i put my best travel experiences down to the people i meet. The others all come with it – chasing scenes, appreciating nature, and jumping on an adventure wagon. So i chose The People’s Traveler.
The website registered me with my Facebook account (easy peasy that way) and now i gotta wait till 8th December when the online games and trivia starts! I also have to decide whether i want to recruit other like-minded travel-lovers like me to be on my team, or attempt this on my own…
There’s two categories – team, and solo.
And highest scores in each category will win a TRIP OF A LIFETIME PACKAGE.
Gahhh maybe i should recruit some friends into a team, more brains are better than one!!
If you love traveling and would love a trip to New Zealand too, you can join in the trivia at www.thegreatnzxcape.com
