New Zealand

Pack your bags and get ready for a trip down under (or sideways or above - I don't know where you're travelling from), New Zealand is the ultimate playground for everyone! Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or a connoisseur of rolling hills populated by more sheep and cows than you can count, New Zealand's got you covered.

Now, hold on to your hats because, for some inexplicable reason, it took me 25-years to figure out a mere four-hour flight away from my home was a whole lot of Kiwi fun I had been missing out on. But fear not, dear reader, for I have now embarked on this epic journey and, oh boy, do I have tales to tell!

Travel Itinerary:

1. Auckland: The city where the adventure begins.

2. Cambridge: Not the British one, but equally charming.

3. Rotorua: Prepare for a life-changing experience in the geothermal wonderland.

4. Raglan: Where the surf's up, and the sheep are just chilling.

5. Queenstown: The adrenaline capital that'll make your heart race.

6. Wānaka: For those who like their landscapes picturesque and their vibes chill.

7. Te Anau: Nature's amphitheater awaits.

8. Milford Sound: Brace yourself for jaw-dropping scenery.
   

Now, let's talk highlights, and we're starting up north!

THE NORTH ISLAND

The first thing I want to talk about is the the Māori culture. For countless millennia, the Māori have stood as the tangata whenua, the indigenous people of Aotearoa. Tracing their roots back to the Polynesian haven of Hawaiki over a millennium ago, the intrepid explorer Kupe emerged as the pioneering Māori to grace these lands. Imbued with a profound spirituality, their beliefs center around gods, or atua, who inhabit the natural world, shaping the destinies of its people. Ranginui, the Sky Father, and Papatūānuku, the Earth Mother, birthed the world by pushing the two apart, while a diverse array of atua governs distinct facets of life and nature.

In a world where cultural exploration often takes a back seat, the North Island of New Zealand beckons with compelling must-visit sites that serve as educational, enlightening, and welcoming portals into Māori beliefs and traditions. At the heart of this cultural odyssey is Manaakitanga, an ethos of showing respect, exemplified by the warm hospitality that all New Zealanders proudly embrace. From the moment I stepped foot in New Zealand I felt so welcomed by the people (honestly more than any other place I've ever travelled).

Read about it more here: https://www.newzealand.com/au/feature/new-zealand-people/

Our adventures lead us to the Te Puia cultural center in Rotorua, an experience that transcended the ordinary and etched itself as truly life-changing. Spanning a vast 70 hectares within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, on the outskirts of Rotorua, Te Puia unfolds as a sanctuary of cultural and natural wonders. It is the proud custodian of the world-famous Pōhutu geyser, accompanied by mud pools, hot springs, and exquisite silica formations. Amidst this spectacle, encounters with the native Kiwi bird and the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone, and bone carving add layers of cultural richness. For over 170 years, these cherished taonga (treasures) have been shared with manuhiri (visitors), a tradition upheld with unwavering pride to this very day. Here, we went on a guided tour and haka experience at Te Puia. At the completion of this tour, you can walk around the site on your own and explore as much as you want!

Check it out here: https://www.tepuia.com/

Te Puia Geyser

Check it out here: https://www.treewalk.co.nz/the-walk/redwoods-nightlights/

Tips for Rotorua:

• Brace those nostrils, Rotorua's signature scent is like a sneak peek before the big reveal – a fragrant welcome to the geothermal playground!

• Walk the Redwoods – hike one of New Zealand's oldest forests, and if heights don't rattle your adventure bones, the Tree Top walk at night is a must. Walk 20 meters above ground, guided by 34 lantern styles.

• Get your steps in with the Rotorua Lakeside Trail. Lakes, views, and potential duck photobombs – nature and cardio, a match made in Instagram heaven.

• Take your spa day up a notch at Hells Gate Mud bath. Dive in, channel your inner swamp deity, and emerge feeling like the mud version of a million bucks. Stress, meet your match; mud glamour, welcome to the scene!

Rotorua

HOBBITON

Now, I'm not a Lord of the Rings buff (so much so I keep pronouncing it Hobbit-town), but seeing the Shire in all its pint-sized glory made me want to be an honorary hobbit. Forget about "Precious," the real gem here is the delightful countryside, the rolling hills, and the sheer joy of pretending you're two feet tall. You'll be tempted to break into a hobbit jig – trust me, it's contagious! Add the attention to detail! Every hobbit hole has its own personality – some with laundry lines, others with perfectly pruned gardens.

So, whether you're a LOTR fanatic or just someone with a soft spot for whimsy, Hobbiton is a must-visit. And bonus at the end of the tour there is complementary beer and cider in The Green Dragon Inn. Just make sure you book in advance so it doesn't book out!

Hobbiton

Book here: https://www.hobbitontours.com/experiences/hobbiton-movie-set-tour/

WAITOMO CAVES

Apparently, its magical - like nothing you have ever seen before! Unfortunately, I can't confirm this firsthand because, surprise surprise, it was fully booked when we rolled into Waitomo. The glow worms must've thrown a party, and we missed the memo. Rookie mistake!

But fear not, because even without Waitomo, we stumbled into the Ruakuri Cave. Now, Ruakuri Cave is not just a stroll in the park; it's New Zealand's longest guided underground walking tour. And guess what? It's so inclusive that even if you're rolling in with a wheelchair or pushing a pram, you're in for the adventure of a lifetime. Plus, major eco-friendly points – the cave and its visitor center are powered by 100% renewable energy. Mother Nature would give them a high-five if she could!

And let's talk about these glow worms for a moment – they're basically the Beyoncé of the insect world. They're like nature's twinkling fairy lights, turning a dark cave into a celestial wonderland. Who needs glow-in-the-dark stars on your bedroom ceiling when you can have actual glowing worms underground?

So, while I may not have Waitomo bragging rights, Ruakuri Cave swooped in like a glow-in-the-dark superhero and made our underground adventure a glowing success. Lesson learned: Always have a Plan B, because you never know when glow worms are hosting an exclusive soirée in the caves!

Waitomo offers so many different tour options and you are sure to find the perfect one for you! Book your adventure here: https://www.waitomo.com/glowworms-and-caves/waitomo-glowworm-caves

Ruakuri Caves

Our adventure in the Ruakuri Caves was just the tip of the iceberg in Waitomo. Little did I know, my sister had a plot twist up her sleeve – a stay in a recycled Navy ship at Woodlyn Park. Because, you know, why settle for an ordinary hotel when you can bunk in a bona fide piece of history?

Now, I have to give credit to Woodlyn Park – their motels are not your run-of-the-mill accommodations. Nope, these babies are world-unique, crafted from recycled and natural materials. Picture this: our humble abode had once pulled double duty as a warplane, a navy patrol boat, and even rocked the steam train era as a carriage. It's like a history lesson in accommodation form – sleeping in a piece of the past!

Sure, there's a faint aroma lingering from its industrial days, but hey, it's the kind of scent that tells a tale. It's like the essence of adventure and history rolled into one, if you can handle a bit of nostalgia in the air and a floor that's not shy about sharing its creaky stories, this is an experience that's etched in memory. This won't be for everyone but if you're up for an adventure that smells a bit like history, this is an overnight stay you won't forget!

Woodlyn Park

QUEENSTOWN

I don't think Queenstown needs a to do list from my end - once you soar over those majestic mountains and touch down in this buzzing haven, you'll get it. It's like the universe threw a party, and Queenstown was the VIP section.

But here are some tips anyway that might just add extra sprinkles to your Queenstown sundae:

1. Ferg Baker - the holy grail of baked goodness. The kind of place where calories surrender willingly because, frankly, resistance is futile.

2. Arrowtown - it's like stepping into a time machine where the gold rush meets modern charm. The streets are practically paved with stories, and the quaint vibe will have you questioning whether you accidentally time-traveled. Learn the history of this historic town through the gold rush.

3. Adrenaline Junkie Heaven - If you're planning to bungee jump, speedboat like James Bond, or plummet from the sky with a parachute as your buddy, this is the place to do it. It's like the universe dared adrenaline to find its home, and Queenstown raised its hand.

Queenstown

MILFORD SOUND

Milford Sound doesn't just have waterfalls; it hosts nature's very own runway show. There are many ways you can see Milford Sound - hiking, kayaking, take a cruise. Anyway you want to see the best of nature just do it!

Milford Sound

So whether your a four-hour flight away or a little bit further...book your New Zealand get away now!

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