Showing posts with label #NewZealand. Show all posts

North New Zealand: 5D4N Must-go-Places in Auckland (Part 5)

Hey everyone!
Can you believe it’s already been a month since my last post here?
Time really flies, somehow it’s already end of April and the first quarter of 2025 has come and gone!
I hope you’re all doing well and that the year has been treating you kindly so far.
It honestly feels like forever since I last updated my travel blog.
Ever since I started sharing more actively on XiaoHongShu (XHS), I’ve been pouring a lot of my travel content over there, everything from hotel reviews and trip itineraries to food adventures and must-visit spots.
If you’ve been following along, you might have caught my recent posts about Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Vietnam, there’s been quite a bit to share!
If you’re curious and want to see more detailed updates, definitely check out my XHS page https://www.xiaohongshu.com/user/profile/5fb724510000000001002d80.
I’d love to have you join me over there too.
But for today, let’s get back to where it all started, my journey to New Zealand.
I figured it’s finally time to wrap up my New Zealand travel series.
Can you believe it’s been almost a year since that trip? Time really does slip away...lol
Thank you so much for sticking around and being a part of this journey with me.
And yes, I have to finish this post because… guess what? Another road trip is just around the corner—I'm heading to the UK next month!
I believe it's going to be another fun road trip—probably the most exciting one of the year.
I seriously can't wait!
But before that, I just need to wrap up the final chapter of my New Zealand adventure! :)


Campervan Road Trip in South New Zealand: 5D4N Must-go-Places in Christchurh (Part 4)

Yes! Finally, Our South New Zealand Road Trip Ends in Christchurch!
After an incredible journey exploring the South Island of New Zealand, we’ve finally arrived at our last stop: Christchurch! 
This marks the end of an unforgettable campervan road trip that took us from Queenstown, through Te Anau, Milford Sound, and Arrowtown, to the stunning Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass, Twizel, Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and Timaru. 
Each place we visited had its own charm, mostly small towns and peaceful villages that offered a quiet retreat into nature. It’s been an amazing experience; hiking through stunning landscapes, capturing breathtaking views, and discovering local cultures and histories. 
But after all that tranquility, we were ready for a change of pace, entering Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. 
It’s time to embrace the city vibe! Jia En, in particular, is thrilled for this part of the trip. As a true city lover, she’s been exicted awaiting the chance to leave behind the quiet, peaceful towns and embrace the vibrant energy of urban life.
If you’re new to my blog, be sure to check out my previous posts where I’ve shared all the details of my journey across New Zealand’s South Island. 
Part 1: we explored Queenstown’s adventure-filled landscape, the serene beauty of Lake Pukaki, the tranquil town of Te Anau, the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, and the historic charm of Arrowtown.
Part 2: we discovered the stunning landscapes of Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass, Twizel, Mt Cook, and Lake Pukaki, each offering unique natural beauty and unforgettable experiences.
Part 3: we visited the stunning Lake Tekapo, enjoyed stargazing at Mt John University Observatory, and had a memorable encounter with wild blue penguins in Timaru.
So, here comes our exciting 5D4N adventure in Christchurch, where we’ll explore the city's vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and unique attractions!
Ready? Lets go! :)


Campervan Road Trip in South New Zealand: Must-go-Places in Lake Tekapo, Mt John university Observatory, Timaru with Wild Blue Penguins (Part 3)

Hey everyone! Welcome back to my travel blog.
I’m so excited to kick off 2025 with a new post, continuing the story of my New Zealand adventure from May 2024. 
I know it’s taken me quite some time to finally wrap up this post, I hope you don’t mind the delay, and I truly appreciate your patience and support. 
A huge thank you to all of you who’ve been following along since the very beginning, it means the world to me! Please stay tuned for more travel stories coming your way, and I can't wait to take you on this journey with me.
After two incredible parts of stunning landscape, charming towns and amazing experiences, I am super excited to share what's coming up next.
If you missed parts 1 and 2, here's a quick overview. 
In part 1, I wrote about the campervan we rented from MAUI Motorhomes and our journey from Queenstown. We enjoyed the lively vibe and amazing views, then traveled to Te Anau, saw the stunning Milford Sound, explored the historic Arrowtown, and by Day 5, we reached the beautiful Wanaka. One of the highlights of this leg of trip was definitely catching the Southern Lights on the 4th night in Queenstown, an absolutely magical experience!
In part 2, I shared our time in Wanaka, surrounded by mountains and lakes, and also driving along the incredible Haast Pass, one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. After Wanaka, we stopped in Twizel, a peaceful town surrounded by nature, and then made our way to Mt. Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak. The drive was amazing, with snow-covered mountains, roiling hills, and clear lakes all around. Seeing Mt. Cook up close was something I'll never forget! Our trip continued to Lake Pukaki, where the water was the most brilliant blue I've seen. I took so many photos and also treated ourselves to some fresh raw salmon to enjoy the moment. 
And for today's post, let's wrap up our time at Lake Tekapo and Timaru before we head off to Christchurch, where we'll finally get a taste of some city vibes!


Campervan Road Trip in South New Zealand: Must-go-Places in Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass, Twizel, Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki (Part 2)

Hello guys! Welcome to Part 2 of my unforgettable campervan road trip through New Zealand!
In my last post, I shared all the details about the campervan we rented from MAUI Motorhomes, which made traveling through this stunning country not only easy but also super comfortable. It was the perfect way to explore New Zealand’s most iconic spots.
Our journey kicked off in Queenstown, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere and breathtaking scenery. From there, we ventured through the charming town of Te Anau, experienced the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, explored the historic Arrowtown, and by Day 5, we had made our way to the picture-perfect Wanaka. If you haven’t read about it yet, make sure to check out my first update HERE; you won’t want to miss it! :)
Now, let’s dive into the next part of the adventure!
We kicked things off in Wanaka, a stunning spot surrounded by mountains and lakes, and then made our way halfway along the Haast Pass, one of the most breathtaking stretches in New Zealand. After Wanaka, we made our way to Twizel, a small but charming town tucked away amidst nature's beauty. From there, we drove to the majestic Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The drive was absolutely incredible; snow-capped mountains, rolling hills, and crystal-clear lakes lining the way. Reaching Mt. Cook in person was something I’ll never forget, it’s even more impressive up close!
Finally, we arrived at Lake Pukaki, where the water was the most vibrant blue I’ve ever seen. It was like something out of a dream, and I couldn’t resist taking a million photos. We also treated ourselves to some incredibly fresh raw salmon, which was the perfect addition to the day.
Curious to see more of the breathtaking views and hear about the next chapter of our road trip? Keep reading to find out what happened next! You won’t want to miss it!


Campervan Road Trip in South New Zealand: Must-go-Places in Queenstown, Southern Light, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Arrowtown (Part 1)

Hey there! Welcome back to my travel blog! Can you believe it’s already November? We’ve got less than two months left to say goodbye to 2024!
The fourth quarter is always a whirlwind for me because I love taking time off to travel. 
At the end of October, I took a week off to visit Shenzhen with my family for a short getaway filled with food hunting and shopping. It was a fun trip, especially since I had the chance to show my parents around places I’m familiar with, and of course, treat them to some delicious food and great shopping. I think they really enjoyed the week and had a wonderful time.
Before I shared my Shenzhen trip, I thought it would be the perfect time to kick off my first post about my incredible 3-weeks New Zealand adventure from May. I’ve been promising to update you all on my New Zealand itinerary for months, and I’m finally ready to share it with you!
We spent 15 unforgettable days traveling New Zealand's South Island in a campervan, starting in Queenstown and ending in Christchurch. Along the way, we discovered towering mountaions, peaceful lakes and charming towns, each stop prividing its own distint experiences. Afterward, we spent 4 days in Christchurch, exploring the city and its surroundings by car. And finally, we flew to Auckland to begin our North Island adventure, discovced its cultural sites and unique experiences. 
For me, this journey was about fulfilling a dream: taking my parents to New Zealand. While they’ve traveled to many places in Europe, the U.S., China and Australia, New Zealand was the one major destination they hadn’t visited, so checking this off my bucket list was truly a special moment.
Of course, the trip wasn’t without its challenges. Traveling with my parents, both of whom are 80 years old and hadn’t traveled in over 4 years, required a lot of planning. A long journey could be tough for them, and driving around in a campervan added some extra challenges. Still, we were excited to make this dream trip a reality.
The month we spent together created memories I’ll always treasure. It was a blessing to see my parents enjoying the breathtaking sights of New Zealand, and I feel so fortunate to have shared those special moments with them. This adventure not only brought us closer but also gave us memories that will last a lifetime.
I’ll be sharing the itinerary in four parts, each highlighting the key destinations and memorable experiences along the way. Be sure to stay tuned for all the details about our campervan adventure!