New Zealand
Queenstown: A Town Fit For a Queen
Day 26 – Queenstown, New Zealand – 9:23 PM The popular belief behind the naming of Queenstown, New Zealand dates back to the mid-19th Century. According to local legend, this newly established town along the banks of Lake Wakatipu was fit for Queen Victoria, the ruling monarch of Great Britain and Ireland during that time. […]
My First Traveling Mistake
Day 24 – Hokitika, New Zealand – 7:58pm This afternoon I arrived in Hokitika after an uneventful 40 minute bus ride from Greymouth where I spent the previous two days. I bid a fond farewell to my fellow travelers who joined me in Greymouth after meeting in Nelson. We agreed to meet up again, either […]
Greymouth & The West Coast Wilderness Trail
Day 24 – Greymouth, New Zealand – 11:14 am Two days ago I arrived in Greymouth, New Zealand with two fellow travelers I met in Nelson. After arriving via bus at the railway station, we walked to our hostel, Duke’s Backpackers, where we booked a 4 person dorm room. Dory, the manager of Duke’s, was […]
A Walk Through Paradise: Abel Tasman National Park
Day 21 – Nelson, New Zealand – 9:28 pm Tomorrow ends my 4 days in Nelson, New Zealand. I planned on leaving this morning but I decided to stay an additional day. Truth be told, I could remain here for another couple days but I must start making my way south to Queenstown. I arrived […]
North Island ✔️, On to the South Island
Day 18 – Interisland Ferry from Wellington to Picton – 10:14 am This morning I boarded the 9 am Interisland ferry from Wellington to Picton. Thus ends my 1 week on the North Island and in 2 hours I will land on the South Island and begin my final 3 weeks in New Zealand. My […]
Wellington, New Zealand: The Windiest City in the World
DAY 17 – Wellington, New Zealand – 9:31 am I arrived in Wellington 2 days ago after leaving Turangi. Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, is located directly on the southern coast of the North Island. Yesterday, I woke to sunny conditions and cloudless skies. After making 2 complimentary pancakes for breakfast (the only good […]
A Trip Up the Tongariro Alpine Crossing
Day 15 – Somewhere South of Turangi – 1:56 PM I’m writing this post from the seat of an Intercity bus as I make my way south to Wellington. I departed this morning from Turangi, a small town, where I spent 2 days. The primary reason I stopped in Turangi was the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, […]
Arrived In Turangi
Day 13 – Turangi, New Zealand – 6:57 PM After a 6 hour bus ride that departed Auckland at 9 am, I arrived in Turangi this afternoon and checked into my hostel. When I rang the doorbell, I was greeted by Sara, a German woman, who invited me in. She informed me that she was […]
Bus Drivers, Mt. Eden & The Wynyard Quarter
Day 12 – Auckland, New Zealand – 708a I woke yesterday eager to build upon my successful first day in New Zealand. Laying in bed, I looked at a map and my eyes locked onto Mount Eden, the highest point in Auckland. It is named in honor of George Eden, the 1st Earl of Auckland, […]
Kia Ora from New Zealand
Day 11 – Auckland, New Zealand – 9a There were moments last Friday when I had to pinch myself. I needed the reminder that I’m finally in a foreign country and the 9 months of planning are beginning to play out. On Friday, November 13, I landed in Auckland, New Zealand with no solo, international […]