New Zealand

December 2007 - January 2008

After an extensive flight, we touched down in Auckland during the late afternoon and chose to spend a few days soaking up the local atmosphere before hitting the road in our rental car to Paihia. Our time there was filled with exciting adventures, including dolphin watching, driving along the stunning 90 Mile Beach, and even trying our hand at sand surfing.

From the beautiful Bay of Islands, we made our way to Coromandel, where we explored Hahei, The Hot Water Beaches, and hiked the scenic trail to Cathedral Cove. Our journey then took us to Rotorua, where we marveled at the geysers, craters, and mud pools that define this unique landscape. Following a memorable Christmas by Lake Taupo, we traveled to Napier to indulge in some delightful winery tours.

We then spent a few days in Wellington before crossing the Cook Strait to the South Island. We welcomed the New Year in Picton and proceeded to Golden Bay, where we stayed in Motueka. Highlights of this leg included a visit to Abel Tasman National Park and a drive along the rugged west coast toward Franz Josef Glacier. We were fortunate enough to take a helicopter ride over Franz Josef, Fox Glacier, and the breathtaking Mount Cook.

Continuing our adventure, we drove to Queenstown, where we stayed for a couple of days before heading to Te Anau. From there, we set out to explore the stunning Milford and Doubtful Sounds. Our trip then took us further south to The Catlins and on to Dunedin, including a visit to the picturesque Otago Peninsula.

From Dunedin, we drove to Kaikoura, where the following day, we embarked on a whale watching boat trip. Our final stop on the South Island was Christchurch, where we spent a few days before flying back to Auckland. After a couple more days in Auckland, we concluded our journey with the long flight back home.