What a year 2016 has been! Our lives changed tremendously once we decided to stop making excuses and started making our dreams a reality. We are so grateful for all the people we’ve met, places we’ve been, and the experiences we’ve had in 2016. We can’t wait to see what 2017 has in store!
Tourists and locals alike rave about the natural beauty of New Zealand’s South Island. After exploring both islands we’ve concluded that they are simply incomparable! The diverse landscape of Ateorea1 , is home to a tropical climate in the North Island, filled with beaches during the warmer months while the South Island boasts of winter wonders during its cooler months. Akaroa During our stay in Christchurch, we took…
Let the adventures continue from Part 1 of How to Explore New Zealand’s South Island in 5 Days! Our travel route through New Zealand’s South Island (continued) Day 3 Queenstown to Milford Sound Queenstown is a picturesque town with natural beauty at every turn! It is widely considered one of the world’s top resort destinations with year-round recreational activities for adventure sports and ski tourism. Originally known as Tahuna1 , the…
After a whirlwind of the most breathtaking beaches, majestic waterfalls and vast volcanoes in the North Island, we knew it was time to venture to the next part of our trip- to the South Island! Emotionally, it wasn’t an easy departure due to the many I-can’t-believe-that-we’re-here moments at every encounter with nature, but the final goodbyes to new friends were equally difficult. Thankfully, we left…
Dear Kiwis, I’d like to thank you! But, in order for you to understand my gratitude, I first need to give you some context. I grew up in the US, in a home where we never locked our door. Some, including myself, thought this was odd, but my parents didn’t think it posed any real threat so we learned to accept it. Although my family…
Every year, tourists travel to Rotorua, New Zealand to witness its geothermal activity, natural hot springs, shooting geysers and pristine lakes. More importantly, the town is home to a popular cultural center for Maori history and present day life, which is the main reason Lucas and I wanted to visit, given our love for culture. Naturally, Rotorua made it onto our list of things to do in New Zealand after a few web…
One of the great things about meeting fellow travellers and talking to local Kiwis is discovering the most fascinating natural wonders of New Zealand. We first heard of Hot Water beach from our nomadic friends Nashant and Isabell and couldn’t believe what they were describing. Hot water that comes out of the sand? Near the frigid ocean? No way, we have to see it for ourselves. We…
As an adult, especially over the past few years, I have been an avid reader. As a teenager, most of my reading was sports related and consisted of the local sports section and Sports Illustrated. The two books I remember enjoying most as a teenager were the Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis.1 While reading…
According to World Standards, about 35% of the world population drives on the left-side of the road, and the countries that do are mostly former British Colonies. This point of contention has created an on going debate with opposing countries that often refer to their side of the road as the ‘right’ side, as in the correct way to drive. While this interesting little nugget of information is quite fascinating,…
The beauty of residing in Auckland is the ability to experience the city vibes of New Zealand’s largest metro and its main attractions. A variety of shopping and dining options are available for city seekers in search of a easy going nightlife, cafes and live music. But there’s more to Auckland than the cosmopolitan city that its known for. The major hub is within driving distance to stunning beaches and scenic hikes all within an hour…