BANKS PENINSULA IS A VOLCANIC PIECE OF LAND PROTRUDING OUT FROM CANTERBURY. The land is very rugged, has many rivers and valleys, and is home to early Maori settlers. After yesterday's moody experience, I started our last day with a very positive spirit. The town of Akaroa is cute historical settlement. We drove around and…Read more Day 14 [Akaroa, Banks Peninsula] It’s OK, Let’s Go Home

AFTER ENDING THE PREVIOUS DAY ON A HIGH, TODAY BROUGHT US TO A DEEP END OF FRUSTRATION. As we prepared to traverse over Arthur's Pass back to Christchurch, we were greeted by wet weather, further dampening our spirits. Arthur's Pass and its surroundings were expected to be on huge uniquely beautiful alpine landscape. However, when…Read more Day 13 [Arthur’s Pass] Wet and Depressed

  I TEND TO HAVE THE HABIT OF RATING MY TRAVEL EXPERIENCES, MAKING A TOP 10 LIST IF YOU WILL. NZ has treated us well, I have had many unforgettable moments that I will cherish for the rest of my life. That said, I estimated that about half of all the wonderful incidents happened in this…Read more Day 12 [Punakaiki, Charleston] We Are On A High

OUR MAIN GOAL OF THE DAY IS TO DRIVE FROM FOX TO GREYMOUTH, ALMOST 200 KM AWAY. We are going to travel northbound on this narrow stretch of land isolated by the Southern Alps is literally called The West Coast. Coasters, people living here in the West Coast, are proud be have coexisted with their lovely landscape for…Read more Day 11 [Franz Josef, Hokitika, Greymouth] A Whirlwind Tour

THE ETERNAL ARGUMENT OF FOX AND FRANZ JOSEF GLACIERS, WHICH IS BETTER? There are of course a million answers to that question, but my advice is, if you want to save money but long for a incredible experience, take a Fox trip that you'll never forget. To be fair, both are worth your time. Franz…Read more Day 10 [Fox] The Mighty Glaciers

WE WERE NOT PREPARED TO SEND CHARLES OFF WITHOUT COMPLETING THE FELLOWSHIP WE HAVE STARTED. Charles was scheduled to leave tonight and the proper farewell would be end things where our mission would be. A day trip to Glenorchy is like a journey to Middle Earth. The movies were filmed all around New Zealand, but…Read more Day 9 [Glenorchy] The Beginning of The End

THERE ARE THESE THINGS IN LIFE THAT YOU HAVE TO CHECK OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST. I believe bungy jumping to be one of those cliché ones. To be honest, I am somewhat aroused by heights. The fear of death intertwined with the feeling of being on top of the world is extremely satisfying for me,…Read more Day 8 [Queenstown] Leap of Faith

SEVERAL DAYS INTO OUR JOURNEY AND WE HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING OUR PREDETERMINED ITINERARY RELIGIOUSLY. When we sat down reminiscing our trip thus far the day before, someone brought up the idea of visiting the southernmost tip of the island. "It will be a good boast, something to write into your blog," said Eric, wishing that…Read more Day 7 [Invercargill] A True Down-South Experience

THE 121KM MILFORD ROAD IS A BEAUTIFUL YET FOGGY JOURNEY TO THE FIORDS. Milford Sound and the entire Fiordland National Park is part of a World Heritage Site and is world-famous for its day trip cruises. When we drove through the Homer tunnel, the weather changed dramatically, and we were greeted with clear skies and…Read more Day 6 [Milford Sound] Sounds Cheeky