New Zealand – Page 2 – Out in the World

New Zealand Campervan: Lake Tekapo to Queenstown

Today we head right into the heart of New Zealand’s Alps after leaving Lake Tekapo, past the teal blue Lake Pukaki and up to Mt. Cook National Park. Both lakes, glistening in the morning sun, remind us of Northern California’s Clear Lake or even Lake Shasta. In the distance we see the snow-covered Mt. Cook and as we arrive in the village I’m reminded of a similar scene growing up.

Mt. Cook to seems very similar to Washington’s Mt. Rainier. Just like the latter’s Paradise entrance, you can drive almost right up to the glacier and stay at a mountain chalet/lodge. Feels like I could hours just taking in the view of New Zealand’s tallest mountain. There’s something about being in the presence of glacier-covered mountains that soothes my soul. It seems to be the subconscious acknowledgement of lastingness. I can’t put exact words on it today, but hailing from the Pacific Northwest and spending weekends at my family’s lakeside cabin fed by Mt. Rainier’s east flank glaciers – there is a strong presence of a tall mountain that is reassuring to me.

But today, we have much ground to cover if we’re to make it to Queenstown, the outdoor playground of New Zealand’s South Island. We head down the mountain to Lake Wanaka, a small but bustling lakeside town before heading to Queenstown.

Feel of the day
Civil. Everywhere we’ve been so far in NZ has been clean, safe and full of nice and respectful Kiwis who seem to appreciate life and have an acute awareness of their surroundings. So refreshing.

New Zealand Campervan: Christchurch to Lake Tekapo

It’s day 1 of our 10-day adventure around New Zealand’s South Island. We’re surprised all our clothes and groceries fit into the Sprinter van’s roll-top cabinets and efficient nooks. We’re moved in and rolling, remembering the “wide right, tight left” from numerous training videos on driving in New Zealand.

Sheep! Everywhere on our way from Christchurch to Lake Tekapo, about 2.5 hours from the city and into New Zealand’s Southern Alps. We check in at our first lakeside holiday park, get our spot, plug in the van and immediately set off to hike Mt. John to the observatory. It’s a 360-degree view on top, deserving of a panoramic photo (above). This place is known for spectacular night star viewing, but unfortunately it turns overcast as we descend and the evening begins, so we use our imagination until I find this great video that shows us what we missed!

It’s our first of many bright blue glacial lakes. And the holiday park has hot pots for soaking and stargazing. The winter skating rink has even transformed to a huge blow-up water slide within the hot pool facility.

And then there’s the new word of the day: Plunger. As in the French Press we break from our van after learning first lesson to be sure to secure everything when in transit.

On the way back from hiking, we meet a retiree from the North Island on her way to hike the Milford Track, one of many multiple day backpacking hikes in New Zealand. This one is 4-day, hut-to-hut hiking, or in her case lodge to lodge where guides cook and carry your heavy gear. We’re liking hearing this as we’ve long left our backpacking days but still enjoy hikes that take you into the wilderness and an adventure.

Christchurch: A City in Reinvention

Such a contrast – very old with earthquake retrofitted architecture. A city devastated by the 2011 earthquake rebuilding itself, determined to reinvent itself given the opportunity to rethink and recreate its City Center.

Vibrant public art dots sections of the city against construction cranes and rerouted pedestrian paths along the Avon River. Most touching – Solidarity Lamps – unique lamp posts sent from cities and countries around the world as a gesture of hope post earthquake. Seattle. Boston. Mexico City. Austria. Poland. China. They line the walkway along Hagley Park that I now view from our hotel.

Very walkable, Central City can be done easily in a day by jump on/off double-decker tour bus or take a map and point a direction by foot. On a grid, if you get lost or disoriented there’s always a friendly Kiwi to ask or a nice city guide.