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New Zealand
  • Caitlin Lewis
  • James Spicer

New Zealand

A 17-day adventure by Caitlin & James Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 13, 2024
    New Zealand

    Syd --> NZ

    September 13, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 10 °C

    A very early start, we left Zuko and the front door wide open to head to the airport. After making it through security very quickly, we treated ourselves to the Amex lounge with yummy free coffee and pastries.
    We made it safe and sound to Christchurch. The next step was to get our car. At the reception desk, Caitlin realised that she had forgotten her physical license. After searching through all our bags, thinking our trip was over before it had even started, we double checked with the manager and the digital license was accepted. We were off!
    Next step was finding our accommodation. We arrived at a demolition site with a small note on the window to say "we have relocated all bookings call this number and we will assist you". Unlucky for us we had not yet sorted a sim card so we went exploring through the city.
    After sorting all our issues we went to the very interesting Quake City and had a lovely dinner at the Riverside Market.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Arthurs pass - Coast to Coast

    September 14, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C

    We started our day at New Brighton Beach, where we were unsuccessful in spotting any whales. We had the best eggs benedict in the world at Little Poms and got some snacks for the road. With the weather looking very drizzly, and the sun poking out his weary eyes, we made our way from east to west through Arthurs Pass.
    We stopped at Castle Hill, a Cave, Lake Pearson and the viaducts. We saw the back of our first kea bird sparking our twitcher obsession.
    We made it to Hokitika and had a lovely walk along the beach and watched the sunset. We also went to see the very impressive glow worms 🪱.
    No Kakapos seen today.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Hokitika Gorgeous

    September 15, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌫 8 °C

    Today we went to the beautiful Hokitika Gorge. Caitlin was trying her best to find the kakapos up in the trees, only to find out they are flightless ground birds and critically endangered living on 3 small islands of New Zealand. In the Gorge, James was very tasty and was eaten by bugs 🐛.
    Then we went zip lining in the tree tops. As the weather did not hold out so well, Caitlin was very excited and got to test out her raincoat.
    Then, we went back to Hokitika town to learn about greenstone jade and James was shocked to find some on the beach.
    Then we drove in the pouring rain to Franz Josef. We stayed at a very nice, friendly Hostel the Wild Kea. Yummy Thai for dinner 😋.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Franz Josef Heli-hike

    September 16, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 1 °C

    Today we got up early to do the heli-hike on Franz Josef glacier. We had our fingers crossed very tightly that the weather was good enough to go onto the Glacier as it had been closed for over a month due to bad weather. With the forecast looking sketchy for the rest of the week, we were very very lucky to be one of the only 2 groups to go today.
    We had the safety briefing and geared up to go to the heli-pad. After a scenic fly up to the glacier. We were on the ice, walking on the glacier, through the crevasses, ice caves and baking in the sun (trying not to get snow blindness). As the clouds came in we headed back a little early, secretly hoping we could stay overnight. Caitlin bought a bird book and decided we will try find them all! In the afternoon we went in the Wild Kea hotel spa and relaxed with some competitive card games.
    Yummy burgers for dinner.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Franz Josef - Wanaka

    September 17, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 5 °C

    Biiiig day. We started at Franz Josef and with the weather much improved we walked to Peters Pool to get a good ground view of the glacier. Then we went to Fox Glacier and walked Matheson Lake and to the Fox Glacier view point. We hired e-bikes and overtook all the slow hikers to see more of Fox Glacier and the active landslide.
    We drove to Wanaka making lots of stops to take lots of beautiful photos through Haas, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Knights lookout and saw Fantail and Tunder Creek waterfalls.
    In Wanaka we finally did some long overdue washing. Jamesy was getting a bit stinky.    Read more

  • New Zealand
    1

    Sparkly Roy's Peak

    September 18, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Today we set out to climb Roy's Peak, not realising what we were signing ourselves up for. We started early and 5 mins into the walk we started to feel the burn. We were taking lots of desire paths, and learnt that not all desire paths are desirable. Like snails we headed up and up through mud, ice and snow, chanting to ourselves that if the girl in reeboks can do it so can we.
    James was strangely counting all the people that we were overtaking as compared to the number of cars in the carpark, "so he could be free and sing if he wanted". We made it to the first viewpoint and as soon as we got to the end, the clouds started to blow over, obscuring the view.
    We decided to keep going to the top and get the view on the way back. For the last 30 mins of the walk, we trudged through the snow and climbed to the peak. As Caitlin was getting her footing and trying not to slip (very gracefully), She looks up to find James on one knee holding a very sparkly ring💍💍. After saying yes, we skipped, slipped and snapped (lots of photos) down the mountain.
    Feeling too happy to be tired, we celebrated our very happy news, and got some cheese and wine and went to Francesca's for a fancy Italian restaurant dinner.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    James' first Ski day

    September 19, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Today we got up early and geared up for skiing!! We got our passes and caught the shuttle up the mountain to Cardrona! We headed straight to the magic carpet to get the ski legs going. Jamsey did well to pick up skiing again after 11 years and lessons from Caitlin. We survived the chairlift and quickly remembered how hard skiing is on the legs (not so great after a hike the day before). After a coffee break, we hit the slopes again, mastering the McDonald's Chondla.
    Caitlin left James at the bar after lunch and explored some other runs. Back at the hotel, we went to Club Wyndham's cult experience where we were promised a free drink, food and $100 gift card. Instead we got a very very long cheesy sales pitch with a very questionable deal (lets see if we will spend 3mil on holiday accommodation in our lifetime).    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Ski day 2.0

    September 20, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 4 °C

    With some very tired legs we got up again and headed to the snow. Making the most of the nice weather, we did lots of runs. James successfully tackled his first blue run and explored some new areas of the mountain. We had a nice mountain view coffee and Caitlin did some cheeky extra runs.
    After a few more greenie runs, James was left with a beer and the NFL. Caitlin went exploring and made a very bad wrong turn onto an off-piste run. With no other skier's in sight and feared she was going to be lost forever. After lunch it started to snow and was a white out so we called it a day.
    Back at the hotel James spent hours attempting to set up a live stream to be able to watch the AFL finals.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Milford sound

    September 21, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌧 6 °C

    Today we got up early and got the most out of our hotel with the buffet breakfast and full pockets. We said goodbye to Roy's Peak and headed to Milford Sound.
    On the way we started to worry that the roads would be closed and we wouldn't make it in time and would be stranded. On the way we fueled up and stopped at the honey shop to try yummy honey.
    We were very lucky and made it to Milford Sound and enjoyed the very stunning and scary drive. We saw some friendly cheeky Kea Ceratos and a Weka bird. We stopped at mirror lakes and got a stick stuck in our car that made some very alarming noises as we were driving.
    The Milford Sound cruise was beautiful, wet and windy. We saw some cute seals and disappearing waterfalls. We made it out before the 5pm road closure, just in time, avalanche free. Very tired after a full day of driving.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    The Catlins

    September 22, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ 🌬 11 °C

    Today, we were headed to the Catlins on the south coast or as James would have it on the east coast. We started with a yummy breakfast in Te Anau and went to the local markets (which in our opinion needed a few more stalls). Then we made our first stop at a lookout with no flowers, so Caitlin danced to all the passers by. Then we went to Waipapa lighthouse and saw some sea lions (the rarest of the lot). On the drive we nearly ran into some sheepies crossing the road. Next up was Slope Point, the most southern part of New Zealand. Then we went to Curio Bay and saw the fossilised forest and no penguins from afar. We finished at Kaka point with a beautiful view from our accommodation.Read more

  • New Zealand

    Dunedin

    September 23, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Today, we backtracked a little to get in some more sights from the Catlins. We went to Nugget Point and saw some more seals playing in the water. Then we went to Jack's blowhole where Jack was not blowing today. Purakaunui Falls was pretty, and Caitlin accidentally scared off a Tui bird, so James didn't get to see it.
    Then we made it to Dunedin, where we had to be thrifty with the parking as to not get a fine. We saw some interesting characters in the city and went to the steepest street in the world. We went to the Otago museum and learnt all about the moas, kiwis, the fault line and pacific islanders.
    We had a yummy dinner at Speights brewery.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Dunedin to Lake Tekapo

    September 24, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Today we packed up and went to have a yummy breakfast in a cute little cafe in Port Chalmers. We made a quick stop to a very windy lookout and a cheese factory. Next up was the spectacular Moreki Boulders where James was not so impressed. We went to Omaru and stumbled into a steampunk/Victorian street and enjoyed looking at all the wacky stuff. No blue penguins came out to play today.
    Then we made it to Lake Tekapo and checked into a very nice hostel with mountain views. We went spa-gazing and loved learning about the constellations and hearing stories about Moana's hook while floating in a hot pool. We also learnt it is very hard to photograph the stars.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Aoraki - Mt Cook

    September 25, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C

    Today, we had a bit of a sleep in and headed off to Aoraki - Mt Cook National Park. We went hiking again and did the very beautiful Hooker Valley track. We were lucky enough to see ice and snow at the lake at the end of the track. We ended the day playing pool and cards in the hostel. We met some interesting characters and had the worst ginger beer of my life.Read more

  • New Zealand

    Lake Tekapo - Queenstown

    September 26, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Today was our last day of long driving, listening to the Hamish and Andy podcast, and overtaking all the moneybags (campervans). We started with the usual yummy breakky, and Caitlin had the best pancakes she's had all year.
    Then we made a big detour and transported ourselves to Bryce Canyon (clay cliffs) making just in time before the rain. We had no slips, just close calls. Next we stopped at the Roaring Meg river where she was roaring. In Arrowtown we enjoyed walking down the pretty streets and trying the fudge.
    In Queenstown we tried the famous Ferg Burgers and Patagonia ice-cream. Can confirm both were very yummy.    Read more

  • New Zealand

    Queenstown

    September 27, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 5 °C

    Today we walked into town and enjoyed walking through Queenstown streets. We went op shopping and unfortunately found no treasures. We went up the gondola and raced on the louge, where Caitlin had the best overtake ever seen on the track but unfortunately lost the race. For dinner we met with Johnny (James' first cousin once removed) and got the grand tour of Flame. We were extremely lucky and got spoilt with a very fancy steak dinner.Read more

  • New Zealand

    Queenstown and Kiwis

    September 28, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

    Today, we were spoilt again and had brekkie at Sunfire and walked through the lakeside markets. Then we went to Kiwi Park and saw the cute kiwis in the dark, tuatara (not lizards) cheeky kea as well as other birdies. Then we went to the fancy onsen pools and relaxed with a view. There was a very small snack provided, gone in one chew. After relaxing, James stressed to get to see the Swannies on time at the pub. They sadly lost. We drowned our sorrows with a lovely dinner at Sunfire again 😋.Read more

  • New Zealand

    Sydney bound

    September 29, 2024 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    Today, we had our last lovely brunch by the lake with a warm blanket on our laps. Then we packed our things and did some last-minute souvenir shopping for the perfect set of coasters. We headed to the airport and said goodbye to our little love bubble 🫧 🥰.Read more

  • Trip end
    September 29, 2024
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