After indulging in a leisurely buffet breakfast, we embarked on the 1.5-hour drive from Mount Cook to Lake Tekapo. The weather, however, was less than welcoming, with pouring rain transforming the previously dry creeks into vigorously flowing streams. Upon arrival, Lake Tekapo presented a chaotic scene, filled with drenched campers seeking refuge from the relentless […]
Our journey from the Otago Peninsula to Mount Cook was a transition from misty clouds to glorious sunshine, marking a beautiful start to the New Year. With little traffic early in the morning, our drive was smooth, though it gradually filled with holiday travellers as the day progressed. We reached Mount Cook around noon, fortunate […]
When booking our Airbnb in Te Anau, our host wisely advised us to schedule activities in advance due to the high season rush. He also recommended visiting Doubtful Sound and, if possible, staying overnight. Taking his advice, we adjusted our dates, even though this meant one less night in Te Anau. Doubtful Sound is […]
The slight wine-induced haze from last night—yes, three glasses now count as a big night in my mid-life—made for a slow start to the morning. Andy fetched our coffee from the lobby, just as we got a text from our Airbnb host inviting us to check in early. Motivated by the prospect of settling in […]
Both Andy and I woke up feeling refreshed, especially after takeaway coffee from the lobby bar, and Fergbaker pastries. We decided on an impromptu photowalk around the Hilton complex. The birdlife was spectacular! We spotted Great Crested Grebe, New Zealand Scaup, Chaffinch, Tui, Coot, and Tern. The highlight was definitely spotting the Tui, a new […]
After flying to South America for our 2022 and 2023 extended holiday breaks, today’s short flight from Sydney to Queenstown was a breeze. Getting to New Zealand The flight itself was fast, clocking in at just under three hours. We booked window and window to enjoy the stunning views of the alpine landscape and […]
New Zealand, a treasure trove of natural beauty basically in our backyard, often gets overlooked for more distant destinations. Our first roadtrip through New Zealand taught us the importance of pacing—we tried to cram too much into too little time so we barely scratched the surface. We thought a campervan would give us flexibility, but […]
The Grand Finale In the afternoon, we made our way to Saunders Island. Another wet zodiac ride brought us ashore, where we encountered a massive gentoo penguin colony right at the landing site. Walking a bit farther, we discovered grazing sheep and Magellanic penguins burrowing into the hillside. The orange route markers made it resemble […]
The Unexpected Beauty of the Falklands When I mentioned our expedition was heading to the Falklands, most people gave me a puzzled look. Like many, my only association with the Falkland Islands was their role in the 1982 war—until we visited last year. The islands are bursting with diverse bird life, from penguins to albatross, […]
Not the Typical Beach Day In the afternoon, we had two options. The first was a 6km, one-way hike to Sandebugten, which was promoted as being even more difficult than the Shackleton walk, and promised no wildlife. The second option was a more relaxed walk along the beach, with the chance to explore a gentoo […]