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Destinations // Everest Base Camp Trek Day 1: Lukla - Phakding

Destinations // Everest Base Camp Trek Day 1: Lukla – Phakding

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ transparent_background_fb=”default” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”19.3906px|0px|0px|0px” _builder_version=”3.0.51″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.51″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”on”][et_pb_text text_orientation=”center” _builder_version=”3.0.51″] EVEREST BASE CAMP TREK…

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Destinations // Everest Base Camp Trek

http://www.domonthego.com/destinations-everest-base-camp-trek Destinations // Everest Base Camp Trek

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Destinations // Everest Region Trekking

Ready for some Mt. Everest action? With plenty of trekking options, the Himalayas are begging to be explored. Here’s a snapshot of the 5 most popular treks in Nepal’s Everest Region. #Everest #Trekking #TravelBlog

http://www.domonthego.com/destinations-everest-region-trekking/

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Connections // Eric Bacolas

http://www.domonthego.com/connections-eric-bacolas/ Travelling with friends is always a delight. Bumping into one you haven’t seen in a decade unexpectedly on the opposite side of the world? It’s absolutely amazing. Check out my Q&A with Brooklynite Eric Bacolas and learn about some of his most memorable travel experiences. Cuba anyone? #AdventureTravel #TravelBlog

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At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand. It’s beautiful, definitely dramatic and for me – is the epitome of the great outdoors. With so much to see and do, you could easily spend your whole trip in and around the area. One of the highlights of any trip to the park is visiting beautiful Milford Sound.

Contrary to its name, Milford Sound is actually a fiord, not a sound. I talk a bit about the differences between the two in Destinations // Fiordland National Park. You wont really care about difference once you arrive – you’ll just be happy that you are there. As Milford is the only fiord accessible by road in the park, it’s the one where all the tourists will be. And by tourists, I mean the coach loads making their way there from Queenstown. Don’t let this deter you – just be smart in how you plan your adventure as to avoid as much of the crowds as possible. The towering mountains and gushing waterfalls are more than worth it.

Milford Sound can easily be explored in a day trip and trust me, there is no shortage of companies ready to get you there. How you experience it will come down to the length of time you have and your budget. Travellers base themselves in either Queenstown or Te Anau. For those in Queenstown, you have the option of flying over the region to get to and from Milford, taking an organized coach for the 4-hour journey (each way), doing a combo of both – flying in and coaching back (or vice versa) or self-driving.

Because we had plenty of time on our hands and wanted to see more of Fiordland National Park, we chose to base ourselves in Te Anau. From Te Anau, the gorgeous drive to Milford is just over 2 hours (without traffic or photo stops).

Once in Milford it’s all about getting onto the water for your cruise. As with the journeys in, there are plenty of outfitters ready to boat you around the fiord. We chose Mitre Peak Cruises as they have slightly smaller numbers on their boats due to size of the boat and also go the furthest in the fiord. May as well maximize your time on the water when you are there, right?

Here’s a snapshot of our day out at Milford Sound.

// MILFORD HIGHWAY

The Milford Highway to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic in New Zealand. We made our way from Te Anau to Milford town very early for our cruise to avoid the coaches coming in from Queenstown. Given the sheer number of tour busses coming in on our departure I am glad we did. The two-hour drive took us through winding roads, grassy plains and gorgeous mountains.

There are lots of places to stop along the way. Mirror Lakes are popular. It’s here that on a sunny day you can see the reflections of the surrounding Earl Mountains in these little mountain lakes. At Knobs Flat you can learn about the effects of avalanches on Milford Road (is also the last toilet before Milford town).

Enroute you will also get to pass through the Homer Tunnel. The 1.2km tunnel is what connects the Hollyford Valley to the Cleddau Valley – essentially making it the access point to Milford Sound. Be sure to watch the signs and take care as you drive through this feat of engineering. Be prepared for delays if you do not beat the crowds in and out of Milford.

Once through the tunnel there are more stop offs calling you. We opted to stop at the Chasm. A short walk from the parking lot leads you to some pretty cool views of dramatic waterfalls rushing carving their way through the side of the mountains.

Regardless of where you stop off, if you drive, you should think about the following items and plan ahead. There are no fuel stops after Te Anau and combined it’s a 240km return trip. Forget about cellphone coverage – you wont have it. Be sure to bring bug spray to ward off the pesky sandflies. Last but not leas, with tourists wearily driving on the left hand side of the road combined with the need to watch out for avalanches – you can quickly see why this road is one of the most dangerous in New Zealand. Just keep your eyes peeled and enjoy beautiful Fiordland National Park.

// CRUISE

When you come to this corner of the world, you simply need to cruise on Milford Sound and soak up Mother Nature. Head down to Milford Sound Wharf, check in at the departures lounge, and away you go.

Our cruise with Mitre Peak Cruises is fairly similar to all the other itineraries available. Over the course of two hours, you will cruise the length of the 16km fiord and pass by lots of the highlights in the area. The captain curates your journey by sharing information about Milford Sound over the loud speaker. It’s very touristy but simply must be done. At least with Mitre Peak Cruises they cap the number of people on the boat at 75 – so it’s slightly less busy on the upper viewing decks than some of the alternatives available.

With a cup of hot cocoa in hand, the ship set off from Milford Sound Wharf and began heading out along the fiord’s southern cliffs. We passed by the iconic Mitre Peak (named so as it’s shape resembles a Bishops hat – a Mitre) and made our way around Copper Point – the windiest area of Milford Sound.

Along the way you will see loads of waterfalls. If it has been raining, the first notable one will be a series of four parallels falls called the Four Sisters Falls. I was too busy taking photos of the rainbow to realize they were parallel – but hey ho.

Fairy Falls and Bridal Viel Falls are next on the list as you continuing to make your way out to the Tasman Sea. The latter is quite impressive as it is tons of smaller falls that vein over the side of the Fiord. As with the Four Sisters, these tend to only be seen after a heavy shower.

On our way to Anita Bay and St. Anne’s Lighthouse – established in the late 1800s at the end of the Fiord, we spotted a rare Fiordland Crested Penguin. Having seen one in Doubtful Sound during a kayaking adventure, I was hoping for some dolphins and whales that tend to frequent the area.

Before hitting the choppy waters of the Tasman Sea, the boat made a U-turn and began heading along the northern cliffs of the fiord via Dale Point. Even though you see the northern side of the Fiord on your initial journey, it is even more beautiful up close.

The boat makes its way past Seal Rock – where you undoubtedly find a handful of New Zealand Fur Seals relaxing in the sun. If you read Destinations // Dunedin, then you will know these guys were almost hunted to extinction – great to see such abundance further along the New Zealand coastline.

The boat also passed by two mountains knows as The Elephant and The Lion due to how they resemble these two wild animals. Underneath The Elephants trunk you will see Stirling Falls. These falls are the second largest falls in the Fiord and are fed by the surrounding glaciers.

As is often the case at some point on the cruise, the captain gets really close to the falls allowing those on the upper deck to get sprayed down. In some cases, the bow of the boat gets submersed – so head the warnings over the loud speaker if you have no intention of getting soaked.

The cruise will pass by the calm Harrison Cove, which houses the famous Underwater Observatory. Some boats offer an add-on to the cruise that lets you disembark the boat and head into the observatory which gives you views of the wildlife and red and black coral the fiords are known for. If you purchased the add-on, make sure they know when you board the boat. We were apparently the only ones on the whole boat who booked it, but they didn’t see it on their roster. Long story short – they never stopped and we had to have it refunded. Bummer.

Before heading back to Milford Sound Wharf, our cruise passed by the gorgeous Bowen Falls. Due to the rains, the waters coming from the Darren Mountain Range were in full force and offered a very impressive final act on our Milford Sound Cruise.

After enjoying our cruise we hopped back in the car and made our way back to the Homer Tunnel. It was around this time that all the coachers were arriving from their 4-hour journey from Queenstown. We only waited about 20 minutes to get our go to exit the Cleddau Valley – and got to admire the gorgeous falls sending us off in style. It doesn’t get more touristy than Milford – but honestly, it’s an adventurer’s New Zealand rite of passage.

NOTE: If you would prefer a less touristy and more authentic sound experience go to Doubtful Sound. Destinations // Doubtful Sound. Having been to both I can say the contrast is fantastic. If you have time on your side, be sure to make the extra trip to get both perspectives.

ENJOY MILFORD SOUND? BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MORE OF NEW ZEALAND & OTHER PLACES VENTURED AT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Visiting Milford Sound is a rite of passage for anyone exploring New Zealand. Here’s a look at how to spend day out at this gem in Fiordland National Park. #MilfordSound #NewZealand #TravelBlog At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand.

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People you meet on trekking trips are some of my favorite people. They will ultimately be as diverse as they come but share the same sense of adventure when it comes to travel. You must be a certain type of person to willingly put yourself through hours upon hours of tough trekking – sometimes for multiple days on end, right? I met Anthony in the heart of Patagonia and is one of those people. His passion for adventure travel combined with his extremely dry sense of humour made him the perfect trekking buddy. He even helped me hone in on my Aussie & Kiwi pronunciation and slang. I learned all the important things such as how to pronounce G’Day Mate, how are you going? and learned when to use key slang like fair dinkum and streuth.

Mt. Kinabalu, Malaysia

Samoa

In addition to my language lessons, we often spoke about feet. Yes, that’s right – good ol’ feet. Because there is nothing better to discuss over a beer after a long day of trekking, right? Anthony is a podiatrist and is extremely passionate about his career. He founded Footscape – a non-profit organisation that recognises that disadvantaged communities are predisposed to debilitating foot pathology. Anthony and his team at Footscape work to help sustain a quality of life for affected individuals. I loved hearing his stories and the fact that his motivations are selfless. Anthony’s passion and desire to help others has brought him to some pretty awesome places around the world and continue to fuel his wanderlust.

Annapurna Circuit, Nepal

Meet Anthony Lewis.

• Name: Anthony Lewis • Home Base: Melbourne, Australia

//WHY DO YOU TRAVEL?

In the spirit of Mallory I travel and see the world because it’s there. Travel is liberating, travel is educational, travel provides a platform to know oneself and find their place in the world. From a professional viewpoint, observing first-hand the startling implications of debilitating foot pathology upon the most vulnerable has strongly shaped and guided my career path.

//HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE YOUR TRAVEL STYLE?

There are a few travel modes I subscribe to:

Podiatry Focused: Such trips have encompassed attending international conferences or linking up with organisations to promote foot health and well-being in developing countries.

Hiking: I’m proud to have trekked such incredible landscapes as the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal, Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea and the Patagonia Region in South America.

General Sightseeing: I’ve been fortunately to visit over fifty countries across the world through independent and group travel.

//WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR SOMEONE PREPARING FOR A TRIP TO PATAGONIA?

Look at your camera. A travel weakness of mine is that I’ve never prioritised taking copious photos and video during my trips. Consequently, I’ve only ever purchased basic camera equipment to get the job done. However, the stunning landscape of Patagonia demands quality equipment to document its beauty.

Mt. Fitzroy – Patagonia

//WHAT’S THE BEST TRIP YOU’VE BEEN ON & WHY DOES IT STAND OUT FROM THE REST?

Anthony & Dr. Ganapati – India

I’ve been fortunate to have undertaken a variety of travel adventures across the past decade or so. As each journey encompasses its own special moments and rewarding experiences, I tend to reflect more so upon early trips when travelling was still raw and I was naive. My first overseas venture was to Mumbai, India for which I spent several weeks with a leprosy based non-profit organisation. After finally meeting my intended driver at the airport – amongst the dozens of eagerly awaiting – the destination was to be the accommodation I would call home. The time was beyond midnight yet the streets were overflowing with cars, pedestrians, beggars and stray animals. This, however, did not stop my friendly driver speeding through the congestion, constantly lane changing (using his horn as the indicator) and basically endangering numerous lives – not to mention mine!

Over the coming days I explored the surrounds of Mumbai with the non-profit organisation. On a typical sweltering and unforgiving afternoon we pressed on to the Dharavi slum with the intention to continue the organisation’s screening program. Dharavi constitutes one of the biggest slums in the world with population estimates as high as one million people. It was worlds apart from the streets of Melbourne which is consistently listed amongst the most liveable cities.

Ambling along the narrow dirt laneways I passed endless destitute souls clothed by fragile rags and wearing brittle thongs. With senses ablaze I accompanied staff into the home confines of one known leprosy sufferer. The forlorn elderly figure greeted her visitors and shared an exchange in a dialect unbeknown to yours truly. She then gazed upon me with a friendly smile and uttered in English, ‘God has brought you here’. My goodness. What an amazing generous welcome and suggestion. It was only just me after all.

//WHERE IS THE MOST OFF THE BEATEN PATH PLACE YOU HAVE BEEN TO & WHAT MADE IT SPECIAL?

I do endeavour to explore the road less travelled, or upon wearing my Podiatrist hat proclaim to have taken the foot-path less travelled. Following the India expedition, I have undertaken volunteer based placements with Australian aid organisations in the Pacific Island countries of Samoa and Kiribati.Interacting with local hospital staff and patients in such developing countries has been an incredible career and life experience which has forever changed me. Patients have been some of the nicest and most grateful I’ve encountered. Indeed immersing myself in these communities and foreign cultures has been a great way to travel.

//WHAT ADVENTURE IS NEXT FOR YOU?

That is the question of the day! After establishing a Podiatry based non-profit organisation I am on the verge of committing my full-time employment to the cause. Therefore, I anticipate hiking adventures closer to home amongst Australian and regional landscape will be on the cards.

Footscape does great work through a series of initiatives including Sock It To ‘Em and Shoe It Forward – both of which see donated socks and shoes distributed to homeless and other disadvantaged people throughout Australia. If you would like to learn more about Footscape or check out the other initiatives currently taking place be sure to check visit Footscape.

Keep up with the great things that Anthony and his team are doing by following along at Footscape Facebook and Footscape Twitter.

ENJOY MEETING ANTHONY? CHECK OUT MORE INTERVIEWS FROM THOSE I’VE MET ON THE ROAD AT DOMONTHEGO // CONNECTIONS.

Anthony Lewis’ passion and desire to help others has brought him to some pretty awesome places around the world and inspired the founding of Footscape, a podiatry based non-profit organisation. Meet him and hear about his adventures as he helps solve the world’s problems – one foot at a time. #Footscape #TravelBlog People you meet on trekking trips are some of my favorite people. They will ultimately be as diverse as they come but share the same sense of adventure when it comes to travel.

[domonthego]

At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand. It’s beautiful, dramatic and the epitome of the great outdoors. There is so much to see and do in the park, that you could easily spend the entire length of your vacation in and around the area. One of the highlights of our trip to the South Island’s majestic park was a kayaking adventure in Doubtful Sound.

Doubtful Sound is the second largest of the 14 fiords in Fiordland National Park, but much less visited because of the extra effort it takes to get there. If you are travelling in the region you will likely be heading to the more touristy sister sound – Milford. Doubtful is triple the length of Milford and is ten times larger than Milford. As Milford is the only sound that is accessible by road – it is therefore the busiest. This is part of what I think makes Doubtful so special. The experience feels more secluded and authentic – especially on our trip out, as we hardly saw anyone else out on the water.

You will find that there is no shortage of companies ready to take you out to explore these great outdoors. We enlisted the help of Doubtful Sound Kayak and had a fantastic day out. Doubtful Sound Kayak is a small, family run company that focuses on trips out with smaller groups all while being guided by a kayak nature guide. I prefer to avoid the massive tourist crowds on adventures like these as sometime you just want to freely navigate the world around you. Another reason why we chose this company is because they offer the longest days out on the water. That means maximum amount of kayaking and exploring the gorgeous sounds.

Here’s a snapshot of a day out on Doubtful Sound.

A full day kayaking on Doubtful Sound means an early wake up call, but trust me – it’s worth it. The group meets at the Doubtful Sound Kayak office in the town of Te Anau at 6:30am. After completing the standard paperwork and sipping on a hot cuppa, the vans are loaded and you are off to Pearl Harbour in the town of Manapouri.

The adventure continues with a 30-km cruise across one of New Zealand’s most beautiful lakes – Lake Manapouri. As you navigate the waters you will see the numerous sandy beaches, islands and mountain vistas that make this lake so beloved. The boat continues past the West Arm Power Station – the largest underground power station in the southern hemisphere and docks at the West Arm Visitor Centre. The center itself was quite interesting as it actually had small exhibits inside that gave a bit of history on the area and more specifically how fiords are created.

 It’s here at the Visitor Center that you will put on your long johns, wet suits and kayaking jackets. All the gear is provided by Doubtful Sound Kayaks. Word of advice – be sure to bring along a hat and sunscreen, oh – and bug spray to combat the pesky sand flies. Once you are kitted out in your gear, you will be transported 22-km to Deep Cove.

The ride is quite scenic and passes over the Wilmot Pass Road – 670m above sea level. Take the opportunity to hop out when the driver stops – if you have a clear day you can get some great shots of waterfalls and of course the sound from above. The weather was moody on our day out so we didn’t get a clear view until we were much closer to the cove.

After a quick kayak tutorial from our guide Cloudi, we hopped into our double kayak and started paddling away from Deep Cove.

While paddling out on the peaceful waters, Cloudi took the opportunity share with us history about the sounds, pointed out the different types of prehistoric flora gripping the sides of the steep sides, and helped us keep an eye on the wildlife. Except for a couple boats returning from their overnight tours of the sounds, we had the whole place to ourselves. You could hear the echo of splashing water ricocheting off the surrounding mountains every time the oars hit the water.

We navigated the waters towards Doubtful Sound’s Hall Arm and hopped back on the boat to have lunch under Commander Peak.

After lunch and another warm cuppa, you’ll hop back into your kayak and make your way into Hall Arm. This part of the sound is super scenic and quite sheltered. It means that in addition to being able to head further through the sounds, the waters are relatively calm and safe for most kayakers to navigate.

Navigating through Hall Arm gives you the opportunity to get closer to the rock cliffs and see more of the waterfalls up close. The shorelines of Hall Arm are also fun to explore as the visibility increases in shallower waters revealing submerged rocks and trees. Like many of the fiords in the area, there are two distinct layers of water in the Fiord – a warm layer of salt water deep below and tannic fresh water above.

The tannins in the water throughout the fiord make it very difficult to see anything that might be swimming below. Penguins, fur seals, bottlenose dolphins and orcas and said to frequent these waters. Hoping for the latter, our day out only gave us the former. This is what makes any animal related adventure great – you aren’t guaranteed to see anything and it makes it more special when you do. Hopefully you will be luckier than us and get to encounter a larger variety of animals swimming alongside your kayak.

  After kayaking a solid 5 hours your boat made its way out to you and picked you up deep in Hall Arm. It’s this water taxi that allows you to maximize your time on the water. There are other tours where you kayak out and must kayak back. It means that you will spend half of your journey on the water backtracking to return to the starting point. This is not the case with Doubtful Sound Kayak. You’ll put on your warm clothes on the boat and made your way back through the waters to Deep Cove. Yes – you’ll still need make the journey back to Te Anau, but you will do so remembering your fantastic day out. 15km+ of kayaking is an awesome workout. You’ll be back by 5:30pm and have just enough time for a hot shower and an early dinner before heading off to sleep.

Fiordland National Park offers plenty for the adventure traveler – including fiords galore. Do what all the guide books say and take a visit to Milford Sound. We did and it was great. Check out Destinations // Milford Sound for more information on how to spend your day out there. If you are looking for a less touristy and more authentic sound experience, get to Doubtful Sound. The extra steps it takes to get to the sound is why most tourists only make their way to Milford Sound.  Having been to both, I can say the contrast is fantastic – be sure to make the extra trip to get both perspectives.

For Doubtful Sound Kayak’s availability and booking details be sure to check out their website HERE.

ENJOY DOUBTFUL SOUND? BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MORE OF NEW ZEALAND & OTHER PLACES VENTURED AT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Fiordland National Park offers plenty for the adventure traveler – including fiords galore. We went less touristy for a more authentic experience by kayaking in Doubtful Sound with @KayakDoubtful. Need convincing? Check our day out in this nature wonderland. #DoubtfulSound #NewZealand #TravelBlog At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand.

[domonthego]

If you have ever watched a documentary about New Zealand, chances are you will have seen the natural beauty of Fiordland National Park. Scenes of moody rain clouds pummeling lush, green forests? Slow motion videos of dolphin pods jumping out of the water? How about those waterfalls shooting over massive rocks into stunning fiords? Yes – these are the impressions left by Fiordland National Park.

At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand. It’s beautiful, dramatic and the epitome of the great outdoors.

If you are heading to this region for some adventure, you are going to need a good base. Look no further than Te Anau. This little town serves as the gateway to the national park and is a perfect place to take in what the region has to offer. Te Anau is no more than a couple hours from any of the major highlights and means very little backtracking needed if you are driving yourself through the South Island. During our stay, we booked a room at the centrally located Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas. While the town itself is not large, ensuring you stay within walking distance of Main Street will make your life easier.

With so much to see and do, you could easily spend your whole trip in and around the park. Here are some things that you shouldn’t miss when heading to Fiordland National Park.

//THE SOUNDS

You can’t come to Fiordland without checking out the Fiords (and Sounds) – right? Right. (Quick geology lesson: Fiords and sounds are similar but differ in the way in which they are created. The former by slow moving glaciers and the latter by sea flooded river valleys that carve and create this landscape.) There are many fiords that span the 215km coast of Fiordland National Park. The one you have probably heard most about is Milford Sound. It’s the only fiord that is accessible by car and is therefore the most visited. Milford Highway from Te Anau to Milford Sound is one of the most scenic routes in New Zealand. We made our way to Milford very early for our cruise to avoid the coaches coming in from Queenstown. Given the sheer numbers of tour busses coming in on our departure, I am very glad we did.

Coming Soon: Destinations //Milford Sound

Want a less touristy and more authentic sound experience? Check out Doubtful Sound. Doubtful is a tad more difficult to get to as it requires a short ride to Manapouri, a boat ride across Manapouri Lake and then another drive to get to the actual sound itself. It’s why most tourists make their way to Milford instead. We joined Doubtful Sound Kayak for a full day out paddling through and exploring the sounds. What a contrast! Best part? We had the whole of the sounds to ourselves! If you have time on your side, be sure to make the extra trip and get both perspectives.

Coming Soon: Destinations // Doubtful Sound

//THE LAKES

The two main towns you’ll find in Fiordland National Park are Te Anau and Manapouri. Both just so happen to sit on beautiful lakes and offer plenty of scenic cruises and water-based activities.

Lake Te Anau carries the title of the South Island’s largest lake and after Taupo, (Destinations // Taupo) is second largest in New Zealand. It’s hard to miss the lake as the town of Te Anau practically sits on the bankside. A popular outing on the lake includes a scenic cruise with Real Journeys to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. The outing takes you across the lake to the western banks of Lake Te Anau. You also get to learn about glowworms as you board a smaller boat and float deep into the underground caves. Sitting in silence as thousands of luminating glowworms flicker overhead was a magical experience. Throw in the fact that your journey in and out is backdropped by the snowcapped Mt. Luxmore and the Murchison range – and you have got yourself a great day out.

If you head further south, you’ll be able to experience one of New Zealand’s most beautiful lakes – Lake Manapouri. Nestled in the mountains, this lake has multiple small islands and plenty of sandy beaches. In the 1950’s there were plans to flood this lake for power generation. An environmental movement took place in New Zealand to prevent this from happening. The result? The creation of the West Arm Power Station – the largest underground power station in the southern hemisphere. While most people who come to Manapouri are passing through for their Doubtful Sound excursions, tours of the power station are also sometimes available (maintenance is currently taking place so station tours are not available until September 2017).

//THE WALKS

If you love to hike (or tramp as it’s known in New Zealand), then you are probably aware that New Zealand is known for having some of the best trails in the world. In fact, the country has 9 “Great Walks” that are world renowned and draw in tons of local and international tourists every year. Fiordland National Park is lucky enough to have three of these famous multi-day treks – the Milford, Kepler and Routeburn Tracks. There are plenty of options to hit the trails on your own or with a guide. As we were travelling long term and were not carrying all the necessary gear, we opted to book the Routeburn Track with Ultimate Hikes. They handled securing our permits and all the logistics for our 3Day/2Night trek.

Coming Soon: Destinations //Routeburn Track

Regardless of your preferred hiking style, one thing is true – booking a permit in advance is a must (especially during peak season of October – April) to avoid disappointment. The New Zealand Department of Conservation Website is the best resource to get up to date information on your Great Walk options and availability. Making a trip out to Fiordland National Park means you are heading to the “Walking Capital of The World” – don’t miss the opportunity see what the fuss is all about.

When it comes to things to do in Fiordland National Park – the possibilities are endless. I’d suggest popping into the Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre in Te Aanu to see what special events are going on and what additional activities may interest you.

Fiordland i-SITE Visitor Information Centre

Address: 19 Town Centre Te Anau 9600

Phone: +64 3-249 8900

TIP: Don’t forget your bug spray. There is a reason why this area has so few people living in it. The sandflies in Fiordland National Park are notoriously pesky and their bites can put a damper on your trip.

ENJOY FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK? BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MORE OF NEW ZEALAND OR OTHER PLACES VENTURED IN THE REGION AT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

At over 1.2 million hectares in size, Fiordland National Park is by far the largest national park in New Zealand. It’s beautiful. It’s dramatic. It’s the epitome of the great outdoors. Check it out here. #Fiordland #NewZealand #TravelBlog If you have ever watched a documentary about New Zealand, chances are you will have seen the natural beauty of Fiordland National Park.

[domonthego]

Driving the whole of New Zealand meant we had number of very long days in the car. To break up the drive between some of the longer routes, we often found small towns to rest our heads. Originally booked as a rest stop between our drive from Christchurch to Te Anau, Dunedin was the South Island’s little surprise. With its green, rolling hills and Scottish heritage, this city is known to be the Edinburgh of New Zealand.

Honestly speaking, prior to our arrival we didn’t have anything planned. We checked into the Scenic Hotel Dunedin City and thought we would simply stroll around town and get a take out for dinner. Long term travel is exhausting – so we were thrilled not to have anything planned. That was of course until we saw the “what to do in Dunedin” pamphlets in the hotel lobby. Wildlife tours. Wait, what? How did we miss this? We were in luck as most the tours left in the late afternoon – prime time for wildlife viewing. We booked ourselves onto the Peninsula Encouters Tour with Elm Wildlife Tours and had a fantastic afternoon out on the Dunedin’s Otago Peninsula. Little did we know that the Otago Peninsula is home to unique, world famous wildlife.

After a tasty lunch at the Dog With Two Tails, we got picked up from our hotel in Dunedin and set off on our scenic adventure.

Here’s a look at the afternoon out and the unique wildlife you will encounter on the Otago Peninsula.

//ROYAL ALBATROSS

After about a 45 minutes’ drive, we made it to Taiaroa Head, the tip of the Otago Peninsula and the home of the Royal Albatross Center. This center is the only mainland breeding colony of the Royal Albatross anywhere in the world. So it’s safe to say that it’s one of the best and easiest ways to see these guys in action.

There are walkways along the cliff face that allow you to watch the Royal Albatross. During our visit we saw a handful of Royal Albatross as well as a bunch of other sea birds. It’s amazing seeing the wing span of the Albatross when flying near the small birds.

Be sure to pop inside the center as well. There is a short film a film that gives a nice intro to the birds and the conservation efforts being made on the Otago Peninsula. Peruse the gallery, visit the gift shop and have a coffee.  It’s all there. If you didn’t get enough views of the birds, you have the option of paying extra to access the official observatory to see the royals up close. Probably an interesting option if there are chicks that have recently hatched. The Department of Conservation of New Zealand (DOC) have a live web cam stream that you can check out at the center as well.

//YELLOW-EYED & BLUE PENGUINS

Our next stop was to Elm Wildlife Tours’ private conservation area to see some of the world’s most unique penguins. We parked at the top of the cliffs and made our way along the path down to the gorgeous beach. This part of the Otago Peninsula is home to breeding areas for the Blue Penguin and the rare Yellow-Eyed Penguin. It also can only be accessed by those on the tour, so we had it all to ourselves.

Yellow-Eyed Penguins get their name from – you guessed it – their yellow eyes and their too cool for school yellow head band.  After a long day of fishing, they swim back to shore, scuttle up the rock cliffs and feed their young. The conservation area that we visited has great, hidden observation hut that allow you to see this all take place without getting in nature’s way. There is even a penguin cam that allows you to view an actual nest up close.

The Blue Penguin is considered to be the world’s smallest penguin.These guys are only found in New Zealand and are one of the rarest species of penguin in the world. They stayed in their little hideouts during our visit, but it was still a very cool opportunity to see them in person.

//HOOKER’S SEA LIONS

On the same beach where we observed the penguins, we also got to see the New Zealand Sea Lion, AKA Hooker’s Sea Lions. These beauts are one of the rarest sea lion specie in the world and are typically only ound in New Zealand. Our guide mentioned that they migrated in the past and can also be found on the subantarctic islands as well.

Hunters began capturing the Hooker’s Sea Lions for their fur and oil in the 19th century. Even though hunting these guys was banned in the middle of the 20th century, their numbers are critically low and they are still endangered. Hopefully conversation efforts will continue to help see their numbers rise.

//NEW ZEALAND FUR SEALS

We made our way back to the cliff where we originally parked and took a different path down to a cliffside viewing area. The marked path led to another hidden observation area. This part of the visit was all about checking out the New Zealand Fur Seal. The observation area overlooks a large fur seal breeding colony so we were in luck.

There was no shortage of things going on here. As you can expect, the massive males were playing their game of territory with each other – taking massive, toothy jabs at each other. Talk about a perfect time to have tough skin. Due to the season we visited, there were also numerous seal pups that had been born. Mothers guarded their young as they curiously climbed the rocks and splashed about in the pools. It was nice to just sit there in silence and observe without being an intruder.

So it should be cleat that taking a day out on the Otago Peninsula is a great way to spend your time while in Dunedin. The guided, six-hour tour provided by Elm Wildlife Tours was very scenic and we got to see and learn about many unique wildlife species. Elm Wildlife Tours offer a series of tours with different types of experiences – including private outings – so definitely worth checking out your options and booking before your arrival.

ENJOY DUNEDIN? BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MORE OF NEW ZEALAND OR OTHER PLACES VENTURED IN THE REGION AT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Dunedin’s Otago Peninsula is home to some of New Zealand’s most unique and endangered wildlife. As the next stop on our kiwi road trip, we took the opportunity to experience these creatures first-hand on the Peninsula Encouters Tour with @ElmWildlifeTours. Here’s a sneak peak of our day out & the unique animals that we encountered. #Dunedin #NewZealand #TravelBlog Driving the whole of New Zealand meant we had number of very long days in the car.

[domonthego]

If you are travelling through New Zealand’s South Island, chances are you will pass through Christchurch. Known as the “Garden City” due to its mega Botanical Garden, Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city. It also just so happens to be my next kiwi road trip destination. An earthquake in the coastal city of Kaikoura destroyed the main highway a week prior to our trip. This meant that we were diverted inland on our way south from Marlborough to Christchurch. While it took us a few hours longer to get to our destination, the drive was as scenic as it gets.

You may recall that Christchurch fell victim to a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. The biggest and most devastating occurred on 22 February 2011. Not only did it kill 181 people, but also forced thousands of people out of their homes and left the city in ruins. In doing my research on things to see and do while in town, one thing was very clear – the earthquakes and the rebuilding efforts play a major role in defining today’s Christchurch.

Heading into Christchurch I had no idea what to expect. Part of me thought that years had gone by so while it impacted the city, I wouldn’t necessarily see that impact. I was wrong. In fact, none of what I read about prior to arrival was an exaggeration. The city didn’t quite feel like a city and had cranes propped up everywhere you looked. The rebuilding efforts were still taking place and Christchurch appeared to be in a state of change. It was almost as if five years later the whole of Christchurch was still a construction site.

To be clear – a lot of what made Christchurch a great city prior to the earthquakes is still very much there. The resilience of the people continues to live on as the city embraces innovation, creativity and sustainability through their rebuilding efforts.

If you are heading to Christchurch, here are some great ways to experience the changing city.

//ride the CHRISTCHURCH TRAM

Want the easiest way to see the city? Hop on the Christchurch Tram. The tram runs through central Christchurch from New Regent Street through Cathedral Junction to Cathedral Square and along Worcester Boulevard. There are 17 total stops along the way and your ticket gives you the ability to hop on and off as it zips around town in restored heritage trams. Go punting on the Avon, visit the Botanical Gardens or stop off at the Canterbury Museum. These and many more Christchurch highlights can be found along the route.

Central Christchurch is easily walkable but doing so means you miss out on the friendly tram drivers in the process. Our driver shared with us the history of Christchurch and narrated the whole of the journey around town. It was a great way to get an orientation of the city to help us decide where and how we wanted to spend the rest of our stay.

//Get Underneath EARTHQUAKES

It only takes a few minutes walking around town to see the destruction left by the earthquakes. Having never experienced an earthquake I find this natural phenomena interesting. If you too are curious about earthquakes – and more specifically the ones taken place in the Canterbury region between 2010 – 2011 then you have an opportunity in Christchurch.

The Canterbury Museum created a special exhibition called Quake City. This multi-sensory attraction helps to inform people about the earthquakes that took place. You’ll get to hear the stories of locals who lived through the quakes and get insight into what it takes to rebuild a city that has been devastated by one. Earthquakes are quite common in New Zealand – if there is anywhere you can learn more about them, it’s here.

//experience the REBUILDING

When something like an earthquake comes through it can devastate more than homes. In the case of Christchurch, you will find that it devastated significant amounts of infrastructure and the community. During our visit, there were still loads of buildings that were boarded up or fenced-off waiting for demolition. There were also shops that were opening for the first time – which baffled me. It had literally been five years and it seemed like advancements on this front were molasses slow. Cranes were becoming staples in the “skyline” of Christchurch. Our tram driver said that to complete the rebuilding efforts, it will cost about NZ$40 billion. That’s a massive chunk of New Zealand’s annual GDP!

What I find fascinating is how the people have taken the opportunity to introduce a more eco-friendly and sustainable approach to rebuilding it’s town. They are also infusing a quirky, artsy vibe to these efforts – like this mural that can be seen in a parking lot off Cathedral Square.

Now synonymous with Christchurch, the Re:START Container Mall is a great example of an innovative way the city came together to create post-earthquake solutions. This retail mall made entirely out of steel shipping containers offered local businesses the opportunity to set up shop and run again. It caught on so much that there has since been a similar one built in Shoreditch, a trendy neighborhood in London. The Re:Start mall was always meant to be temporary and five years later was closed to make way for traditional shops and markets. Hopefully elements of Christchurch’s rebuilding period will be retained for its community and visitors to it.

We visited Christchurch twice during our road trip through New Zealand. The first time was to break up our drive from Marlborough to Dunedin. Christchurch then served as our final stop in NZ as we made our way from the gorgeous west coast to catch our departing international flight. Both times we stayed on Cathedral Square for ease. Accommodation in Christchurch is simple. We opted to stay at Hotel 115 – a cute, boutique hotel. It has all the ingredients to make a great, funky stay – except for the poor service. Our last stay was at Quest Serviced Apartments. Like an Airbnb, the latter has a kitchenette and is more like home than a standard hotel. While it was no frills, it also had no attitude – which is more than we can say for our first stay.

If you are heading further south through New Zealand, be sure to take advantage of the surrounding towns in the Canterbury plains. Those making their way through Christchurch often visit Lyttelton, Akaroa, Timaru and Oamaru. Whether its great bars and restaurants you are looking for or swimming with dolphins and spotting wildlife – be sure to visit a couple of these coastal towns. Our next destination was Dunedin, so we planned to continue much further south and visited the Moeraki Boulders. Fun times.

ENJOY CHRISTCHURCH? get more INFORMATION ON NEW ZEALAND & OTHER PLACES VENTURED IN THE REGION at DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Christchurch, New Zealand fell victim to a series of earthquakes in 2010 and 2011. Seven years later the rebuilding efforts are still taking place and Christchurch continues to evolve as a city. The resilience of the people continues to live on as the city embraces innovation, creativity and sustainability through their rebuilding efforts. Here’s a snapshot of our visit and things to experience when you are visiting the South Island’s largest city. #Christchurch #NewZealand #TravelBlog If you are travelling through New Zealand’s South Island, chances are you will pass through Christchurch. Known as the “Garden City” due to its mega Botanical Garden, Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city.

[domonthego]

I know what you are thinking. Nothing says adventure travel more than plunging your nose into a wine glass to sniff out the intricacies of the juice’s aroma. Some people choose to swing from vines, my version of adventure includes “exploring” the (grape) vines. This couldn’t be any truer as we were planning our trip to New Zealand. When deciding where and how we would spend our time in this adventure lover’s paradise, one thing was clear – we were going to make a pit stop in Marlborough.

Located at the northern tip of the South Island, Marlborough is the largest wine growing region of New Zealand and home to my favorite grape varietal – Sauvignon Blanc. Contrary to what you may believe, Marlborough does offer more than just wine. The region itself is quite vast and is divided into four main areas:

• Picton – If you are travelling to/from the North Island via the Interislander Ferry, then you will make your way through Picton. This port town serves as a great base to explore the Marlborough Sounds or tackle the Queen Charlotte Track. • Havelock – If you like getting out on the water, then Havelock is a great option for you. Hire a paddle kayak or book a tour to explore the surrounding Pelorus and Kenepuru Sounds. • Blenheim – Blenheim is the main town in Marlborough. It also happens to be one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand and is a short driving distance to over 30 different wineries in Marlborough. • Renwick – As we were interested in the wine, we made a beeline for this quaint town. Renwick is said to produce 85% of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc! It’s full of restaurants, traditional B&Bs and plenty of wineries that are easily accessible by bike.

Having been on the road so long, we looked for a nice cottage on AirBnB. With this option, we could unpack our bags and do simple things like cook for ourselves and do our own laundry. Our cottage is no longer available for booking online, but sits on the same grounds as the super cute Olde Mill House. We have fond memories of sitting in the amazing garden as we did our daily rounds of email catch ups and Instagram updates. 

In addition to running the B&B, the owners also operate Bike2Wine on the property. Having enjoyed our vineyard cycling day out in Hawkes Bay (Destination // Hawkes Bay), we were quite keen to do it again while in Marlborough. There are over 20 cellar doors within a 5-kilometer radius from the BnB. That means plenty to choose from without having to go too far. If you are planning to make your way from Blenheim and don’t have a designated driver, they can provide you with their pick-up/drop-off service. As we were staying on the property not only did we not have to worry about drinking & driving, but we also had the bikes included in our stay. #Winning

Helmets on and wine trail map in hand we were ready to go explore. We did a bit of digging around the vineyard lists to find those that interested us, mapped out our route and away we went.

Here’s a look at some of the stops we made along the way.

//FRAMINGHAM

We kicked off our day of tasting at Framingham Estate. People often say that first impressions are the ones that last the longest. This couldn’t be more true for our time at Framingham. The courtyard was filled with beautiful roses, the Richmond Mountain range was looming in the background and the team at Framingham were some of the nicest we encountered on our day out.

We blitzed through their Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling range and even got the opportunity to taste some of their F-Series wine. These vintage specific wines offer twists on their existing range and are often only produced once. It felt kind of naughty cracking into wines with such a limited offering, but was great tasting them with the staff that also were trying them for the first time.

If you find yourself here be sure to pop down to the cellar to see their super old vintages they keep stored on the property.

//BLADEN

When we arrived at the cellar door at Bladen we were quite surprised. Where most wineries we’ve been to have been massive, the Bladen cellar is more the size of a posh fruit and veggie stand. Super cool.  To top it all off – we had the whole place to ourselves.

Bladen is another one of the wineries that is a true family run business. The owners are often there onsite walking customers through their wine tastings. They were not around when we were there, but we had the brother John facilitating our tasting. As we were making our way through the menu, John gave us background of the family and the winery.

Some fun facts about Bladen. The name was created by using parts of the children’s names BLAir and DEni. The family planted their first grapes here by hand in 1989. They were one of only 8 vineyards in the area at the time. They originally produced grapes for others, after which they created their own lovely wine under the Bladen name. An extra added plus for me – they don’t use any oak when producing their white wines. Yummy.

//SERESIN

We got super excited when we saw that there was a winery in the region that focused on organic wines. Eating healthy tends to be something we all talk about. We are either concerned about looking good at the beach or the chemicals used in the production of our food. You rarely hear people discussing what’s in their wine. Unlike traditionally made wines, Organic wines aren’t full of chemicals such as residual pesticides or preservatives.

Heading to Seresin gave us the opportunity to taste a wide selection of organic wines in one go. To be completely honest, I didn’t notice a difference in the taste. I suppose the result by choosing organic is that you feel better about what you are putting into your body and there will be some sort of longer term benefit.

If you are a film buff then you may recognize the name Seresin. Michael Seresin, the owner, has had his hand in the creation of many blockbuster films over the years. Titles that you may be familiar with include Dawn of the Planet of The Apes, Midnight Express and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Some people buy cars and big houses when they have money lying around. While a lot of work, buying a winery sounds like an even better way invest that money. IF you don’t drink all your product before it has the chance to hit the shelves.

//CLOUDY BAY

If someone put you on the spot and asked you to name one New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – I’m 99.9% sure you would spit out Cloudy Bay. It’s quite reasonable considering these guys have been around since the mid-80’s as one of the first 5 wine makers to make Marlborough their home. They are also in pretty much every petrol station and grocery store around the world.

The Cloudy Bay grounds are massive. The cellar door is the biggest that we went to over the course of our time in Marlborough and its clear these guys are mass market producers. While the wine here is good, I tend to dislike making stops in these types of vineyards. The experience is always less intimate and you feel like you are just another person in a wine-tasting assembly line. I don’t even think we got a hello or a smile the whole time. Cloudy Bay is also the only vineyard that we stopped at on our day out that charged a tasting fee. Why charge when most of the surrounding vineyards don’t? Because they can.

We skipped popping into Cloudy Bay’s onsite restaurant Jack’s Raw Bar and opted for a picnic on the grounds instead. There really is no better place in the area to relax and soak of the Marlborough vibes.

//No1 FAMILY ESTATE

Our last stop in Marlborough was finished off with some bubbles. It doesn’t matter if it’s Champagne, Sparkling Wine, Cava or Prosecco – we love bubbles. We made sure to carve out some time in our tasting to pop over to the No1 Family Estate.

These guys are the only winery in New Zealand committed exclusively to producing premium Méthode Traditionelle wine. That’s a fancy way of saying that the techniques they use to produce the bubbles is the same as those in Champagne France. These practices are quite labor intensive and complex so I will spare you all the details. What you do need to know however is that this approach means two major things for you. The first is that the quality will be top notch. The second is that these methods tend to leave you headache free. Who doesn’t want to enjoy great bubbly and avoid a hangover?

The cellar door experience itself was a bit basic but the bubbles were nice. It was a perfect way to wake up the taste buds and end our time in Marlborough.

Our time in the Marlborough region allowed us to slow things down a bit and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings (and by surroundings, I mean plenty of Sauvignon Blanc). I could have easily spent more time in the surrounding towns and look forward to doing so upon my return.

For more wine adventures be sure to check out Destinations // Hawkes Bay and Destinations // Napa Valley.

ENJOY MARLBOROUGH? GET MORE INFORMATION ON NEW ZEALAND OR OTHER PLACES VENTURED IN THE REGION AT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Marlborough is the largest wine growing region of New Zealand and home to my favorite grape varietal – Sauvignon Blanc. There is no way we were going to skip over this place on our road trip through the country. Here’s a snap shot on the region and some of the best wineries we visited during our stay. Be sure to share with or tag your wino friends. #NewZealand #Marlborough #TravelBlog I know what you are thinking. Nothing says adventure travel more than plunging your nose into a wine glass to sniff out the intricacies of the juice’s aroma.

[domonthego]

When planning our road trip through New Zealand one thing was made abundantly clear – a lot of traveler’s suggested spending more time on the country’s South Island. I’d say that a lot of this must do with the fact that people tend to travel quite far to get to New Zealand and have a limited amount of time to spend there. This of course results in trying to cram lots in – layer in the jet lag and it becomes an unpleasant race to see and do as much as possible. Give yourself time and don’t knock off the North Island, otherwise you run the risk of missing out on gems like Wellington.

Wellington is the second most populous city in New Zealand after Auckland and is surprisingly the country’s capital. There is a certain charm about the city that is unique to other capital cities that we have travelled to. You have all the fixings of a capital city combined with relaxed, small-town vibes and natural beauty.

Wellington served as our last pit stop on the North Island before hopping on the InterIslander Ferry to adventure on the South Island. Craving more accommodation that felt like home, we stayed at the Boulcott Suites. These serviced apartments are centrally located and served as a great base as we explored the city.

Here’s a steer on great ways to spend your time in Wellington.

//STRETCH YOUR LEGS

 One of the joys of the capital being small? You can get around a lot of it by foot. Take the time to get out and explore the city and soak in the artsy vibes. One of the best places to do that is the Wellington Waterfront. In addition to plenty of bars and restaurants, the waterfront is lined with arts installations – like Max Patte’s Solace in the Wind and the New Zealand Society of Authors’ Writers Walk.

If you are into your scenic views, Wellington has you covered. You can take a hike up to the top of Mount Victoria for stunning vistas of Wellington city and harbor. Prefer your views without the work?  Take the historic Wellington Cable Car from the city center to the suburb of Kelburn. In addition to showcasing most of the city, the lookout spans the harbor, the CBD and Mount Victoria.

//GET CULTURED

There certainly isn’t a shortage of opportunities to visit museums in Wellington. If you only have time to choose one – be sure you make it to New Zealand’s National Museum – Te Papa. With over six floors spanning almost three rugby fields of floor space – you can imagine it being packed with all sorts of exhibits. Cool thing is – these exhibits help tell the story of New Zealand. We spent a few hours exploring the various interactive exhibits – including stepping inside a simulator to experience a 6.6 magnitude earthquake.

I particularly liked the exhibits that related to Māori culture. Insight into the rich history and culture of New Zealand’s indigenous people has always been fascinating to me.  We also quite enjoyed Gallipoli: The Scale of Our War. This unique exhibit illustrates New Zealand’s involvement in World War I by telling the story of eight individuals. Each of the characters is represented as a giant, insanely life-like sculpture that took thousands of hours to create. 2,779 Kiwis lost their lives on Gallipoli and this exhibit does a great job honoring them. Find out more about this exhibit and more at the Te Papa website HERE.

//DISCOVER MĀORI CULTURE

Māui is a famous demi-god in Māori culture that caught a giant fish using a magical, ancestral jawbone. After struggling to reel the fish in, it finally surfaced to become what is now New Zealand’s North Island. You might recall from Destinations // Taupo that Lake Taupo is said to be the fish’s beating heart. And Wellington? That’s the head. It’s just too cool. There are plenty of places in and around Wellington to learn about the mystical culture and heritage of the Māori people.

In the same way that Te Papa shares the stories of New Zealand, the Wellington Museum has exhibits dedicated to showcasing the social and cultural heritage of Wellington – that incorporates the Māori. Be sure to catch the A Millennium Ago – Māori Stories from Way Back exhibit. This short presentation uses innovative technology to share Māori creation legends.

//VISIT MIDDLE EARTH

​If you are a fan of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy then you are in for a treat. The films were shot all over New Zealand, which means you can walk in the foot steps of Frodo Baggins in the search of your own magical, precious ring.  Wellington, the hometown of Peter Jackson, is one the popular places to check out these beautiful filming locations. There are some accessible places directly in Wellington, such as the forests surrounding Mount Victoria (used as Hobbiton Woods), the Hutt River (used as the Anduin River) and Harcourty Park (the Gardens of Isengard). Further outside of town you can visit Queen Elizabeth Park, Waitarere Forest, the Putangirua Pinnacles, and Kaitoke Regional Park for more Middle-Erath fun. Each of these places has their own significance in the films.

 There is no shortage of ways to tour these sites or companies ready to take you there. Just figure out what it is that interests you and make some calls. If you are more interested in the film making than getting outdoors – no worries. Weta Workshop, Weta Digital and the Miramar film company are all based in Wellington. The Weta Workshop offers various tours of the Weta studio and visits to the Weta Cave – a fun way to check out (and purchase) artefacts used in many films, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

//HEAD SOUTH

New Zealand’s South Island is home to the country’s most famous natural landscapes and tourist destinations. Wellington often serves as the jumping off point for travellers making their way to explore South Island. There are many ways that you can get to New Zealand’s South Island. One of the best ways? Skip the plane and take the Interislander’s Ferry across Cooks Strait.

This 92 km, three hour journey between Wellington and Picton is one of those quintessential New Zealand travel experiences and is considered by many to be one of the most spectacular cruises in the world. You check in very much like an airport – head to the check-in counter, drop off your luggage and away you go. If you are taking a vehicle with you simply follow the signs to your check in. Find a seat by a window, sit back and enjoy the scenic ride.

A little side note if you are road-tripping through New Zealand. Most car rental companies wont let you take rental cars on the ferries for insurance reasons. You’ll need to drop-off your rental at the Wellington terminal and pick up a new one in Picton. Our rental company didn’t make this clear to us in advance and we almost didn’t have a car to pick up. Chances are you will be visiting during a popular season and the car inventory may be limited. Check in advance so you don’t have any unexpected car issues.

Considering all the great things to see and do in Wellington, it was very clear once we left that ultimately didn’t spend as much time there as we should have. When we hopped on the Interislander Ferry we said goodbye to the quaint capital and hello to the South Island.

ENJOY WELLINGTON? GET MORE INFORMATION ON NEW ZEALAND OR OTHER PLACES VENTURED IN THE REGION AT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Check out Wellington, New Zealand which served as our last pit-stop on the country’s North Island before heading to the South. This quirky city has all the fixings of a capital combined with relaxed, (very) small-town vibes and natural beauty. #Wellington #NewZealand #TravelBlog When planning our road trip through New Zealand one thing was made abundantly clear – a lot of traveler's suggested spending more time on the country’s South Island.

[domonthego]

Travelling through New Zealand and like your wines? Then it’s a no brainer – you simply must carve out some time to visit one of the 11 wine growing regions in the country. While travelling through the North Island we decided to make our way to the oldest and second largest wine region in the country – Hawkes Bay. With more than 70 wineries, you will be spoiled for choice when it comes to mapping out your tasting days. The climate here is like France’s Bordeaux region.  If you are a fan of bold reds you are in for a treat.

Before we set off to enjoy the grapes, we made a pit stop in the coastal, art-deco city of Napier.

We walked along Marine Parade, Napier’s waterfront promenade and visited Opposum World. A store that sells possum knitwear and has a small, taxidermy filled museum that outlines the destructiveness these little critters have on New Zealand. This is the crazy stuff road trips are made of. It was a fun time filler as we waited for the time to reasonable enough to kick off our wine tastings.

Agreeing it was wine o’clock we hopped in the 4×4 and made our way to further through Hawke’s Bay to Hastings. Unlike our private, chauffeured day trip to Napa, California (Destinations // Napa Valley), we opted to pedal our way around Hawkes Bay. We met at Ash Ridge Wines – home of On Yer Bike Winery Tours – got kitted out with bikes, helmets and a local wine trail map.

The almost 20km bike path allows you to visit several wineries as you cycle through the world-renowned Gimblett Gravels and Bridge Pa Triangle grape growing regions. The paths are made specifically for bikes and takes you through the surrounding vineyards, orchards and olive groves. As you have rented the bike for the day you can go at your own pace and enjoy the region’s gorgeous scenery (and wine) as you see fit. Best part about the day out for me? The tastings are FREE. No crazy tasting fees like our good friends in Napa. Just be sure to keep an eye out for the tip jars.

Our goal was to make it to all 7 of the wineries on the published tour map. Did we make it? Check out below to find out. *Hiccup*

//SILENI ESTATES

Shortly after we set off on our cycle we arrived at stop #1 – Sileni Estates. Although they were only founded in 1997, Sileni are no small player on the New Zealand wine scene. In fact, they currently distribute their goodies to over 80 countries around the world. If you are into Greek Mythology, you may recall that Silenus was the god of wine Dionysus’ teacher and companion. Their followers, Seleni, were known for loving their food, wine and a happening time.

To kick off our good times, we tasted our way through their wide range of varietals and bagged a sweet bottle of their Late Harvest Semillon. While not typically a dessert wine drinker, it was too good not to take home. Oh yea – be sure to check out the homemade sweets. Like these little chocolate ducks that didn’t stand a chance when we arrived.

//ALPHA DOMUS

As we pulled into Alpha Domus, our second stop of the day, the wagging tail of miniature schnauzer Alfie greeted us. If there is anything I love as much as travel and wine, its pups. This local celebrity is featured in the Wine Dogs of New Zealand book. Well done Alfie, well done.

I love companies like Alpha Domus. Their wines are vinted onsite from estate grown grapes on a single vineyard. Our experience at the cellar door was fantastic and one I wont forget. It’s the vibe that you get when you are in a family run winery – the passion for the wine comes through both in the people that work there as well as in the quality of the juice. As we were sipping our way through their delicious wines it was explained that Alpha represents the first initial of the family’s names from their father through to the youngest brother; Anthonius, Leonarda, Paulus, Henrikus and Anthonius. Doesn’t get any more family than that, right?

There wasn’t a taste we didn’t enjoy. If you love a peppery Syrah you are in luck. Do yourself a favour and grab a bottle of the Barnstormer Syrah – wowsers.

//ABBEY CELLARS  

I’m sure we would have LOVED stop #3 but they were closed on our Hawkes Bay day out. Like Alpha Domus, Abbey Cellars are a family owned vineyard with a single estate – so they only use what they grow themselves. It may have been a blessing in disguise – as I am not a fan of 100 percent oak barrelled wines (of which their reds tend to be).

//NGATARAWA

We made our way past Triangle Cellars (Stop #4 but no longer operating as a business) and headed straight to Ngatarawa – one of New Zealand’s earliest boutique wineries – Ngatarawa.

Here is another family owned and operated winery. In fact, the Corban family has been coined New Zealand’s first family of winemaking. They set up shop in the historic horse racing stables of Hawkes Bay. Heading into the cellar for our tastings we couldn’t help but notice the beautiful grounds surrounding a gorgeous pond. That’s what its about right? Nice wine, sunshine, and strolling through gorgeous vineyards.

Like a lot of the vineyards in and around this area, the rich soil and climate lend itself to producing a wide variety of grapes. When it comes to Ngatarawa, it’s their Chardonnay that they are well known for. We aren’t big fans of Chardonnay – and still weren’t when we left the vineyard.

//TE AWA

Throughout the day the moody clouds rolled in bringing with it a bit of mist and the occaisonla sprinkle. Of course, at this stage we didn’t care that it was raining – and made our way smiling all the way to stop #6 – Te Awa.

These guys were purchased by the well-known Villa Maria Estate in 2012 but still maintain the boutique winery feel. Under Villa Maria, Te Awa wines became known as the Te Awa Collection and the additional brands that Te Awa previously held – Kidnapper Cliffs and Left Field – were maintained.

  What I was drawn to more than the wine, were the unique labels of the Left Field collection. They were designed by Aaron Pollock, a branding and advertising designer who I recognized from branding efforts with the Himalayan Trust. (Side Note: The trust was created by New Zealand’s very own Sir Edmund Hillary. It helps reduce poverty and strengthen the communities in the Everest region.) Each of the labels contained an imaginative combo of animal plus machine. Each of Pollock’s crazy creatures has a story and reflects the Te Awa’s unique wine making philosophy. You can check out all of the designs (and other works by Pollock) HERE.

//TRINITY HILLS

Our seventh and final stop was at Trinity Hills. At this stage our taste buds were shocked and tasting was out of the window. We spent some time speaking with the very friendly team behind the counter and got to know a little bit about this well-known, mass produced brand. With a start that is said to have happened over a glass of Chardonnay in London in the late 1980’s, Trinity Hills is now one of the most visited in Hawkes Bay.

We ordered ourselves a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and propped ourselves up in their welcoming seating area. Unlike some of the other places we went over the course of the day, Trinity Hills had a small nibbles menu for us to peruse. One meat and cheese board later we sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the fruits of Trinity Hills labor. (See what I did there?)

Fat and merry we hopped back on our bikes feeling accomplished that we finished our circuit. We headed back to Ash Ridge Wines to drop off our bikes and headed back to our AirBnB for a lovely home cooked rack of good ol’ New Zealand lamb. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

If you find yourself in Hawkes Bay give the gang at On Yer Bike Winery Tours a call. They will sort you out. One of the great services they provide is going around to the wineries you visited and picking up any bottles you may have purchased. That means you can enjoy your day without worrying about carrying (or breaking) your purchased goodies.

Disclaimer: Please note that even though the bike paths run through vineyards and parallel to the roads, be sure to drink and cycle responsibly.

Enjoy hawkes bay? get more INFORMATION ON NEW ZEALAND OR OTHER PLACES VENTURED IN THE REGION at DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

While travelling through the New Zealand’s North Island, we made our way to the oldest & second largest wine region in the country – Hawkes Bay. With more than 70 wineries to choose from, we hooked up with @onyerbikewinerytours for an awesome day of wine tasting. 7 wineries in one day was a challenge we gladly accepted. Did we made it to all 7? Find out here. #NewZealand #HawkesBay #WineTasting #TravelBlog Travelling through New Zealand and like your wines? Then it’s a no brainer – you simply must carve out some time to visit one of the 11 wine growing regions in the country.

[domonthego]

Taupo is a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders and served as our next stop on our Kiwi road trip. Taupo is located on Australasia’s largest lake Lake Taupo, which was formed by a mega volcanic eruption over 20,000 years ago. If you have been doing a bit of travel research on Taupo already, then you know the explosion was massive enough to be noticed in both China and Europe. Imagine the travel delays you would encounter if we had an eruption like that today? Fun fact – the caldera is now full of water (lots of it) and this lakeside town draws in tons of tourists every year.

Summer in Taupo offers plenty of fishing and water sports on the lake, while winter will have you switching your adventure activities to the ski slopes of Mount Ruapehu. We had the opportunity to visit just before the peak summer season. When we weren’t enjoying the lake we were exploring the many activities available in the Wairaikei Tourist Park.

During out stay we booked a room at the kitschy Wellesley Hotel On The Lake. The accommodation was cheap as chips and located within a short drive from everything we did during our weekend lake retreat. The nautical, fishing décor made it a perfect place to properly enjoy true road trip vibes.

Here is a snapshot at how we spent our time in Taupo.

// LAKE TAUPO

Getting on the lake is a must-do when in this beautiful town. Not only does it get you out on this natural, volcanic wonder but it also allows you to check out the beautiful houses that are bank side and enjoy the surrounding mountains.

When planning our time on the lake we were keen to look for options to get to the famous Maori Rock Carvings at Mine Bay. The 14-meter carving of the Maori ancestral high-priest Ngatoroirangi was completed in 1980 and helps preserve the local Maori culture. The Maori people believed that Lake Taupo was the pulsating heart of Maui’s fish – New Zealand’s North Island. The most popular way to get a view of the face and other surrounding carvings is by taking a scenic cruise across the lake. At time of publishing there are three main cruise companies that offer trips out on the water. You just need to choose the type of boating experience you want – steamboat, catamaran or sailboat.

We opted to join Sail Barbary to enjoy the waters aboard one of their two beautiful sailboats. We choose them as they take smaller groups out on the water and have the ability to get the closest to the rock carvings. The team was very friendly and gave us insight into the rich culture and history of Taupo’s local Maori tribe – the Ngati Tuwharetoa.

The rock carvings were fantastic. As you look at this piece of art you begin to notice the smaller carvings surrounding the tattooed face. The Sail Barabary team explained that they depict the ancestors and guardians of the local Maori tribe. Super cool stuff.

//Wairaikei Tourist Park

There is no missing the numerous signs of fun things to do in Taupo as you enter the city. What you will find is that most of those activities take place within the Wairakei Tourist Park. When we were not on the lake, we were out and about exploring the various options that tend to keep tourists busy during their time here. The park uniquely offers a combo of adrenaline activities with nature and active geothermal sights.

Our first stop was checking out the Waikato River plummeting through Huka Falls. There is a great viewing bridge just off the parking lot. It’s at this chasm where a typically 100-meter wide river quickly slims down to 15-meters and aggressively fights its way through a gorge. Looking for a more adventurous way to see the falls? Check out one of the jet boats that zips around and almost gets you underneath.

We opted to enjoy a stroll on one of the great walkways alongside the river to Spa Park. We walked through the lush forests and were treated to lovely views of the Waikato River and surrounding valleys. If splashing about in natural hot springs is your thing, be sure to pack a swimsuit. There are a few options to hop in the water along the way – including the Otumuheke Stream.

Wanting to explore the geothermal activity in a different way, we made our way to the Craters of the Moon geothermal area.

This park lets you wale a 45-minute trail on the largest geothermal field of New Zealand. Meandering along the main pathway lets you to check out multiple volcanic craters and walk through steam pumping from the ground below.

While it felt very safe walking on the wooden boardwalk, I couldn’t help but think about the craziness that was going on meters below us as. It made for a fun day out for sure.

A short drive from Taupo is also Mt. Tongariro National Park – home to the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, one of New Zealand’s most popular day hikes. If you are planning on tackling this bad boy, be sure to plan in advance for a permit and allow for flexibility due to weather. Our crossing day was cancelled due to extreme winds – which you will find is quite common. Giving yourself a cushion of a day or two might help ensure you do not leave disappointed.

There is plenty to do in Taupo even if you are not interested in geology or water sports. Taupo has plenty of cycle trails, golf courses, health spas and fun options for the kids – including the much visited Huka Honey Hive and Huka Prawn Farm.

ENJOY TAUPO? FOR MORE HIGHLIGHTS ON OUR TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND BE SURE TO CHECK OUT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Taupo is a popular holiday destination for those visiting New Zealand as it combines adrenaline activities with nature & VERY active geothermal sights. This North Island vacation destination is located on Australasia’s largest lake Lake Taupo, which was formed by a mega volcanic eruption over 20,000 years ago. Too cool not to make it a pit stop on our Kiwi Road Trip. Here is a snap shot of Taupo and our geothermal adventures there. #Taupo #NewZealand #TravelBlog Taupo is a popular holiday destination for New Zealanders and served as our next stop on our Kiwi road trip.

[domonthego]

When we made the decision to travel to New Zealand it was very clear we wanted it to be a road trip. It is to easy to fly in and out of cities and miss the amazingness that is in-between. After much deliberation on how we would navigate the vast country, we decided that we would fly into the North Island and kick off our road trip in New Zealand’s biggest, most populated city – Auckland.

Unfortunately for Auckland, it really didn’t stand a chance with us. We arrived after a 13 hour flight from South America and didn’t sleep a wink. Upon arrival we picked up our 4×4 and headed to The Langham Hotel to drop our stuff off. The plan for the day was to start exploring the city. The only thing we ended up exploring on day one was our comfy bed with the blinds drawn.

As we prefer adventures versus city breaks, we didn’t give ourselves much time to see the city. When we did decide to finally leave the room we got a glimpse of what makes the city great. Unlike a lot of other large cities, Auckland is close to the mountains, is surrounded by volcanoes and sits along two coastlines – a visit here provides a great opportunity to combine city life with the great outdoors (again, if you get your jet-lagged butt out of bed).

Here are some of Auckland’s highlights:

// CITY EXPLORATION

If you are looking for an easy way to explore the city then look no further than the Coast To Coast Walkway. This 16km trail allows you to hike from one side of New Zealand to the other in a day passing by some of Auckland’s most popular sights. The start and end points include Manuka, one of Auckland’s southern suburbs, and Waitemata Harbour, the main access by sea to Auckland. As with most walks, the time that it will take you to cover the trail is dependent on those making the walk. Set aside a few hours and enjoy checking out the city by foot.

Tourist hot spots on the walk include the nightlife and shopping destination Viaduct Harbour. You will also pass by Auckland’s highest point & one of the best 360* views of the city at Mt Eden. A highlight of the walk includes meandering through five different volcanic areas, including the 182-meter volcanic peak One Tree Hill. You will also have the opportunity to visit a handful of the 26 regional parks located in Auckland, including Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park.

// ISLAND HOPPING

If you find yourself in Auckland for an extended period of time be sure to get out of the city and explore some of the surrounding islands. If you are interested in beautiful vineyards and beaches be sure to check out Waikehe Island. Take the short 35-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland, rent a bike, and you are set to start exploring. There are multiple vineyards, art galleries, walking trails and white sand beaches to enjoy.

Prefer exploring natural wonders and up for some adventure? Be sure to visit Auckland’s iconic Rangitoto Island. Whether you explore this island by foot or by kayak, Rangitoto makes for a great day trip away from the bustling city. The island is home to the youngest and largest volcano in the Auckland volcanic field. Hiking to the top will take about an hour but you will be treated to great views of the surrounding area. Not keen on the walk? Fullers offer an option to take a 4WD to the top as part of a guided tour.

Looking for a day out to scrub up on your New Zealand history? Rotoroa Island may be the place for you. Rotoroa can be reached with a quick ferry from downtown Auckland and offers fantastic scenery and insight into local history. Home to New Zealand’s first and longest running alcohol and drug addiction treatment center, Rotoroa was closed off to the public for over a century. It’s now open – so enjoy. In addition to being able to visit the historical buildings, Rotoroa offers great walking tracks and four beautiful beaches.

When in Auckland it is hard to miss the views of the Auckland Sky Tower. If you aren’t afraid of heights and are keen to get a 360* view of the city from above – the Sky Tower is a great option to spend a bit of your time. Feeling adventurous? The Sky Tower offers two adrenaline packed activities that you may want to explore. SkyWalk gets you in a harness and lets you enjoy the views from outside of the viewing platform. Not enough fun for you? Try SkyJump. This add-on straps you to a wire and allows you to base-jump off the famous tower via a wire.

We skipped the thrills (blame in on the jet lag) and opted to go shopping along Queen Street – Auckland’s city center hub and major shopping district. While not as adrenaline fuelled as the SkyTower, we made it out alive and in one-piece and still had plenty of views of the Sky Tower.

Enjoy Auckland? FOR MORE HIGHLIGHTS ON OUR TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND BE SURE TO CHECK OUT DESTINATIONS // NEW ZEALAND.

Auckland is where we kicked off our 3000km+ New Zealand road trip. This North Island city is close to the mountains, is surrounded by volcanoes and sits in-between two coastlines – a visit here provides a great opp to combine city life with the great outdoors. Here is how we tackled both on our long weekend in New Zealand largest and most populated city. #TravelBlog #Auckland #NewZealand When we made the decision to travel to New Zealand it was very clear we wanted it to be a road trip.

[domonthego]

Destinations // New Zealand

New Zealand is a beautiful country and makes for one heck of a road trip. Here is a sneak peak at how we managed to drive over 3,000km in 3 weeks to explore the adventure packed North and South Islands of New Zealand. #TravelBlog #NewZealand #RoadTrip

New Zealand is one of those places that I have always wanted to visit. As it is so far away from every place I’ve ever lived, it simply never made it on my immediate travel destination list. In fact, both times I’ve been to the region prior to this post, were spent travelling through Australia. A week or two vacation simply wouldn’t be enough to really get underneath New Zealand. Our sabbatical…

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Journeys // Politics & Travelling On U.S. Passports

Travelling as a U.S. citizen in the age of Donald Trump is becoming trickier - but not impossible. Here are some things to take into consideration on your next trot around the world. #TravelBlog #TravelBan #DomOnTheGo

It was the morning after the presidential election in 2016. I was deep in the heart of Patagonia on one of the most adventure packed trips in some of the most remote places in the world. We were doing an overland border crossing from Argentina into Chile. The border crossing was conducted at what looked like a shack and those that worked there probably drove for miles to get to it. We were quite…