Land of the Long White Cloud

by Kiara Phethean (Australia)

I didn't expect to find New Zealand

In June 2019, I had an amazing and beautiful journey through the incredible islands of New Zealand. Starting in Queenstown on the South Island, I steadily made my way to Auckland on the North Island over three weeks. After visiting Milford Sound, the eighth wonder of the world, I stayed in Queenstown for a few days before moving on to my next stop: Lake Tekapo. I knew the road would be long (over three hours drive) and that there would need to be regular stops. My first resting point was at Lake Hayes, where I enjoyed the quiet and peaceful scenery of the mountains and the calm surface of the lake. This area was so perfect and magical that I allowed my inner-child to convince me to play pooh-stick on a tiny bridge that stretched over a gentle stream. Once I had explored the woods and river, I continued to the historic gold-mining village of Arrowtown. It was like stepping back in time and I allowed myself to be transported back to a time of gold. This small, quaint village took my breath away and I could feel myself fall in love with it in the short hour that I was there. After a quick visit to the Bakery & Café, I strolled down Buckingham St with my delicious and filling breakfast. The shop windows show-cased old-styled clothing, nuggets of gold and equipment for trying your hand at gold panning. All of the buildings were original and well-maintained since they were first built in the 1860s. Unfortunately, time was against me and despite my desire to stay longer, I was forced to continue my journey to Lake Tekapo. Though I would very much have liked to have seen the Arrow River. In Tekapo, the sun was quickly descending as I visited the Church of the Good Shepard and learnt more about the Collie Dog statue standing beside it. I stayed in Tekapo for the night and had a spot of bother with ice on my car when I left for Christchurch the next morning. In Christchurch, I had the good fortune of being able to look out of my hotel window at the cathedral, which was being restored after the 2011 earthquake. Even now, nine years later, Christchurch is still recovering from the 6.3 magnitude earthquake. While in Christchurch, I took the opportunity to visit the Giant’s House in Akaroa and rode on the TranzAlpine train to Greymouth and back. I then travelled up to Picton, passing through Kaikoura, and took the ferry across Cook’s Strait to Wellington. Unfortunately, I became ill and was unable to experience very much of what the North Island had to offer. But I did have the wonderful chance of visiting Wellington Zoo and joined with others to have a close encounter with cheetahs. The zookeepers were very informative and encouraged us to remain calm and to pat the backs and tails of the big cats. While it was an incredible day, it was somewhat hindered by my illness, which stayed with me throughout the rest of the trip. When I was in Rotorua I had planned to visit the Kiwi Sanctuary and do the Redwoods Treewalk but was unable to do so. Missing this opportunity, I continued to Matamata, where I was determined to see Hobbiton, the film set for the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. The tour guides were very kind and considerate, allowing everyone, even those with a disability, the chance to experience the beautiful and memorable set. Dragging myself away from the fantastic journey, I ended my adventure in Auckland and returned home. But the memories I had made will always stay with me.