New Zealand road trip
This year I celebrated my 25th birthday on the South Island of New Zealand. Traveling to New Zealand had always been a dream of mine, and thanks to my amazing father it came true much sooner than I could have ever afforded on my own. So on April 1st we landed in Christchurch and spent nearly 10 days driving around the South Island together, covering about 1,600 miles. We didn't make it to the north tip but we saw just about everything else.
Everyone had always told me that the South Island was a lot like Southeast Alaska, but I was surprised to find out that it actually is much more similar to the central coast of California. Fjordland and the west side do have some resemblance to SE Alaska as far as the temperate rainforest and glaciers go, but the vegetation was strikingly different. What surprised me the most, however, was that all of the places we never knew about or read about before the trip--such as the Otaga Peninsula and Southern Scenic Route--ended up being the most beautiful places we visited. My father and I agreed that there are only three types of roads in New Zealand: pretty, beautiful, and gorgeous.
These are a few vacation photos I took over the 10 days we were down there. I didn't really capture anything that one might consider "iconic" in New Zealand, because like I said, the surprises along the way were what really called to me. In any case, getting to see this beautiful country was the best birthday present I've ever received, and I can't wait to go back someday. Thanks, dad <3
Everyone had always told me that the South Island was a lot like Southeast Alaska, but I was surprised to find out that it actually is much more similar to the central coast of California. Fjordland and the west side do have some resemblance to SE Alaska as far as the temperate rainforest and glaciers go, but the vegetation was strikingly different. What surprised me the most, however, was that all of the places we never knew about or read about before the trip--such as the Otaga Peninsula and Southern Scenic Route--ended up being the most beautiful places we visited. My father and I agreed that there are only three types of roads in New Zealand: pretty, beautiful, and gorgeous.
These are a few vacation photos I took over the 10 days we were down there. I didn't really capture anything that one might consider "iconic" in New Zealand, because like I said, the surprises along the way were what really called to me. In any case, getting to see this beautiful country was the best birthday present I've ever received, and I can't wait to go back someday. Thanks, dad <3