Capture 11 Days of Unforgettable New Zealand Adventure: A Personal Journey

2024.11.20–11.30 Get away from work and social life, go to a place where no one knows you, a place so beautiful it feels unreal—New Zealand [HeartR]

A completely stream-of-consciousness memoir! Not a travel guide! Purely a memento for myself!

Day 1: Afternoon flight at 2 PM from Shanghai to Auckland

Day 2: Landed in Auckland at 6 AM, with only 1 hour and 50 minutes for the transfer, so I chose to bring nothing and went through the nothing-to-declare channel. It turned out to be more than enough time, and the entry and transfer were super smooth. After landing in Christchurch, rented a car, strolled around the city, and took a boat ride on the Avon River (a bit boring, almost fell asleep [LaughCryR], actually, sitting on a bench by the lake and watching the boats is better).

Day 3: Headed to Tekapo. Stopped by Fairlie to buy a pie, walked by the lake, saw lupines, and visited the Church of the Good Shepherd. At this point, I was already amazed and shouting in awe! Then played on the free zipline at a children’s playground! Watched the stars at night! The first time seeing so many stars and the Milky Way with the naked eye, it was really touching [CryR] so stunning and beautiful!

Day 4: Set off for Mount Cook. Passed by a salmon farm and Lake Pukaki, arrived at the airport for a glacier hike (for detailed feelings, see another post). Afterward, checked into the Hermitage Hotel. Originally planned to see Tasman Glacier, but the navigation led me to Hooker Valley Track, and I turned back after the first bridge, as the previous hike was too tiring [LaughCryR].

Had a buffet dinner at the hotel, which was not good. Who would have thought I’d fill up on plain rice and broccoli (tasted better than the meat, and I missed rice).

Met a couple from the same city, such a coincidence! We got along well! Love these little encounters during the trip!

Day 5: Set off for Wanaka. Passed by another salmon store, which had ready-to-eat food. Then went skydiving 🪂, bought ice cream at Patagonia, walked by the lake, watched ducks, and swung on a swing. In the evening, couldn’t resist having Chinese food, it was so delicious! Mapo tofu, boiled beef, and steamed rice! Who understands the value of this! So fragrant!

Day 6: Set off for Queenstown. First, went to Real Guns for shooting, very exciting with real guns and bullets. On the way to Queenstown, encountered a road closure, a long and complicated story, but managed to arrive in time for the gondola and luge.

Day 7: Morning at the Nevis Swing, afternoon in Glenorchy, indeed, the drive was very scenic.

Day 8: Morning cycling in Arrowtown… if it were autumn, the scenery along the way would be super beautiful! In the afternoon, went to see the black-faced sheep (disappointing, also wrote about it).

Day 9: Set off for Dunedin. Visited the Royal Albatross Centre, got lucky with strong winds, saw many albatrosses gliding! Stayed at a castle.

Day 10: Explored the majestic castle 🏰, then made our way back to Christchurch. As the sun set, we boarded our flight and headed back to Shanghai, filled with memories of an incredible journey.

Day 11: Touched down at 7 AM, marking the end of our beautiful dream. It was time to return to the daily grind [CryR], but our hearts were still brimming with the magic of our adventure.