23 Jan Collecting Experiences, Not Things: Contrasts Of New Zealand Tour
Our motto and motivation is to “collect experiences, not things”. Whilst on our journey, we’re aiming to spend our time and money on spectacular experiences, to be left with incredible learnings and memories, not tangible objects. This way, we’re sure to keep our lives light without additional luggage, but also be the change we want to see in the world.
Our next featured experience is the Trafalgar tour, Contrasts of New Zealand.
Travellers come in all shapes and sizes. Each have their own unique way of interacting with the places they visit. Some stay hidden in the walls of the resort, only to venture out in perfect conditions. Others like to avoid their dwellings and prefer to get lost off the beaten path. Some like to live with locals and try something new. Others like to ignore strangers and stick to the main strips. To be honest, we could probably vouch for all of those – I guess it’s all about what you want to get out of your trip and journey. As 98% of our adventures have been just the two of us (cue Grover Washington Jr…or the remade Will Smith version of the classic) we mostly try to get a local to show us around.
Locals are good for many reasons – they save you from eating things you shouldn’t (or maybe sometimes encourage you to try it), and prompt you to do things you haven’t yet done. They give you insight into a place or culture…insight that you would have never gotten browsing through guidebooks or multi-keyword Google searches. Personal insights and stories bring the location to life, and make it way more memorable when thinking back.
Undoubtedly the best thing about our recent New Zealand tour, was the opportunity to see it through a local’s eyes. Enter Mark, a Christchurch-born custodian of New Zealand (and also our tour’s Travel Director).
We spent a lot of our time on our coach, making our way across the whole of New Zealand, but the time practically flew by because of the stories and anecdotes that Mark shared with us. I honestly felt I had the confidence to take on an exam on “All Things New Zealand-ish” after the 10-days of touring, and I reckon my results would be good enough to show the parents (unlike most of my High School career…but let’s not revisit that). He also shared local treats, like popular music videos and advertisements, chocolate-coated honey sweets and weird fizzy pineapple gums that the Kiwis love. Note: those gums were rather strange, but I guess we could get used to them.
Mark of course was not the only local we met. We shared many a drink and meal, meeting hardy “salt of the earth” farmers who offered their local produce to us, and traditional Māori chiefs who went out of their way to introduce us to their way of life. That, partnered with the ever-changing landscapes of the two islands, and the dreamlike scenery and magical experiences, made this 10-days we will undoubtedly never forget.
Visiting a new country will always be exciting, and will never let you down, but visiting a new country and seeing it alongside locals cannot be trumped. Here’s to more of that.
Kia Ora.
SD
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Our trip began in bustling Auckland…
…cruising around the main harbour…
…and eating at one of the many top notch restaurants this city has on offer.
We left early on day 3, heading to Rotorua…
…stopping to row through glow worm cave rivers, and stroll around the geothermal reserves…
…before enjoying a night of traditional Māori traditions…
…and sunsets at the local museum.
Stopping to meet some kiwi birds and watch sheep get sheared at the local sheep farm…
…we headed to the airport, where our flight to the South Island was waiting for us.
After exploring Christchurch…
…and taking the scenic TranzAlpine train ride through the Southern Alps…
…we lunched near drift wood…
…at the tiny coastal town of Hokitika.
We drove (and jet-boated) through Haast Pass…
…stopping only for pictures and fruity ice cream…
…before arriving in Queenstown…
…for dinner with a view.
Milford Sound was next on the itinerary…
…and despite the gloomy weather, we cruised close to this magical phenomenon…
…and returned to Queenstown for free time, which meant jet-boating through Skippers Canyon…
…wining, dining and cruising upon the historical TSS Earnslaw Steamship…
…before heading back to Christchurch, past Mount Cook…
…and the Church of Good Shepherd…
…then saying goodbye to everyone.
You can find us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat, search for #HowFarFromHome on the line, or browse our online photography shop.
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