Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival in China. From February 18th- March 5th, families returned to their homeland, fireworks once again became the constant background noise, and dragons danced in the streets.

According to the Chinese zodiac calendar, February 19th introduced the Year of the Goat. What better place to ring in the Year of the Sheep than in New Zealand.

We migrated as a family, replaced the background noise of Shanghai with the peaceful serenity of nature, and slowed our pace to that of the Kiwis.

 

Auckland:

Our journey began in the North Island. Auckland is the most populous urban area of New Zealand and consists of 30% of the entire country’s population of 4 million. The city is built upon Auckland’s dormant volcanic field with 49 volcanoes dotting the landscape. Formed just over 600 years ago, Rangitoto Island is the youngest of the volcanoes in the region.

 

 

From Auckland, we drove south. The landscape transformed from sea to mountains to rolling hills. Much of the island is rugged, isolated, and uninhabited. Just beautiful.

 

 

Buffalo Beach, Coromandel Peninsula:

After driving through mountainous temperate rain forests, we arrived at the small beach town of Whitianga. Here, we enjoyed a few of New Zealand’s final days of summer.

 

 

We traveled further south through the countryside’s endless farms. New Zealand’s economy relies heavily on sheep farming and, more recently, dairy farming. It is said that for every person in New Zealand, there are 7 sheep. I would argue that there are just as many cows.

 

 

 

 

Hobbiton Movie Set :

Nestled among a 1200 acre working sheep farm, Peter Jackson found the perfect setting for his Hobbit village. The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit literally came to life for Jack, Kate, and Luke as they explored Hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, and the Mill.

 

 

 

 

Waitomo : Glowworm caves

This was one of the most unique and beautiful locations. We sailed on a river in complete silence through these underground limestone caves. The only visible light being an iridescent twinkling sky of glowworms dangling from the ceiling.

 

Rotorua:

We continued south to Rotorua where we explored more of New Zealand’s natural beauty and embraced the native culture and food.

Rotorua is known for it’s active geothermal wonders, including geysers, hot springs, mud pools, and sulfur deposits.

 

Rotorua also consists of a thriving Maori culture. We visited the Tamaki Maori Village where we experienced the warm spirit of New Zealand’s original settlers.

 

 

Along with learning about everything native to New Zealand, it was fascinating to realize how much has been brought onto this island. Including the sheep and cows which now thrive, a Californian Redwood Forest has been transplanted in New Zealand. Planted in 1901 for the timber’s general building purposes, the forest is now protected from tree harvesting and provides shelter to the wide range of native plants co-existing under the huge sequoia trees.

 

 

 

 

 

Rotorua is also home to Zorbing. This sport was invented in Rotorua and the large balls are still manufactured onsite.

 

 

 

 

By far, one of my favorite experiences was our trekking through New Zealand’s countryside on horseback. We climbed up the mountainside through lush forests, galloped through vast farmland, and discovered the best views overlooking the Rotorua region.

 

 

 

 

 

Queenstown:

After a week in the north island, we took a short flight to the heart of New Zealand’s southern island.  A resort town nestled next to a glacial lake named Wakatipu, Queenstown is surrounded by mountain ranges offering spectacular views.

 

 

Milford Sound:

Within a short distance from Queenstown, there are several fiords formed by glaciers. One of the most accessible is Milford Sound. To reach Milford Sound, we took an unforgettable hour plane ride over untouched land, glacier lakes, and within reach of mountain tops. The views from the plane ride provided some of the most stunning views of New Zealand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our departing adventure : Paragliding over Queenstown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s going to be hard to top this amazing trip.