I got some good news today…I’m going to New Zealand!
Not only that…but I’m going to New Zealand next week.
No, this isn’t a plan that I neglected to share, and it’s not a spontaneous trip that I decided to book either (I think my work would be much less understanding in that case!).
Instead, I entered a competition hosted by Wotif.com and Canterbury Tourism. I had to write 100 words about why I was the most adventurous travel blogger that they could send to New Zealand, so I did, then spent the next few days daydreaming over the fantastic itinerary that they’d put together and thinking about how I could really use a vacation like that right about now.
This afternoon, I got the phone call. I’d been selected — was I available for travel between April 11th & 19th?
Of course I was. I’m very lucky to have an incredibly understanding employer, and my boss rightly said that it was an opportunity I just couldn’t miss.
Plus, it’s New Zealand, and it’s an absolute dream itinerary. I’ve been to many of the places, but the activities scheduled in them are new; plus it includes Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook, which I was devastated to miss on my last trip.
One of the important things is that I will be doing good for Canterbury. I will be blogging, tweeting and sharing photos/videos, all to show the world what a great place Canterbury is to visit and why people should still go there even if Christchurch is still in the process of rebuilding. I’ve struggled with the fact that I wasn’t able to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity this year like I’d planned to because of my leg injury, so I am so happy that I will be able to help out in a slightly different capacity.
The plane tickets are in the process of being booked and I have a week to sort out some slightly warmer clothing than is required in Brisbane and to clear off my memory cards. I can’t wait to see what Canterbury has to offer.
My tentative itinerary is as follows:
Day 1: Christchurch to Kaikoura
- Arrive in Christchurch
- Travel to Kaikoura
- Seal colony walk if time permits
Day 2: Kaikoura
- Whale Watch Kaikoura
- Maori tours Kaikoura
Day 3: Kaikoura to Hanmer Springs
- Depart for Hanmer Springs via Pegasus Bay Winery
- Wine tasting and lunch
- Depart for Hanmer Springs
- Treatment at Hanmer Springs Spa
- Hanmer Springs thermal pools
Day 4: Hanmer Springs
- Thrillseekers rafting
- Mountain bike hire
Day 5: Hanmer Springs to Akaroa
- Depart for Akaroa
- Famous fish & chip lunch in Akaroa
- Akaroa Jet Adventure
Day 6: Akaroa
- Swim with dolphins with Black Cat Cruises
- Pohatu Adventure (penguins!)
Day 7: Akaroa to Lake Tekapo
- Depart for Lake Tekapo via Geraldine
- Air Safaris – Grand Traverse Flight
- Earth & Sky Tour (observatory)
Day 8: Lake Tekapo & Aoraki Mt Cook
- Depart for Aoraki Mt Cook
- Glacier Explorers
- Visit Sir Edmund Hillary Centre
- Visit Tekapo Springs
Day 9: Lake Tekapo to Christchurch
- International Antarctic Centre
- Depart Christchurch back to Australia