Bhupender Gupta tracks New Zealand from its northern to its southern islands travelling by road. The conclusion then is that New Zealand is more than just the land of Kiwis & Cricketers as Indians believed it to be. It’s a marvelous country that speaks of its grandeur through its surreal landscapes, enchanting lakes, picturesque mountains, pristine forests & most importantly, happy people.
New Zealand is a place to revel for any tourist looking for a perfect holiday. Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’ is where your exciting exploration by road begins. Interestingly, if you come from a Common Wealth Nation, they practice Right Hand drive, hence you will not need an International driving license to rent a car here.
Auckland
So, after you rent a GPS fitted car from airport’s EuroCar counter, your encounter with the fabled beauty of New Zealand begins.
As night unfurls, the hungry stomach search’s for an appropriate place to satiate itself. 328 meters tall Iconic ‘Sky Tower”, housing the famous ‘Orbit 360 degree’ rotating restaurant on its 52nd Level, arguably is the ideal place one can go for. Though a little expensive, the food quality here in addition to the scintillating view outside is worth every dime.
Early next morning, you leave for a three hour drive from Auckland to reach the magnificent Waitomo (‘Wai’ in Maori means ‘Water & ‘tomo’ means ‘Shaft’) Glowworm Caves.
Waitamo Glowworm Caves
This subterranean wonderland is renowned to be the most inspiring natural marvel of New Zealand. The uncanny lime stone formations in the grotto here, has presumably begun some 30 Million Years ago. It constantly sucks water from the bottom of the ocean and grows infinitesimally every minute. It’s a fete to watch this ethereal miracle occur in front of your eyes.
With no shortage of space, you park your car, pay 49 NZ$ (in absence of a discount coupon) and you are into these amazing caves. A trained guide then escorts you inside this marvel for the next 45 minutes.
The mesmeric splendor begins to unfold no sooner you are ensconce below the caverns. You are astounded watching the magical ‘stalactites and stalagmites’ (Both limestone deposits in the form of shafts. One hangs/grows from the roof & other rises upwards from the cave’s floor) endeavoring ceaselessly for thousands of years to merge into one-another.
This indescribable optics and countless other dramatic lime stone manifestations add to the splendor as you walk softly through these fine caves towards the exit.
Finally, at the end of this tour you embark on a boat ride over the narrow lake that arises from within the long eerie caves. As the boat is pulled towards the exit ,it makes your heart beat with excitement engendering the feeling of being transported to some fairy land. On the way, tiny sparks of light are been emitted from thousands of glow worms, also called bioluminescent insects.
They are seen glued to the caves’ limestone walls, and the phosphorescent light coming out from its 30-40 cms long glowing threads is good enough to take you into a trance. You feel as if you are night-flying, up above the clouds in a star filled sky. The entire journey is blissful & ecstatic and the thing that comes mind is, “surely heaven wouldn’t look better than this during any night”.
After you leave this wonderful place, the next halt is at Rotorua, 145 miles south of Auckland. So you drive through the beautifully forested Mamaku Ranges full of kauri trees before you enter into air filled with distinct Sulphur aroma, signaling the arrival of the thermal City, Rotorua.
Rotorua
Defined as the heartland of the warm & welcoming Maori culture, its utter raw beauty is expressed by its fascinating spouting geysers, active volcanos, bubbling mud pools, sparkling lakes & large swathes of alluring lush forests. One place that encompasses most of these characters is the “Te Puia”.
Before going to “Te Puia” visit the famous ‘Rainbow Springs’ by paying NZ$ 40 (child $20) and also ‘Agrodome’. Here you come face to face with amazing colorful rainbow trout who swim ceaselessly in clear flowing streams. Then there are different kinds of flowerless native ferns that hold your attention. Varieties of fabulous resident birds & diverse breed of Sheep flaunting distinct textured furs can also be seen here.
Te Puia
“Te Puia” spans within 70 hectares of historic ‘Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley’. With prior booking priced at 117 NZ Dollars for adult & 58.50 for a child, you get to go around in small groups accompanied by an erudite & amiable Maori guide.
A little above 30 this guide extensively extols his tribe’s riveting past. He takes you back into time when Maoris, from Polynesia, accidentally landed on the alluring shores of NZ and settled here permanently.
The Kiwi house inside is the first stop where you encounter the unexpectedly shy, flightless New Zealand’s endangered National bird – the shaggy feathered – ‘Kiwi’.
Later, as you walk just few meters, you get hit by the warm & misty air. Reason: Swathes of amazing mud pools bubbling with boiling water have added extra degrees of temperature to the atmosphere around.
Then as you come tantalizingly close to a spectacular ‘Pohutu’ Geyser (‘Pohutu’ means ‘constant splashing’ in local Maori language), you stand stunned. ‘Pohutu’, as the name suggests, is an active geyser that sprouts every 45 minutes and reaches an amazing height of over 100 feet into the air.
“Wow” is an exclamation that reverberates as you are engulfed by the mist albeit momentarily. A experience that leaves you spellbound & dazed. Splashed Sulphur rich water then slowly cascades down the rocky surface depositing parts of Sulphur on its way before flowing into the rivulet that later merges into the adjoining lake.
Your deep reluctance to leave the place long after it’s all over speaks volumes of the impression this nature’s marvel has build’s over you.
Speechless as you are, you are then guided towards ‘Powhiri’. Powhiri – is a traditional Maori welcome ceremony that is performed by the aborigines (Original inhabitants of NZ). As you reach there, these Maoris demonstrate their unique & amusing way how they greet their guests.
Dressed in attractive and colorful hand woven tribal dresses with necklaces and pendants of stones & bones, these aborigines barge towards you with their tongues lashing out, eyes wide and red as if to display their power through intimidation.
Thankfully their tongues move in soon thereafter, eyes contract and you get a sense of a warm and compassionate welcome. The traditionally dressed beautiful women then smilingly escort you towards the hall where they have planned to entertain you with series of well-coordinated & immaculately choreographed tribal dances.
In the end at ‘Te Po’, elaborate spread of traditional & indigenous Maori feast prepared in a typical Hangi stye awaits you. Ten Round tables with nine chairs around each complete the dinning set up. Smiling Maoris watch you affectionately as you savor their meticulously prepared meals. The exotic taste of the culinary lingers long after you have left and steered your car towards the next destination – The Capital City of New Zealand – Wellington.
Wellington
In an absorbing 6 hour drive towards Wellington, you traverse through varied contrasting yet captivating landscapes. On the way are these man made Kaingaroa forest, then there are stunning shores of the mighty Taupo lake and also the lonely Desert road where three imposing peaks, Ruapehu, Ngaurahoe & Tongariro flaunt their incredible manifestation.
Wellington, situated at the near south end of the North Island is the Capital City of New Zealand. Nestled between harbor and hills, the city’s Urban & Cosmopolitan characteristic is amply evident.
For night owls & those young at heart, there are N no of tempting pubs, bars and welcoming night clubs. If you are inquisitive in knowing New Zealand’s art, culture & history, try spending time in any of their impressive Galleries & Museums particularly the famous ‘Te Papa’ (Ticket : Adult $15 – Child $5).
Now, moving towards the southern island of New Zealand, you need to cross the water body named ‘Cook Strait’. Buy a ticket for NZ$ 75 and check-in into a huge Interislander ferry for an captivating three hour sailing. Interislander, equipped with cafes, view decks, entertainment programs carries capacity to ferry over thousand passengers and hundreds of cars with it.
You then board this Interislander at Willington. And as this majesty moves, you get riveted to the dramatic scenery all along the way till you suddenly hear the announcement – “Pitcon has arrived”. You smile to yourself and prepare to leave. Picton that is situated on the northern side of the southern island. It is from here that you travel towards your next destination – Christchurch.
Christchurch
Architecture of the Victorian times at Christchurch leaves no doubt in your mind that this is the place where the English had first settled. Forget your car; the ubiquitous tram is the best mode to travel across Christchurch.
Pay NZ$ 25 and hop into any one of these 19th Century travel modes to quickly scan through this remarkable city. Travelling on a guided double Decker bus tour is another option you can try. However, don’t miss the famous Botanical Garden and a cool walk through Hagley Park while in Christchurch, even if you have less time on hand.
After leaving Christchurch, Queenstown is the next destination you go towards.
Gondola @Christchurch
Just on the outskirts of Christchurch is this wonderful Gondola which you may not like to miss. In NZ$ 28 Gondola takes you atop Mt. Cavendish where you witness panoramic view of City’s landscape & the sunning Southern Alps.
A complementary toy car ride in the dark time tunnel up-there takes you back in time as the remote controlled car moves amidst prototype Volcanoes, native forests, early Maori settlements and ship voyages that ostensibly helped early settlers reach Christchurch. A coffee at the café and Souvenirs from the gift shop compounds your thrill.
Queenstown
You never realize how seven hours lapse as you drive pass the scenic lakes of Tekapo, Pukaki & Wakatipu & then through the Mackenzie Country & Omarama before you reach the spacious Mercure Resort situated on the bank of the gorgeous Wanaka Lake in Queenstown.
Imagine a lavish room overlooking this picturesque lake nestled among spectacular glacier rounded hills & dramatic rugged mountain peaks and I bet, you never would ever like this sojourn to end.
Milford Sound
No one misses the fabled Milford Sound when in Queenstown. Approx. 51/2 hour drive away from Queenstown, as the map suggests, the road passes through amazing picturesque locations.
Interestingly, there is an alternative way to reach there too. It is the helicopter ride to Milford Sound. With a few clicks on Google, the helicopter tour pops up that is been offered at a 50% discount (Normal price was 800 NZ$). You succumb to this tempting offer and decided to venture there through Arial route.
“An ideal weather” announces the pilot as he starts the helicopter’s rotor. As the flying machine ascends, the hour long breathtaking tour to Milford Sound begins. The Pilot, undoubtedly seasoned & experienced, grazes this 6-seater nonchalantly, akin a child riding a tricycle.
You then pass through incredibly stunning glaciers, rugged hills & in-between steep gorges. But the occasional deliberate dives into the valley get your heart into your mouth, literally. You fret, but the unfazed smile on the pilot’s face assures you that all is safe.
Now as the helicopter loses height, you get a lucid view of the flowing rivers, mirror lakes foaming , thick rain forests and endless serpentine roads circling the mountains. The pilot then points towards the Milford Sound fjord and the famous Bowen waterfall below.
No one can miss to capture this splendor. You keep pressing clicks on your camera button in an endeavor to capture as many pictures as possible. The pilot then suddenly lands atop one of mountain for a 10-15 minutes halt. As you alight, you see outstanding view of the silent sea on one side and imposing hills/mountains/rivers on the other.
Gondola @ Queenstown
Queenstown’s Gondola also called Skyline Gondola is equally exciting like the one experienced in Christchurch. Up there’s a restaurant famous for its food. You may not be lucky to get a seat if you try to book table at the last moment.
‘Lunge’ rides sliding on specially prepared slopes here are added attraction for both, kids as well as elders. Once back from Gondola, down into the famous Ballard Street you come across numerous shopping stores, ATMs, fast fool counters & varied restaurants, including Indian, to satiate your palate.
It will be unwise not to visit vineyards when in New Zealand. At 200 NZ$/person, you can opt for a day’s guided bus tour to few famous Vineyards near and around Queenstown. Here you get to taste numerous exotic wines produced by each wine manufacturer. The tour operator later, treats you with a sumptuous Lunch separately.
Now it’s time to return to Christchurch for a return flight back home. On the way one last place to visit in the itinerary, is the famous picturesque, 3724 Mts high, Aoraki / Mount Cook.
Mt. Cook
Leaving Wakatipu Lake behind, you wind through Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell to Lindis Pass into Mackenzie. From here you turn left from Twizel towards the splendid Mt. Cook.
As prelude, an astounding turquoise color lake, ‘Pukaki’, created from melting glaciers, stands in serenity to welcome you. It is impossible to pass by this mesmerizing beauty without stopping to capture its enormity in your camera.
There is a Helicopter service too available for those who wish to have bird’s eye view of Aoraki/ Mt. Cook and Glaciers including its National park and the pristine alpine environment. A 3 ½ hour Helihiking tour is a wonderful experience wherein you reach atop large glaciers by helicopter and then spend around two hours walking over them.
Like all other places in NZ, Aoraki Mt. Cook also is an unforgettable experience. The unfolding of the nature’s benevolence on this part of the planet keeps you constantly astonished. (Sir Edmund Hillary, a New Zealander, who was the first to conquer Mt. Everest along with Sherpa Tensen, is also the first to reach atop peak Mt Cook, albeit much earlier).
You can go trekking to nearby places for which you may need to have a longer stay, probably overnight. After a close view of this Majestic snow clad Mt Cook from its foothill and assimilating as much of its beauty and grandeur as possible it’s time now that you move towards Christchurch before it gets too late.
Back to Christchurch
On the way back a refreshing break at the banks of the picturesque lake Tekapo, you find numerous enticing eateries to choose from that can fill you till you reach Christchurch. Three hour drive over golden tussock land and into beautiful Canterbury plains, you are back in the garden city of Christchurch.
Next day early morning, you reach the Airport, drop your Car at the designated place, say Syonara to this exceptionally enchanting, beautiful & joyful Country and board the flight.
As the plane takes off; you look out of the window and say to yourself; with a tinge of envy : lucky are those who reside permanently on this idyllic piece of earth.
Raina
Breathtakingly beautiful.
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