Traveling Alone in New Zealand
2024/02/03 ~ 2024/02/15, 12 Days
Preface
Why did I choose New Zealand?
After traveling to Switzerland, I realized that I really enjoyed the grand rocky mountains and the vast blue lakes. I also discovered that I could experience similar natural sceneries in New Zealand as well.
Moreover, in Queenstown, you can participate in a wide range of outdoor activities surrounded by nature. Therefore, I have chosen New Zealand as my next travel destination.
Why did I still decide to travel alone this time?
In Switzerland, I discovered that I enjoy planning the entire trip and handling trivial matters on my own.
I enjoy meeting strangers and talking to local people, which is hard to do when you have a travel companion.
I want to challenge myself to see if I can adapt to a foreign country and handle difficulties because I really aspire to work abroad in the future.
01. Glacier Heli Hike
An unforgettable glacier hike.
I finally participated in the long-awaited glacier hike, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! Despite overcoming numerous obstacles, it was quite an ordeal. The day before, I received an email from the company stating that due to bad weather, the helicopter might not be able to fly to the glacier for the hike. They suggested that we might only have a guided tour of Mt. Cook instead, and asked if I could accept that. Moreover, rescheduling was not an option because the helicopter tours were fully booked until the end of February. Of course, I had no choice but to reluctantly accept the worst-case scenario, which left me feeling quite disappointed. On the morning of the hike, it was raining steadily, and I thought for sure that the glacier hike would be canceled. However, it turned out to be a stroke of luck - just an hour before reaching the airport, the weather gradually cleared up and the rain stopped. This allowed us to smoothly proceed with the helicopter hike, fully equipped and ready to go.
I sat next to the captain who piloted the helicopter very skillfully. The spectacular glaciers was under the helicopter.
I walked on the glacier, and it was stunning. The cool weather made hiking comfortable.
The guide would briefly introduce the glacier tour.
I felt safe while on the tour.
I walked into the blue ice cave, which was very beautiful.
02. Horse Trek
Riding a horse and surrounded by nature
Being my first time riding a horse, I was initially terrified when I first rode because the horse was moving around, making it difficult to control. However, as I got more accustomed to it, I began to trust Douche. Plus, my guide mentioned that Douche was her favorite horse - lovely and well-behaved, which reassured me.
The scenery along the horseback ride was breathtaking, and I kept recording and taking photos. Douche was quite gentle, so I rode with a relaxed attitude, not exerting much control. (I noticed someone else's horse named Jimmy was really naughty; its owner had to keep calling it, which was amusing.). Occasionally, Douche would suddenly stop to relieve itself, and the guide would humorously suggest we take a break while Douceh finished its business.
When you reach the mountaintop, the guide will help adjust your pose and take amazing photos for you. It's truly fantastic.
I love my horse-Douche who is very lovely and gentlemen.
I really love this picture of my guide and my lovely horse. They look very handsome in this picture.
After the horse trek, we enjoyed a traditional British afternoon tea.
The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful during the horse trek.