New Zealand - The land of the big white cloud

Taken at Lake Wanaka

New Zealand is such a small country with so much to offer. It’s known as one of the most beautiful countries in the world, it’s a shame that so very few people have even heard of it. I'm talking about the country I am from and I call home. New Zealand.

Living in New Zealand, I never really appreciated the beauty I had around me every day. It was just the norm, but after being away for so many years, I realize what exactly I am missing.

While living in the US, I realized so many people had never really heard of New Zealand. It wasn't until the movies "Lord of the Rings" and the "Hobbit" came out that the awareness grew and the beauty that lay within was seen.

All pictures were taken in December (when it’s summer in NZ), so imagine how it would look in Winter if you love the snow.

Queenstown, New Zealand

     

Queenstown is a beautiful little town at the bottom of the South Island in New Zealand. As tiny as it is, it has so much to offer. It's nice and relaxing as well as full of energy and many outdoor activities. You can surely get your adrenaline rush here.

Compared to USA pricing is a little high for Food and Shopping, but the beauty of it is definitely worth it.​

Queenstown has many things to do. Its the place of beauty and adventure. You can go Bungy Jumping, do the Shotover Jetboating, go see the Lord of the Rings Grenorchy Safari, do a AJ Hackett Swing, Skydiving, Go up the Gondola and see a breathtaking view of Queenstown, or simply hang out in the little town, and eat, drink and be merry. There's also a wonderful Ice bar in town off the dock, that's definitely worth checking out. There is so much to do that the list could go on and on

Milford Sounds    

Milford Sounds is only 3.5 hrs away from Queenstown. There are many tours that go to Milford Sounds or you can hire a car and drive down yourself.

The view is amazing. Even growing up in New Zealand I had never seen anything so beautiful.
The drive to Milford Sounds was spectacular. There were fields of tall greenery and flowers, surrounded by mountains, low clouds and snow covering the mountaintops.

When you take a boat tour over the Lake Te Anau in Milford Sounds, you will see Waterfalls that are 1000 meters high as well as wildlife, living the life on the lake. Check out some more pictures below, to see exactly what we saw. Words are not enough to describe the beauty.

Wanaka

  

Wanaka is a little town about 1 hr away from Queenstown. We did a wonderful day trip there. The town was lovely, and fish and chips were great in this tiny mom and pop store right across the road from the lake. It was beautiful looking at the Snow top mountains in the distance over the lake.

Of course there is plenty to do there, besides the lake, town, beautiful parks. Bungy jumping, and sky diving there is amazing. There are also beautiful walking trails, bike trails and hiking, so if you’re an outdoor kind of person, this is definitely the place you want to be.