R for Rotorua
Most famous of the pungent sulphur smell, but you will stop noticing it after a while. With so many exciting things to see and do, from facial at Hell’s Gates geothermal spa to zorbing, from quadbiking in paddock to taking a luge down a hill. The last thing in your head is the smell.
S for Sounds
Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound are actually Fjords. NZ most photographed location is the famous Mitre Peak at Milford Sound. Yes, it is that gorgeous to see it by foot, bus, cruise and flight. They probably miss out the fact that this place is also full of sand flies and insect repellent is a necessity.
T for Taupo
The town is famous for extreme sports in North Island, while the lake is the largest in New Zealand. It is only slightly smaller than Singapore in surface area, Lake Taupo is 616 sq km and Singapore is 700 sq km. Strategically located along State Highway 1, it is one of my fave stopover point.
U for yoU
Travelling is all about the traveller, not so much on the destination. It is easy to differentiate between a traveller and non-traveller. One is open-minded, accepting, humble, gracious, imaginative, spontaneous and fun-loving. The other is neither.
V for Vineyard
For people who love wine, New Zealand has heaps of winery, and wine tasting is a norm everywhere. Not an alcohol lover, but the wine culture grew on me. Now I drink a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc a few times a year. Prefer this over cocktails, beers and liquors.
W for Wellington
Not only is it the capital of New Zealand, it is also the southernmost capital in the world. Heaps of iconic structures here – from the famous beehive (Parliament House) to Te Papa Museum (NZ’s best museum in my opinion). The lesser known ones are Weta Museum and Cable Car.
X for Xtreme sports
According to those who love adventure, they said New Zealand is the place. It offers most of the extreme sports without the extreme environment and weather conditions. A guide told me that out of all the extreme sports in the world, NZ offers half of them right here.
Y for Youth hostels
Cheap, comfortable and cosy. Might not be a 5-star hotel with room service, but the price for a twin room with ensuite bathroom is more than enough. After all, we are not in New Zealand to stay in the room. Having lived in some really good youth hostels, this is my preferred option in NZ.
Z for Zoo
I have been to Auckland Zoo and it was really not bad since I am more of a plant lover than animal lover. Some of my friends said the NZ zoos are must-visit destinations. In my opinion, Kelly Tarlton’s and New Zealand National Aquarium are worth checking out too.
This list is based on my personal experiences and honest opinions. I hope they inspire you to check out some of the highlights in New Zealand too. There is nothing better than experiencing them yourself. Stories and sharing cannot justify how awesome they truly are until you try them out.
