Browse category by New Zealand

Let’s Eat!
19k New Zealand Travel

Let’s Eat!

When you are living in a van, it’s hard to make gourmet meals… or just meals, period. Even two minute Ramen Noodle are almost impossible. Each evening we were faced with the challenge of what to eat and how to cook it given that our tools were extremely limited; pretty much just a gas stove. To our surprise, we made a few key meals that we hold dear to our stomachs. They have earned names such
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At Home in a Van- Our Escape
19k New Zealand Travel

At Home in a Van- Our Escape

If you are going to visit New Zealand there is only one way to do it… In a campervan! We rented from Escape Campervans, which is a company best known for their uniquely painted vans. They have hundreds of different vans with a wide range of colors and themes- from Bob Marley to Pacman. We made our decision based on the recommendation of a friend living in New Zealand, but there are hundreds of other companies
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What the Travel Guides Don’t Tell You
19k New Zealand Travel

What the Travel Guides Don’t Tell You

When I think of New Zealand, the first images that come to my mind are beautiful snow capped mountain ranges, white sand beaches, rolling green hills covered with sheep and clear waters that appear to be almost turquoise blue. All of which are completely true of the two islands but there’s something they don’t tell you in any of the brochures or travel guide websites. What could make this magical land anymore perfect?! EPIC PLAYGROUNDS! New
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FULL WOOL.
19k New Zealand Travel

FULL WOOL.

*An Ode to Wool* Our lives were changed, ever magically, last year when we were preparing to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro. It was suggested by many packing lists that we layer up with wool shirts and pants… and much to our surprise… its the most comfortable clothing combination we have to date! This was the beautiful beginning of full wool. We seize any opportunity to get in our woolies! And the best part?! New Zealand (unlike most
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The Top of New Zealand – Mt. Cook
19k New Zealand Travel

The Top of New Zealand – Mt. Cook

At 12,217ft, Mt. Cook is the highest point in all of New Zealand.  Not in the same league, altitude-wise, as many of the world’s more famous peaks but a legend to climbers all the same. It’s an extremely difficult climb and many a climber have succumbed to avalanches or the steep ridges you’re forced to maneuver on the way to the peak. So with this in mind, Jenna and I didn’t climb it 🙂 We opted
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40 Miles, 2 Days, 1 Epic Hike – The Routeburn Track
19k New Zealand Travel

40 Miles, 2 Days, 1 Epic Hike – The Routeburn Track

As we’ve said, New Zealand has a lot of good hiking (I think I was previously quoted as saying they had 8 billion hiking trails but again I’m rounding) but there are a few that are not simply classified as good, but rather great. There are 9 hikes throughout the North and South islands that are so stunningly beautiful they have been deemed the country’s Great Walks.  These hikes range from 2-5 days and pretty much
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Milford Sound- Chris was Right!
19k New Zealand Travel

Milford Sound- Chris was Right!

Nestled in the southwest region of New Zealand’s South Island is Fjordland National Park. It’s home to many fiords, the most popular being Milford Sound. Although we usually steer away from touristy bits, Chris pushed us to purchase a one day cruise through Milford Sound. Being the Budget Nazi that I am, I pushed against spending the $70 NZD for the cruise but eventually gave in as Chris argued that this would be one of the
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Jumping Off Waterfalls & Other Saturday Activities (The Canyoning Post)
19k New Zealand Travel

Jumping Off Waterfalls & Other Saturday Activities (The Canyoning Post)

When one makes their inaugural visit to Queenstown, the self-proclaimed (and deserved) ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ there are two requisites. First, thou must eat at Fergburger.  Yup the first thing anyone ever has to say about Queenstown, despite the cornucopia of amazingness that engulfs the city, is that you have to eat at its famed burger place.  For the record…you totally have to eat at Fergburger if you go.  It’s that good. But I digress.
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Freebies in New Zealand
19k New Zealand Travel

Freebies in New Zealand

I like to think of Queenstown, NZ a bit like an adult Disney World; tons of fun stuff to do but terribly expensive. The town offers everything from skydiving to high speed jet boats but any given adventure activity costs at least NZ $100 per person. As Chris and I have maintained an incredibly strict budget (which often leads to much turmoil), we opted to indulge in only one costly activity while in the city, Canyoning,
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