South Island, New Zealand

One of the key highlights of the year 2022 was our family’s first overseas trip (which is only possible with the lifting of travel restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic).

It was two years in the making and when we finally decided, we jetted off to South Island, New Zealand for 12 days. This trip was special for many reasons - it was a first trip for us as a family of three, it was the first time Daniel is taking an airplane, and so much more other “firsts ..”

We travelled across the island in a rented car, and as a young couple with a small child, we surely had our anxieties too. We worried if the long distances and hours, both in squeezy airplane and car seat, would wear Daniel down quickly. But one of the most important memories from this trip was how Daniel, being such a champ he is, took everything in his own little stride and even grew with it. By that, I meant that he showed tremendous developmental leap within these 12 days. From his vocabulary expansion (cos he loves to express himself) to his ever-sharpening observation of the big world around him, he surprised us every single day with something new. Alas, he turned out to be such an adorable and cooperative companion traveler for us.

This short gallery of photos here span across the places we visited - Queenstown, Dunedin, Mount Cook, Castle Hill, Akaroa and Christchurch.

We were driving along the coast from Mout Cook to Christchurch when we came across this look-out point. It was an unbelievable sight across the wide ocean and we had the entire beach to ourselves. So of course we had to run around in the sand and drain out the driving fatigue.

This was the first time on our trip that we came close to the mountain ranges. We had to stop the car by the roadside and come out to appreciate the grand view.

After a nice afternoon stroll around lake Te Anau, we stopped by the rocky “beach” to take in the sunset together.

Nugget Point Lighthouse, a detour we took from our itinerary. In the end, we spent eight hours driving because of this detour but it was well worth it.

Not sure if it’s a developmental leap or just plain tired but Daniel loves to sprawl on the floor wherever he went.

Yup, that’s him on the floor again.

Visited the Dunedin market and railway station.

Went to see some penguins but we were not allowed to take photos of it, so this was all I had from that day - a picture of a pier right outside the penguin “nest”.

Our first stop in the snow on the way to Omarama hot tubs.

This experience - a hot tub in the snow - was so magical. Daniel loved it so much that he didn’t want to leave.

And yup, that was the signage for sanitary pad bin that Daniel took with him to the tub.

We had the best salmon right after the hot tub experience. I’d actually come back to High Country Salmon farm.

Approaching Mount Cook.

Journeying through the Hooker’s Valley.

This was my happy place.

Nothing could be more perfect that this moment right here.

One of the many trails around Mout Cook.

Strangely - or maybe not so strange afterall for a child - Daniel’s favourite spot of this trip was this Airbnb in Castle Hill and it was because of all the toys in the room.

This wouldn’t be a bad retirement home, my wife and I thought to ourselves. Maybe, someday.

The little champ doing his little things - turning everywhere into a playground - and not kicking a single fuss on the entire long duration flight.

As we headed back home, this trip felt so surreal and magical to us. Not only Daniel’s growth was astounding, but the sights of the land was just as breathtaking.

Maybe someday, I will add a New Zealand Part 2 blog post eh?