Before embarking on a Working Holiday Visa in Canada in 2018, Denis reflects on his experience in New Zealand, where he traveled this year with Languages and Travel. After working in Wellington for the past six months, he has just begun a two-month road trip and explains his choices. A trip that already seems unforgettable, as his account attests. Perhaps it will give you some ideas 😉
I came to New Zealand hoping to find stable work for a few months and live like a Kiwi. I was looking for a different experience than that of a backpacker who travels from place to place doing odd jobs.
After spending a little over two months in Auckland, enjoying the summer and meeting many travelers, I decided to head to Wellington. Being the capital, I expected a similar vibe to a large city like Auckland. But to my surprise, the city and its atmosphere were far more charming. During my second week in Wellington, I found a job at a bar (the Churchill) that opened two weeks later. I wasn't the new guy who had to integrate into an existing group of friends, as no one knew each other, and therefore, fitting in with the Churchill family – the bar's name – was very easy.
After working and living in Wellington for just over five months, I decided to leave and embark on a road trip to visit all the natural gems that New Zealand has to offer. I decided to rent a van for eight weeks to travel around both islands: six weeks in the south and two weeks in the north, where two members of the Churchill family will be joining me in a few weeks.
The third week of my South Island road trip has begun, and my list of highlights is already much longer than expected. Even in Blenheim, where I didn't expect to see much besides vineyards, I had the pleasure of discovering absolutely magical places like Whites Bay. Passing through Havelock, Golden Bay and Rawhiti Cave, kayaking in Kaiteriteri, the golden beaches of Abel Tasman, Mount Roberts and Lake Nelson, the rainforests (with a Jurassic Park vibe) and the pancake rocks of Punakaiki, Arthur's Pass, Castle Hill, Akaroa, and Christchurch.
I'm currently in Hanmer Springs, enjoying hikes in the woods and the hot pools. These are all highlights for me, but what about the fact that I still haven't been to Kaikoura, Wanaka, Queenstown, Milford and Doubtful Sounds, Mount Cook, or the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers…
One thing is for sure, there's no time to worry about Denis 😉
Discover the differences between the North Island and the South Island of New Zealand in this other article.