Home » A Year in Paris

New Zealand: Overview Video

Following Australia, Michael and I traveled to New Zealand as part of our 2007 career break. The following is a video overview of our experience.

Text Version: Next stop – New Zealand. Known as the capital of adventure tourism, there is no shortage of activities to fill the days. And with 30% of the country designated as national parks or reserves, it is renowned for its walking trails.

[singlepic=323,200,,,right]Similar in size to the UK, it was more manageable to explore the country by car. We decided to focus on the north part of the South Island during our two weeks. Flying into Christchurch, we quickly made our way north to the coastal town of Kaikoura. A great spot for whale watching, Kaikoura also offers some spectacular sea and mountain views on foot.

We continued north to the small town of Renwick, which sits in the heart of the Marlborough wine region. Here we traded in the car for bikes and sampled some of their finest wines.

[singlepic=264,200,,,left]Back in the car we followed the windy roads through the Marlborough Sounds to the Queen Charlotte Track. Located at the very top of the island, we hiked a portion of the 44-mile trail. We decided to combine more hiking with kayaking, and the Abel Tasman National Park was a great place to do so. Known for its golden beaches, granite cliffs, and mild climate, the coastal track is world-famous.

We completed our exploration of New Zealand by car and foot. Heading west through Buller Gorge to Cape Fowlwind, we made our down to Punakaiki, famous for its blowholes and pancake rocks. And our drive back to Christchurch took us over Arthur’s Pass and the Southern Alps – a beautiful way to close this chapter of our trip.

You can read more about our experience in individual New Zealand posts.

Visit our Store for Recommended Books & Gear

2 Responses to “New Zealand: Overview Video”

Gay Dries Says:
2010-11-28 11:01
How does one get started on a more intimate view of New Zealand? I am retired and have wanted to get back to Australia and New Zealand by land, but not be restricted by a timetable.

I just looked at this video and really would like to do something like this. I think we as Americans do not know a lot about the real world.....actually experiencing it; not via the internet or by being a tourist.

Would there be a group of seniors in good health and shape that might be interested in Australia and New Zealand for a few months?
Gay Dries Says:
2010-11-28 11:05
The video was great! Very inspiring! I'd like to go and see the wonders mentioned in the video.

Other comments

9 Comments on "A Year in Paris"

Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am

I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂

Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am

Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).

In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!

Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm

Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!

Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm

Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.

Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm

Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!

Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm

merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!

shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am

you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!

Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am

[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]

G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm

I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.