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Beautiful sunrise a couple weeks ago over Lake Alexandrina, bear Lake Tekapo. We star-gazed the night before - unfortunately my camera couldn’t catch the stars.

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I’ve had the privilege of visiting a town called Moeraki along the East Coast twice over the past few weeks. Here’s a collection of pictures from both those visits. There is a beautiful restaurant in this town called “Fleurs”: highly recommended if you like fresh seafood 🙌🏼

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Shortly after we left Wanaka, some lovely friends booked an air bnb in a town called Naseby and met us there 😊

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Some pictures from our hike through Mount Cook National Park along the Hooker Valley Track. We were lucky enough to see the top of Mt. Cook peek through the clouds that day. This is the tallest mountain in New Zealand, standing at 3,724 metres tall. That day, from a plaque posted near the exit of the trail, we all learned about Freda Du Faur, an Australian mountaineer who was the first woman to ever climb Mount Cook. She did so with record-breaking speed in 1910. What a badass!

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Tasman Valley in Mount Cook National Park

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I’ve been on the road with these two crazy fools for just about 2 weeks now and its been a great experience! I couldn’t have picked two people more different from each other and from myself which has made things all the more interesting. Our first stop on our road trip was in the Mount Cook National Park. This picture was taken in the Tasman Valley.

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Wanaka Memories (part 6)

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Wanaka Memories (part 5)

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Wanaka Memories (part 4)

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Wanaka Memories (part 3)

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Wanaka Memories (part 2)

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Wanaka Memories (part 1)

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Home Sweet 2nd Home

It’s taken me almost a week to accurately put into words what it felt like to leave Wanaka.

In my last few days in town, I genuinely struggled to prepare for my departure. My time there felt swift and deep. And as I continue attempting to pack my memories and experiences into a neat mental gift box, I’m swelling with gratitude.

My haphazard decision to move into town now feels like one of those existential moments when the universe presents you with exactly what you need. All the more meaningful because I didn’t know I needed it.

Wanaka is a breeding ground for long term relationships built in an ever-shifting atmosphere. A small town vibe with the irresistible transiency that is so addicting about this backpacking lifestyle we’re all so keen on. A vortex of like-minded people who were gutsy enough to leave their homes and their comfort zones to explore.

Thank you. To the tight-knit community of beautiful souls who welcomed me in with enthusiasm, with genuineness, and with overwhelming warmth. To those who made my three months of “work” feel like the opposite. To those who made my Christmas so warm and loving it almost felt like I was home. To those who spoke wisdom that changed my perspectives and to those who listened to my own.

Thank you for a collection of special experiences that made leaving feel like a bee sting.

See you soon, Wanaka.

[northern-nomad]

Some pictures from my hike up to Isthmus Peak just outside of Wanaka. This was a 16km trek up and across and skyline ridge between Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. The stunning sunset views made the sore legs and feet totally worth it.

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☺️

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I climbed up Roy’s Peak the other day in Wanaka with some friends. This was a 16km return hike up a 1,578 metre tall mountain. Tough, but definitely worth the gorgeous sunset view!

[northern-nomad]

Shortly after arriving in Wanaka, I met a couple of really nice women who invited me on a little road trip around the area. Im finding this area suits me much better than Queenstown. It’s a small town surrounded by mountains and the very tight knit community of backpackers here welcomed me in with open arms. I’m looking forward to spending the next few months living and working here :)