Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, I finish up my ‘Blogging from A – Z challenge’ with a wander at one of my favourite countries for its sheer spectacular scenery:
Z is for New Zealand.
New Zealand, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, consists of 2 main islands, and is an easy 3-hour flight for us from Melbourne, Australia, and a real beauty.
Indeed, it was voted the third most beautiful country in the world by Rough Guides. They mention ‘it’s rolling green hills, majestic mountains, breathtaking fjords and amazing diversity of landscape from one island to the next”
For me, it is this package of diversity in a compact area which grabs my attention as a perfect holiday destination for those of us looking to enjoy fresh air and nature and unspoiled environments.
Lonely Planet describes New Zealand as a country of:
Let’s take a wander along the South Island’s Fiordland and Southern Lakes. Can you picture yourself here in the Lord of the Rings land?
Let’s start at Queenstown, the “adventure capital of the world’ and always a popular place not just for the thrill seekers. Here you can ski in winter, bungee jump, jet boat, go sky diving, and the rest but I prefer to take a calmer approach and have my eyes open to enjoy this amazing scenery!
Lake Wakatipu and backed by the ever dramatic ‘Remarkables’ Mountains is well, just remarkable!
Next, I want to take you to Arrowtown a historic gold mining town just outside Queenstown.
These photos were taken in April as Autumn was approaching, Arrowtown is a great stopover on the way to Wanaka, a cute, quaint town for sure famous for stunning scenery and hiking trails.
Lake Tekapo in the Southern Alps below is three hours south of Christchurch, known for its turquoise waters and the perfect place to sing out loud:
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!
My, oh, my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin’ my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay!
This is the end of my Blogging from A-Z for Wren’s World Wide Wanderings.
Together we have been to Australia, Belgium, China, Delhi, India, England, France, Golf in Singapore, Island of Bali, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Macau PRC, Nha Tran Vietnam, Oxfordshire UK, Prague, Czech Republic, Quintessential Spain, Russia, Sri Lanka, King Rama X, Thailand, UK, Vietnam, Wandering Woodstock, USA, Yangon Myanmar, and finally:
Z is for New Zealand
Thank you for joining me as I finish my Blogging from A-Z challenge.
15 comments
Woo-hoo! You made it through the alphabet. Congrats.
Thank you, Liz, for your congratulations – my wanderings certainly delayed my A – Z finish this year but I have had a brilliant few months of travel in the middle of this and Yes was very happy to say I did it!! Woo hoo 🙂 xx
Wow – gorgeous photos – truly worthy of its status as one of the most beautiful places on earth! My son and a friend went for two weeks of exploring after college, and would certainly agree. I have a copy of their photos, probably the closest I will ever get to seeing it but I can imagine there are no words to describe actually being there. Congrats on your A-Z challenge – a nice body of work to share and for you to look back on! x Karen
Karen – thank you so much for your beautiful comment. Yes, I am thrilled to have been able to take you and my blogging friends on my A – Z worldwide wanderings. I really appreciate you being here to cheer me over the finishing line! xx
Beautiful! Well done, you made it. x
Woo hoo, Karen yes I did, better late than never. You are such a champion supporter of my Little Wren’s wanderings and lovely to see you here cheering me home. Many thanks, I hope you are enjoying this beautiful English summer xx
Hello, wonderful tour of New Zealand. I love the views of the lake. Beautiful photos. Wishing you a happy day!
And here’s to a happy day right back at you Eileen, I imagine New Zealand would be somewhere you’d absolutely love, lots of interesting critters too!
Wren x
Love that you picked New Zealand for Z. New Zealand is such a beautiful country and your photos represent it well.
-Soma
Ohhhh, Thank you, Soma, so kind of you to say. Have a lovely day.
Wren x
Many years ago I enjoyed a fabulous holiday to New Zealand, your post bought back happy memories.
All the best Jan
How lovely Jan – it’s always great to relive fabulous holidays isn’t it? xx
If only it weren’t such a looooong plane ride away (and/or if only I weren’t so old!). What a beautiful country it seems; thank you so much for sharing your journey.
Hi Sallie, you’re never too far away or too old for virtual travel – thank you for joining me and being such an appreciative visitor! Happy travels.
Wren x
You covered so many destinations in your A-Z challenge, and I think you ended on the right note. New Zealand is a dram. Maybe one day I’ll get to visit.