New Zealand | Auckland + Queenstown

New Zealand – a country adored by wine fans, lovers of the great outdoors and adrenaline junkies. Yep, that sums me up alright, which is why I’m already penciling in a return trip for summer 2017. Here’s a summary of our Auckland and Queenstown visits:
AUCKLAND
I nearly skipped Auckland, but when all flights from Fiji to Queenstown connected through the city of sails, I figured a few days in New Zealand’s largest city would be fine. My expectations for our short stay were quite low considering I’d heard it was “just another big city,” but I was totally mistaken.
Central Auckland is divided into several neighborhoods, each with their own bit of charm. We stayed in trendy Ponsonby, perched on a hill with idyllic views of the Auckland Sky Tower. Loads of popular bars and restaurants were within walking distance from our Airbnb, including hip Ponsonby Central. I can still taste the refreshing Moscow mule and the delicious steamed pork belly buns I ordered at The Blue Breeze Inn. YUM.
In addition to our hike up Mt. Eden, stroll through Cornwall Park and visit to the War Memorial Museum, a highlight of our stay was our private day tour with John McFarlane, known as the New Zealand Wine Pro. John took us to 3 local wineries (Soljans, Kumeu River and West Brook), to the black sand beaches of Muriwai and to enjoy a farm-to-table lunch at Provenance. Along the way, he shared his vast knowledge of New Zealand.
We learned that the country has a $1.5B wine industry and is primarily known for its white wines sourced from ~725 wineries across 9 wine regions. Also, New Zealand exports 1/3 of the world’s dairy products and has the same land mass as the United Kingdom despite looking fairly smaller on a map.
QUEENSTOWN
Next stop, 5 action-packed days in the capital of adventure. You could say we came, we bungy-ed, we conquered a Fergburger and that would be enough, but there’s so much more to say about this gorgeous place.
Queenstown is nestled next to Lake Wakatipu and located within a valley of towering, snow-capped mountains. It takes your breath away when you catch sight of it for the first time. The town center is made up of several pedestrian only streets packed with pubs, cafes and storefronts, where you can book your next day trip or AJ Hackett adventure. We decided to experience the Skyline Luge, the Shotover Jet and the Nevis Bungy during our stay. We also hiked the Queenstown Hill Walkway.
A few comments on the Nevis Bungy: The Nevis is the biggest jump in NZ at 134 meters. To put that into perspective, you’re free falling for 8 seconds at a distance the length of 1.5 football fields.  You get 4 to 5 bounces in before returning to the top. Not to sound cool, but I thought I would be a lot more scared than I was just before I jumped! Between my adrenaline pumping, the jams playing in the cable car and the fact that my ticket was nonrefundable, it was too exciting and fast for fear! It’s a must do in Queenstown. Go big or go home, right?
Until I write from Australia. . . G’day!
XO, HUTTON B.