New Zealand - January 2024
After coming across an irresistible flight deal, Yana and I took a trip to our dream destination - New Zealand! We were able to secure our tickets using Delta Skymiles and only $80 out of pocket. We were so excited to check-off a bucket list destination in a new continent for us both. Known for its dense forests, expansive beaches, and laid back culture, New Zealand had always fascinated me. And even though we were only able to explore a small section of the North Island, I was astounded by the incredible scenery and amount there was to do. On this trip we focused on finding unique accommodations that highlighted the environment and catching up on some rest and relaxation. This was a trip of a lifetime - especially since Yana and I got engaged!
Leaving Minnesota during the winter is always a good idea; and as a bonus, it was the middle of summer in NZ when went. The first leg of the journey started with a flight from Minneapolis to LAX. Then, we boarded our 12 hour flight to Auckland. I was initially anxious about the long flight, but it ended up not being too bad. We arrived in Auckland in the morning, and drove to our first Airbnb located on the Coromandel peninsula. We loved this stay - it was quaint and secluded with lovely views of the ocean. Yana and I spent quite a bit of time sitting on the patio, listening to the birds, and taking in the views. We also took a day trip to Whangapoua beach, which was a lovely white sand beach that wasn’t too crowded. We had a great time relaxing here and getting some sun - I highly recommend stopping here if you find yourself in the area.
From Coromandel, we made our way across the island to the surf town of Raglan. On the drive into town we stopped at a lovely pull off overlooking Whale Bay. It was a super nice view and I decided that was a good time to pop the question - and Yana said yes! The next few days in Raglan were a lovely post-engagement celebration. We stayed at a quaint Airbnb just outside of town - it was a great base for quick access to the city, while still maintaining a relaxing atmosphere. There was a lot of great nature in this area, so we did our best to take it all in. We did a short hike to Bridal Veil Falls and really enjoyed it. The waterfall is picturesque and there are multiple viewing platforms from different angles. Then, we made our way to Ruapuke beach and spent some time taking in the views. Ruapuke beach is massive - it was difficult to comprehend how vast it was. And even better - we had it all to ourselves! Finally, we spent an evening at Manu Bay and Ngarunui beach and watched some surfers. The surfers at this spot were the best I’d ever seen and the sunset was truly magical. I hope we return someday in the near future and get to spend more time in Raglan.
From Raglan, we drove south to New Plymouth where we checked into our lovely Eco-lodge near Mt. Taranaki. This was my favorite stay on our vacation - it was the perfect balance of rustic and luxury. The attention to detail was incredible; each bed has a unique view of the volcano, and there are activities available. There is a hot tub, hand pressed espresso maker, and board games. We could have spent a month here! We barely left the Eco-lodge during this portion of the trip, but we did find an opporunity to drive into the city New Plymouth. New Plymouth was a lovely city - it was a bit quieter than Auckland, but still had a good selection of trendy restaurants. I found this area of the island very livable - it had a similar feel to smaller cities in the USA.
I didn’t know much about the cuisine of New Zealand prior to this trip, but I was very satisfied with the food I was able to try. The most common dish we came across on this trip was a classic - fish and chips! I probably ate fish and chips over 5 times. Other meals that we ate were pretty similar to what we were used to in trendy restaurants in the USA. Here are a few restaurants I highly recommend - Orca Eatery and Bar in Raglan had great seafood and brunch options. This was the only restaurant we hit multiple times on the trip. Next, Pepper Tree Restaurant and Bar in Coromandel had a lovely selection of seafood and drinks. And last but not least, Monica’s Eatery in New Plymouth was an excellent brunch restaurant that we stumbled across. The food in NZ ended up being one of the highlights of the trip - just about every meal we had was excellent!
I was blown away by how enjoyable this trip was. The nature is world class, the food is lovely, and the locals are extremely welcoming. I’m glad that I picked such a pleasant country to propose to Yana in - that gives us a great excuse to return often! Although we only saw a portion of the North Island, I know there is way more to see. Yana and I plan to return again soon and spend more time exploring this enchanting country.
-DB
