Visiting Heaven on Earth | NEW ZEALAND

Summary

This energetic travel vlog takes viewers on a two-week road trip through New Zealand, showcasing jaw-dropping landscapes, adrenaline-packed activities, and local highlights. The hosts tackle left-side driving, explore the Hobbiton film set, raft powerful white-water rapids, visit the place with the world’s longest name, surf in Raglan, and trek to iconic spots like Hooker Lake and Roys Peak. They cruise Milford Sound’s fjords, chase the Southern Lights, and finish in adventure-packed Queenstown with bungee jumping. Along the way they praise New Zealand’s pristine air, recommend road-tripping, and share travel tips and an Expedia discount code for bookings.

Takeaways

• 😀 New Zealand is a remote paradise, known for breathtaking landscapes, including freshwater lakes, towering fiords, and snowcapped mountains.
• 😀 The country is renowned for its high quality of life, featuring more sheep than people, and offers many adrenaline-filled activities.
• 😀 Driving in New Zealand requires getting used to driving on the left side of the road and adjusting to the reversed controls inside the car.
• 😀 Hobbiton, the iconic movie set from The Lord of the Rings, was built in 18 months and used for only 7 minutes of the film, offering a magical experience for visitors.
• 😀 New Zealand's natural beauty includes the world's highest commercially graded waterfall, which offers an exhilarating rafting experience.
• 😀 New Zealand boasts the world’s longest place name, which the travelers set out to visit, humorously attempting to learn how to pronounce it.
• 😀 Raglan, a renowned surf town in New Zealand, is known for its long left breaks, perfect for surfers looking to ride waves for minutes at a time.
• 😀 The South Island is considered the crown jewel of New Zealand, offering pure, stunning landscapes and adventure activities, with many highlights including glacier-fed lakes.
• 😀 Milford Sound is one of the most magical places on Earth, featuring spectacular fjords, glaciers, and wildlife, with the clearest air contributing to its natural purity.
• 😀 New Zealand is known for offering a mix of adventure and relaxation, with diverse activities such as bungee jumping, hiking, and enjoying stunning lake views, making it a must-visit destination.

Q & A

What makes New Zealand considered 'heaven on Earth' in the video?

New Zealand is described as 'heaven on Earth' due to its stunning and diverse landscapes, including snow-capped mountain ranges, pristine lakes, and picturesque roads, which give the feeling of being in a dream or a fairy tale.

How long is the flight to New Zealand, and what challenges does the traveler face upon arrival?

The flight to New Zealand is about 18 hours long, and travelers face a time zone change of 18 hours. One of the main challenges highlighted is driving on the left side of the road with the driver seated on the right side of the car, which can be disorienting.

What interesting fact is shared about the Hobbiton movie set?

It took 18 months to build the Hobbiton movie set, which was then used for just 12 days of filming. The iconic Hobbit holes are facades, and the interior scenes were filmed on a different set in Wellington.

What was the most thrilling activity the traveler participated in during the trip?

The traveler participated in white-water rafting down the world's highest commercially graded waterfall, which was a thrilling experience, offering both adrenaline and a great sense of adventure.

What is the significance of the place with the world's longest name?

The place with the world’s longest name holds a Guinness World Record. The travelers made a 10-hour drive to visit this place after hearing a song that helped them learn the name. It became one of the memorable stops on their journey.

What is Raglan known for, and why did the travelers visit it?

Raglan is known for its world-renowned surf spot, where surfers can ride one of the longest left breaks in the world. The travelers visited to experience the surf and explore the town.

Why is the South Island considered the 'crown jewel' of New Zealand?

The South Island is regarded as the crown jewel of New Zealand because of its breathtaking natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and outdoor adventure opportunities, which impressed the travelers as they explored the region.

What is the significance of Milford Sound in the video?

Milford Sound is depicted as one of the most majestic places in New Zealand, showcasing stunning natural scenery, including glaciers, waterfalls, and wildlife. The travelers took a cruise through the fiords to fully experience its beauty.

What was the most challenging hike the travelers did in New Zealand?

The travelers embarked on the Roy's Peak hike, which was a challenging 6-hour trek with steep inclines. The hike offered spectacular views, especially from the summit, making it a highlight of their adventure.

What unique natural phenomenon is discussed in the video, and what was the travelers' experience with it?

The video discusses the Southern Lights, a phenomenon similar to the Northern Lights, visible in the Southern Hemisphere. Although the travelers did not experience it during their visit, they were impressed by the star-filled skies, and one of the travelers even stayed up late to capture a night lapse of the stars.