Our plan when we entered New Zealand was to gain a more permanent visa and to settle down in land of the kiwi. We had been working with a lawyer on our application for 15 months whilst in the country and while we were in Auckland discussing going home we found out they didn’t “realize” we were in the country and that our application process would’ve been much quicker and less expensive.
By this point we had already started the planning and purchasing process of going home. We had also spent the last 10 months driving around the islands in search of a place that felt like coming home, and though we absolutely fell in love with a few places like Wanaka, Paihia, & Picton, something was always keeping us from saying this is it, this is the place we settle and call home. It took me some time to realize the thing that was missing was our family and friends and that I was really missing home.
So we made the decision to head back to Queenstown where we had stored some of our belongings and to say goodbye to the framily we had made there.
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
After a sprint to Wellington, an overnight in a local campsite, a sunrise ferry ride, an obligatory stop at the Fairlie Bakehouse for a savory pie, and a sunset over the Southern Alps we had finally made it to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
We had done at least 4 loops past the national park in our travels and had yet to venture in. We figured this being our last time past, we had to see it for ourselves.
Saying Goodbye to Queenstown
Queenstown had been our home for the longest while we were in New Zealand, and it holds a very special place in our hearts. We had our closest friends here, spent holidays here, came out of lockdown here, and had many adventures. Queenstown will always be our home away from home.
Wandering Wild 