Our March Highlights

The 10,000-kilometer mark has been reached! We have spent a lot of time on and off New Zealand's roads, which varied in quality. And yet, we always managed to reach our destination safely.
March began in Te Anau, at the southern end of the South Island. At the end of the month, we reached Westport, which is relatively north. We formed our own opinion about the somewhat notorious West Coast.

Once again, the month was filled with many great experiences - one highlight followed another. With the following eleven questions, we want to review the past month. To make it clear which answers belong to whom, Tobi's answers will be in bold, and my answers will be in italics - because, of course, even the two of us don't always have the same opinion. ;)

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- Which of the kilometers traveled were the most beautiful in March? -
Tobi: Highway 80 runs along Lake Pukaki and already during the drive, you have a beautiful view of the turquoise lake and Mount Cook.
Nadine: The drive from Wanaka to Rob Roy's Glacier remains memorable for me. The gray road (gravel road), the green meadows, the high mountains, and the glacier in the distance - simply amazing.

- After so many kilometers, how is your car? -
Apart from minor issues that a 16-year-old car may have, it is very good. Only small stone chips on the windshield affect its "flawless" appearance. ;)

- When you leave the car, you often go hiking. Which track stands out in your memory? -
At Cape Foulwind, there is a well-maintained hiking trail right along the coast. In addition to several seals, there is always a great view of the coastal area.
The Tunnel Terrace Walk fascinated with its diverse vegetation. One is surrounded by native bush - we walked through two tunnels, over smaller bridges, and a stone staircase.

- And where did you have the best view? -
The Red Tarns Track started in Mount Cook Village. After countless flights of stairs, we reached a beautiful viewpoint - a calm lake reflected the snow-capped mountains and invited us to take photos.
On the Hooker Valley Track, one particular view excited me! In the foreground, the grayish Hooker River and in the background, the majestic Mount Cook.

- Hiking makes you hungry, and you both enjoy eating. What tastes good and what doesn't? -
After a long search and many trial purchases, we finally found the perfect and delicious muesli for us. Because that's not so easy in New Zealand. Many contain excessive amounts of sugar and unnecessary flavors. Ours has neither and offers treats such as nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and with a lot of luck, you can get a chocolate raisin. ;)
On the other hand, two typical English/New Zealand condiments that we couldn't enjoy at all are "Vegemite" and "Marmite". They consist mostly of yeast extract, salt, and spices. Every longer-term traveler to New Zealand tries these two products sooner or later. Some people like it - we don't! - I felt sick from it for hours afterwards.

- You pass by many large and small towns. Which one did you like best in March? -
Wanaka is beautifully located on a lakeshore, and the promenade is perfect for jogging.
In Queenstown, we had a great time with amazing weather. The time there remains unforgettable.

- The West Coast is not known for its variety of animals - were there any extraordinary encounters? -
In Hokitika, we came across numerous glowworms. The lighting conditions allowed us to take good pictures of the mosquito larvae and their threads.
At Easter, a rabbit visited us, which was unusually tame and allowed us to pet it.

- On which campground was it particularly good to sleep and stay? -
At the Glentanner campground, we had a magnificent view from our bed. The view of Mount Cook can also be much more expensive. A hotel room would have cost ten times as much.
In addition to spacious facilities and friendly staff, the campground in Wanaka was a great base to explore the surrounding area.

- Name your "luxury purchase" in March! -
A visit to the hairdresser in Wanaka with an unexpected scalp massage. ($34 / €19.75)
In Lake Tekapo, we climbed Mount John and ate the best pieces of cake we have had in a long time. ($16 / €9.30)

- If you had to choose the five biggest personal highlights, what would they be? -
Fergburger in Queenstown; the found greenstone; the sunset at Lake Wakatipu; the visit to Mount Cook, and the luge ride on Ben Lomond.

- And finally: your favorite pictures from March! -

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Wow. March was eventful. We are even more excited for more adventures in April! We hope you enjoyed the summary. If you want to learn more about the individual highlights, feel free to read the previous posts. :) We will continue to try our best to keep you involved in our journey.