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Alright guys so we are back on the road headed down through the south island to check out some more of God’s amazing creation! There is so much diversity between the two islands its amazing! Its like they are almost two entirely different countries.
And yes we are still romping in the chassaaa at this point and having the freedom to stop anywhere and everywhere we wanted was incredible! However I will say that it was pretty difficult to get very far in a given day. The number of times we pulled off to the side of the road to take pictures were countless. Not a bad problem to have I assure you. If you guys want to see some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire world, you have to make your way to New Zealand. Kristin and I already can’t wait for our next trip there.
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Fun fact: Sheep outnumber humans by about 10:1 in New Zealand. This is what the typical country side looks like on the south island.One of the things I definitely wanted to do while in New Zealand was visit the Franz Joesph Glacier. I had read how beautiful it was and was excited to see it first hand. Upon our arrival we found out that this particular glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers on the planet and that there were several guided excursions options available. Without much hesitation Kristin and I signed up for one and headed out for the ice.strapping on our crampons.
a sweet crevasse in the glacier.So beautiful!
As we were making our way down to Queenstown we heard of an activity called Canyoning in Wanaka which included a mix of repelling/abseiling down waterfalls, jumping off cliffs, sliding down huge natural rock slides, and zip-lining in between canyons. Luckily we didn’t know much of what was in store for us (or anywhere close) when Kristin agreed to do it with me! We just hoped in a car and headed out to the canyon.
We were joined up with our super awesome and slightly wacky Australian guide named Millie. Millie informed us how grateful she was to get one last group out of this season before it ended. “Oh is the season almost over” I asked. “Ha yeah with the water only being 1 degree (Celsius) almost nobody comes out this time of year” “well except you guys” – Millie replies. Kristin shoots me a look as Millie instructs her to put on a wet suit. “At least we get a wet suit” I replied as the anticipation started to build the more layers of gear we put on.We started trekking up the side of the mountain to begin our adventure. The canyon wedged between two pressing mountains. Hidden by a line of trees not visible at all to the outside world. As curiosity grew of what we were about to embark on, our nerves of anxiousness slowly faded away as we found ourselves immediately entranced by the beauty of our surroundings. The snow covered mountain peaks, the sound of a near by creek, the movement of the grass on the rolling hills. It was beyond beautiful. Peaceful. Serene.It didn’t take long until we completely fell in love with what the canyon had to offer. Jumping from heights so high it made your heart beat scream. Plunging into freezing pools of fresh mountain water. Sliding off natural rock slides into unknown abyss’s. Zig-zagging through the canyon by means of Zip line. And just when you think you couldn’t encounter anymore. Your faced with about a 100 foot waterfall you need to repel down. An adrenaline rush at the core.
One last zip-line to finish the day..
Mission accomplished!
I don’t know if its because we worked up quite an appetite or what but this was one of the best lunches we have ever had. Yeah that’s right. bread, cucumber and tomato chutney… we must have been starved but it was amazing!
After Wanaka we headed further into Fiordland.
We took a cruise through Milford Sounds at sunrise. This is where you will see some of the most spectacular sights in all creation! Simply breath taking.
After Queenstown we flew back up to Auckland and spent the last day justhanging out and reflecting on what was probably two of the most incredible
weeks of our lives. We felt so blessed to be able to do the things we did and see the places we saw. Simply a testimony to God’s magnificence and beauty. Like I said earlier we already cant wait to go back and explore new parts of each island and see what else the incredible Kiwi culture has to offer. But for now we are gearing up for one of our best wedding seasons ever! With some of the most talented vendors in the industry and the raddest clients on the planet, its going to be one epic year!
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Love New Zealand!! Definitely makes me want to go back NOW!! The scenery there is just epic!! Can’t wait for the next trip…. wink, wink!
WOW! Reinna & I can definitely see God’s favor and the abundant blessings for you both within this past trip alone.. We’re praying that this wedding season brings countless more blessings for you & Kristin. We Can’t wait to see all the goodness you both will dish out from it all!
Your pictures are beautiful! Definitely planning a trip to NZ soon!
Beautiful photos! You’re making me want to go! Glacier climbing is something I wouldn’t have thought of for New Zealand. Thanks for sharing!
Are you KIDDING ME?!?!? What an amazing adventure. So glad that you had a wonderful time and happy you made it home safe.
those are some of the most extreme extreme things to do on a vacation……inspiring! and crazy. but inspiring!
That looks SO F U N !!!!!!!! My goodness. So many good photos. Can there be a part 3 please?? :0)
OH my LORD! SO beautiful and fun! Thanks for sharing it with us! can’t wait to hear more about your trip in person! Glad to have you both back home, safe and sound. ::) xoxo!!
Thanks for visiting New Zealand..Your canyoning photos are amazing! Kia ora!
Ummm…breathtaking. I loved all the photos and I was so glad there were a few of you two together. You guys are such a beautiful couple, inside and out!
Sweet! I LOVE these!
Wow! These photos are amazing. Now I want to go to New Zealand! Its so awesome God is blessing you two. Thank you for sharing your guys amazing adventures!
You guys are amazing! i can’t believe you hauled camera gear with you amidst all of this!
So glad you enjoyed yourselves here… sorry we didn’t get a chance to meet up in the end… perhaps next time!! Looks like you got around a lot of places in the short time you were here… the South Island is truly amazing and your photos are such a blast!! I think I need to get myself back down there soon!
Okay, that is WAY better than the canyoning I did in Switzerland in college. My jaw just dropped to the floor. And now I feel the NEED for a trip to NZ!!! What an amazing opportunity…so cool to see how you guys embraced this trip!
I loooved reading this! So happy for you two, to be able to explore the world like that. Thank you for sharing your adventure. Can’t wait to see all the weddings!
Holy cow. You guys are WAY WAY WAY brave. It must’ve been amazing!!!
PS. Omg. I love sheep. Must. Go. To. NZ.
YES! I knew your inner Bear Grylls would shine through! You guys are so brave!! Amazing photos! P.S. Only the two of you could still look adorable in wetsuits & colorful helmets after free-falling down rocks in freezing cold water! sigh.
WOW!!!! Its an adventure at its best…i would love to try that one day with my wife. BTW, the pictures are awesome!!!
LOVE the photos!!!! As someone who permanently has the travel bug this just made the bug itch… madly. Thanks so much for sharing in your adventures!
Once again; you have made it painfully impossible not to love your photos
that shot of the fog coming off the water in the early am is breath-stealing
GREAT STUFF AS ALWAYS !
rad adventure! curious to know where you kept your camera when you were canyoning through wanaka?
Hi Brandon and Kristin, I just entered in your blog and remember how beautiful New Zealand was, probabily you dont´t remember me but I was the girl from Argentina that made the canoyng in Wanaka with you.
Thanks for the beautifull photos you took, I loved see NZ from a diferent eye.
Bye, Ileana
WOW, such beautiful Photos!