Hey friends! I’m checking in from a yoga retreat outside of Sydney. The past few weeks have been pretty cruisy (that’s Australian for chill.) In fact, they’ve been more than cruisy.
Since I left Melbourne, where I essentially had a free place to stay, I’ve:
I’ve been freelancing and traveling for almost a year now (!) and tend to find myself stuck when looking for places to brunch and work.
In order for a place to be a good work environment for a few hours, I need the following:
Finding a coffee shop with all three can be tricky. I also prefer something on the cheaper side, because I like to buy multiple drinks or sides throughout my stay so I’m not just hogging up space.
The month I spent in Kuala Lumpur was, for lack of a better description, not my shining moment. The work I had arranged for accommodation wasn’t worth the exchange, the city itself didn’t entertain me, and I was limited in my ability to pursue activities like yoga that kept my anxiety in check. At one point, I called my parents and expressed thoughts – that I would have rather not expressed on my blog or social media – about coming home. I missed the life I had built for myself in Austin, including my friends, potential career, and routine.
My dad’s response put everything in perspective for me. He essentially told me, “This is why you did the trip in the first place. You wanted to see if this was a journey that was right for you. If it’s not, it’s not. So you come home and pursue something that is right for you.”
Oh. Right.
Phew! One more post to go and my New Zealand guide is complete! This has been a really fun project while I’ve been in Melbourne, and I hope that anyone using this to plan a trip got some good advice.
This is a general FAQ post that I thought would be a good way to wrap up the NZ guide. Quick, short answers for anyone who’s curious about what it’s like to drive or travel throughout New Zealand. Plus, I’ve added some bonus photos that didn’t make the cut in other posts.
Enjoy!
One of my favorite clients is a psychologist who creates online courses related to dating, sales, and personal development. I regularly write scripts for videos that he records to promote his courses. Each video introduces to different concepts and theories related to the courses, i.e. “The Pomodoro Technique,” “How to Read Body Language,” “Anchoring.” My current project is focused on different aspects of setting goals. This assignment comes at a very interesting time…the one-year anniversary of leaving home.
Hello hello!
So New Zealand. During our six weeks throughout New Zealand, Becky and I squeezed in three weeks of the South Island. Becky preferred the North and I preferred the South Island, which is a good sign of all-around goodness. The hikes were breathtaking, the views were unbelievable, and Fergberger. If you’re heading to New Zealand, I would definitely take some time to head south.
Below is a list of our route, what we did, and where we stayed in the South Island. Enjoy!
Want to start at the beginning? Read my New Zealand North Island Itinerary.
If you’ve ever met me, you know I enjoy a nice craft beer or glass of wine. Quality over quantity. Now that I’m out of college and pretend to act like a responsible adult, I’ve started to take the time to learn and enjoy the work that goes into my favorite alcoholic beverages. My mom is an especially big fan of New Zealand wines, so going to wineries in the South Island was a big to-do list item for me.
Here we go, kiddos!
If you’re just tuning in, my name’s Megan. My friend Becky and I went on a road trip throughout New Zealand in January 2018. Here’s a list of the route we took, the campsites we stayed in, and what we did in the ~3 weeks of the North Island.
This post is part of a larger New Zealand guide, which includes budgeting tips and upcoming posts about a winery tour that cost under $10. If you’re interested in the full guide, sign up on my email list and I’ll send it out when it’s complete!
Let’s begin!
Our road trip through New Zealand was a spontaneous decision. I had planned on doing the road trip solo in October 2018, but I didn’t want to lose the chance to experience the trip with a great friend. The last piece of my decision was the budget. I knew I’d save up a bit of cash while I was working in Brisbane (retail pay rates are absolutely wonderful compared to the US,) and after I set some saving goals, I booked the flight and was on my way to New Zealand.
What I didn’t do beforehand was realistically think about the cost of gas, food, and excursions. Sleeping in a car at campsites sounds like a low-budget trip, but there are many expenses that come alongside camping and traveling. (Luckily, I was able to freelance on the road trip and support myself while I was traveling.) I certainly spent more than I thought, so if you are planning a road trip throughout New Zealand, be sure to budget carefully before getting a car.
God Bless Tinder, and keep your judgements to yourself.