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Campervan Road Trip in South New Zealand: 5D4N Must-go-Places in Christchurh (Part 4)

Yes! Finally, Our South New Zealand Road Trip Ends in Christchurch!
After an incredible journey exploring the South Island of New Zealand, we’ve finally arrived at our last stop: Christchurch! 
This marks the end of an unforgettable campervan road trip that took us from Queenstown, through Te Anau, Milford Sound, and Arrowtown, to the stunning Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass, Twizel, Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, and Timaru. 
Each place we visited had its own charm, mostly small towns and peaceful villages that offered a quiet retreat into nature. It’s been an amazing experience; hiking through stunning landscapes, capturing breathtaking views, and discovering local cultures and histories. 
But after all that tranquility, we were ready for a change of pace, entering Christchurch, the largest city on the South Island. 
It’s time to embrace the city vibe! Jia En, in particular, is thrilled for this part of the trip. As a true city lover, she’s been exicted awaiting the chance to leave behind the quiet, peaceful towns and embrace the vibrant energy of urban life.
If you’re new to my blog, be sure to check out my previous posts where I’ve shared all the details of my journey across New Zealand’s South Island. 
Part 1: we explored Queenstown’s adventure-filled landscape, the serene beauty of Lake Pukaki, the tranquil town of Te Anau, the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, and the historic charm of Arrowtown.
Part 2: we discovered the stunning landscapes of Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass, Twizel, Mt Cook, and Lake Pukaki, each offering unique natural beauty and unforgettable experiences.
Part 3: we visited the stunning Lake Tekapo, enjoyed stargazing at Mt John University Observatory, and had a memorable encounter with wild blue penguins in Timaru.
So, here comes our exciting 5D4N adventure in Christchurch, where we’ll explore the city's vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and unique attractions!
Ready? Lets go! :)


A Short Staycation and Celebrate Chinese New Year @ Royale Chulan Seremban

Hey! How's everyone weekend?
It’s been a busy week for me, and I’ve come to realize that December and January are always my busiest months of the year. 
In December, I usually take at least one week off to relax, but then it’s back to the whirlwind of Christmas celebrations with friends and family. After that, January kicks in, and work always picks up as we prepare for Chinese New Year. On top of that, I’m also celebrating my birthday this month, making it even more busy and eventful. And let’s not forget, Chinese New Year also falls in January, which adds to the excitement (and the stress).
So, between work, family gatherings, celebrations, and personal milestones, December and January always end up being a blur of activity.
Despite the craziness, I decided to take a short break to recharge and escape the hustle and bustle. 
Last weekend, I went on a staycation to Seremban, and it was just what I needed. 
The peaceful surroundings and a change of scenery were the perfect remedy after all the busy days. It was a refreshing little getaway that gave me the time to relax and reset before diving back into everything.
So today, let me share more about my short getaway in Seremban, especially the hotel I stayed at this time, Royale Chulan Seremban. 
It was a fantastic choice for a relaxing stay, with its comfortable amenities, great location, and welcoming atmosphere. 
It’s amazing how a short trip can do wonders for your energy and mindset. 
Now I feel more ready to tackle the rest of the month, with all its celebrations and responsibilities!


Campervan Road Trip in South New Zealand: Must-go-Places in Lake Tekapo, Mt John university Observatory, Timaru with Wild Blue Penguins (Part 3)

Hey everyone! Welcome back to my travel blog.
I’m so excited to kick off 2025 with a new post, continuing the story of my New Zealand adventure from May 2024. 
I know it’s taken me quite some time to finally wrap up this post, I hope you don’t mind the delay, and I truly appreciate your patience and support. 
A huge thank you to all of you who’ve been following along since the very beginning, it means the world to me! Please stay tuned for more travel stories coming your way, and I can't wait to take you on this journey with me.
After two incredible parts of stunning landscape, charming towns and amazing experiences, I am super excited to share what's coming up next.
If you missed parts 1 and 2, here's a quick overview. 
In part 1, I wrote about the campervan we rented from MAUI Motorhomes and our journey from Queenstown. We enjoyed the lively vibe and amazing views, then traveled to Te Anau, saw the stunning Milford Sound, explored the historic Arrowtown, and by Day 5, we reached the beautiful Wanaka. One of the highlights of this leg of trip was definitely catching the Southern Lights on the 4th night in Queenstown, an absolutely magical experience!
In part 2, I shared our time in Wanaka, surrounded by mountains and lakes, and also driving along the incredible Haast Pass, one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. After Wanaka, we stopped in Twizel, a peaceful town surrounded by nature, and then made our way to Mt. Cook, New Zealand's tallest peak. The drive was amazing, with snow-covered mountains, roiling hills, and clear lakes all around. Seeing Mt. Cook up close was something I'll never forget! Our trip continued to Lake Pukaki, where the water was the most brilliant blue I've seen. I took so many photos and also treated ourselves to some fresh raw salmon to enjoy the moment. 
And for today's post, let's wrap up our time at Lake Tekapo and Timaru before we head off to Christchurch, where we'll finally get a taste of some city vibes!


My 2024 Recap: A Year of Happiness and Growth

It's that time again, the end of the year. 
Time to look back, reflect, and put together a recap of everything that happened in 2024. 
As I sat down to write this post, I started flipping through my photo albums, reminiscing about the moments that have made this year truly special.
To my surprise, I realized that 2024 has been a year filled with achievements, milestones, and unforgettable experiences. 
This year has been full of achievements, both big and small, and stepping out of my comfort zone to try new things; whether it was completing projects or traveling to new destinations, each experience has shaped me in meaningful ways.
While working hard, I didn’t let go of my happiness. I made sure to do the things I love and enjoy, and I spent a lot of time traveling this year, exploring new places and creating memories. It was a perfect balance of productivity and personal joy.
Writing this recap has reminded me of the importance of reflection.It’s not just about the highlights, but appreciating the journey and the growth along the way.
I really enjoy writing this recap, not only to reflect on everything that happened but also because it’s something I can look back on when I grow old. It’s a way to preserve memories and cherish the moments that made this year special.
As we close out 2024 and look ahead to 2025, I’m excited for what’s next. 
Here’s to new adventures, more achievements, and another year of learning and growing!


Campervan Road Trip in South New Zealand: Must-go-Places in Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass, Twizel, Mt Cook, Lake Pukaki (Part 2)

Hello guys! Welcome to Part 2 of my unforgettable campervan road trip through New Zealand!
In my last post, I shared all the details about the campervan we rented from MAUI Motorhomes, which made traveling through this stunning country not only easy but also super comfortable. It was the perfect way to explore New Zealand’s most iconic spots.
Our journey kicked off in Queenstown, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere and breathtaking scenery. From there, we ventured through the charming town of Te Anau, experienced the awe-inspiring Milford Sound, explored the historic Arrowtown, and by Day 5, we had made our way to the picture-perfect Wanaka. If you haven’t read about it yet, make sure to check out my first update HERE; you won’t want to miss it! :)
Now, let’s dive into the next part of the adventure!
We kicked things off in Wanaka, a stunning spot surrounded by mountains and lakes, and then made our way halfway along the Haast Pass, one of the most breathtaking stretches in New Zealand. After Wanaka, we made our way to Twizel, a small but charming town tucked away amidst nature's beauty. From there, we drove to the majestic Mt. Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The drive was absolutely incredible; snow-capped mountains, rolling hills, and crystal-clear lakes lining the way. Reaching Mt. Cook in person was something I’ll never forget, it’s even more impressive up close!
Finally, we arrived at Lake Pukaki, where the water was the most vibrant blue I’ve ever seen. It was like something out of a dream, and I couldn’t resist taking a million photos. We also treated ourselves to some incredibly fresh raw salmon, which was the perfect addition to the day.
Curious to see more of the breathtaking views and hear about the next chapter of our road trip? Keep reading to find out what happened next! You won’t want to miss it!