The New Zealand scenery has definitely not disappointed. We have gone on about four or five hikes so far and they have been absolutely gorgeous. It’s crazy to me that I’ve been in the country for two weeks now and that my trip is almost over. Each day individually feels chock full of activities, but the trip has flown by. The food in New Zealand has been really good. So far I’ve had fish and chips, Malaysian food, Indian food, burgers, BBQ, tacos, and Thai food. I’ve also made a few meals myself, some of which have turned out ok.
One difference in New Zealand I really like is the better bike and pedestrian infrastructure. Bike lanes are far more common and consistent than anywhere in the United States, and sidewalks are wider and present on nearly every street. Additionally, parks and trails in urban environments are much more commonplace. All of this focus on conservation has had a big impact on me and the way I view the need for similar policies and customs in the United States. I never really understood preservation, but I now realizehow important it is for the future of the human race.
The South Island as a whole has been breath-taking. It was beautiful even before we got into the Southern Alps, and it’s only gotten better since. We just finished hiking in Mount Cook National Park which had a lot of different scenery all smashed together. There were bare, grassy, and snowy mountains, open plains, fields of rocks, forested areas, and flowing rivers. I think that hike will be the highlight of the trip, but I am still excited for what lies ahead.