Day 10 – A Well-Needed Rest Day

Today was intentionally a slower, more relaxing day—something we definitely needed after the grueling (but amazing) Abel Tasman hike. We left Motueka in the morning and began our journey to Hanmer Springs, where we had reserved a powered site at a holiday park.

The drive itself was another stunning one, zigzagging through the tight, winding roads of Lewis Pass, a route that took us through towering mountains, dense forests, and rolling rivers. Every turn revealed another breathtaking view, making the drive feel more like a scenic tour than just a way to get from point A to B.

We arrived in Hanmer Springs around 1:00 p.m. and were able to check in an hour early. From there, it was a day of pure relaxation, something we hadn’t done much of on this trip! We caught up on laundry, took some hot showers, and just soaked up the slower pace of day and the sun.

Xander played at the campground playground for a bit, but his fun was cut short by a sudden fear of bees, so he quickly retreated to the safety of the camper van.

First though, as a late brunch when we arrived, we made a classic bacon and eggs meal, which hit the spot, and for dinner, we whipped up Alfredo pasta with shredded chicken—a simple but delicious meal after so many active days.

In the evening, we drove into Hanmer Springs town center, which instantly reminded me of Banff—a charming, picturesque little town nestled among the mountains. It was touristy, sure, but undeniably beautiful, with cozy little shops and stunning views in every direction.

We treated ourselves to some ice cream, wandered the streets, and then headed back to the campsite.

The highlight of the night came as a surprise, Sarah had prepared a mini D&D adventure for us! Xander absolutely loved it, and we had a ton of laughs, rolling dice and getting into character. It was an awesome way to wind down the day.

After the adventure, we continued watching Avatar, and then called it a night.

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Day 11 – A Night Under the Milky Way

We left Hanmer Springs around 9:00 a.m., making a quick stop at a grocery store to stock up on a few more breakfast and dinner supplies before continuing south toward Christchurch and eventually Lake Tekapo.

A quick detour to Kaiapoi gave us a much-needed washroom break, and we decided to stop for an early lunch—naturally, more delicious meat pies (we were fully hooked on them at this point). Xander burned off some energy at a nearby playground, which gave us all a nice little break before hitting the road again.

We arrived at our freedom camping site just outside Lake Tekapo, and it was incredibly peaceful—calm, quiet, and surrounded by nature. We took a short hike behind the site, just to explore the area, and as the sun began to set, more campers arrived, but it never felt too crowded.

Then, as night fell, something truly magical happened—the stars came out.

With a crystal-clear night sky, we had a perfect, uninterrupted view of the Milky Way stretching across the heavens. It was Xander’s first time seeing the galaxy so clearly, and he was completely mesmerized.

“This is my favorite part of the trip so far,” he said multiple times, staring up in awe.

For me, this was an incredibly special moment. I grew up stargazing many many nights out in the countryside, but it had been nearly 20 years since I’d seen a sky this clear. Being able to experience that again, and share it with Xander for the first time, was something I’ll never forget.

I even managed to capture some pretty good night sky photos, though nothing could quite do justice to what we saw with our own eyes.

As the twilight hours rolled in, I went on a small “kiwi hunt,” hoping to spot one of the elusive nocturnal birds, but no luck this time.

We ended the night with more Avatar, before finally drifting off under one of the most breathtaking skies I’ve ever seen.

As always, you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. Embrace the adventure, cherish the memories, and I’ll catch you tomorrow for day 12 and our last hike of the trip!

#NewZealandAdventure #LordOfTheRings #DreamTrip #Travel #40thBirthday #MiddleEarth #BucketList #AdventureAwaits

-Rob ❤️