Snowy mountain peaks, ice cold lakes and rivers, forests and clear starry nights.
From a young age, I would constantly imagine myself surrounded by these places.
It was a kind of escape for me, so much so that I would write made-up scenarios where I’d travel overseas.
And as years went on, my passion to travel only grew; I felt impatient and kept telling myself I’d never get there.
As a 23-year-old, I had never travelled internationally — or been on a plane.
In 2020, my boyfriend and I were set to go to New Zealand but alas COVD-19 hit and so, two years later on Monday, August 22, our trip began.
We flew with Air New Zealand across the Tasman Sea and at first on the plane, I will admit I was quite nervous, but once we were in the sky my nerves fell away.
Once we landed in Queenstown, I was blown away by the breath-taking views of snow-capped mountains that surrounded the area. We rented a car and set off to explore the area and check-in at our accommodation.
The next day we drove to a town called Glenorchy, there I rode a horse through stunning mountains and rivers and on our third day, we drove to Milford Sound from Queenstown.
We were only half an hour from the fiord when we were stopped — an avalanche had taken over the road.
It took three hours of waiting for the road to be cleared; we sat patiently, though disappointed knowing we’d missed our pre-booked cruise across the delicate waters of Milford Sound.
But the universe was seemingly in our favour — we made it to the last cruise of the day, right as the sun was setting.
Experiencing Milford Sound at sunset was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
There was no rain in sight, just clear skies.
After staying four nights in Queenstown we set off up the west coast of the South Island.
Driving through mountain ranges and over rivers and lakes, I had to pinch myself a few times because it all didn’t seem real — it felt like a dream.
Our fifth night was spent at Franz Josef, surrounded by remarkable glaciers only made better knowing the next day we’d take flight above them.
By helicopter, we covered Franz Josef and Fox Glacier.
We made a snow landing on Fox Glacier, and boy oh boy did I feel alive. The rest of the ride was astonishing (ticked off my bucket list — you should also consider it).
The final stretch of the trip was spent setting off to Christchurch, passing through Arthur’s Pass, stopping only to do some short hikes.
After staying one night in Christchurch we set off to a town called Twizel; on the drive, we went by the bluest lake in New Zealand, Lake Tekapo.
Our three days in Twizel were spent at a farm stay, surrounded by free-roaming animals, only leaving our haven to hike the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
While it was only two weeks, the significance of the trip will stay with me for a long time.
It made me realise just how much more I do want to travel and see the world, but it also taught me to stop and take in moments, not to be rushed by life.
On the final days back in Queenstown, I realised I was living in what younger me looked forward to, and I don’t think she’d be disappointed.
∎ Caitlyn Grant and Megan Fisher are opening the conversation for young people on all things from mental health to success stories in their weekly column, Let’s Talk. If you or someone you know has a story, contact caitlyn.grant@mmg.com.au or megan.fisher@sheppnews.com.au