From the peaceful shores of Lake Wānaka to the wild adventures of Queenstown, eight days in New Zealand reminded us just how wonderful it feels to explore somewhere new.
I've been fortunate to travel to some pretty extraordinary places around the world, but New Zealand has a beauty that is difficult to put into words.
Snowcapped mountains, turquoise lakes, rolling green hills, waterfalls cascading down cliffs, and landscapes that seem to change with every turn in the road. There were moments when we simply stopped and stared. And there were moments the scenery was so captivating all I could do was let tears out.
For eight days, our Yoga Travel Adventure and Studio One Yoga group explored New Zealand's South Island, splitting our time between two very different destinations: Wānaka and Queenstown.
One invited us to slow down. The other encouraged us to get out there and see just how much adventure and joy we could fit into a day.
And somewhere between morning yoga, mountain hikes, freezing water, honeybees, and suspension bridges, we found a pretty wonderful balance.
Wānaka: Where We Slowed Down
Photograph by Deanna Gerlach @dgerl
Our retreat began in Wānaka, a beautiful lakeside town surrounded by mountains that seemed almost too perfect to be real.
We settled into beautiful, spacious rooms at the Edgewater with room to unpack, spread out, and make ourselves at home. After long journeys to the other side of the world, it felt good to land somewhere that immediately encouraged us to exhale.
Each morning began with yoga in our glass Beehive, a beautiful space where the surrounding landscape became part of our practice.
There is something special about moving through sun salutations while surrounded by mountains and morning light. Some mornings we arrived with energy, others a little sleepy or sore from the previous day's adventures. But we showed up, moved together, breathed together, and found our rhythm.
The days were filled with exploration, but Wānaka never seemed to rush us.
We hiked Mount Iron at sunrise, climbing above the town to watch the early light spill over the lake and surrounding mountains. There are few better ways to begin a day than earning your view before breakfast.
Another adventure took us by boat across Lake Wānaka to Mou Waho Island, a nature reserve that feels wonderfully removed from the rest of the world.
We hiked to the top, where a small lake sits high above the larger lake below. Yes, a lake on an island in a lake.
We participated in a conservation effort by planting trees, enjoyed lunch and tea, and took in views that were absolutely worth the climb.
And then, of course, there was the cold water.
If you've traveled with me, you know I rarely pass up an opportunity for a cold plunge.
We paired icy dips with the warmth of a sauna, embracing that incredible contrast between hot and cold. A little shock to the system, followed by the kind of warmth that makes you appreciate being alive.
Between the hikes, boat rides, yoga, and time along the lake, we found ourselves settling into the slower rhythm of Wānaka.
It was exactly the beginning we needed.
A Sweet Little Detour: Honeybees and Honey
After a few wonderful days in Wānaka, it was time to pack up and head toward Queenstown.
But first, we had a stop to make.
At Buzzstop Honey, we traded our yoga clothes for beekeeper suits and stepped into the fascinating world of honeybees.
Fully suited up, we got close to the hives, learned about the bees, and experienced the workings of a colony firsthand.
There was something wonderfully funny about seeing our group dressed head to toe in protective gear, surrounded by thousands of busy little bees.
And then came the honey tasting.
Did you know there's Mānuka honey with an MGO rating over 1200? Apparently, this isn't your average grocery-store honey. Mānuka honey is prized for its antibacterial properties, and medical-grade honey is even used in wound care.
Somewhere between learning about its remarkable properties and tasting our way through the shop, I became convinced I'd found the secret to eternal youth.
Naturally, I bought some. And yes, I now plan to travel forever.
We explored the little town, sampled more honey than anyone probably needed, and spent a ridiculous amount of money on jars of the golden stuff.
Way too much honey.
Worth every cent.
I'm fairly certain more than a few suitcases headed home a little heavier.
And just like that, we were off to Queenstown.Queenstown: Turning Up the Adventure
If Wānaka was about slowing down, Queenstown was about picking up the pace.
Surrounded by the Remarkables mountain range and sitting along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown has a completely different energy.
It's lively, adventurous, and full of opportunities to do something that makes your heart beat a little faster.
And we took full advantage.
E-Bikes, Cliffside Trails & a Little Uncertainty
One of our biggest adventures was an e-bike ride through the incredible landscape surrounding Queenstown.
Now, e-bikes sound rather leisurely, don't they?
And sometimes they are.
Other times you're navigating narrow trails carved into cliffs, crossing suspension bridges high above a river, and wondering exactly what you signed up for.
Did we get a little lost? Yes, we sure did. Or at least there were moments when it felt that way.
But that's part of what I love about travel. That little bit of uncertainty. Finding yourself somewhere unfamiliar, surrounded by landscapes you've never seen, navigating an experience you haven't had before.
It's in those moments that travel has a way of reminding us what we're capable of.
One woman in our group, in her 70s, found herself riding alone for a stretch. The group had spread out along the trail, with some riders far ahead and others well behind her.
There she was, pedaling through unfamiliar territory, breathing a little harder, not entirely certain what was around the next bend.
And somewhere in that moment, something wonderful happened.
She was reminded that she was a badass 70-something-year-old woman.
Fit enough to have this experience.
Wise enough to navigate it.
And free enough to enjoy it.
I love that.
Not because she conquered a mountain or accomplished something extraordinary by anyone else's standards. But because, for a moment, she saw herself through a different lens.
Strong. Capable. Independent. Adventurous.
Sometimes all it takes is a bicycle, an unfamiliar trail, and a little uncertainty to remind us of something we may have forgotten about ourselves. And that, to me, is one of the greatest gifts of travel.
We also made time for a stop at a winery, enjoying a slower moment after all that excitement.
A little balance, New Zealand style.
Queenstown From Above: Skyline & Bob's Peak
Another highlight was taking the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak.
The ride itself offers beautiful views, but reaching the top is something else entirely.
Below us, Queenstown stretched along the brilliant blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, surrounded by mountains in every direction.
It was one of those places where you couldn't quite decide which way to look.
We took our time soaking it all in, taking photos, laughing, and enjoying the incredible panorama.
And then there was dinner at The Bunker, a cozy little Queenstown restaurant with a rather interesting connection: Jason Momoa is one of its owners.
Naturally, we kept our eyes open.
No Jason.
But we had a fabulous evening anyway.
Milford Sound: The Kind of Beauty That Silences You
One of our most memorable days was our journey to Milford Sound.
Getting there is an adventure in itself, with dramatic mountain passes, dense forests, winding roads, and waterfalls appearing along the way.
And then you arrive.
Milford Sound is one of those places that makes you feel very small in the best possible way.
Towering cliffs rise almost vertically from the dark water. Waterfalls tumble hundreds of feet down sheer rock faces. The mountains disappear into clouds, only to reveal themselves again moments later.
We spent the day surrounded by a landscape so grand that photographs hardly seem fair.
It's wild, raw, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Some places invite you to take a hundred pictures.
Others make you put your camera down.
Milford Sound manages to do both.
It was a long day, but one I would happily do all over again.
More Than the Places We Visited
When I think back on our eight days in New Zealand, the scenery is certainly unforgettable.
But as with every retreat I lead, it's the people and the shared experiences that stay with me.
The mornings on our mats. The laughter when plans didn't go quite as expected. The encouragement when a hike got steep or a bike trail felt challenging. The conversations over meals. Breaking into song on a gondola ride or dance on the top of a mountain at sunrise. Falling asleep on their shoulder in early morning shuttle rides. Holding someone in savasana as the tears roll down releasing. The moments when someone tried something new, surprised themselves, or simply let go of the need to do anything at all.
That is what I love most about bringing people together through Yoga Travel Adventure.
Yoga provides a familiar place to return to each day, no matter where in the world we find ourselves. Adventure invites us to step outside our routines and experience something different. And somewhere between the two, friendships grow, confidence builds, and memories are made.
You don't need to be an expert yogi. You don't need to be the strongest hiker or the bravest adventurer.
You just need a little curiosity and a willingness to show up.
We'll figure out the rest together.
Until Next Time, New Zealand
Eight days. Two incredible towns. More mountains, lakes, hikes, laughter, and adventures than I could possibly fit into a single story.
Wānaka gave us space to slow down, breathe deeply, and settle into the beauty around us.
Queenstown brought excitement, challenge, and a healthy dose of adrenaline.
Together, they made for an unforgettable journey.
New Zealand, you are something special. And while we may have come for the scenery and adventure, we left with much more.
Where will your next adventure take you?
At Yoga Travel Adventure, we bring together yoga, meaningful experiences, and extraordinary destinations around the world. Come explore with us.
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