Christina’s Journey Journal

Tag: waterfalls

  • Wanaka, here we climb! New Zealand 🇳🇿; Day 10 (March 25, 2026)

    Wanaka, here we climb! New Zealand 🇳🇿; Day 10 (March 25, 2026)

    We said goodbye to Queenstown this morning and set our sights on Wānaka. The 90 minute drive wasn’t just “get from point A to point B”, rather a stunning stretch of road where every turn somehow topped the last.

    Crown Range Road with sweeping views of the valley, rolling golden hills, rugged peaks, and that crisp New Zealand air that leaves your lungs wanting more!

    A Quick Stop at Cardrona (and… Bras?)

    One of our drive bys was the iconic Cardrona Hotel—New Zealand’s oldest hotel, dating back to 1863 during the gold rush era.  

    And then, right down the road we visited the infamous “Bradrona” fence—yes, a fence covered in bras. What started in the late 1990s as a few bras mysteriously appearing overnight has turned into a full-blown roadside attraction. While there appears to be some debate over its welcome, it’s become a quirky symbol of community, fundraising for breast cancer awareness, and just a little bit of Kiwi humor.

    The famous “Bradrona” bra fence in Cardrona, New Zealand 🇳🇿 which now raises money for breast cancer.

    Wildwire: Lord of the Rungs

    We rolled into Wānaka a few minutes early for our 11:00 am start time.

    On the agenda was Wildwire’s “Lord of the Rungs” Level 2, which is a via ferrata climb.

    If you’re like me and had to ask what that meant—here’s the simple version:

    A via ferrata (Italian for “iron path”) is a protected climbing route that is built into rock. You’re clipped into a steel cable (at least two connection points via carabiners the entire time), and you climb using a series of ladders, rungs, pegs, and suspension bridges.

    Geared up and ready to climb! Helmet, tool belt with Carabiners, and backpack with lunch.
    We have 3 carabiners—two are always connected. The 3rd one connects as you start to move one of the other two.

    What we accomplished:

       •   320 meters (1,050 feet) of vertical climb

       •   6 suspension bridges

    I was walking across a steel cable. See the paraglider in the background? At first I thought it was a piece of fuzz on my picture. 😂
    Slow and steady! To me, this was the hardest part of the climb.
    Brendan leading the way.
    Hanging off one of the suspension bridges. The bridge was simply a piece of wood on the bottom!

       •   Waterfalls rushing right next to you (and sometimes you get a cooling spray coming off the fall)

    I carried my phone under my T-shirt and when safe, I could take pictures. Brendan wore his GoPro. Our guide also took pictures for us.
    Climbing!🧗

       •   Unreal views of Lake Wānaka and the surrounding mountains

    It was equal parts thrilling, challenging, and simply fun. Definitely more physical than expected—but in the best way.

    Another smaller waterfall and brief break on our climb.

    We were guided by Ben from the UK, who made us feel completely safe while also encouraging us to push just a little further than we thought we could. They also packed sandwiches for us, which somehow tasted like the best meal of my life at the top of the waterfall.

    Side note – love my Goodr sunglasses. They are no slip and didn’t have to worry about them falling off!

    Our guide, Ben.

    The Lone Tree That Stole the Show

    After coming down (and feeling very accomplished), we made our way to one of Wānaka’s most photographed spots: That Wānaka Tree.

    This little willow tree has been growing in Lake Wānaka for decades, likely from a fence post that took root back in the 1930s. Over time, it’s become an accidental icon.

    Then we walked along the lake, took it all in, and just slowed down for a bit after the adrenaline of the afternoon.

    Wānaka After Dark (Early Night for Us)

    We wrapped up the day with dinner at Big Fig and a stroll through downtown Wānaka, which might just be one of the cutest little towns I’ve ever seen. Cozy, relaxed, and surrounded by insane natural beauty in every direction.

    Final Thoughts

    Today we had a little bit of everything—scenic drives, quirky roadside stops, adventure, and a peaceful lakeside ending.

    But if I had to pick?

    The climbing straight up a waterfall on the side of a mountain might be hard to beat.❤️⛰️🧗‍♂️

    She’ll be comin’ round the mountain when she comes 🎶
    Taking a break on our climb 💚
  • Rotorua, New Zealand 🇳🇿- Day 4 (March 19, 2026): Rafting, Waterfalls and a Māori cultural experience 

    Rotorua, New Zealand 🇳🇿- Day 4 (March 19, 2026): Rafting, Waterfalls and a Māori cultural experience 

    We left Auckland this morning in our rental…this will take some getting used to! We will be driving on the left side (just like we did with the e-bikes), and the driver sits on the right. Everything is reversed so instead of the turn signal, Brendan turned on the windshield wipers many times!

    We arrived in Rotorua around noon and stopped at Lake Rotorua—the volcanic crater lake in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region.

    Lake Rotorua – a caldera lake that was formed by a massive volcanic eruption over 200,000 years ago. It has a slightly green-yellow color which is caused by high sulfur and mineral content from the surrounding geothermal springs. We could smell the sulfur throughout Rotorua at various times but it wasn’t unpleasant.

    🌊 We Went Over the Highest Rafted Waterfall in the World

    We did the most extreme thing I’ve ever done—white water rafting on the Kaituna River, charging through Class V rapids and a series of waterfalls you actually go over in a raft.

    And then came the moment: Tutea Falls.

    At 23 feet (7 meters), it’s the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world…and yes, we went straight over the edge.

    💥 The Experience

    This was an adrenaline rush like no other.

    For the first few falls (Maybe they were rapids?), I sat right up front—which meant taking the full force of every drop. Think: a wall of water straight to the face and more than a few unintended gulps of river water.

    This was our entrance into the canyon and the first drop. I am front left having my first “oh sh*t” moment!😱
    About to get my first big gulp of river water. Close your mouth!
    We survived the first one only to see the second drop!

    By the time we approached Tutea Falls, I made a strategic decision and moved to the back of the raft. When we plunged over and fully submerged, I held on for dear life—but this time, I knew enough to hold my breath. Progress. 😅

    I will take you through a series of photos of us going down the waterfall. My son had on his GoPro and will post when he downloads it. We were a group of 3 rafts. We went first over the falls. The second raft flipped going over and everyone but 1 person fell out—all ok! The 3rd raft repeated our performance.

    Approaching Tutea Falls!
    Tutea Falls – now I am back left, next to our guide in the red helmet, ducking my head as I was told to do, and getting ready for the 23 foot drop!
    Over we go!
    Water intake
    We are somewhere submerged below the falls
    And here we are!
    I am pretty sure that is actual water
    coming out of my nose 👃
    Loved this arial shot at the base of the falls
    Celebration!

    🚣 The Crew

    We went with Rotorua Rafting (through Viator), and they were fantastic.

       •   3 rafts in our group. Brendan and I were with our guide and then two others (one happened to be a former guide).

       •   Our guide, Jure from Slovenia, was equal parts hilarious and incredibly skilled

       •   You could tell instantly we were in good hands, especially after the prayer for good luck before we headed over Tutea Falls.😂

    👉 If you want a preview of just how wild this is, their Instagram says it all.

    All smiles at the end!😅

    🌿 Not Just Adrenaline

    What surprised me most? The setting.

    You’re not just battling rapids—you’re floating through what feels like a lush, jungle-like canyon with the rush of the water. It’s equal parts chaos and beauty.

    At one point, we even got to jump out of the raft and swim down a smaller waterfall/rapids, which somehow felt both insane and completely unforgettable.

    The surrounding landscape was breathtaking!

    🤔 Would I Do It Again?

    Heck yes.

    Would I recommend it? That depends on your comfort level, but if you’re even considering it, take the leap—literally. This is the kind of experience that sticks with you… the kind I will be talking about for years to anyone who will listen.

    TE PA TU – a living Māori cultural experience🥢

    We slowed down the pace and went to Te Pā Tū this evening and the 4 hours was everything I expected plus more.

    Te Pa Tu entrance
    The acceptance and welcoming of the visitors. We picked a “chief” to represent the visitors. That chief then performed the hongi, which is a Māori greeting where you shake hands and then touch your foreheads and noses two times. This symbolizes the exchange of ha (breath of life) and the merging of the souls. It also meant we were then welcomed to enter the village.

    Our time at Te Pā Tū is brought to life by the Tamaki family, who are storytellers, performers, and guardians of the Māori culture and traditions. The performers are all related (many cousins).

    After the welcoming, it’s not just a show you sit and watch. You’re pulled into it pretty quickly, moving through different parts of the experience while the family shares Māori stories, traditions, games, and history in a meaningful way. We tried our hand at the Māori poi balls, which are weighted tethered balls that are used in performance and help hand-eye coordination.

    The performers did the poi in a way that made it look easy. We know it wasn’t easy because we smacked ourselves in the head a few times. 

    We also learned about the traditional Māori stick games like Titi Torea, where players throw short sticks to each other or ti rakau (long sticks) where you pass the sticks left and right. Both help with rhythmic coordination and focus.

    Titi torea — the game is performed with wooden sticks known as tītī. We played the game where we moved right and left while catching the stick.

    The performance ended with the Haka, an up close experience that is intense and way more powerful than anything you see on video.

    And the food… yum! The hāngī alone is worth it. Btw, hāngī is a traditional New Zealand Māori method of cooking food using heated rocks buried in a pit oven.

    I left feeling like I learned so much about the Māori culture and left with a greater appreciation of just how special it is. ❤️

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

  • Exploring North, South, East and West Kaua’i

    Exploring North, South, East and West Kaua’i

    We met our good friends and stayed the remainder of our time at Lae Nani—a beautiful condo complex with the most breathtaking landscape on the east side of Kaua’i in a town called Kapa’a. This part of the island, where you can watch spectacular sunrises, is called the Royal Coconut Coast. It is considered a holy area where the Hawaiian royalty used to live. We explored waterfalls, chased rainbows, and went to a luau. Of the 5 previous luaus I have been to, this one was my favorite so I will post the details below.

    Here are some of our unforgettable adventures in pictures.

    The Royal Coconut Coast – East Kaua’i

    Lae Nani Condos in Kapa’a on
    Kaua’i’s Royal Coconut Coast.
    Starfish 411 is simply the best condo we have stayed in. Look at the grounds and the view! The grounds were destroyed by past hurricanes, and a master gardener redesigned everything. It’s stunning.
    Waterfall hunting. First stop – Wailua Falls
    Next – ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls
    Fresh coconut water by the Falls.
    I bought a beautiful lei from a beautiful lady who had a mobile shop set up in the parking lot. Her father was friends with Elvis!

    Heading West – the Na Pali Coast

    Sailing on the 55’ catamaran along the Na Pali Coast with Capt Andy’s!
    I am all smiles here but the trip back was rough. My motion sickness medication did not help with the white caps and the swirling sea!
    Lots of waterfalls, caves, and breathtaking cliffs!
    And Dolphins!! So many dolphins with their babies🐬
    Sunny skies (calm before the rough seas)

    Back on the Royal Coconut Coast (East Kaua’i) for the Smith Family Garden Luau

    The conch shells signal the start of the luau and the Imu Ceremony begins! Imu is an underground oven and a traditional Hawaiian method of cooking the kalua pig and rice pudding for the luau. According to Kamika Smith (general manager), they used to get the pigs right on Kauai, but since Covid the pigs now come from Oahu.
    Before our feast, we took a tour of the gardens, which have been in the Smith Family for over 50 years. This Wailua River Valley is a truly special place for a luau.
    A tour of the gardens, the Imu ceremony, dinner with entertainment, and then the “show”, complete with music from the different cultures that tell the Hawaiian history. The evening was filled with stars on the stage, and in the sky.

    Exploring the North Shore

    Opened in 1913, The Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse, is situated on Kīlauea Point. It stands 52 feet tall on a rocky cliff that’s 180 feet above the ocean.
    Hanalei Bay on the North Shore of Kaua’i, which has served as the backdrop for Hollywood movies such as South Pacific and The Descendants.

    South for some Sunshine, Sea Turtles, and Seals!

    Poipu Beach
    I am zoomed in—the turtles were roped off and we stayed 15 feet away.
    So many turtles catching some rays. We heard that many more come out at night to rest on the beach. Also, while nesting season is between May-September, we saw at least 10 during our October visit to Poipu Beach.
    This Hawaiian monk seal was having a lazy day.
    Gotta have a Puka Dog! The sauces are amazing 🔥

    Other Notable Adventures

    The others in our group did a helicopter tour of the island and one couple went to Oahu for the day. We have done these below before, so we skipped them this time.

    Good morning! The sunrise by our condo.
    Yoga to start the day next door at the Kaua’i Shores Hotel. The restaurant, Lava Lava Beach Club is on site and it’s really a fun atmosphere with
    live music every night.