All in all, this has been my longest and most expensive solo international trip. It's also my first time traveling in an entirely English-speaking environment, as well as my first visit to New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere.

It has boosted my confidence and the gear of fate is starting to spin faster.

1. Why New Zealand?

Much like Third Voyage to the Rising Sun, this was also supposed to happen in 2020 but was postponed due to COVID-19.

The initial inspiration came in 2019 when I returned from Singapore and realized my English skills were lacking (a Chinese Airbnb host encouraged me to improve my English before leaving). I decided to take this as an opportunity to learn and reward myself with a trip to an English-speaking country. North America and the UK were too far and expensive, so that left Australia and New Zealand. Compared to Australia, I was more captivated by New Zealand's legendary natural landscapes, making it my first choice.

Over the past three years, I've had several encounters with New Zealand: I subscribed to a local Chinese-produced podcast called《九号酒馆》, learned about local life, encountered IELTS reading topics about New Zealand tourism—a place to visit at least once in a lifetime, discovered one of my classmate in New Zealand, followed some friends who work or study there on Twitter, and started keeping tabs on New Zealand's immigration policies.

This trip to New Zealand serves both as a reward and a different form of test for myself. When explaining my travel goals to my Airbnb host, I wrote: "My primary aim for this trip is to immerse myself in the pristine nature and engage with the locals, even though I'm working on improving my English speaking skills."

2. Trip Planning

Before diving into detailed planning, I established a few prerequisites for this trip: solo travel, no car rental, reliance on public transportation, participation in local tours, staying in Airbnb whenever possible, avoiding extreme sports, and hoping to see the night sky.

With the help of the New Zealand Official Tourism Website, Xiaohongshu, Tripadvisor, local friends, and Airbnb hosts (ChatGPT wasn't very helpful), I finalized the itinerary:

- Arrive in Auckland on the evening of September 23 - Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves day trip from Auckland on September 24 - Scenic train ride from Auckland to Wellington on September 25 - Wellington on September 26 - Fly from Wellington to Christchurch on September 27 - Christchurch to Mt. Cook via Tekapo on September 28 - Aoraki Mt Cook National Park on September 29 - Mt. Cook to Queenstown on September 30 - Queenstown on October 1 - Queenstown to Milford Sound on October 2 - Queenstown to Arrowtown & Wanaka on October 3 - Fly from Queenstown to Auckland on October 4 - Return to Beijing from Auckland on October 5

3. Travel Tips

I'm quite satisfied with the above itinerary. Everything happened according to plan, except I arrived in Queenstown a day early.

Here are some tips:

• Even if you're driving, have a Plan B. Consider what to do if your plans change (Queenstown was in a state of emergency due to flooding a week before my trip, and Mt. Cook was closed due to wildfires). Opt for reservations that allow flexible cancellation when booking.
• Make reservations in advance for transportation, accommodation, local tours, and even specific restaurants you want to visit. Be cautious not to book the wrong hotel, especially if you're using an app in Chinese.
• The scenic train from Auckland to Wellington runs only on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. If you're short on time, you can take a flight. But the views and atmosphere on the train are fantastic.
• Local tours listed on Tripadvisor are generally good, including those serving as transportation. You'll get to see scenic spots and checkpoints along the way, but most require an early start.
• If you're traveling solo, opt for the front row for the best views.
• You can enter a Promo Code at checkout on Tripadvisor for around a 10% discount. The Promo Code itself can be found by searching on Bing.
• If you're short on time, one night in Mt. Cook is sufficient. Hike on the first day, stargaze at night, and join a glacier expedition the next morning before heading to Queenstown. Of course, good weather is a must.
• Tickets for various local activities can mostly be purchased on Taobao one day in advance. Don't buy on the same day due to the time difference with China; local processing starts in the afternoon.
• Mark locations on Google Maps in advance and download offline maps, as you'll experience intermittent signal loss in mountainous areas.
• Remember that New Zealand has left-hand traffic. Bus stops for forward-going buses are also on the left. Don't mistakenly wait on the wrong side and miss your bus.
• Domestic flights in New Zealand don't require you to arrive as early as in China; security is relatively lax, and you don't need to empty your entire bag.
• If you're flying a budget airline, there's a luggage weight limit. If you're unsure, it's advisable to buy extra weight allowance, which often comes with a window seat for better views.
• Purchase a local transit card upon arrival at the airport. Auckland's can be linked to an app for top-ups; Queenstown's can be recharged on the bus.
• Buy slippers and travel-sized toothpaste and toothbrush kits in advance.
• Don't bring any food when entering the country.

4. Local Experience

After a grueling 13-hour flight, I finally arrived in Auckland. I had braced myself for long immigration lines like those in Japan, but it was surprisingly smooth. Aside from handing over my passport, I walked straight through. I was also intimidated by their reputation for strict quarantine, but it just turned out to be customs officers with sniffer dogs checking luggage.

I was excited while walking through the airport, but when it came to finding the bus stop outside, I felt a bit lost and overwhelmed, as I was in a completely unfamiliar place.

Going forward, I don't intend to document my daily activities. Instead, I'll focus on sharing some of my personal local experiences.

Sure, many experiences can be virtually previewed at a low cost in the digital world. I had even checked out panoramic images of several places on Google Maps Street View before the trip. But nothing compares to the clarity and insight gained from actually being there.

No matter how far technology advances, it can't replace the value of hands-on experience in the physical world.

A Big Village?

I had heard that Australia and New Zealand are often referred to as "big villages," but I don't see it that way. Or perhaps it's better to say that their concept of a "village" is entirely different from what is understood as a "village" in mainland China.

What I experienced was equality, regardless of whether it was in rural or urban settings. There was a uniformity in what I received and no sense that living in a city was somehow better than living in the countryside. Compared to major cities, it's true that there aren't many high-rise buildings. But this doesn't hinder the normal lives of the locals.

Even in areas like Mt. Cook or the small towns along the way, I could see that the level of infrastructure and services did not decline simply because I was in a "rural" area.

Warmth & Friendliness

From the moment I entered the country, I felt welcomed and treated with friendliness. People were willing to stop and assist me, confirm my destination, and direct me to the correct bus stop.

I later found out it wasn't just the locals who were friendly; tourists from around the world were generally the same. Hikers would greet me, and if they saw me carrying a heavy bag and frowning, they'd ask if everything was okay. Most of my interactions occurred with Airbnb hosts and friends I met through Tripadvisor local tours.

In Christchurch, my elderly Airbnb host lent me her transit card when she found out I hadn't purchased a day pass for the bus.

Even the children I met were incredibly friendly and self-assured. On my flight from Queenstown back to Auckland, a young boy from Queenstown, seated one seat apart from me, initiated a conversation. He told me he was going to Japan for a three-month exchange program. He reminded me where to place my bag during takeoff and even offered to help retrieve my luggage when landing.

However, I did overhear two mainland Chinese tourists in Queenstown saying, "Don't they know they shouldn't talk to strangers?"

Take It Slow

Before coming to New Zealand, a colleague had mentioned that companies there usually close around 4 p.m., a stark contrast to our typical 7 or 8 p.m. workdays. But it wasn't until I got there that I realized most shops also close between 4 and 5 p.m., including malls, and shopping streets. Even some restaurants post their operating hours in advance.

With this context, the lifestyle made more sense. Bus drivers would also greet passengers, explain things patiently to tourists, and wait for everyone to be seated before driving.

While other shops were closed, only POP MART remained open...

Throughout my trip, I gradually adopted the "take it slow" mentality. Although I wasn't lucky with the weather—intermittent rain followed me all the way to Queenstown—I later told myself that it's okay. It's unlikely to experience everything in one go. This is a lesson I also learned from World of Warcraft: you can't have everything at once. When you lose one opportunity, others will come along. Sustainability is key.

During a hike in Queenstown, I met a local who had lived there for four years. He said he loved the place so much that he decided to stay. He emphasized the need for work-life balance and enjoyed the harmony he had with nature.

I also encountered local operators who were still responding to messages on Tripadvisor close to midnight. It surprised me, and I couldn't stop thanking them the next day. She politely said it was her job and told me not to worry. 😂

Reservations

For this trip, I made a plethora of reservations: flights, Airbnb, Tripadvisor activities, trains, local restaurants, etc. Initially, I was always anxious about not being picked up, but it turned out my worries were unnecessary. Even cancellations were communicated to me in advance.

It felt somewhat magical—just by making reservations, it's like I was solidifying the future, using certainty to fill in the gaps of uncertainty.

Of course, when you think everything is going smoothly, hiccups are bound to happen. Upon checking into my hotel in Mt. Cook, I realized I had actually booked a place 8 hours away by car, and all the rooms here were fully booked. Eventually, with the help of Visitor Center staff making calls to various hotels, I found a place to stay.

Additionally, in Christchurch, I had my eye on a Japanese buffet restaurant mentioned on Xiaohongshu. My host asked if I had a reservation, and I thought it wouldn't be necessary since it was just a Wednesday. After a half-hour bus ride and arriving right at the opening time, I found out they were fully booked and only accepting guests with reservations.

Ecological Harmony

I had the same experience here as in Japan; even on city-center walking trails, there were groups of small animals.

In Queenstown's central bay, flocks of ducks and seagulls interacted with tourists. Also, my fries were snatched by birds. 😂

On the first day of my trip to Hobbiton and the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, the only other active East Asian face besides mine was a girl from Japan. An American man on the tour asked if I could tell where East Asians are from without hearing them speak. At the time, my answer was no. But after arriving in Queenstown, I realized it's actually relatively easy to identify.

Despite signs near the lake prohibiting feeding the ducks, during the several minutes I sat there, I noticed it was only Chinese tourists who were feeding the animals.

The goal has never been to become Japanese, Canadian, or American. The aim should always be to become a better version of oneself.

Jet Lag & Daylight Saving Time

This was my first time traveling to a place with a 5-hour time difference and experiencing jet lag.

On the first day, I had breakfast at what would be 7 a.m. in Beijing, lunch at 10 a.m., and then dinner at 3 p.m., before going to bed at 4 p.m.

This was also my first experience with the transition from standard time to daylight saving time, which happened on my second day in New Zealand. The day before, I was worried about whether the time would adjust automatically and if my alarm would go off. The tour guide assured me that everything would switch automatically, so there was no need to worry.

I thought I had beaten jet lag by sleeping enough during the journey, but that wasn't the case. The next evening, I fell asleep just after 9 p.m. but woke up naturally after 1 a.m., unable to go back to sleep. It wasn't until the third day in Wellington, after sleeping for 11 hours, that I started to adapt. On the fifth day in Christchurch, I fell asleep directly on the host's couch shortly after an early check-in.

Even after returning home and having a day to rest and catch up on sleep, it took me until the third day to fully recover.

This experience with jet lag and the transition to daylight saving time made me more aware of the world's diversity and regional differences.

On the train from Auckland to Wellington, my American tablemate Frank asked me many questions about China. When we discussed time zones, he found it incredible that all of China uses a single time zone. I added that Chinese people also find it incredible that the U.S. has so many time zones. This, in itself, probably represents cultural differences.

Attractions & Activities

The name New Zealand itself is synonymous with natural beauty and breathtaking landscapes, and it truly lives up to that reputation, even in the rain.

The train journey from Auckland to Wellington took a full 12 hours, including stops. However, the scenic views, audio commentary, and people I met on the train made the time pass quickly.

I never felt tired or bored on the various group tours that involved several hours of driving each day. The unique and awe-inspiring roadside scenery kept me excited. The driver and the tour guide were the same person, which was interesting.

I booked six activities on Tripadvisor, all of which were fantastic.

If I had to recommend one, it would be "Ride to the Sky," a mountain e-bike adventure around Queenstown led by local guides.

This particular activity wasn't initially on my itinerary. I chose it after arriving in Queenstown early and seeing it recommended on Tripadvisor as a unique local experience.

I’m glad I chose it. The expert guidance and encouragement took us to hidden spots only locals knew about, offering spectacular views.

The guide was surprised to learn I was from Beijing, as not many Chinese people participated in this activity. That day, half the group were Kiwis.

I mistakenly filled out a questionnaire about my e-bike experience the day before. Even though I ride daily, it's different on flat terrains and not comparable to mountain e-biking.

Throughout the activity, the guide took safety precautions, especially when descending. They also encouraged me, took photos, and shot videos for us.

Receiving the photos in an email later that evening made me feel warm inside. It was money well spent.

Hobbiton was as expected, but seeing it in person is different than looking at pictures online.

I watched the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" trilogies once a week for six weeks leading up to this trip. When I shared this with the tour group, the guide joked that some people watch them all in one day. 😂

The Waitomo Glowworm Caves were one of my primary destinations.

Initially, I was disappointed because it seemed like just a regular cave with a few glowworms. But my opinion changed when my fellow traveler Ben pointed out the ceiling, which was covered with glowworms.

Later, a boat ride took us deeper into the cave, where the walls sparkled like we are in the Avatar world. However, the experience was short-lived.

Photography is not allowed inside the cave to protect the glowworms. Even if it were, no camera could capture the awe-inspiring scene.

Milford Sound. The drive from Queenstown took over four hours. The guide switched the music to an Enya album as we emerged from a tunnel, adding to the fairy-tale atmosphere.

We saw the silver fern, New Zealand's emblem, along the way.

Although it was raining, we were lucky to spot penguins, dolphins, and seals from the boat. Our guide mentioned she had been there three times without seeing any, so we felt fortunate.

To be honest, Milford Sound itself didn’t quite live up to my expectations, but the people I met and the atmosphere made it a great trip nonetheless.

Queenstown exceeded my expectations, even though I didn't have high hopes initially.

The view was so stunning that even a casual photo from the window looked like a masterpiece.

I spent five days in Queenstown, four of which were at the best Airbnb I've ever stayed in. It had top-notch facilities and a 300 Mbps internet connection, along with helpful stickers and guides and an outdoor hot tub.

This was my first time using Chromecast, and the experience was excellent.

Luge was fun, although the queue for the cable car was a bit long, about 15 minutes per ride.

Queenstown itself is not big.

On this trip, Queenstown had the most visitors, but compared to tourist spots in China, it's not even on the same scale.

On the way to Mount Cook, we visited Lake Tekapo and the legendary Church of the Good Shepherd.

I also explored glaciers and lakes with my Indian friend, Vipin Gola, during the same Tripadvisor excursion.

Despite the weather canceling our stargazing and glacier adventure activities at Mount Cook, I still saw the brightest stars and moon I’ve ever seen.

That night at Mount Cook, despite a few setbacks, was the happiest night of the trip.

I was listening to Mayday's "Starry Night" while shivering in the sub-zero temperatures and taking photos.

This was probably my first visit to a snowy mountain.

On the way from Mount Cook to Queenstown, we made several stops to admire the stunning scenery.

On my last day in Queenstown, I visited Lake Wanaka and Arrowtown. I particularly enjoyed the ambiance around Lake Wanaka.

Thanks to an Indian-American friend who accompanied me, I got a photo that I really like.

Arrowtown developed because of a gold discovery, but its scenery is still surpassed by Queenstown. Our guide also told us about the harsh conditions faced by Chinese gold miners there over a century ago.

In Wellington, due to jet lag and rain, I only managed to visit the New Zealand National Museum. I planned to spend just the morning but ended up staying until 4 p.m.

There's not only a rich array of natural exhibits.

There are also vivid war memorial sculptures. It was only then that I learned about this chapter of World War I history.

There's even an earthquake simulation room, as well as exhibits showcasing local culture.

When it comes to cities, I liked Christchurch the most, perhaps because of its ambiance and flat roads.

Of course, Wellington also had its share of street art, but the hilly roads were a downside.

Near Christchurch Airport is the International Antarctic Centre. Only after visiting did I realize that New Zealand also has penguins, albeit tiny ones.

On the plane from Queenstown to Auckland.

On the second-to-last day, I went on a 3-hour City Walk near Auckland University with a friend.

In total, I took 4,606 photos during the trip.

The main reason for taking photos is to preserve memories.

Maybe in the future, when ChatGPT can recognize images quickly, these photos will serve as nourishment for my personal digital assistant to explore the world.

Transportation

I had heard that most people drive themselves, so I assumed there wouldn't be many using public transport. However, in reality, there were still quite a few.

Unlike buses in my home country, which announce and stop at every station, the buses here are equipped with pressure devices. When pressed, the driver will stop at the next station.

In Auckland, AT public transport cards can be topped up online, but the funds only become available an hour later and are activated the next time you swipe the card.

Auckland's train station is just a small building where passengers show their reservation to get tickets.

The sightseeing trains.

Each seat has headphones and offers multilingual historical commentary as you reach different locations.

There's also an open-air carriage where you can get some fresh air if you're feeling cooped up.

Both domestic flights I took were with Jetstar, a budget airline. The security checks were straightforward; you didn't have to remove all your items. However, the 100ml liquid restriction still applied.

It was surprising that the arrival and departure gates were the same. This means that as soon as the previous flight's passengers disembarked, we boarded immediately.

The worst traffic congestion was in Queenstown. The guide complained about a 15-minute jam once, and I told her that's a daily occurrence in Beijing.

Major thoroughfares like those in Beijing are rare; a two-lane road is generally considered a main road there.

The visual delight of driving through the South Island.

Cost of Living

To be honest, I was shocked by the local prices, especially for vegetables. Even the locals say the cost of vegetables is surprising. My friends from England say the prices here are similar to back home.

Although I knew that making a simple dish like tomato scrambled eggs would be expensive in New Zealand, I was still taken aback when I actually saw the prices.

I recently told my friends that being a vegetarian is expensive here.

Dairy is New Zealand's largest industry. Our tour guide, Michael, joked that the dairy cows we saw are literally cash cows, mainly supporting babies in China. Indeed, New Zealand's milk is very tasty and cheaper than what we get back home.

I initially thought local seafood and fruits would be cheap in New Zealand, but that's not the case. Even a single orange at a convenience store costs $2.

At first, I was startled by the $5 bottled water and soda. Thankfully, they are around $1-$2 in supermarkets.

Whenever I visit a country, language barrier or not, I always catch a movie. I saw Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Wellington for $15, which is reasonable.

Outdoor clothing is not as cheap as I had expected.

Food

Frankly, the food in New Zealand doesn't quite measure up to what we have in China or Japan. However, that's not to say there's nothing good to eat; it's just more expensive for the same quality.

The best dish I had was Mozambique prawns at a popular restaurant in Queenstown called Fame. I couldn't stand the taste of Buffalo wings, and surprisingly, the manager only charged me for one after I gave my feedback.

Chinese restaurants are everywhere, but people seem to prefer Japanese food.

Surprisingly, buffet prices are relatively cheaper compared to main meal. They're even better and cheaper than those that cost 200-300 RMB per person back home.

The ice cream is delicious, especially the Hokey Pokey flavor that our first-day tour guide, Michael, introduced us to. However, the much-hyped Patagonia ice cream was not the best, in my opinion.

It couldn't beat the handmade ice cream I tasted in Arrowtown.

Eating out costs around $20 for a simple meal, less than 100 RMB, which is acceptable.

The bulk of my expenses were on airfare and accommodation.

Another detail is that lodging prices did not vary much between touristy and non-touristy areas, except Queenstown.

Payment Methods

NFC card payments are mainstream; cash is rarely used. I even encountered stores that don't accept cash.

I brought $300 in cash, which took a while to spend. Initially, I couldn't distinguish between $1 and $2 coins.

Compared to QR code payments, NFC is a more natural and better experience. It would be even better if I could link my bank card to my phone, but that's not possible with mainland China-issued VISA/MASTER cards.

Even self-service kiosks have external NFC card readers.

I was looking for a place to weigh fruites in the supermarket but later realized that the checkout machines handle weighing and payment.

Lifestyle

Rugby🏈 is the national sport. Although I don't fully understand it, I enjoy the atmosphere.

People wear all kinds of clothes. I wore a down jacket, while others wore shorts and T-shirts. There were even kids in shorts at the International Antarctic Center, despite temperatures being well below freezing.

The public library in Christchurch is so comfortable.

I strongly feel the respect for Maori culture from various signs around. Regardless of the past, they are genuinely making an effort now.

I also noticed that many shops proudly indicate they are locally owned. Even food advertisements emphasize local sourcing.

Happy kids everywhere.

The University of Auckland has campuses scattered throughout the city, creating a pleasant atmosphere.

As for safety? I didn't feel anything amiss during my 13 days in New Zealand, even in downtown areas at night.

Initially, I had some concerns, but they gradually dissipated over time.

I discussed this with my Chinese landlord at the end, who said that the internet tends to magnify isolated incidents. It's not like the daily shootings and chaos that we in China might think are constant in foreign countries. I suppose the same could be said for how foreign countries perceive China.

Elections are coming up, and campaign posters are visible even in small towns.

Lastly, I made a silly mistake while queuing for my flight; I stood in the line for CHINA AIRLINES. I noticed something was off when half the people didn't look Asian, and the others were speaking Taiwanese. I then remembered something a friend mentioned on Twitter, double-checked, and realized I was in the wrong line.

Visiting Xero

I was fortunate to connect with @bearbig on Twitter. On the last day of my trip, I had the chance to visit Xero, one of New Zealand's largest internet companies where Bear works.

I met Bear around 10 a.m., and he mentioned that today (Thursday) was his first day in the office for the week, so he needed to clock in. The overall office environment was fantastic, and you could feel the vibrant atmosphere.

With less than a 50% in-office attendance rate, Bear said it's actually quite high. Many colleagues are working remotely, some even permanently.

It happened to be school holidays in New Zealand, so there were a bunch of kids at the office that day. They were watching movies, playing games, and enjoying toys.

At noon, I also noticed many employees bringing their pets to work.

English

My spoken English isn't great, about at an IELTS level of 6.0. I got nervous every time I had to speak.

One purpose of this trip was to gauge my actual proficiency in an English-speaking environment and to see if I can communicate effectively in daily life.

Overall, after interacting face-to-face with real people, my confidence has been boosted, although I also recognize my shortcomings.

My current level of spoken English is sufficient for basic day-to-day activities. The tour guide's explanations often reminded me of IELTS listening exercises, but I mostly understood them. Preparing small talk in advance also helped me converse back and forth with native speakers and express my own views.

What encouraged me the most was that not just one or two, but 11 native speakers told me my English was good. I even received praise from an American woman at Mt. Cook Hermitage Hotel who teaches English to foreigners. She said my English was better than most Chinese people she has met, who are often too shy to speak.

I believe the key is to maintain a positive attitude. Connection rather than perfection. Your language is your identity.

There are also numerous specific shortcomings:

For example, I have difficulty quickly understanding menus and usually point to make my order;

Or getting numbers wrong, like confusing 13 with 30, leading to misunderstandings;

Or struggling to read maps, which resulted in a lengthy search based on the Airbnb host's directions;

Or feeling somewhat lost when entering an English bookstore;

Or being unable to engage in discussions about local matters;

Or failing to proactively ask questions to others;

Or stumbling for words if unprepared, like not knowing how to describe hot pot;

Or not being able to think as flexibly in English as I can in Chinese...

Additionally, after spending 13 days, I didn't feel a rapid improvement in my spoken English; it was more of a positive mental feedback loop.

Improvement takes time and patience; it won't happen overnight. When I think about my proficiency three or two years ago, as long as there's yearly progress, that's good enough

Communication

I'm an introverted person, but during this trip, I made a conscious effort to engage in more conversations, especially when people took the initiative to say hello.

I'm glad I made that choice; it allowed me to make diverse friendships and create more meaningful memories rather than just being a casual tourist.

I feel that mainland Chinese who can enthusiastically communicate in English with locals and fellow tourists are quite rare. That's why people are often surprised when they find out I'm from China.

More grassroots communication like this could better build mutual trust.

During my trip to Hobbiton and the Glowworm Caves, I first met Larry and Marcy, a retired university professor couple from Washington State. Grandma Marcy, a teacher of literature and art, sketched the landscapes and tour guide's explanations along the way. They mentioned they had visited China twice and even toured it by train. On the way back, we talked about their five children and touched upon issues like marriage and work, realizing that traditional values are similar in the U.S.

Because I saw Ben in the front seat playing Pokemon Go, I told him I also play, but only when traveling abroad. Soon enough, Ben friended me and even taught me how to throw curveballs. We continue to exchange gifts daily.

Ben was on a business trip to New Zealand and joined our group over the weekend. At lunch, he tried to speak Chinese with me, but I couldn't really understand. He said he'd been learning Chinese for 10 years as his wife is Chinese.

Behind me was an Indian-American couple; the husband was planning to run a marathon in Sydney. He showed me a TikTok video of an impressive-looking interchange in China and asked if it was real. I had to admit that I had never seen it before 😂. He also asked about the heavy rains in Beijing this summer, which took me a few rounds to understand as I initially thought he said "ring" instead of "rain.”

Our tour guide Michael was excellent; not only did he drive safely and explain the history and culture of the places we visited (he said he took several months of storytelling lessons), but he also made the atmosphere enjoyable. According to Grandma Marcy, "Under his leadership, our small group felt like a family." In the end, Michael hugged me and said I was a "Great Ambassador of Beijing and China.”

On the train to Wellington, I met Frank. After learning I was from Beijing, he was extremely excited and had many questions. His behavior was deemed rude by a grandma from Chicago sitting next to him. When he asked about the "Party," I misunderstood and thought he was asking if I go to parties. I said I was an introvert 😂. He was actually asking about the Communist Party.

I spent the journey explaining China, hot pot, and my job to them. I even told them about KFC's "Crazy Thursday" promotion and Domino's Pizza. When the movie "Oppenheimer" came up, Frank recommended I watch it again, uncut.

Surprisingly, I also introduced ChatGPT to two girls traveling with Frank and shared an article I wrote about it. They praised the logical structure of the article and even had ChatGPT write a poem for them.

There was also a couple from Canberra and grandparents from Chicago. The grandfather showed us his book "The Jazz Alphabet.”

As we were about to reach the station, everyone thanked me and said they hope I could visit the U.S. According to a friend, I was the group's favorite for the day 😂.

I also had some conversations with my Airbnb hosts, including Maree in Auckland, Richard in Wellington, Kate in Christchurch, and Lauren in Queenstown.

Especially Kate in Christchurch; she's an artist. We talked for almost an hour, not only about the trip and places in Christchurch but also about AI and COVID-19. She said she had used "Stable Diffusion" and was amazed that the AI could replicate her art style with just three paintings online. I also shared my views on AI and my journey learning English.

Concerning COVID-19, she mentioned that although New Zealand is seen as a role model internationally, locals don't think so and criticize the government. When she heard about China's pandemic measures, she was astonished.

On the Christchurch to Mt. Cook trip, I met Vipin Gola from India. He was also traveling alone, seven days in New Zealand and three days in Australia. Like me, he chose not to self-drive for safety reasons. Even in his 30s, he checks in with his family every day. We visited several attractions together.

He works as a Data Scientist for a U.S. credit card company, working from 1-9:30 PM Indian time to align with U.S. hours. We talked about sharing the same dreams despite our different cultural backgrounds. We added each other on Facebook and continue to keep in touch.

Back in Auckland, I stayed in an Airbnb hosted by a Chinese woman. She came to New Zealand seven years ago for her Master's. Now she works for the government. Though the pay isn't great, she enjoys a peaceful life. The Airbnb is her second income, and she hopes to sponsor her parents to come to New Zealand.

On the last afternoon at the Auckland War Museum, I assisted three elderly ladies. It was their first day in Auckland, and they had no mobile data or the ability to make calls. They were anxiously waiting for a taxi the museum had called for them.

I tried to help by making phone calls and sharing my data, but to no avail. Fortunately, the taxi eventually arrived; they had been waiting at the wrong exit.

Though I couldn't actually solve their problem, they were very grateful. One of them, from California, shared her story of visiting Beijing in '92 and told me to remember her husband's phone number. She said to contact them if I ever visit California; the code word is "Joe from Beijing"...

5. Overall Impressions of New Zealand

The people are kind, the scenery is beautiful, it's comfortable, ideal for relaxation, and offers a cozy lifestyle.

At the same time, I feel that although New Zealand is less than 200 years old, it seems to have more history and culture compared to the so-called five thousand years.

Of course, there are downsides, such as the lack of affordable and tasty food, takeout, vegetables, fruits; the absence of efficient administrative systems; no bustling night markets; unreliable and expensive internet; and no shared bicycles. But you can't have it all.

This trip made me realize the importance of direct interaction and connection with locals, whether it's through Airbnb, tour groups, restaurants, or shops. I also became aware of the world's diversity and the need to recognize and accept this diversity. We shouldn't simply label everyone as "foreigners," just as we shouldn't stereotype all Chinese people.

Dialogue and communication are essential for deepening understanding and solving problems. It's not about who is better than whom, but about showing respect.

Upon returning, my colleague straightforwardly asked if I would consider immigrating to New Zealand. My response: absolutely. But as of now, there's no job offer that directly suits me.

Lastly, I'll conclude with a quote from Jo Cox, a British Labour Party MP who was assassinated by a far-right extremist, as featured in the final episode of Chai Jing's "Strangers: Conversing with Jihadists": Our similarities far outweigh our differences.

这篇文章的中文版本：

走向那片更远的纯净：我在新西兰的多维体验