Starlit Lake Tekapo and the Majestic Fiordland National Park

If I were to choose the two most unforgettable places from my trip to New Zealand's South Island, they would undoubtedly be Lake Tekapo and Fiordland National Park. Lake Tekapo offers a perfect retreat with its emerald waters during the day and a sky full of stars at night, living up to its reputation as one of the world's top three starlight reserves. The night spent under the Milky Way in front of the 'Church of the Good Shepherd' remains vividly etched in my memory. On the other hand, Fiordland National Park showcases the grandeur of untouched nature. Boarding the Milford Sound cruise, I was mesmerized by the serene, mirror-like waters as we passed through towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Milford Sound, shrouded in mist upon arrival after passing through the Homer Tunnel, felt even more mystical. The sensation of floating on the sea was an experience that no photograph could ever truly capture. While it's challenging to experience both in a single day, these two destinations offer contrasting yet complementary emotions on the South Island. I highly recommend spending the night immersed in the starlight at Lake Tekapo and the day marveling at the awe-inspiring nature of Fiordland.