FOMO

FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out
Honestly, it's a thing. FOMO exists, or at least in my world, it does. Especially when planning a trip away. I don't want to miss anything when visiting an area ... walks, special spots, unique attractions, views, etc. Leaving a place and learning later that I've missed something drives me nuts.
Next week we're off to the Catlins via the east coast. 

I have some time before leaving to research places to visit, walks to explore, tracks to bike, and spots to stay. I love the planning stage and thanks to Google, NZMCA Travel app, Facebook groups and peoples' blogs there's lots of information at my fingertips.

The black lines are where we've travelled in the South Island, you'll notice we haven't been explored the Catlins (yet!).

After the Catlins, our plan is to travel through Central Otago and the MacKenzie District. I love those districts and in this season the autumn colours are always spectacular. We're hoping to bike sections of the A2O (Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail). Oakly and Boo will be joining us on the bikes in their buddy riders. 

Planning the first week

Often we're asked where we'll head to first when we hit the road. Originally we'd thought about going to the West Coast to catch the end of the white-baiting season. And then spend a few weeks meandering down the coast to Lake Aviemore. 
Bernie has stayed at Lake Aviemore before and thinks it's a great area. Plus we met a couple last year in Blenheim who have stayed at Lake Aviemore. They said you can stake out an area near the lake and for a few hundred dollars, keep this area as your spot between the months October through to May.

When we sat down with a map in front of us to figure out where we'd go first, we decided to avoid the West Coast during spring as that's the season known for high rainfall. Instead we thought we'd spend a couple of nights in Murchison, then a few nights at Reefton. I'm keen to see Little Biddy of Buller's gravesite after doing an article on her. Also there's an old gold mining town not far from Reefton that we'd like to explore, Waiuta. Then we will go to Lake Brunner before heading over Arthurs Pass to Canterbury.

If all goes to plan we should be parked at Lake Aviemore sometime in November, which is when the lupins will be in flower! I've been looking forward to seeing them and photographing them for years.