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Take a Cue From Shah Rukh’s Swades and Caravan Across New Zealand

SRK’s ‘Swades’ caravan went much further than the little village; it also inspired a young traveller in New Zealand!

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Remember that iconic scene in Swades where Shah Rukh Khan, steering a caravan, is humming happily to Yuhin Chala Chal Rahi – with an exuberant Makarand Deshpande sitting next to him?

That caravan scene is symptomatic of so many travel stories – mine included. In fact, it pretty much inspired my trip to South Island in New Zealand (while I was studying in that country) with a few friends from college. The lot of us hired a caravan and went on a week-long road trip, deciding to explore the southeastern terrain of New Zealand.

SRK’s ‘Swades’ caravan went much further than the little village; it also inspired a young traveller in New Zealand!
Shah Rukh Khan in his caravan, in a screenshot from the song Yuhi Chala (Photo Courtesy: YouTube)

If North Island (NZ) is beautiful and scenic, South Island makes it look like chump change. Take my word for it, road tripping South Island is one of the best travel experiences you’ll have. Crank up the sound system and hit the road with panache.

Of course, we flew first – to Christchurch from Hamilton – and began our road trip from there.

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Christchurch

After arriving in Christchurch, the first thing you do is hire a caravan. First things first, it takes a helluva long time to hire one of these vehicles from the rental companies. Other than long queues, the sheer payment process, inspection of the vehicle and other formalities can end up taking hours.

But make sure you pick up the free AA Go See Discover Stay guides for each of the regions you’ll be exploring (an excellent resource full of maps, things to see and do, and places to stay).

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Mount Cook

SRK’s ‘Swades’ caravan went much further than the little village; it also inspired a young traveller in New Zealand!
The picturesque road leading up to Mount Cook.

Our first stop was at Mount Cook. Fair warning? You’ll end up driving a good five hours to reach the location. And while there are barely any places to eat on the way, there are plenty of redeeming sights during this drive. Among them, Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Sheppard certainly stood out to the lay traveller’s eye.

Fun fact? Lake Tekapo is reputed to have the cleanest air in the entire Southern Hemisphere.

SRK’s ‘Swades’ caravan went much further than the little village; it also inspired a young traveller in New Zealand!
We’d totally believe this – Lake Tekapo has the cleanest air in the Southern Hemisphere.

However, if you venture inside the Church of the Good Sheppard – to pray or simply stretch your legs – and stumble upon the holy water font, don’t be a fool like me and drink from it. The church brethren are not going to be pleased.

SRK’s ‘Swades’ caravan went much further than the little village; it also inspired a young traveller in New Zealand!
Whatever you do, don’t drink from the holy water font inside the Church of the Good Sheppard!

Anyway, we arrived at Mount Cook (Aoraki in Maori) – the highest peak in New Zealand (3,724 metres) – in the early hours of the evening and parked at White Horse Hill, which is the closest you can camp to Mount Cook.

We also took a self-guided hike of the Hooker Valley track. It had us meandering our way over rocks, across rivers, along mountainsides, and concluding at the Hooker Glacier terminal lake with views of the glacier’s edge.

Another fun fact: Remember the epic battle scene between Gandalf the Grey and the demon Balrog of Morgoth in the opening scene of Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers? It was shot at this place.

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Oamaru Penguins

SRK’s ‘Swades’ caravan went much further than the little village; it also inspired a young traveller in New Zealand!
The Blue Penguins are the world’s smallest penguin species.

After waking up to the backdrop of Mount Cook you will be ideally suited to head south – towards the small town of Oamaru. If the Victorian era excites you (like it does me), you will love this place. The buildings are throwback to a period drama of sorts.

But one thing that you must do is stick around until the evening and visit the Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony – the world’s smallest penguin species.

Here’s a tip – if you don’t have a trainer next to you, be a doll and try NOT to pet the penguins. Because while they look cute and seem harmless, they bite quite viciously if you annoy them. I learnt it the hard way.

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The Moeraki Boulders and Dunedin

SRK’s ‘Swades’ caravan went much further than the little village; it also inspired a young traveller in New Zealand!
Take a look at the gorgeous sight of the Moeraki Boulders.

The last destination in our itinerary was the town of Dunedin. On our way from Oamaru to Dunedin, we stopped to check out the Moeraki Boulders – a geological wonder formed about 65 million years ago that dots the length of the shoreline.

Another tip: don’t visit these boulders at the time of high tides – you’ll be risking not only a proper soaking, but also being swept out to sea! Which means, early mornings are your best bet.

In Dunedin too, architecture of the Victorian and Edwardian style prevails and the buildings are immaculately preserved. However, there is a youthful vibrancy to the city. Also, you really must check out the railway station at Dunedin – it’s a beauty.

I have travelled in most parts of Western and Central Europe, from movie-famous Paris to the (recently) Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara-glammed Spain – but here’s what I can testify to with certainty: none of that countryside was even half as cinematic and serene as the one on this little known, not-too-famous South Island road trip.

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(Shibaji Roychoudhury was named after someone who wanted to conquer and inspire. Unfortunately, he is far too ambitious for that. Based out of Delhi, he has travelled across the globe and has some pretty funny tales to tell. Watch out for his next one.)

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(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

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Topics:  new zealand   Shah Rukh Khan   Swades 

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