Aotearoa

So I’m in New Zealand! And it’s not the for the first time…

I’ve been here nearly 11 weeks now which is a lot longer than my last visit back in February 2004 with the family. We came over for a motorhome holiday and managed to see both islands in 4 weeks!

I’ve only just made it south of Auckland and been on the road for 7 weeks. (4 of those I couldn’t go far but shall save that for another post)

Visiting New Zealand, Aotearoa, in 2004 left me with some magical memories of the most beautiful places I had seen, and I always wanted to go back.

The connection with Lord of the Rings is a big factor for sure, but it’s mainly the beauty of the mountains and the friendliness of the people that I knew would be the perfect place for learning to know myself again and appreciate this little thing called living.

*11 year old Anna, somewhere on the South Island of New Zealand*

The beauty, the culture and the kindness of this country have already moved me within my short amount of time here. I feel honored to be visiting such an incredible country.

I love driving around, making plenty of stops to take in some incredible scenery.

I love trekking the regional parks, long beaches and climbing up hills to see jaw dropping views.

I never pictured New Zealand as a beach/surf destination but they love it over here! I don’t see my self getting into surfing but I’ve been fortunate enough to swim in seas, technically in their winter too though it was so warm I got a little sunburn.

I used to love going for walks alone listening to podcasts or music but I’ve found myself just walking around listening to the sound of nature. The birds over here are everywhere and they are amazing.

I’m glad I started my journey at this time of year. Currently, Vandalf and I are in a Holiday Park in the Coromandel town and I am the only one here! I went for a walk earlier and didn’t bump into a soul until I got into the town center.

Not everyone I meet are super friendly, maybe I’m too British and don’t need to engage in small talk with everyone I meet but no one has been rude. I’ve never felt unsafe, though Aukland city is probably not my favorite place now I’ve been to others but as City’s go it’s still so different to anywhere I’ve been, and the sea is right there.

I’ve always loved the sea, though you wouldn’t have guessed from how sea sick I used to get crossing the channel to France. My grandparents on my mother’s side were sea lovers and I wish I had gone exploring with them on little boat trips more.

I grew up by the sea, though most the time it was a sea no one dared to go into. We went on holidays to Bude and I’d spend hours in the sea with my body board!

The more recent years I’ve been a lover of the sea from afar, watching waves and sunsets, it’s always calmed me. Walks to Burnham beach were my lockdown escape and I always thought of my family when gazing across the water (even though France was behind me). I do the same over here too. I’ve been on a few boats and taken all the anti-sickness tablets, wristbands and patches with me and loved every minute of being out at sea. My sister is a sea lover too who I often refer to as my Moana after she spent months in Fiji and Seychelles snorkeling and diving. It must be so incredible to see everything under the water, I’m keen to try it one day!

*11 year old Anna in the Bay of Islands after swimming with the dolphins*

I have a few bucket list items that would be the biggest privilege to see and do…

See orca in the wild
See whales in the wild (which I’ve done twice, once in Kaikoura, South Island in 2004, and once on my third day here in March in Auckland on a boat tour)
Hobbiton and as many LOTR locations as possible (I’ll show you my map)
See a wild kiwi (I need to stay outside after dark but Vandalf is too cosy)
Go kayaking (I’ve had plenty of chances to but I’m a chicken - it’s not like its Bunge jumping - which is not on this list)
Climb Mt Doom (Mt Ngauruhoe) Tongariro Alpine Crossing Hike
Milford Sound
Doubtless Sound
Stargaze at Lake Tekapo
Glow worm caves!
Try and hike a glacier - Franz Josef
See Mount Cook - South Island
Visit Cape Reigna - done!
Huka Falls jet boats - won’t be as fun without my family I’m sure
Drive the Coromandel’s and visit Cathedral Cove - which I’ve just started!

And the main one -

Buy a van to explore and live in!

As the cheesy quote goes, “It’s the journey, not the destination”

I can sometimes get a little stressed that I won’t see everything I want to see, despite me still having 9 months ahead of me! Then I remind my self that I am doing the thing I’ve wanted to do, like I’m actually doing it. I love my van so much and anywhere we end up exploring is all part of the adventure!

Buy a van to explore and live in!

Arriving in Auckland

I’ll be Beck…