When I first set out to the world, almost everything I saw and experienced was new and fresh; however, the more I got out there, the less novel things felt. My world view lenses have changed since visiting 45 countries in six continents, making the places and things I experienced a part of my story, precious corners in my mind’s neighborhood. It is truly a gift when I get to experience a place that is alike to nowhere I’ve previously been before, which makes traveling an invaluable part of living my life.
(Everyone is an important part of the community here)
From the moment I started planing my trip to New Zealand I knew this was going to be something completely new, and not just because I was mentally preparing myself to drive on the left side of the road. Spoiler alert: the whole driving experience was a trip on its own which made me feel like my whole brain was getting rewired. All of my instincts acquired from driving for two decades in Europe, America and Asia warned me non-stop about being on the wrong side of the road, turning the wrong way, turning the wrong signal, and apparently, losing the gear stick.
(A constant reminder that I am not in Kansas anymore.)
After about two hours of sweating behind the wheel, driving mostly on roads narrow enough to fit a hobbit, I arrived in Raglan, a hippy little town by the ocean. Surrounding me was a forest unlike anything I’d ever seen before: giant fern trees alongside other beautiful tropical and rainforest flora, and bird sounds I’d never heard or even imagined before. Taking it all in, I pushed my jaw closed as I realized that like an alien landing to a new and exciting planet, I was experiencing something completely new for the very first time.
(Ocean, forest and sun therapy, all at once.)
I was surprised to learn that New Zealand was discovered merely 800 years ago by Polynesians who named it Aotearoa which means the Land of The Long Cloud in Māori, with the European colonizers landing in the 1600’s. The land’s unique biodiversity is yet to be completely cartographed, with some of its flora and fauna still resisting categorization.
(If everything looks like it’s covered in moss, it’s because it is)
With plenty of active volcanoes, New Zealand is paradise for lovers of hot springs’ healing qualities, and I did not miss this opportunity to lather myself with detoxifying mud and to sink into sulfurous warm waters. Having arrived in late spring (the second spring I was to experience in one calendar year), I stopped and smelled each and every flower that came across my way. I breathed deeply as I admired the swallows soaring the skies. My eyes caressed the endless green hills accompanying me as I drove all around the north island. I had white flat coffees (the coffee game is strong in New Zealand), I ate fish and shellfish from the ocean, and I paid a visit to the California Coast Redwoods forest. And of course, already being in an adventure, I visited the Middle-earth and The Shire from Tolkien’s famous trilogy, giggling as I offered this gift to my inner child.
(This little piggy went to The Shire.)
But more importantly, I rested. Going against what has been learned, and unlearning it, takes a toll to the mind and body. Rejuvenated as if I truly visited a youth fountain, I know I just scratched this unique place’s surface, and the promise of coming back has been made. After all, it is a rare and wonderful experience going somewhere completely and unexpectedly new, and New Zealand has way more to offer to those who like to wander.
