As I had my New Zealand passport stamped at immigration and heard a warm "welcome home", I shed a brief quiet tear. I have shed a few tears this trip - tears of happiness, sadness, sheer joy, exhaustion, frustration ... and tears of gratitude. As we touched down on NZ soil and after being away for 13 years, more tears briefly escaped as I felt the arms of my home country embrace me, us. As we made our way through the Auckland airport, having our muddy hikers and Asian wooden trinkets checked by customs, I felt a huge sense of relief and happiness. It was good to be home.
NZ is like no other place on the planet. I have travelled parts of this country before over the years, but never have I been struck by its incredible raw beauty as I have this past 10 days. Isolated, remote, windswept, proud and diverse. And neat. Everything so in its place, it looks like the country just went through a major spring clean. Hardly a speck of garbage to be seen, nothing out of place. Rolling hills cut down to the bone by a parade of sheep and cows. Fenced paddocks perfectly sectioned. Roads smooth and easy to read. Clear, accurate sign posts everywhere. And the foliage, the trees, the native plants! I do not remember them being so unique, so incredibly beautiful. New Zealand ferns the size of palm trees, flowering cactus growing from sand dunes and dense rainforests that smell earthy and safe. Ocean that clings to the road and rushes to the shore in high winds. Bays that are as calm as an early morning lake. Breathtaking.
The boys and I have taken some time to come down from our time in Asia, India and Nepal, so it has been an odd adjustment, funny enough, to be in a developed country. Who knew that drinking water from the tap and flushing a regular toilet would seem like such a luxury - and a little indulgent! It took us a few days of good kiwi food to really appreciate our new surroundings. Pies, fish and chips, ice ream and cheese - oh the NZ dairy! I must have put on 5 pounds ... and counting. Comfort food, the food I remember as a kid. Rich in gluten, high in sugar! Still as good - better actually! Mum flew over from Australia to meet us and to spend the first week here exploring the North Island and visiting family. I hired a small car from a local company and with jet lag still connecting me with Nepal ... we set off! Nana in the front and the two boys arguing and bickering like an old married couple in the back as we made our way north of Auckland to the stunning Bay of Islands. Neither Mum or I had been this far up, and I am happy we made the effort. We were blessed with incredible weather and lucked out with a motel overlooking the water.
We spent a amazing day out sailing, searching for dolphins and enjoying the islands. We picniked on a remote beach and hiked to take in the vistas. We all got to steer the yaght and hoist the sails. And without breaking into the Rod Stewart song "I am sailing ..." I have to say here, that there is something very special about it. New Zealand is a sailing country, I`m pretty sure my Uncle has sailed the circumference. And the Kiwis just recently got pushed out of the prestigous Americas Cup title by the USA. They were front runners. Kiwis are great sailors. There are thousands of boats in every city harbour. I personally have not sailed alot, but it is something that I want to do more of. To be propelled by the wind is indescribable. And Ben surprised us by applying some of the sailing basics that he learnt at Sailing Camp a couple of years ago! Truly an amazing day - and we did catch a glimpse of some dolphins in the distance.
We showed the boys glow worm caves that dated back hundreds of thousands of years ago. Walking deep amongst fascinating stalignites and stalamites, we stopped, turned off our lanterns and waited for our eyes to adjust. And like looking into the night sky while camping in the deep woods, we were greeted by thousands of little twinkling lights - the butt of the glow-worm. The brighter the light, the hungrier they are. A great memory for the kids. Who knew that NZ was the home to one of the oldest trees in the world?! A Kauri, estimated to be almost 2000 years old! Amazing...
The Bay of Islands is an amazing place. It has so much character and oozes history and culture. We could have spent a week or more there.
We made our way to Rotarua next, home to loads of Geo-Thermal activity. I remember being so fascinated by this as a kid. Boiling mud pools and thermals baths, geysers and steam. The kids had a Maori history lesson that day and got to visit a real village where the natural hot springs are used everyday for cooking and bathing. We were treated to an incredible cultural show, filled with tradtional song and dance and the boys may now be able to perform the "Haka" (Traditional Maori war dance often used to effectively "psych out" oponents in World Cup Rugby by the New Zealand All Blacks)
The boys learnt lots over these few days. I have learnt things about New Zealand that I never knew. And I have a new travel companion! I get alot of my adventurous spirit from my Mum and I am glad she is with us. I know the boys are enjoying having someone aside from me around all the time. Mum and I have had a wonderful time introducing the boys to all things Kiwi! Next post: Homeward bound to the city of my birth, the first city in the world to see the sun, for a long awaited reunion with family!
Beautiful shots Love!
Mmmmm, steak and onion NZ pie and a Lemon & Paeroa...so kiwi!
Reply
Victoria
2/11/2013 06:18:08 pm
Its as kiwi as it gets ... along with the "fush" and chips. Wish you were here to enjoy it all again with us! Xx
Reply
Kelley
30/10/2013 02:50:31 am
You look like you're doing a KY kriya in the shot of everyone sticking their tongues out! I know you've been wanting to get back to NZ for a long time. Enjoy!
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Victoria
2/11/2013 06:20:25 pm
I am in need of a Kundalini kriya actually! But trying my best to do something every day ... even if it is dog breath, Maori style! xx
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Lisa
31/10/2013 07:03:05 am
Hi Vic;
The way you first describe NZ as neat, tidy and clean reminds me of what I thought of Sao Miguel. I couldn't believe how prestine it was with cows and chickens happily grazing the perfect fields. I would like to spend some time in NZ one day. I think it would feel like home to me. Very much like BC but more like the Azores. Very beautiful pictures. Glad you are home and enjoying the luxeries!
xo
Lisa
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Victoria
2/11/2013 06:23:30 pm
Yes, it seems alot like the Azores ... hope I can make it there one day too ...
Xx
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Lisa Boulay
1/11/2013 10:49:55 pm
Sat Naam Victoria!! I'm just catching up with your blog. Life is busy, just started a new KYTT, teaching, work, family, etc. I love hearing about all of your adventures, some rather wild, a snake in the raft, wow I would have freaked out!! Your pictures and words paint such a vivid picture. All the best, sending you a warm hug and looking forward to hearing more!
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Victoria
2/11/2013 06:25:22 pm
Warm hugs to you too Lisa. Thanks for connecting. Sat Naam my friend xx
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Maureen
2/11/2013 06:15:23 pm
Victoria.
This blog was so emotional and beautiful.
What a wonderful life long memory you have given the boys, I am sure they will remember this for ever and a day.
Thank you for letting us share this adventure with you all.
Enjoy everything in New Zealand, especially the time spent with friends anqd family I also get that feeling/emotion whenever I am away from home, and especially flying, I don't know what it is with us humans.
Take care
Reply
Victoria
2/11/2013 06:28:35 pm
Thank you Maureen. I know you get this ... this notion of "coming home". Even though years have gone by, I think we will always call our country of birth ... home. Xx
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