Day 139 - A Month in Wellington/The End

My time in New Zealand ended up being very different from what my plans and expectations had been. Serves me right for having plans and expectations eh? In the end this trip was yet another memorable one to add to my story. 

If you know me, you know that it is a common occurrence for me to eventually get locked out of places. I made it nearly my whole trip without getting locked out of anywhere. In my final weeks I managed to succeed at getting locked out on a rainy day. It was bound to happen...thankfully I had a delicious locally crafted wine to get me through the two hour wait until I could get into the house. 

My remaining time in NZ was rather mediocre compared to my days road tripping it with my German bestie. And I say that with all good intentions. It was days of laziness, attempts at job hunting, trips to the library, tagging along with Alexandra's schedule and random walks around the neighborhood and various Wellington parks/trails. My days were dictated by my energy level and the weather. 

The wind and rain were coming more and more it seemed, which unfortunately limited by adventures and excursions. The weekend trips to the market and for coffee and refills of the fresh spring water in Petone were always a highlight. I also drank a whole lot of delicious wine of all kinds. 

Wednesday were our weekdays to spend together because Alexandra worked from home these days. I was used to being in the presence of someone pretty much at all times for four months straight. It was nice to have a mid week day to spend with her, as always spending the days alone got a little old. 

I ventured out some random excursion to Oriental Bay for some shopping and a wee hike. 

I saw Sesame Street being filmed on this particular trip. It was so random. Oriental Bay was a very low key hike but provided a lovely view of Wellington and the Harbour. 

Little or big it is always nice to get out for a hike.

I sadly left Wellington on June 16th. I took the bus and finally went through the tunnel that was by the park Alexandra and I were at many times and said every time that we would one day go through that tunnel! I found my rental car. An awesome little manual hatchback that I could easily sleep in for the night Everything looked so different backwards, and it didn't feel quite right. It was a lovely quiet drive taking in the scenery until the sun went down. . I made it to Tirau on Hwy 1 where I stopped for fuel. It had felt like something was wonky with the car but I figured I was just not used to it. Upon starting the car and trying to leave the gas station, disaster ensued. Car would no start and a dear AMA driver who had randomly stopped at the gas station came to my rescue. Something was terribly wrong with my rental car and I had less than 5 hours to make it to the airport in Auckland to catch my flight home; 200 km north of where I was. After spending a couple hours in the mechanics shop, we discovered the clutch had gone in my rental car and the amazing man who came to my rescue got approval for me to take their shop loaner for the rest of my journey. 

I was finally on the road after a frantic and anxious wait at the mechanics shop in a comfy station wagon that would get me to my final destination with no issues. I spent the night at a camp site that we had stayed at previously because I knew it was on the way. Te Kauwhata site was my finally campsite of my journey. I made it to Auckland and made my flight with no further issues. It seemed fitting I would end my time in NZ with some ridiculous story of breaking down and nearly missing my departure flight.

 It was a sad departure as I felt my time was not up yet in NZ but I could only focus on cherishing the time I did spend in this incredible country. 

The last few months have been very interesting. I have travelled thousands of kilometers, seen so many places, I even have a hard time remembering everywhere I have been. I have climbed numerous mountains, sat in glorious hot springs here and there, met amazing people, and stayed at some incredible campsites. I have wondered what on earth am I doing here in NZ but it has all been for the best. I have played so many random games with my German bestie and with others we met along the way. I have had so many conversations about anything and everything. The silent moments of awe and the beauty that I have been surrounded by for the entirety of this trip has been incredible. 

My time here was unexpectedly complicated with things from my past but that is ok. 

That is how life works right? 

Your world and experiences meld into one no matter where you go and no matter how far you far away you end up. Thank you New Zealand with all my heart for what you have given me 💓

Day 128 - Road Trips

Every summer growing up we would load up the family van, packed to the brim, and drive for hours and hours south to visit my relatives in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. These road trips were full of fun, fighting, motion sick disasters, and discovery. Each trip was chaotic and unforgettable. Staying in hotels, seeing new sights, and knowing that we would soon be having new adventures with family that we had not seen for over a year was amazing. I would have to say now reflecting on all of our trips that they instilled in me a love for the road and a love for adventure. I know that we always travelled to the same places summer after summer but looking back now, each and every trip was different. The places where we slept, the restaurants we ate at, the roads we drove and the museums and historical spots that we stopped at along the way were all the same but somehow changed with every visit. There was always something new to discover even if we had been there before. It is amazing how perspectives and perceptions change so much as we age.  And of course I m sure I have some rose coloured glasses on when I look back on those road trips, however, I know that each trip had a part in shaping and molding me into the wandering soul that I am today. 

Road trips make me feel absolutely free. Like the world is mine to conquer between here and there. I am ready for whatever crosses my path. Road trips provide opportunities to slow down, to be curious, spontaneous, and to really appreciate the small things in life. 

This has been the longest road trip I have ever been on and I hope it will not be the last. 

Whether it is long, short, complicated, frustrating, smooth sailing, you name it, I love it. Road trips have some sort of mystery surrounding them because you never know what may happen. They bring the unexpected. There are so many variable that come into play when you are on the road on your own. For some reason it feels like the possibilities are endless when you get in a car and drive. You never know what will happen and what you may come across. You can stop anywhere you want and whenever you want. Unless, of course, you have some sort of deadline, in which case that is a whole other kind of road trip. Fortunately this was not the kind of road trip I was on. Zero deadlines here.

Road trips provide time to listen to music endlessly, while singing at the top of your lungs, getting lost in the music and the scenery passing you by. Road trips bring about some of the best conversations you may ever have. There is something about being on the open road that makes the mind wander and think of the most random topics of conversation or make you question the meaning of life. Whatever it may be, road trips allow space for memorable and unforgettable conversations.  And of course for anyone that knows me should be well aware that regardless of where I am or how much time I have on my hands, I have a hard time shutting up and keeping my thoughts to myself. Maybe that is the only reason why road trips that I am on lead to great conversations. I have all the time in the world to chat, think and aimlessly ramble. And we take our road tripping and conversations very seriously as you can see from the photographic evidence we have from the road.  

I have probably mentioned this at some point here but I will say it again. The fact that New Zealand has generously opened its arms for travellers to enjoy their incredible land is amazing. The country has allowed so many"freedom camping" locations so that people can take in the amazing landscape is so generous. The country is trusting the people touring about to respect the land and travel in an environmentally friendly way. And for the most part people understand the fragility of the land, and they treat it with respect.

We took our road side pit stops very seriously. It was always easy to find a picturesque location to stop anywhere along our route for a meal, to stretch our legs, take some photos, catch a sunrise/sunset, or to find a place to sleep for the night. It was a constant reminder that we were travelling though an incredibly gorgeous country that had so much to offer us. 

The sights were breath taking and never ending.

At times it is as though time stopped. This has always been the most amazing gift on this trip. The incredibly easy ability to just "be" in the moment. No wishing for time to pass on quicker or to just get moving on to the next place. I would have been perfectly content for the moments captured in these photos to go on an on forever. This is such a huge part of why I feel so at home when I am travelling. You let go of life's stress and learn to really just be in the moment. One day I will figure out how to bring this exact feeling to life when I do not have my travelling shoes on. Of course there have of course been those days that I desperately just want to be out of the car, no longer navigating our next destination, trapped inside a metal box on wheels. These kind of days are when we blast the music and I just try to get lost in the surroundings in hopes that time will pass faster and the kilometres left to go will decrease quickly without notice. These moments have been few and far between, but nevertheless they come.

The roads that we drove, whether it was a road we had never been on or a road that had become very familiar, brought us to incredibly magical places and past ever changing scenery and landscapes. These roads have given me some of the most amazing memories made with a new dear friend and some friends who I will never speak to again but will live in my memories. These roads have seen every side of me and it is hard to believe that these roads that I have come to love and know so well will most likely never see me again. Just like every other trip I have ever gone on, it is always a sad realization that there is a place that you have shared so much of yourself with and it will only become another place you leave behind, taking only the memories you made home with you.