Epic vacation. now it's time to get back to work!
Just spent an amazing 3 weeks experiencing van life on the North Island of New Zealand with my daughter Nikki and her boyfriend Jono.
I'm from Vancouver BC and really expected New Zealand to be quite similar to our area from what I saw online. That was not an accurate expectation... New Zealand is the most incredible diverse geographically rich country I've ever seen.
From the first moments of arriving and hearing the beautiful sounds of cicadas to seeing the bush... not the jungle as I was corrected by a New Zealand friend I was captivated.
The driving is an incredible different experience since we are used to being on the other side of the road here and they have what appeared to me to be a rather complicated series of roundabouts.
Lots of windy narrow roads too... Nikki and I so appreciated Jono taking the wheel for the entire trip. We logged 2100 kilometres and it was a lot of driving for him. Such a treat to be able to sit back and take in the incredible scenery! So many cows and so many sheep... Rolling lush green hills with incredible spikes and volcanos everywhere. Absolutely breathtaking!
The very tip of the Island at Cape Reinga is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean collide. Incredible beautiful and very spiritual feeling place with massive cliffs and beautiful surf beating around the shores.
Throughout the Island there is a tremendous amount of geothermal activity so you can find natural freshwater streams to relax in and ocean beaches where you can deep your own hot pool until the tide washes it away.
There are huge bubbling mud pools that literally boil and spew volcanos of rotorua mud about and other spots where it's just fresh water boiling in streams with incredible calcium and silica formations. Great cosmetics are made with the rotorua mud too, it's loaded with minerals.
We climbed massive golden sand dunes that go for miles and that you can rent boards and ride down. They wrap around the North Island but the ones we stopped and played on were Te Paki Sand Dunes that join 90 Mile Beach.
We stopped there and did take away fish and chips and caught an amazing sunset. The beach is officially a highway so there were people driving about all over the beach and of course surfers.
It was incredible to pull off on side roads that would be pretty rough and stop at breathtaking beaches with huge surf, squeaky sand and in some cases not a person to be seen for miles. Such beautiful places and so unspoiled.
We spent a weekend on Great Barrier Island with friends and that was like another world. No power, no water, no traditional amenities and so rich in natural resources and beauty. We had an epic fishing trip and hiked up to Mount Hobson that rewards you with 360 degree views from the top.
Cathedral Cove on The Coromandel is a spectacular natural rock arch with beautiful white sand beaches surrounding it and jagged islands out in the water close to the beach. Easily one the most specular places I've ever seen.
And we still had at least another ten spectacular stops and experiences along the way... far too much magic to condense in a quick blog post.
So if you've ever considered visiting New Zealand most definitely GO!! As any good Kiwi would say it's sweet as! My wanderlust is now officially on, this beautiful world of ours has so many beautiful places to see.
As for now I'm more inspired than ever to create freedom in my life and certain that we are on the right track here with online marketing and WA to help blaze the trail. It's most certainly worth doing whatever it takes to get out and experience these adventures!
Feel free to take a look at my FB and connect if you like... lots of good photos and videos there. Words simply don't do the magic of New Zealand justice!
https://www.facebook.com/judy888
Recent Comments
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My daughter is going there next weak. There are 4 and they plan to have a motorhome and pass both islands, full month.
I hope they have a fabulous time! Having the motorhome or the van lets you really see the sites. My daughter is still there on the South Island and I would love to see it too. How awesome that they have time for both islands!
Looks like you had a fantastic time Judy, imagine being able to do that sort of thing as often as you like.............benefits of a successful online business.
Mark
It was really exceptional... definitely has inspired me to take my online business to the next level and create that freedom!
Beautiful pictures.....giggled at that one video clip with the woman washed that large boulder....priceless. Looking forward to hearing more about your vacation...New Zealand sounds sooooo beautiful!
Wow sounds like you had amazing time. I just viewed your photos & videos. New Zealand is so far away yet I'd love to go before I die!
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Judy, I spent a year in New Zealand. I know full well the wonders you saw. I worked in Auckland for two periods and Motueka for the fruit picking season. Actually we picked tobacco. And there was me an avid anti-smoker! My good friend is from there and her family was based in Rotorua. So did we have fun on the lakes with the thermal pools and over on The Coromandel. By the way did you try the Lemon and Paeroa soft drink when you were there. It was great way back when, but like most good things is now owned by Coca Cola so who knows what it is like now!
I find that no matter where you go you need to spend time there. After 15 years we still haven't explored all of Tasmania yet but we are working on it.
Once you are well established in the internet world you can spend the time to really investigate a place.