Is it possible for a distant, exotic and breathtakingly beautiful country such as New Zealand to produce something like an “everyday life rhythm”? Looking back, my answer today is YES, although you have to say that everyday life down under is always going remain distinctively special. It starts with the immensely open-mindedness of the Kiwis and ends with their natural way of accommodating foreigners and newcomers to Aotearoa New Zealand. Eight weeks into my new home and I have already travelled the northern half of the country, learned how to kayak, bought a car and experienced the fascination of my very first creative travel experiences.
Everyday life in my new home New Zealand: The next beach is only about 20 minutes by car from the house. Amazing for a land-locked Austrian like myself! Here, I relax and read more about my upcoming South Island trip destinations.
“Take my picture, please!” I do not remember the name of this young lady (nor her boyfriend in the back), but I do remember that we got to talk real easy. 😉
Everday life in New Zealand does mean discovering something new almost each and every day. Here, I check out the nets at the wineries I visit, thinking that the birds must be really hungry around here if the grapes are so well wrapped up!
First pleasure, then work … Or was it the other way round? “Down under”, a lot of things appear to be different.
The leading singer of an open-air concert is a lady with the beautiful Maori name Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and has a tattoo all around her mouth. It is only later that I learn that his kind of tattoo traditionally worn exclusively by women is called “moko” and is part of their Maori cultural heritage. Next to her is a white “pakeha” musician (that’s how Maori call white settlers to Aotearoa New Zealand), who is able to produce unearthly, rhythmic sounds from a large piece of bone. I stand, mesmerised, in the centre of a sports ground in the city of Nelson that on this day serves as the concert venue. It is here, too, that I first listen to the cool sounds of the Dub / Drum’n’Bass / Reggae Band Salmonella Dub, whose songs are yet to join me on many road trips around the country.
Cool concert location in Nelson, New Zealand.
The strange and very different sound & band composition fascinates me all through the concert. A very unique experience indeed!
Parallel to this, Denise & Crispin Raymond my charming hosts for the first few months, take me around their home for Sunday afternoon trips, including large home-made ice cream. Nice! 😉
A little later however, work calls …
… and I become “second cousin from Europe” of this Motueka family, who has originally migrated from the Netherlands, earning some money on the side picking pears for my next trip around New Zealand’s South Island. Yes, dear readers – a true adventure!
During break times, I chat with and get to know my new colleagues. We always dish up large amounts of food, as we are all really hungry after a day’s work. I get to help out here for about two to three weeks during the harvest season.
Here is where I met the family, friends of the winegrowers located in this picturesque spot that is Motueka Valley.
Last but not least a (secret) tip for you: Check out the day walks at Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park
From my new little house, it takes me about one and a half hours drive to reach the heart of the northern parts of the South Island from the Motueka Valley. Here, about another hour’s drive from the city of Nelson, is where you will find Nelson Lakes National Park, 100.000 hectares large and managed, together with 13 others by the Department of Conservation called “DOC”. Their visitor information centres are packed with interesting information, their staff have always and without exception been extremely nice and helpful. After a while, I make up my mind and decide for a day walk of about three hours, hiking up half a mountain for some spectacular views of the lake district at my feet. Wow … “100% Pure New Zealand”, the message of the country’s national tourism marketing, resonates with me here. This country does hold a lot of magic that is best felt and experienced out in the nature.
Views like these make up for all the sweat of hiking: Taking a rest in Nelson Lakes National Park, overlooking Lake Rotoiti.
At my feet, nature boasts all its shades of lush green …
… and it is also in the evening, that a special sense of magic, peace and quiet befalls this place.
Beautiful! I really like it here. – Aotearoa New Zealand, turning more and more into a second home base for me.
My friend & co-author Anna Zell has also recently been to New Zealand and fallen for the beauty of this country: She writes about her trip together with her boyfriend Jacob in this article “Couple Trip Kiwi-Style: Exploring Aotearoa New Zealand!”
