A few good hikes

When we decided to come back to New Zealand, we vowed that we would do more hiking than our last visit here. Last time we spent nearly the entire time in the car trying to see as much of the two islands as we could in 3 weeks time. Mind you, we did a little hiking on that trip but not nearly to the extent or duration we desired. So with an opportunity to stay in one place and explore our surroundings (and borrowing my friend Meg’s car to get us from A to B), I downloaded a hikers app and we set off to a couple of good hikes around the area. Our legs are feeling the results of a few uphill climbs but the views from the top made all the hard work worthwhile.
Here’s some highlights from our 3 days of hiking;

Day 1

 

Sledge track trail

Hiked up to Ross Creek, straight 20 minute incline which nearly ruined Shawn, then back down the orange & purple bike/walking paths back to the car park: 3 hour return on a hot sunny afternoon. 

Views on the way down...

 

Views on the way up!😍

A little bit of everything. 

Starting to heat up🥵

Views from the top made the strenuous hike up worth effort!

Day 2

Arepaepae Lookout Track-Levin

The first 2350m (2.35km) were uphill. We did it in under an hour-barely!

Then we went the wrong way for another kilometre before turning around and finally finding the lookout...

However, we hit the jackpot of blackberries on the way so not all was lost-and Heather did not get hangry! ...gorging on fresh berries along the way😜

Finally found the lookout...2hrs later. Overlooking Levin & the Pacific Ocean.

 Another hour hike downhill for a totally of 3 hours + burning calves. 🦵 

Day 3

Tawa Loop trail 1.5hr return

 

Walking in the gorge 

 

Shaded walk through the forest-a nice reprieve from the heat especially when hiking uphill.

Stop at the top with Whatonga: 12th century Chief made of galvanized steel

White Horse Rapids Lookout

A warm welcoming ❤️

We made it! After a few “side trips” to Cali & Fiji, we’re finally here in New Zealand!!!

We arrived on a late flight Thursday night; and as our bus to Palmerston North left early the next morning, staying somewhere for a few hours seemed frivolous. Some of you know that Shawn & I are pretty adventurous when it comes to accommodations (we’re high maintenance) so sleeping in airports, cars, and dingy hostels kinda became the norm for us. We get pretty creative when it comes to sleeping arrangements-so when it came time to “set up shop” at the Auckland airport for the night, we chose wisely. Therefore accommodations came complete with a nice hard curved wooden frame (length enough for a small child), phone charging station (best part!) and a cup holder. Needless to say, ALL spaces were taken by fellow travellers; as well as the less desirable floor spaces, cafe chairs & tables, and the most cleaver... on top of your pile of luggage. 

Home for the night 💤 

You may notice Shawn & his roommate sharing foot space.

Lack of “proper” sleep can make you do funny things. 

I decided to heed the advice from my friend & take gravol for the flying & windy bus journey and because I RARELY take any meds, I passed out HARD for the first 4hrs of the 9hrs trip. When I came back to consciousness the scenery was breathtaking! 

Pulling into “Palmy” (Palmerston North), we piled off the bus and into a huge crowd of travellers. I tried to spot my friend without any luck. Then I saw this lady popped in front of us, scaring the daylights outta me... “Meg!!!!!!” Huge hugs all around🤗💗

(Don, Meg, Me, Shawn ❤️)

Our first morning with our friends, Meg makes us a Dutch Baby for breakfast 🥞 🤤

Then, we drove to Mount Bruce for an amazing native forest hike, kiwi spotting, bird watching (feedings) and quality time together 🥰

Silver Fern-New Zealand’s national symbol (displayed on everything Kiwi)

The Māori’s (indigenous people) used the leaves to mark their paths.

The undersides reflect moonlight, making them useful aids to navigate bush pathways at night. 

Watching the “Parrots” feed (Māori names are hard to remember!)

Don & Shawn we’re only slightly nervous at the one swooping over head into the trees above them. 

It’s the weekend-we all needed a little bench rest (inside the protected bird enclosure).

Beautiful tall native trees 🌲 😍

Cheers! 

Palmy brewery/pizza hot spot-much needed after an afternoon of outdoor fun. 

Real wood oven pizza-yum!

Home sweet home. 

Meg & Don’s farm house place 20min from Palmerston North.

They share the property with their landlords who farm the land and cattle. 

Ross & Teresa and their 3 kids; Ryan 6, Zara 5 & Jade almost 4. Cutie pies!😍 And!-2 awesome dogs, Jack 13 & Murphy 7months. 🐶🐶

Teresa’s mom lent us her camper for the duration of our stay-we are humbled & delighted! With views of the mountain range from the back window in our bed...who could complain?!!

Just awesome 😎 

...an upgrade from our Auckland accommodations 😉

A long awaited return to New Zealand

While on our world trip 6 years ago, we visited New Zealand for 3 weeks-seeing both the North & South Island in a whirlwind driving tour. From there, we continued onto Australia before exploring South East Asia. As I sit here in a New Zealand airport today, I have a mix of emotions about how we ended up back here. The obvious is that a good friend of mine now lives here and what a great excuse to visit! However, the bigger reason is that we cut our World Trip short 6 years ago in April & never completed the last legs of our journey-and vowed one day to return.
When we arrived into Christchurch airport after exploring a week on the north island six years ago, I got a desperate call from my sister who said I needed to call home straight away. So I called my dad & his wife and received the news that dad had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer-and the outlook didn’t look good. Although I didn’t understand at the time how serious this news was, nor did my dad want me to stop my travelling to come home, I couldn’t shake the looming feeling of dread & anxiety that began to overwhelm me. Even as I sit here and write this, the feelings come flooding back like it was yesterday. Being half way around the world on a trip of a life time, I felt torn between staying and going. Dad reassured me, “I’ll be ok. Enjoy your travelling-don’t worry about me.” Sure dad, you don’t know me at all! 
So we continued our travels for a few more months (and enjoyed all that New Zealand had to offer) until the dreaded feeling that followed me around finally came true in the middle of the night in Cambodia. First my sister, then my dads voice on the line; the cancer had spread and I needed to get home. We booked the next flight out of Bangkok and after a few days of travelling, we finally made it back home.
The next few years that followed were some of the most difficult ones I’ve ever faced. Losing dad a few days before his 59th birthday that same year and then Shawn’s cancer diagnosis the following September. As painful as these two events were, I see how God has worked in my life to bring me through it all-and it may sound funny, but I’m so grateful for it.
This is not to be sad or put a downer on our trip, but rather explain how we got here: back to New Zealand. Since we felt we never quite completed our journey, we said one day we’d go back. Shawn’s only request was that we have another stop over in Tahiti (he had to settle for Fiji instead😉). 
Last Christmas (2018), my grandma passed away at the age of 90, and because my dad is no longer with us, my sisters and I all got a little something. With careful consideration, and a knowing that my dad would have said “go finish your trip,” it all fell into place. Everything came together with the flight deal including the stopover in Fiji (although Shawn kept saying Tahiti🙄). Although we are still on a budget like most of our travels, we didn’t have to starve ourselves on our island portion of the vacation (see Tahiti blog post). We now have a home and jobs to come back to and are no longer the wondering vagabonds of the past-well, maybe a little😏
And so here we are! Ready to start a new adventure and create another set of memories. Feeling blessed to be here today and being able to share this experience with the love of my life. ❤️
Onto the next Adventure! 
#NewZealand

New Zealand: taken February 23, 2014

Bula Fiji!

“Welcome home” & “Bula” was the welcoming we received arriving in Fiji.
How did we end up here??? It all began when Heather found the flight deal to New Zealand with a free stop over in Fiji! Say what?! “How long can we stay” I asked the lady from Fiji Airways when I called to inquire on the details. Two nights max she told me-so I booked the flight!
And now less than 2 months later here we are! Fortunately, our arrival into Fiji was 5am Day 1 and departing 6pm Day 3 so we got to enjoy lots of time in the Fijian sun. Hmm, maybe a little too much time for a few Canadian wintered folks.🥵 Fijian sun is hot!
Here’s a few highlights from our little vacation in Fiji;)

Sunset over Fiji😍
Shawn went down before the sun. I had been taking jet leg homeopathic pills for a few days and he baulked at the idea. Then, we arrive in Fiji (a minus 17 hour + a day time difference) and it all caught up to him. Even a lively Fijian band & flame throwers in the room couldn’t wake him from that deep slumber! He came to 15 hours later; fresh as the Fijian sunrise 😎

Shawn vs Heather

While Shawn slept, passing out at 4pm (1am Toronto time), I took myself for a lovely Curry Fijian dinner while being serenaded by a Fijian guitar singing trio. 🎶 

Our “home” for the next 3 days and view from our patio.

 

I spent the early parts of the morning in my Happy Place (on the water) with a kayak or a paddle board, while Shawn enjoyed lounging under the rustling coconut trees feeling “ultra relaxed”🌴 

The grounds guy trimming the coconut trees must have looked at us and thought to himself, those silly sun seekers could use some hydration-and brought us over some fresh coconut water🥵 

We were very grateful!

...also a great way to cool off 🌊 🌴 

Paintball in Fiji? Seriously, of ALL the places I could have booked, this one had paintball target shooting!?! They must have known🤨 Anyway, Shawn HAD to try, and ended up convincing the guy to join him in a friendly target shooting competition.

 Shawn lost by one shot but still enjoyed it all the same😜

Fijian breakfast. 

Super excited not only for an amazing view every morning, but also curries for breakfast!

Night 2: Shawn made it to sunset 🙌🏻

 

...and it was spectacular!

As was the sunrise from the main island😍

My favourite part of the day☀️😌💗

Day 3: With skin still hot from too much Fijian sun, the remanence of multiple applications of sunscreen covering our bodies & a feeling of ultimate relaxation flowing through our veins, we say farewell to Fiji and board our plane to the next leg of our journey. 

See you in New Zealand!