The #1 question people asked me when they heard I was going to honeymoon in New Zealand was "Are you going to Hobbiton?" or some iteration to asking if I was planning to visit where Lord of the Rings was filmed. If you know me at all, or have kept up with this blog, you… Continue reading Where we stayed: Not a farmer, but I like the countryside
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" I silently screamed so as not to make a scene around all the other people. I've never stepped on hot coal, but I imagine this is what it would feel like. I quickly ran towards the ocean to soak my feet in the cold water. Our pool was definitely too hot. Like,… Continue reading The crowds and camaraderie at Hot Water Beach
I was in shock when my husband told me what had just happened in Christchurch as we were making dinner Thursday evening. It was Friday afternoon in New Zealand and the Christchurch community was living a nightmare. Bryce and I were just on vacation in New Zealand last month and visited Christchurch. I couldn't believe… Continue reading Christchurch — just my thoughts
We started and ended our New Zealand trip in Auckland, mainly for convenience's sake since we were flying in and out of Auckland Airport from Oahu, Hawaii. I had big dreams to see as much of the South Island as possible so we didn't spend a whole lot of time in Auckland, which is on… Continue reading Auckland: I could live here
Are you tired of hearing about New Zealand? I hope not because I have so many more thoughts and stories to share! Despite being on the other side of the world, New Zealand felt familiar to me. The country's time zone is "so far away" from us -- Pacific Standard Time here in Seattle --… Continue reading New Zealand: feeling kind of at home
So, I thought I'd chronicle my New Zealand travels in order of the places I visited, the things I did and the people -- and animals! -- I met, but it looks like I'm just going to write about whatever I am in the mood to write about. Today, it is Milford Sound. We visited… Continue reading Milford Sound: Unlike anywhere I’d ever been
Being back from our New Zealand trip for a week, there have been two recurring questions from friends, family, colleagues and strangers — just kidding, I haven't gone around pushing my NZ travel stories on strangers, yet! — which have been: What was your favorite thing about the country? (Or, a similar question like "What… Continue reading All about New Zealand food, sort of.
Three days ago, I was in Auckland, bidding farewell to New Zealand's summer. Two days ago, I was swimming at Ala Moana beach in Hawaii. One day ago, I was back home in Seattle, where Snowmaggedon/Snowpocalypse 2019 had hit hard for the third time in a week. It's unusual for Seattle to get so much… Continue reading Back to an unexpected reality
I know, I know, it’s been weeks since my last post! I have a good excuse though! I have been traveling around New Zealand with my husband on our honeymoon! New Zealand is wonderful. The weather has been great everywhere we have been. It is summer down here after all! The people are friendly. There… Continue reading Sorry for not writing. Having too much fun in New Zealand!
I'm a planner. But, usually my planning tends to stress me out because I get worked up about every little detail. My husband has taught me that not all things need to be stressed about nor planned to the minute. (Well, it's something I'm working on). A week before our honeymoon to New Zealand, we… Continue reading Off to New Zealand!
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