Our own backyard

A couple of weekends back, my 7 year old daughter and I celebrated the end of term one by meeting some friends for a meal at the Little River Inn before taking on a hike to Rod Donald Hut for a night away in nature. While in the huts it became apparent that we booked 8 out of 9 spots and the 9th person, we apologised profusely for surrounding him with a bunch of squealing overtired children. 

It turned out that the 9th person was a tourist here in New Zealand and he had an incredible story. He had recently completed the entire length of New Zealand on foot!  Back in September , he had started up in the sunny Far North at Cape Reinga, which is the tippy top of the North Island, and travelled all the way down to Stewart island, which is a small island right at the bottom of Aotearoa.  His favourite part? Rafting down the Whanganui River.

It was so interesting to hear about his journeys and to see New Zealand through the eyes of someone who hadn’t spent their entire life growing up here. I learnt that night just how many Kiwis you see when over on Stewart island, something I have never witnessed or even thought about.  It really hit home, how much we, as New Zealanders, take our beautiful country for granted. 

While discussing the person who walked the whole of New Zealand with my 7 year old daughter the next day, she was so curious as to how did he do it, how long did it take?  I could hear her retelling the story to friends for days after. It made me so happy to think that this little trip not only gave her time in nature with friends, but also planted a seed—sparking her imagination about big adventures and the amazing things people do when they travel the world.

I have definitely become more inspired and curious about what adventures there are in our own back yard and hope to keep exploring little pockets and sharing these with all of you who dream of coming to New Zealand- whether it is for work, travel or to stay.