The Stamping Insomniac

So it's a sad fact... I am starting to wake up at times like this (3.35am), am trying to keep sleeping by rolling from one side to the other, using what were my trusty breathing techniques and even the old counting of the great New Zealand sheep, and all to no avail.

Which is why I am now sitting in front of my computer, blogging. I do love it though, this new habit of mine and perhaps it can be like my 'morning pages'... getting it all out of the head, and onto the 'paper' we call the web. Hopefully I make some sense. Part of me wonders whether to publish things like this and then I think, 'well I am in tourism, I do have my own business and therefore these are the thoughts that I am thinking however the times... well, they could be slightly more ideal...'

I am about to fly out to Christchurch this morning for what I feel is best termed 'potential damage control' or PDC for short (note it's a subset of DC but I do prefer the P to be at the start so the result is no DC at the end)...

I am seeing an operator we have used a lot in the past, as well as meeting with a lodge that is currently undergoing renovations. They are both extremely professional outfits however the nature of this tourism beast is just that - change. I am not an expert in the corporate fields and I am very aware that change is everywhere, however am I right in thinking that in tourism, due to the fickle and fluctuating world markets and perceptions of travel, the concept of change is very rapid?

The reason I ask is this... I am constantly coming across lodges that we use, operators we deal with, airlines we book through, restaurants we dine at and all these sorts of establishments that are forever pulling the rug out from under us inbound agents. Not only does the nature of tourism mean transience to a large degree but this results in staffing issues at these places and constant upheaval and inconsistencies. It can get quite frustrating, but then again, what can't?

There is nothing worse than having a clan of travelers in tow, arriving at a lodge and not realising that they have only 3 rooms available due to 'upgrading.' Alternatively, organising a day out in the mountains with no wet-weather options while that rare, screaming southerly has just jumped across from Antarctica is not that pleasant either...

Excuse the pun, but these examples are merely the tip of the travel iceberg when it comes to PDC, which is why THE most crucial aspect of any travel organisation is to physically do the trip prior to the travelers. You can make sure you know each lodge owner personally, have dined at the suggested restaurant, have soaked in those particular hot pools, have ridden those rides, walked those walks, taken that water taxi and ultimately, created that all amazing feeling of client satisfaction. That's when word of mouth works wonders.

Leave nothing to chance, leave no stone unturned, do not cut corners and stamp your mark on how you wish things to be done. This is my reputation, my brand and my philosophy. This is also my insomnia.

Christchurch here I come (in about 4 hours...)

Lush native forests, Fish and Chips and some Sauvignon...

Walking in the south island of New Zealand is just one of those things that I feel, most people need to do more of - getting away from the madness, getting into the hills and just putting one foot in front of the other. I am lucky enough to be able to do this on a number of occasions throughout my Kiwi year, both through this business of my own and also through my involvement with the amazing Butterfield and Robinson.

In both instances I have free reign to research, design and also guide trips while traveling to beautiful places, meeting amazing people and working out the best things to do in each place. I am not bound to an office, I get my much needed dose of the outdoors and all with that small sprinkling of 'life variation' that keeps my city-time at a tolerable level.

And so it finished last week - this time the Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura and Fiordland.

Lush native forests, fish and chips and some Sauvignon. Snow-capped mountains, a fishing village and some local guides and man, what a trip it was. The weather (despite being highly 4 seasons in one day) did not stop us doing anything and the travelers loved it. We walked, boated, dolphin swam and flew our way around the south and saw a southerly like I have never, ever witnessed before. Out on the ocean off the Kaikoura coast we were, watching warily as it was creeping up from Christchurch. Slowly the cumulus clouds mounted, picked up speed and as we were literally about to tie up to the dock, a HUGE cold blast of wind hit, the waves picked up and there it was... in all its Antarctic glory. A great sight to behold.

Having just returned, it makes you think of what lies ahead and with any luck it's barbies, sunshine, time on the beach and the completion of that all important list of summer reads - oh yeah, and some more guiding.

Apparently, tis also the season to be jolly, fa la la la laaaa, la la la yeah right. It's quite hard don't you think? I mean, I'm all about the start of summer. I would even go so far as to say it's my most favourite time of year. I am constantly telling myself that 'it's only November and not even the start of summer yet and look at how much I have to look forward to'...

Despite having just been in the hills and attempting that ever-elusive state of 'zen', I do actually find the pressure of Christmas gets to me - the consumerism, the hurriedness, the frantic tying up of all those business (READ 'busy' ness) loose ends - it all takes it's toll... I find that the post-Christmas antics are much needed and what better way to unwind than to just go somewhere and chill.

New Zealand is just the best place to do it. Yes, it takes a while to get here (from abroad). Yes, we speak funny and yes, we constantly have four seasons in one day, but that really is the beauty of the place. None of this predictability. No constantly hot days on end, no straight roads that cause people to fall asleep at the wheel. Hell no, not here. It's a place where diversity of landscapes, eccentricity of people talking about not much other than the weather and the fact that you can walk down one of many coastal beaches naked and not see another soul - that is what makes New Zealand summer's so great.

I find that whenever I get away on trip, I am forever looking around and feeling that we are incredibly blessed to have such magnificence in our very own back yard. I think we should promote this, not only overseas, but to each and every person that lives in this land and show them how easy it is to just walk, anywhere...

So have a few wines over Christmas, enjoy the new year and make those resolutions (and stick to them) but when you can, jump online, have a look at a walk you have been thinking about doing and just do it. It can be ten minutes away, across the bay, over the water, in the Waitaks, Rimutakas or even the Ureweras... Just take your provisions, good gear and do it. You will love yourself for it.

Until next time.

The beginnings...

So here I am...

Blogging.

Apparently.

I have been really wondering about this form of communication for some years now and not through lack of love for writing. I do love to write however it is something that I am starting to admit that I do. We all do things and then play them down, however if you write a blog, who's to say you are not a writer. If you paint a painting, are you not an artist? If you... the list goes on.

No, the real reason for my 'blogcrastination' is purely my thoughts of 'who would want to read about what I, am doing???' I have decided that those with a similar interest may want to so I built a figurative bridge and have just got over it.

So, I am here. And I am writing. So I am a blogger... I feel a bit lighter having typed that (and no, I'm not sitting in a semi-circle with a name badge on, looking across at some spectacled person with a clipboard). It is late, I am tired but what better time to have peace and quiet with my blogging thoughts.

The point of this first blog? To extend a big 'hello' to you all and a 'watch this travel space'. It's going to be exciting and perhaps a new hobby...