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.
