My First Month Traveling in New Zealand: Recap and Reflections

I had every intention to really get back into blogging during my travels in New Zealand, but here we are a month in, digging into my very first post. I’d love to do more in-depth writing about the different experiences I’ve done and people I’ve met, but frankly, then I don’t think anything would get published. 

Instead, I’d just like to share the itinerary of where I’ve been so far and some brief thoughts that have been cycling through my head consistently throughout. 

Sound good? Good. And if not, well… you can stop reading because that’s what’s going to happen.

The Rundown of Where I’ve Been

It’s been a full five weeks in New Zealand now (five weeks!!). For the most part, I’ve ended up pretty much keeping a schedule of doing a week in each place I go. When I can avoid it, I’m not one for fast travel. Being able to set up in a place and take my time with each activity is definitely more my speed. In a lot of ways, one week may not even be enough! But it all depends on what you’re doing. 

For now, a week has just felt like an easy way to break up the time. However, it also means that in five weeks, I haven’t actually been to a ton of places. 

Here’s the quick overview.

Week One: Auckland

I spent most of the time doing admin stuff like getting a bank account and buying a van. I went to coffee shops, ate pastries, went on some adventure runs and went to a Christmas concert in the park. Once I did get the van, I was able to spend an afternoon going to a waterfall, which was beautiful.

Week Two: Raglan

I stayed at a backpackers hostel for the week, but was sick for part of it (total bummer). Even so, I surfed three times, jumped off a bridge (into a river), went for a hike, and met some nice people. I also went to this very cool upcycling and reuse shop that was like if a dump and a thrift store had a baby. It’s called Xtreme Zero Waste and I’d highly recommend it!

Week Three: Te Kuiti 

I spent the Christmas holiday house sitting in a beautiful country setting with three cats and a dog. I spent most of my time upgrading the van thanks to my host very generously letting me use her workshed and tools. 

On Christmas Day I drove to nearby Waitomo, where I did the Ruakuri Bushwalk and chanced on a tour of the Aranui Cave. Both were incredibly cool experiences and I’m excited to go back for black water rafting! I also spent one night freedom camping at a stop in Whakamaru on my way to the next place.

Week Four: Rotorua

I celebrated the New Year with folks at Rock Solid Hostel in Rotorua…and then I promptly got super sick. But still I saw geysers, mudpits, hotspings, redwoods, and lakes. I also got to have a New Year’s surf, taking a day trip to Mount Maunganui.

Week Five: Takapuna/Auckland

Back to the Auckland area for a house sit where I mostly laid in bed and dealt with being sick. Then I took care of some administrative stuff with the van.

Week Six: Northland

Now already more than midway through week six! This is actually the first week of the trip where I don’t have a specific hostel or housesit already lined up that I know I’m going to be for the full week or the majority of the week. I’m in the van, booking campsites and hostels the night of and planning activities just a day in advance. 

I went on a day cruise to Poor Knights Islands (Tawhiti Rahi Island and Aorangi Island) and otherwise, I’ve been keeping things mostly relaxed while still recovering from being ill.

Solo Travel Thoughts

Solo travel is something I’ve championed a lot over the years. It’s something I’ve done a lot over the years. Spain, France, Italy, Iceland, Israel, Scotland…and of course the United States—all places I’ve traveled to and around on my own. I wouldn’t say I’m always a great traveler, but I figure things out.

Except this time, I think I’m willing to admit something that’s hovered in the background of my memories of many of those previous trips: traveling is exhausting. I know, “the grass is always greener,” “this is a trip of a lifetime that I’m lucky to be on,” and “what a privilege it is to travel for this long and work very little.” Don’t get me wrong, it is something I feel very lucky about. 

AND.

At the same time, the experience is making me see the positives to being in one place, having a stable home to retreat to, and doing a lot of the same things each day. It’s grounding to generally know what you’ll be doing and where you’ll be each day and each week. The routine and consistency create space for other things in your brain. Decision fatigue is real and it’s a lot when everyday you’re asking, “what am I going to do today?” “What am I going to eat?” “Where am I sleeping?” “Do I need to shower?” 

Maybe this is just the natural realization that people moving into their 30s come to. I didn’t think that would be me, but maybe it is—at least for a time. Maybe this realization is what I needed this trip for. 

I guess what I’m saying is I’m discovering more about myself on this trip. Yes, it’s cliche, but it’s a cliche for a reason. Traveling on your own may be challenging and lonely at times, but it does push you to get introspective. At least, that’s what I find happens when I travel alone.

So, this is the big thought that’s come out of my travels so far: maybe it’s time for me to find grounding in one place. 

The idea and what I’ll do with it is still rolling around in my brain and marinating, but luckily, I still have quite a bit of travel time to let it marinate a while longer.