Misty Mornings and Mountains

Taranaki, New Zealand – April 2019

New Zealand and nature work really well together. These exquisite flowers have been tended to and loved, and very appreciated by me! My last couple days in New Zealand were spent in the Taranaki area. We had arrived at our destination at dusk, so the exploring had to wait until morning.

Eager to see what awaited me, I ventured outside early and was not disappointed. The air was still misty, and spider webs were dotted with dew. The delicate flowers and views of the fields and mountain were breathtaking.

Breakfast.

I didn’t know I had been missing this!

Warm porridge with milk, brown sugar, applesauce and Cocoa Krispies!

We hiked up the hillside and just stopped to breathe! You could see for miles even from this smaller hill. The air was clear and fresh and I wish I could climb this hill every day.

I love the slant of this fence. The fence doesn’t need to look pretty, it just needs to keep the cows contained when they wander up the hill. And the sky.

That sky so wide and free!

We spent the morning learning how to ride motor bikes. Learning how to ride had been on my bucket list for a while. What a rush! We stayed in the flat field at the bottom of the hill so we didn’t get too crazy! It was definitely one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Yup! This is how I felt as we made our way on the ATV to the field where we would try out the motor bikes. I couldn’t wait to get there!

It was a great morning!

Devonport, NZ

After arriving in New Zealand, we really didn’t have a plan and we probably should have had one. In our planning stages, we never could set anything in stone. Julia (my NZ travel partner!) and I were both a bit indecisive about what to do and when. But for me, and I think for Julia as well, it didn’t matter. We were glad to be there, to be standing on this big island in the South Pacific. If you have ever looked forward to traveling someplace and it had been years before you got there, you will understand that feeling.

On our first day in Auckland area, after getting coffee, we went to the suburb of Devonport, a beautiful little town across the bay from downtown Auckland. Walking along Cheltenham Beach made me wonder where all of the people were?! It was a gorgeous afternoon, during school holidays, the temperature was about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the water was clear and lacking any fishy smell. How was this beach so empty?!?! Maybe since it was a Tuesday, most people were still at work. If this was back home, I am positive people would cut of work early to enjoy a day like that.

Walking up the hill from the beach, we made our way up to North Head Historical Reserve. Here, we explored a whole series of military tunnels, rooms and disappearing gun emplacements built starting in 1888 for protection from a feared Russian invasion. It was cool and dark inside these tunnels, nice to explore on a hot day but if you visit, walk slowly. Or pull out your cellphone flashlight!

I remember my Grandma would say davenport when referring to the sofa. Davenport sounds a lot like Devonport…this is what I was reminiscing about as we strolled through the town of Devonport. For anyone who isn’t familiar with a davenport, it’s what my Grandma used to call a sofa.

The Devonport library is a wonderful place. No davenports, but plenty of places to rest your derriere and delve into a good book. I don’t know what to call that chair with the purple-ish cushions, but I love the design.

Dinner at the beach? Why not! We picked up some food at the grocery store including Kiwi BBQ flavored potato chips and feijoa and pear soda. (My adventures with feijoa to be continued.)

We were really blessed with beautiful weather during our week long trip. It was sunny and perfect for being outdoors every day. I was also blessed with travel partners who were amazing and made it a fun trip. As I look back now, I think about the places I have yet to visit, the photos I should have captured, and the conversations I wanted to continue.

Definitely next time.

Let’s make this real!

As time goes by, memories fade. I often go back through old albums and look at the photos saying ‘oh yeah, I remember that now!’ or ‘what was his name again?’ and regret not keeping a better record. And so begins another journey in a new era of my life. No more excuses, no more regrets. The places, the people, the experiences, the food – all are so valuable to me.

sun on water — Watching the sun sparkle on Lake Taupo.

To savor means to taste and enjoy completely. I will savor every moment and every memory, every challenge and every minute of peace, every bite of food and every drop of drink that passes my lips, every person I meet and every laugh we share, every language I learn and every book I read. Life is beautiful. The world is wondrous. As long as God gives me breath to breathe, I will pursue my dreams. Let the adventures begin and the opportunities be without end. Let mine be a life well lived.