Amiekay's Adventure | Page 3 of 5 | "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all" -Helen Keller

November 20, 2017February 21, 2018

Bucket List Check: The Great Barrier Reef

Note: All photos in this post are courtesy Josh, the photographer on the Poseidon unless otherwise specified.

If you asked me the one thing I needed to do while visiting this side of the world it would’ve been to see the Great Barrier Reef. (And yes, I realize it is in Australia and I chose to move to New Zealand, but this is beside the point.)

Well, it took me a few months but I did it and it was amazing, even if I didn’t see a sea turtle.

A photo of the Great Barrier Reef from the Poseidon (Photo by Amiekay)

My second day in Australia the girls and I woke up to catch our shuttle to the Port Douglas Marina. We somehow managed to get up both early enough to buy coffee and also late enough to think we missed our ride; a van picking up people doing a dive tour with the same company as we were pulled away just as we came outside. We panicked a bit but after asking the concierge to check we discovered we were on a big bus which hadn’t arrived yet, and not the van that just left. Phew!

The scuba/snorkeling adventure we went was on The Poseidon and done in association with Blue Dive and Quicksilver. This particular adventure provides food and drinks (including those of the adult kind) so most people come via the provided transportation which means that, much like Disney World, the first thing you do for the day is wait-in-line. You wait in line to get on the bus, then you wait in line to pay, and then you wait in line to get on the boat. But the waiting doesn’t end there: once you get on the boat you wait in line for your coffee and tea. And while this may sound tedious to you, it’s really not: you’re too excited about the upcoming adventure for it to even both you. Plus, the entire staff is beyond friendly, in true Aussie fashion.

One of the many, many lines that started the day (Photo by Amiekay)

Some other “housekeeping” notes to mention about this adventure is that I had to fill out a safety waiver, which is pretty standard on most scuba and snorkeling tours. I am mentioning this because Australia has some of the strictest diving-laws in the world. They are so strict that if you answer “yes” to a number of questions you may have to take a physical before being allowed to participate. This is made very clear several times prior to your dive.

Once everyone was fed and legalized, the fun began, sort of. The Poseidon crew divided us into two groups: divers and snorkellers. This is the first time my little group of 3 split: 2 of us were diving, the other snorkeling. But we would split one more time: because I had never dived before, I was doing “Discovery SCUBA” whereas my friend Ashley was a certified diver. (Yep, each one of us signed up for a different activity.)

Now for the next hour or so, we were all in our respective “briefings.” These are the presentations they do to make sure you understand how to use the equipment and stay safe. They also make one thing very, very clear: do not touch or stand on the reef, because doing so will kill it. (This is important for a story later in this series.)

Because I was doing the “Discovery SCUBA” my briefing was more like a class and was a bit longer than the other two. My instructor explained to us how to use the equipment, and also that water pressure can cause your lungs to collapse and kill you. He did this to emphasize how important it was to always keep breathing and to take a moment to depressurize, much like when you do on a plane. I would be lying if I said the class wasn’t a little bit unexpectedly terrifying. (And keep in mind: I’ve gone skydiving.)

The Poseidon tour stops at three places in the Agincourt Reef, a series of smaller reefs in The Great Barrier Reef system. The places change each day depending on the weather and other sailing factors. From what I’ve read, Poseidon generally tends to pick really good spots along this reef system, and the 3 places we went on our cruise were spectacular, so I have no reason not to believe this.

I only paid for 2 discovery dives, so that meant one of my adventures would be snorkeling. I lucked out and did the snorkeling first. It was a nice way to get my feet wet and meant I got to hang out with my friend Katherine for my first ever Great Barrier Reef experience. It was also my first time snorkeling and viewing any reef in my life, and something I’ve unfortunately missed out on despite visiting and living in several different tropical climates. (I specifically tried to see a reef once off St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands but my partner at the time was too frightened at the time to make the swim, and have regretted not going on my own for years.)

Kath and I getting ready for our Snorkeling Adventure

I think the most surprising thing for me when seeing the Reef for the first time was just how dull the colors were. I incorrectly assumed this was a result of bleaching, but was told by our guides that while bleaching is still a big concern, things are improving. She said even though the colors were dull, the reef was alive and well. (And I did a little research and found that while I definitely saw some dead corals, for the most part, this is true. Not all corals are the vibrant purples and greens you see in pictures.) Either way, I consider myself lucky enough to have seen the images I did.

This is what a lot of the reef looked like: swarming with schools of fish

Now, I wish I could’ve rented a camera and taken pictures to show you the beauty, but unfortunately, since it was my first time doing SCUBA, it would’ve not been safe for me to be concentrating on something other than my breath for the first two dives, so I had to skip out this time. Luckily, the Poseidon tours do come with a photographer, so I was able to purchase some photos of my day and a series of reef images to share with you.

After our first stop, we sailed off to the second diving location and this is where the real fun begins. For the first time in my life, I strapped on an oxygen tank and was prepared for my great adventure under the sea.

Me with my gear strapped on, excited for my first dive

I would like to say I didn’t freak out at all, but I did. For the first 15 minutes underwater, I was really worried I wouldn’t be able to pressurize my sinuses or lungs and would drown. (I told you, that class was terrifying.) I couldn’t even relax enough to do the “skill” of switching masks underwater for a good 5 minutes, although I did get it eventually. This was all exacerbated by the fact I felt like the weakest link: the other two people in the diving group with me were certified divers who were getting their feet wet after a few years absence.

Due to my lack of confidence, I had to hold my instructor’s hand for a good portion of the dive, but once I got the hang of it, the experience was magical. (She even said she just let me pull her along once she could tell I was comfortable.) Unlike snorkeling, where you are mostly observing the ocean when you dive, you get to be a part of that world. In other words, snorkeling is the Little Mermaid pre-legs, and scuba diving is her life after legs. It’s a substantial difference, so if you think its something you could do and ever get the opportunity, I would advise you to jump in.

There are so many cool fish species to be seen at the Great Barrier Reef

While I did get to see a barracuda briefly, my first dive was unfortunately cut short because one of the experienced divers in my group tried to stray from the path and go a bit deeper than we were supposed to go on the introductory dive. And while that is a bit disappointing it did mean I got to the lunch buffet table a bit earlier, and that was pretty good deal.

After lunch, we went to the third and final dive site, which was easily my favorite. Maybe it was because I felt more comfortable, or maybe it was because this instructor was a marine biologist and particularly informative but I really feel like I was able to see more at this final spot than anywhere else. Thanks to my instructor, I was able to see Christmas Tree Worms, an underwater creature I didn’t know existed previously. The warms have colorful crowns that look like ornaments hanging on the coral that would curl into their hiding places whenever he waved his hands over the water above.

An example of a Christmas Tree Worm. The ones I saw in person were a bright purple

Some other highlights of my dive included seeing a giant clam open and close. These creatures seemed big enough that I could’ve fit inside the shells, but I would’ve never known what they were had I not been shown. My instructor also pointed out a brightly colored anemone and clownfish which was nice to see as well.

This photo doesn’t do the giant clams justice, as the ones I saw were massive and much scarier in person

I can’t say for certain this was the same anemone I saw, but this is pretty much exactly what it looked like, complete with Nemo and friends

The tour finishes with afternoon tea. There were optional beer and wine to be purchased, but we stuck to water and rehydrated.

While my one friend had a particularly disappointing trip, I have nothing bad to say about this experience with Poseidon. Just thinking about this experience gives me chills, as its something I honestly never thought I’d have the opportunity to experience and it was everything I hoped it would be and more. I really can’t imagine a perfect introduction to the reef and SCUBA diving and while it was a bit more expensive then my pocketbook would like, I have to say I would pay for it again without hesitation.

Proof I went underwater and did the thing. I also accidentally touched that coral after this photo and felt awful about it

This day, which was actually Ashley’s birthday (the whole reason behind the trip,) didn’t even end there. After we got off the boat, Ashley, determined to get on a sunset cruise, rushed down the pier to see if we could jump on a boat before it left. I’m happy to say she was successful and like most thing’s spontaneous, it was a fun way to cap to the end of the day

The boat we ended up on was the Lady Douglas, a smaller boat that takes several trips a day through the Dickson Inlet waters. Its main goal is to spot crocodiles, but that wasn’t the reason we jumped onboard. In addition to the scenery, the best part of the trip is the tour guide. He’s funny and informative to the point we missed a good chunk of the sunset. (Although the affordable wine helped with that as well.) The best way for me to describe this experience is a real-life and grown-up version of the “Jungle Cruise” ride at Disney World.

A view of the Dickinson Inlet from Lady Douglas (Photo by Amiekay)

Two of the sunken boats spotted in the inlet (Photo by Amiekay)

While we didn’t see any crocodiles, the ride was a lot of fun, even though there were some serious points during the trip. This included several sunk boats and vessels still in the river almost a year after Cyclone Debbie struck the area. They were a sight to see, but a harsh reminder of the power of Mother Nature and how much devastation storms can bring.

As far as the rest of the sights on the river, they weren’t super unique to me; having lived in Florida I have seen my fair share of mangroves and palm trees. (That’s not to say I don’t love these things, I absolutely do.) But overall this surprise excursion was more than worth the $35 AUD., a ticket price that included one alcoholic beverage and a few “snacks.”

After our second boat tour of the day, we headed into Port Douglas to grab something to eat at The Court House. The food there was tasty and satisfying, and it was great to sit on the balcony at the end of the day and observe the town of Port Douglas: a relaxed sea-side town that reminded me of several towns along Florida’s Treasure Coast. It was wonderful.

Day 2 concluded with us walking back to our 5-star resort via the famous “4 Mile Beach” in the area. And while the views weren’t as spectacular at night as they would be the next day, it was nice seeing at the Southern Sky without any artificial lights with sand between my toes…

A gorgeous sunset from the Lady Douglas to cap off the day (Photo by Amiekay)

November 13, 2017February 21, 2018

Away in Queensland, Australia: Day 1

I remember stepping off the plane in Cairns, Australia on September 28th and finally feeling like myself for the first time in weeks. And when I mean myself, I mean happy, content, warm and able to wear a freakin’ dress for the first time in months. (And if you know me, you know how serious of an issue this is.) It was a peace I never felt stepping off a plane in a new country before. Even when I went to Europe for the first time last year, my feelings were more of excitement and nervousness than a sense of belonging. New Zealand started off with a bit of dread, but from the very beginning, Australia was different. Maybe its just the fact I am a warm, sunny, beach-kind of person, or maybe its because I knew I had to be happy and bright to enjoy the rather expensive trip. Perhaps its something on a deeper level, but in any case, I knew from the moment I stepped off the plane I was in for a true adventure.

The view of the Great Barrier Reef from my airplane window

Our first stop after sorting out our rental car at Cairns airport was the Kuranda Village, a cute assortment of shops, restaurants, and attractions in the middle of a rainforest about 40 minutes north of Cairns. And we had to get there quickly, as we had a date with a very special lady.

As soon as we were able to find parking, the girls and I passed by the shops and restaurants and headed straight to our destination: Kuranda Koala Gardens. Now, yes, I have seen koalas before, but what first visit to Australia is complete without them? And, we were doing more than just seeing the koalas, we had an appointment to hold one.

While I have mixed feelings about visiting a place like this (see my previous post about my visit to the Wellington Zoo,) I have to say holding a koala was a lot of fun. They are much heavier than you think and extremely lazy. The handler put the girl in my arms and she just laid there and didn’t move the entire experience. It’s almost like holding a baby, except its much cuter, furrier and has giant claws. (Also, koalas feel a lot more solid and less fragile than babies.)

I am pretty sure they woke this poor girl from her nap so we could get our pictures taken.

While I did enjoy this experience, I have to say I’m not sure its something I condone, so I want to provide you with a bit of background on koala cuddling in Australia. Queensland is the only stat in the county where visitors are allowed to handle the marsupials, and like most touristy things in Australia, there are quite a few rules surrounding it. For instance, koalas can only “work” for 30 minutes at a time; after a half-and-hour of being handled the animals have to be allowed to return to their quiet existence on tree branches. 30 minutes may seem like a short work day for you, there’s a lot of controversy surrounding this. According to Kuranda Koala Gardens and other places that have koala cuddling excursions, science shows that this limited amount of interaction doesn’t stress the animals out or shorten their lifespan. However, because of where this information is coming from and finding reports stating otherwise online, I refuse to throw my support behind it.

I do want to say, however, while I’ve read stories of people clinging to the koalas and not letting go when asked, I didn’t see any such behavior while I was at Kuranda Koala Gardens. Everyone was fairly respectful of taking their turn and obeying the rules set out by the handlers. My only negative observation was how quickly the koala got passed from person to person; it seemed like the handlers wanted to maximize the number of photos they could get out of one koala in 30 minutes.

The rest of attraction was less exciting; the Gardens are basically a zoo and a small, somewhat rundown one at that. It features only animals native to Australia, in small enclosures. The kangaroo and wallaby area is interactive, and you are allowed to roam in and out of the same space as the animals, much like the zoo in Wellington. However, unlike that zoo, this one encourages you to feed and pet the animals, even offering you “feed” before entering. This, of course, coaxes the animals to interact with you. We managed to use the pellets to pet and hang out with a wallaby for a brief moment before a tour group of children came into the area, scaring the animals into hiding.

However, their noise seemed to stir another animal I wanted to see: the quokka, or as you might know it: the happiest animal on Earth.

I was stoked to see a Quokka in person because I incorrectly assumed you could only see them in Western Australia. And while that is the only place you can see them in the wild, it was awesome to have a chance to see one, even in captivity.

After checking out the rest of the small zoo, the girls and I headed back to the Village to check out some shops. Its sort of a surreal place, this outdoor mall in the middle of the jungle. Seriously, you could grab a bite to eat, buy a painting, jewelry, clothes and other”touristy” souvenirs all while being surrounded by the humidity and heat of the jungle. Its kind of like Florida, but more exotic.

After a tour of the shops in the village, we headed north to Port Douglas, a small seaside town known for its snorkeling and 5-star resorts. After checking into our own 5-star resort (my first ever, by the way) we went to the local yacht club and had a wonderfully tasty dinner.

In order to get into the Tin Shed, we had to sign up for a one-night membership. It enabled me to buy and enjoy this pesto linguini as well as a glass of New Zealand white wine.

Afterwards, we went to sleep, as the next day we had an even bigger adventure planned: scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef.

November 6, 2017February 21, 2018

The 6 Month Mark

I have officially been in New Zealand for 6 months. Its the potential halfway point: my visa expires after a year. I figured today was a good day to reflect on my experience, so far.

To start off, I have achieved a number of “bucket list” adventures: I scuba dived the Great Barrier Reef and saw Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays. And while neither of these is in New Zealand, I wouldn’t have made the trip if I wasn’t currently living here. Like all of my travels, these are sights 2 years ago I believed I would never see. But my, how much difference a year makes.

This isn’t to say I don’t love anything about New Zealand. This country does nothing but surprise me with its beauty. The islands’ rolling green hills, and varied coastline often leaves me breathless. There’s a simpler way of life here; everything runs a bit slower than it does in the states and that means everyone seems a lot less stressed and hurried. This may be helped by the fact there are simply fewer people here; the entire county has just half the population of New York City, or it may be its politics: everyone here has access to healthcare, and that the government will help if something horrible were to happen. But honestly, horrible things don’t tend to happen that much here. I mean, this is a country where you can actually take a bottle of water through airport security (and on to the airplane,) and where halved-lemons washing on shore is front page news: it’s a safe place to be.

And while there are a lot of positives, those of you who know me personally, are aware that this experience has not been everything I’ve hoped on a lot of levels. It’s cold and gray here more often than it’s sunny. I miss both Florida and the stability of my old career a lot more than I ever anticipated. I’m extremely lonely from time to time and actually miss owning things. (Particularly my queen-sized bed.)

A glimpse of how empty the beaches at Castle Point can be, even on a sunny, beautiful day

But where there is the pain, there has been healing. I’m spending a lot of time alone, which means I am being forced to work out unresolved issues from my past, issues I didn’t know I still had. The hurt of failed relationships, of being abandoned by a group of people who I once considered family, of feeling unlovable and unworthy, that all has come up and come to roost in New Zealand. But because I am taking the time to recognize these wounds, I have been able to recognize and feel these previously ignored emotions and states of mind. Furthermore, I don’t have any distractions here and that means not only do I have to cope, and but I also have to let go. And doing this is helping me become a better version of myself, as well as help me figure out more specifically want I want from life both personally and professionally. Its nice to no longer be on “auto-pilot” and know I can actually decide what I want in life and go for it; I do not have to be a slave to the opportunities that present themselves to me. Instead, I can choose where I live and what I do and can create the future I want, preferably with palm trees.

Although Gisborne is known for being the first “major” city to see the sunrise across the international date line, its sunsets aren’t bad either

So what does this mean for the next 6 months? I don’t know. Last week I wouldn’t even imagine being here that whole time, but it’s becoming more of a possibility as summer starts to creep in. So, assuming I’m here for another six months, I hope to use that time to travel the country more. Some of the sites I want to see before I leave include Lake Taupo, the Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Abel Tasman and Auckland. It would also be nice to see more of Australia if possible. (Specifically Uluru, Sydney, and Melbourne.) But mostly, what I want for the rest of this year is to be joyful. I want to really relax and begin enjoying this “working holiday” experience. As cheesy as it may sound, I want to leave New Zealand feeling like anything is possible. I want to learn to love myself and my life in beautiful ways I never imagined. It may not be the adventure I set out to have, but like Batman, it was the one I needed.

To to the next 6 months!

-Amiekay

Just a few days ago, swinging in a little park near Karaka Bay

October 12, 2017February 21, 2018

Exploring Eastbourne

Sorry for all the cheesy names. I figured they are more exciting than “Amiekay went on another hike!” But really, that’s what I did, and this time it was just 20 minutes outside of the city.

If you’ve ever looked at Wellington, New Zealand on a map, you know it sits on one side of a horseshoe-shaped harbor. Well, Eastbourne is the small village that sits on the other side of that same harbor. Its small, but it is cute, and behind it is a nature preserve called “Butterfly Creek.”

This trek didn’t end in a perfect view, but it certainly had some good ones along the way

Contrary to what the name may lead you to believe, there are very few butterflies in the area. In fact, the area is said to have gotten its name because there was a patch of land nearby that was shaped like a butterfly. Unfortunately, the only remaining evidence of this shape is the area’s name.

I loved the way the sun shone directly on the tropical looking fern at the time. Doesn’t quite read as well in a picture but at the time it was quite stunning to me

There’s a couple of different tracks you can take through the preserve, some of which are said to have been used by New Zealand’s native Maori. However, these paths certainly feel more modern than most paths, as they are full of steps, signs, benches, and directions to help you along the way.

The trek my friend Anca and I took was the one to the picnic area by the creek. It is a steep climb, but well worth it for the views, vegetation, and peacefulness. It was definitely the most “wooded” hike I have taken since being here other than Zealandia, but it was gorgeous. Also, the trip was pretty short, just an hour each way. (But, as it was steep, it was also a pretty decent workout.)

The view from the picnic area. This place would be a nice spot for couples, I imagine

The picnic area itself is really pretty as well, and I’m not just saying that because we brought chocolate hazelnut cake from the most amazing little cafe with us. (It is called Chocolate Dayz Cafe in Days Bay and if you’re ever in the area you better go. The food’s great but the views are better.)

Sometimes I wonder why I bought a gym membership when I have all this beautiful natural exercise waiting for me just minutes from where I live. But I’m in the contract until May so I guess I’ll still have to go and keep lifting weights or something.

October 9, 2017February 21, 2018

Away in Wairapapa

Someone told me not to bother coming to New Zealand if I didn’t like hiking. Well, I never liked hiking before but I came here anyway, and now I am planning weekend getaways that include walking some long trails. I am really thankful.

I have to be honest, this likely wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t met people who were keen to go on hikes and walks themselves and invite me on them. I imagine I would’ve done all the touristy things around Wellington that involved little exertion and then fill up the rest of my week with drinks, the gym, and Netflix. Now, I have to admit already happened to some extent, especially while my more active and hiking friends were out of the area. But guess what? They’re back! And that means, I’ve gone on a few new adventures already, I just haven’t written about them up until this point. To start, I want to focus on our trip to Wairarapa, Greytown and Cape Palliser.

The view from the Cape Palliser Lighthouse

To give you a bit of an idea where this adventure took place, it was a 2-hour drive from Wellington to the cape, which is the Southern-most point of New Zealand’s North Island. That drive through the Rimutaka hills is long and winding, but it is also absolutely breathtaking. (For all of my Pennsylvania friends, it’s a similar look and feel as the Pine Creek Gorge area, which is better known as the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. If you haven’t been I would recommend it.) There are hikes through this area as well, but we just stopped at the lookout and kept driving. This is because it was a windy and chilly day, but also because the drive was quite long and we had a lot we wanted to do.

The view from the entrance to the Rimutaka Crossing, a trek made by 60,000 New Zealand Soldiers during WWI.

On our way to the lighthouse in Cape Palliser, we stopped in one of the hidden gems in the area: a small village called Greytown. The picturesque town is actually the oldest in the region and is full of architecture and cute, funky shops. My friend Anca says it reminds her of the town Stars Hollow from “Gilmore Girls,” and I would have to say this is accurate. (And now you know exactly how the village feels, don’t you?)

In Greytown, we stopped at an adorable coffee shop called “Cahoots.” It has your standard coffee-shop fare which was tasty but what I really liked about it was the atmosphere. It’s a little nerdy and a lot of fun; for instance the table numbers they give out so you know where the food goes all feature pop culture figures. (We were “G” for Gandolf, and someone next to us was “E” for Elvis.)

The ladies at Cahoots. That was my first of several coffees for the day. (Also, do you see Gandolf!?)

The rest of the village was a bit artistic and fun as well. There was a bicycle shop where you could buy a tandem bike if you wanted, a community theatre and a lot of locals who didn’t seem used to “so many” tourists.

The black sand beaches in Wairarapa were surreal

Our beautiful drive through the mountains continued, before taking us out to the coast. Here, there were black sand beaches to explore and a rocky area that held some of my favorite New Zealand residents: fur seals and seal pups. There were so many in this area you had to be careful where you stepped because some of them were so still you didn’t realize they were there right away.

These are just a few of the seals that were hanging out in Cape Palliser. They didn’t seem to keen to have us around

This is one of the guys I almost stepped on, because he was so chill

After the seals, we continued on our way to the Cape Palliser lighthouse. The lighthouse has sat atop the cliff here since 1897 and is still in use today. Me, being a fan of lighthouses, almost didn’t mind the 253 stair climb to the top of the cliff to see it up close! (However, I would’ve loved to climb more steps to get to the top of the lighthouse itself, but alas, this was not an option.)

Now, with all that adventure in one day, you’d think we would be done, but no, not us! Afterwards, we had one more stop yet to take, and this one was the tastiest. Close to Cape Palliser Lighthouse, there is a tiny fishing town known for its crayfish called Ngawi. It is so small, only about 20 people live in the area year-round. As it was the off-season, the only business we passed that was open was the “Captain Table Food Truck,” which sits along the coast. I bet you can guess where we stopped and how tasty the fresh-caught fish and chips were.

Don’t look at me, look at the food and that view!

Also in the town, we stopped to check out some adorable lambs. They were adorable, albeit a little dirty to pet. Still, totally worth it.

It was a really good day, and aside from the food and coffee, it was 100% free.

September 10, 2017October 7, 2017

All Eyes on Hurricane Irma

UPDATE: As many of you know the Hurricane ended up not being too bad for this part of Florida, although some of my friends did end up without power and a little bit of flooding. I am happy to report they are all safe and I am relieved.

Original Post:

One of my favorite views from one of my favorite cities: West Palm Beach, Florida

It is weird watching things happen to the places and people you love from the other side of the world. Right now, Hurricane Irma is just beginning to be felt in Florida, a place I still think of as home and a place I hope to return to someday. Just about everyone I know there has evacuated to “dryer” places or is holed up in a news station providing 24-hour coverage to viewers. And while I don’t envy the danger they are in, this oddly doesn’t change my longing for home; part of me still wishes I was there. Maybe this is because I left for the “wrong” reasons, or just because I am worried about lots of people whom I love. Who knows, but Florida is weighing heavily on my mind today. There is some good news: the hurricane looks like it won’t hit the area I am most familiar with directly, and as I said previously all of my closest friends are in places I know are safe. But the danger isn’t over, and I will have to ride this one and wait and see what happens just like everyone else. Fingers crossed.

September 5, 2017February 21, 2018

Welcome to New Zealand, A Soundtrack

I don’t know when I started making soundtracks for segments of my life. I think it was probably at some point in university, a time when music was not only easily accessible but also central to many of my friendships.

It started small, with me naming periods of my life. These often coincided with semesters or friendships. For instance, I distinctly remember naming the summer of my sophomore year “Two Guys, a Girl, and a Diner.” At the time, I thought this was a clever play on that oft-forgotten show “2 Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place,” and was chosen because I spent many nights that summer at various diners with my two best friends at that point in my life who happened to be two guys. I am pretty sure they both thought I was silly, but the name has helped cement the memories of that summer firmly in my mind, and for that I am thankful.

This naming of periods in my life eventually morphed into giving them songs. I think the first of these was “Don’t Stop Believing” (how clever) for my first semester after transferring to Temple University in Philadelphia. I’m sure you can guess the inspiration for this one: booze. (This was also around the time I turned 21.) However, I also I think part of me enjoyed the hopeful message of the song.

This need to name times of my life after songs eventually grew into creating full blown soundtracks for them, particularly for romantic relationships. This is something I sort of forgot I did until recently when I purged all my “boyfriend boxes” as part of my move to New Zealand. While I realize this is kind of a ridiculously sentimental thing, I have to tell you, making them was cathartic. It was a nice way to package up my emotions and stop listening to those songs, knowing I could revisit those feelings later. (Which I did, by the way, after rediscovering them a few months ago. It was… interesting, as they stirred up long-forgotten emotions of regret, love, and joy.)

TL;DR: I went through my "boyfriend boxes." I have problems with commitment. So, I'm trying to do more "looking forward" with my life these days instead of holding onto the past. I've gotten rid of clothes, books… really anything that "weighs me down." So. Tonight I did something I didn't think I would do until I got older: I went through my "boyfriend boxes." These were boxes of everything from receipts to trinkets to stuffed animals I put away at the end of relationships because they were either too painful to look at or because I thought I would want to have them as memories when I got older. There were times I wanted to cry, other times I smiled because a memory I forgot about would come into focus. It was cathartic in many ways. There were some really silly things I kept (hello condom wrapper from the first time I had sex,) and also some really sweet things like a handwritten love note. There were also notes I wrote to exes but never sent professing my love or frustration, but most of what I found in the boxes were memories of two people who for a moment in time loved each other and that was something. All of these relationships were flawed in their own right, but the most common thread among them was my own inability to commit. (Granted the last two were abusive so I had every right to leave them, and this is why I didn't picture ANYTHING from the worst one.) I guess what I'm saying is I am realizing more and more I don't like doing things that are difficult. I like to take the easy way out. This is something I want to change moving forward. Life begins at the end of your comfort zone right? Here's to letting go of the past and starting new adventures.

A post shared by Amiekay's Adventure (@amiekaysadventure) on Feb 12, 2017 at 3:58pm PST

Until now, these sorts of soundtracks and playlists have been purely personal mementos; none of my former boyfriends know I made these albums. (Unless they’re reading this now, and in that case, hi guys.) But as I was walking home tonight, listening to the songs that have become part of my journey here in New Zealand, I thought: what better way to offer you insight into what I’m going through then sharing that music with you? Call me immature, call me an emo kid, call me whatever you want but I really think the music someone is listening to at any moment can open a door to their heart quicker than words can.

So, here it is. My “Welcome to New Zealand” soundtrack. It’s sad, hopeful, and very folky. There are only a few artists on it, but hey, some of them are kiwis.

Until next time.

August 29, 2017February 21, 2018

Unexpected Journeys

One of my favorite things about Wellington and New Zealand, in general, is how much walking people do here. And because it’s part of the culture, that means there are a lot of specifically walking paths to get around. They are so prevalent, Google maps use them in directions. This means whenever I go somewhere new on foot, I am almost always treated to new landscapes and views (as well as muddy sneakers.) It’s amazing how much beauty there is here in Wellington, just outside the city limits.

Below is a series of pictures I’ve taken over the past 3 months in Wellington, all taken during unexpected journeys.

Shelly Bay

For a moment, I felt like I was back in the tropics.

Kelburn

I was on my way to a friend’s house for brunch when I stumpled upon this quaint bridge.

This is a popular type of path in more urban spots of New Zealand. In some cases, the mail man has to take them to get to the entrance of people’s houses!

This feels like the entrance to a secret garden but really its just the entrance to one of the walking paths in Kelburn.

The edge of Mt. Victoria and Oriental Bay

On my way to the Mt. VIctoria trail, I spotted this stunning view of Oriental Bay

Oruati Reserve in Point Dorset

After a yummy brunch at Scorch-O-Rama, my friends and I took a brief walk through a gorgeous reserve. It is easy to take photos when the sun does what you want it to!

I couldn’t resist sharing this photo of a dog running into my photo. <3 Puppies and that view!

Stuart Park in Titahi Bay

August 26, 2017February 21, 2018

Ankle-Deep in Something

Right now, I am supposed to be hiking. Specifically, I am supposed to be hiking this trek, which fans of the “Lord of the Rings” movie series will recognize. But instead, I am in a coffee shop. This isn’t because the trip was canceled; the rest of the hiking party is out there right now and the weather is beautiful. No, I’m not hiking because it seems New Zealand continues to want to laugh at me and my plans.

You see, the joy I’ve been getting from working out at the gym resulted in me spraining my ankle. And this wasn’t just any little ankle twist; I tore 2 of the 3 main ligaments in the joint, and that means I won’t be doing any potentially high-impact activity for one to two weeks.

And guys, this really had me down. As I mentioned in my last post, I was finally finding ways to combat my homesickness by getting out and doing things, things I now can’t do. I was so excited for this nerdy and exciting trip and had a blog post planned about it. I was going to join the gym after my two-week trial and lose the extra weight I put on. In other words, I was going to take back my life starting this week. And then I fell the wrong way on my foot in an aerobics class I wasn’t particularly enjoying and all of my plans had been put on hold. (Not to mention I spent $120 NZD on a doctor’s visit and prescriptions even though I’m told it should’ve been covered by ACC.)

I spent most of yesterday in bed down in the dumps. I mean, this is obviously not the spot I wanted to be in at this point of my trip. Not when the weather is finally warm-ish, and not as I was finally getting back to being myself and finally feeling like I am ready to take on New Zealand. I spent much of yesterday in bed moping and on the verge of tears; being injured made me realize just how alone I am on this side of the world. It made me once again, really miss a lot of the luxuries I gave up in the States for this adventure. (Health insurance, a car, and especially my own warm apartment.)

Well, the doctor said I could still walk on my foot, so I decided to take the 40-minute round-trip yesterday evening to the super market to buy ingredients for my weekly meal prep. I did this basically to feel like I hadn’t wasted the entire day, but it felt good to realize I was still mobile (even though I could feel my injury on the walk back,) and it was nice to get out of the house if only briefly. But then, a really great thing happened when I returned to my flat. You see, when I arrived, my neighbor’s cat bolted out of nowhere and ran up to my door, demanding pets and cuddles.

Alby, the neighbor’s cat who likes to cheat on his owners with a lot of people in the area, including me. (This is an old photo, but the best one I have of him.)

Now, before I go further I want to let you know that cats cheating on their owners is a bit of a thing in New Zealand. Unlike in the States, cat owners here are encouraged, if not required, to allow their cats outside on a regular basis. (Seriously, it was a question my friend was asked by the SPCA when she adopted her pet, but more on Elliot the Adventure Cat later.) I say this, not so we can debate the merits of letting cats roam your neighborhood, but because I want to let you know that when I let Alby into my flat this wasn’t unusual or weird culturally. It’s just a normal thing here, and our neighbor is fine with it as long as we don’t feed him.

In any case, Alby’s visit to my doorstep and my flat was exactly what I needed to cheer me up. He stayed just long enough to remind me I was not alone, and that it was all going to be okay. Seriously, a purring cat really is the best medicine. And since then things have been looking up. Sure, I’m not on my hike today, but maybe I can go on one in a few weeks. And, I mean, at least I sprained my ankle before I signed up for the gym because now I’m not paying for a week where I can’t really use it. I also got another gift today from a friend who messaged me this morning about going to a really great restaurant for lunch today as part of the “Wellington On a Plate” event, something I’ve been dying to do all month.

My “Wellington On a Plate” meal at The Arborist: Blackberry and sloe gin-cured salmon and the “Beetlejuice” cocktail

So I apologize for the lack of gorgeous New Zealand scenery photos; I really did intend to bring you a bunch of them this weekend but alas, my foot had different ideas. But, as I said in my last post, I didn’t spend a bunch of money on hiking boots not to use them though, so I’m sure there’s at least a trail or two in my future.

I’m still on an uphill trek at the moment, but at least it is a pretty one. (A previously unpublished photo from my hike at Mt Victoria.)

August 22, 2017February 21, 2018

Where I’ve Been

So first, I want to apologize for my growing absences from this blog. It is not intentional, but there is a lot of reasons behind it, and I want to bring you up to speed.

I’d like to say by absence is just an unfortunate reality of having a full-time job for the foreseeable future. Yes, almost immediately after my last post I got offered a long-term contract with the company I am temping for. Funny how that worked. (Heck, I even am getting paid time off!) This is all great news as I have one less thing to stress about, but it also means I am much busier than I was when I first arrived in New Zealand, and that means I have less time to explore, and therefore a lot less to write about. (I do want to mention, however, I am still exploring in bite sized amounts and have a lot of fun adventures lined up in the future, so stay tuned!)

But as I said, this isn’t the only reason I’ve disappeared. I’ve also disappeared because I am struggling with the cold. (Yes, it’s the end of summer for most of you, but in the Southern Hemisphere it is very much still winter.) This is making me very homesick for warmer temperatures, and particularly Florida, to the point I was making plans to return there as early next month. My bags were all but packed, and I didn’t write because this reality was a hard one for me to admit, but one I think you should know. As excited as I am to have this time in New Zealand, it is also not an easy transition, especially now that life is becoming a bit more routine.

The homesickness is more than just the temperature. It’s hard seeing my friends in the States go through big life changes, both positive ones, and negative ones, and not feel like I can be there for them. Sure, the internet makes this a bit easier these days, but I am still 16 hours in the future, so that means when most people I love in the U.S. are free to chat with me, I am either asleep or at work.

I am also missing my old life and frankly, having a career. I miss having a car and a place to call my own. I miss having a freaking closet, central heat, and even a video game console. These are all things I would’ve said didn’t mean much to me before I left but once I got here, I find myself daydreaming about these simple and strange things.

Don’t get me wrong, I would not trade my time here in New Zealand for anything. Even though it hasn’t been all positive, it has been great. Wellington is as amazing as everyone says it is, and many of the friendships I’ve made here are ones I will take with me for life. I’ve even bought hiking boots because, well, it’s an activity I’ve actually come to enjoy and one that’s hard to avoid here in New Zealand. (Honestly, even some of the walking paths here are basically mini-hikes.) But it doesn’t make missing my friends and family any easier, and it doesn’t mean I prefer hiking to Disney World because let’s be honest, Star Wars Land is going to be epic.

So where do I go from here? I’m not entirely sure, and I guess that’s always been part of the adventure. I am making strides, however, and learning to embrace my new surroundings in both old and new ways. To combat the chilly winter, I have started going to the gym again, something I did regularly in the States. I’m also meditating and saying “yes,” to opportunities to experience new things both in and outside the city. I’m also trying to find things to make the tiny space I live in feel more like a home because living out of a suitcase has been really difficult.

To end on a positive note, I plan to make a photo post soon of all the “mini adventures” I’ve taken throughout the area. Also, know that I do plan to get back to updating this now that I am in a better space, and ready to get things back on-track instead of just “existing.” I mean, I did buy hiking boots.