New Zealand Archives | Page 2 of 4

January 15, 2018January 13, 2018

5 Reasons You Should Skip Rere Rockslide and 5 Reasons its a Must-Do

I recently took the plunge and rode down one of New Zealand’s most unique attractions: the Rere Rockslide. Here are some reasons why I think you should go, and a few why it may be something to take off your list.

5 Reasons to Pass it Up:

1. The water is cold.

Like, really cold. Have you ever put your finger in an ice cube tray a few minutes before it turns solid? That’s about how cold the water is at Rere. And no, it doesn’t depend on the season since its fresh water in a little stream.

2. Sandflies will bite you

I don’t know why these things are called Sandflies since they actually live in the dirt of the forests here in New Zealand. Nonetheless, these things are everywhere around the rock slide. They look like gnats, and because your feet will be numb from the cold water, you don’t realize they’re biting you until you see your feet bleeding.

The top of the slide offers a pretty view as well

3. The walk from the bottom is slippery and dangerous

The rockslide is a natural phenomenon, which makes it really cool. But also, because this is 100% Pure New Zealand, that means there are no man-made steps or safety precautions. This means you are walking up wet rock to get back to the top.

4. It’s out of the way. Like, really out of the way.

It’s about 100 km, or 45 minutes outside of Gisborne. Aside from a small waterfall and the rockslide itself, there’s really nothing else in Rere to see or do.

Rere’s other attraction: Rere Waterfalls

5. BYOB – Bring Your Own Board

A lot of places advertise that you can rent boogie/body boards at the site, but that wasn’t the case when I was there, so I would be prepared with your own. However, if you do bring one, make sure its a cheap one, as the rockslide is known for busting them up pretty badly.

5 Reasons it’s Not to Be Missed:

1. It is fun!

Once you start going down the slide, you forget how numb your feet are. The slide is exactly as exciting as the viral videos make it out to be.

2. There’s nowhere else like it in the world

Honestly, if you’re in New Zealand, this is one of those things I would count as a “must do,” since this is unique to the country. (Unlike, say bungee jumping or skydiving.)

3. It’s free

Aside from the cost of the boogie board and the petrol to get you there, the Rere rockslide is completely free.

It doesn’t look too daunting from here, but when you’re there in person, its actually a bit unnerving

4. Your friends will judge you if you skip it

The moment I told people I was moving to New Zealand, I was sent this video of the Rere Rockslide by a number of people with the phrase “you have to do this.” (I am not the only person who moved here and experienced this pressure.) So really, if you’re going to come all this way, you might as well take the plunge

5. You’ll make new friends.

If you come prepared with your own board, there’s guaranteed to be someone else who wasn’t prepared and will want to borrow yours. Or vice versa. Either way, it’s a great conversation starter.

Me posing with our $10NZD boogie board post-slide

January 8, 2018February 21, 2018

A Tale of Two Art Deco Capitals

A view of Napier’s Marine Parade, complete with a classic car. Marine Parade runs along Napier’s waterfront, which is made up of a pebble beach

Napier, New Zealand calls itself the “Art Deco Capital” of the world. It’s a title that the South Florida-girl in me takes immediate issue with; I mean, doesn’t that title rightfully belong to Miami Beach? After all, Miami Beach is bigger, brighter and well, just more recognizable than Napier. However, after I visited this small, beach-front city, I can now say it has a decent, if not somewhat convincing argument. First, a little history: Unlike Miami Beach, Napier was actually mostly built-up prior to the Art Deco style’s hey-day in the 1920’s and 1930’s. The only reason it has this style of architecture is that the city was razed following the deadly 1931 Hawkes Bay earthquake and had to be rebuilt. This means Napier’s construction of art deco was built for an already existing community and, therefore, has a bit of a different feel to it than its United States counterpart, which admittingly, was mainly driven by consumerism and developers hoping to make a buck from wealthy tourists.

A view of Miami Beach’s more tropical art deco style. (Photo courtesy Alex Bellink of A New Day A New Place)

Unlike Napier, a lot of Miami Beach’s art deco buildings are owned by wealthy corporations. (Photo courtesy Alex Bellink of A New Day A New Place)

I think it is this community-driven development that makes Napier feel almost like its stranded in time. Not only does the architecture take you back to what many refer to as a “simpler” time, so does the city itself. Napier’s downtown is lined with both attractions for tourists, as well as the necessities local need for their daily lives. Unlike the streets of Miami Beach, which are lined predominantly with hotels clubs, restaurants, and car parks, Napier has a mix of cute boutiques, locally-owned cafes, grocery stores and pedestrian-only roads. Its a walkable, locally-driven economy, fueled by a rather tiny population (There are less than 70,000 people living in Napier.)

A couple strolls Napier’s Viewing Platform

It’s a set-up that’s by all accounts impossible to replicate in a major, global city like Miami. For starters, Miami Beach has 23,000 more people living in it and attracts even more by way of tourists. Furthermore, this U.S. city is just too expensive for any mom-and-pop shop to really thrive there the way they can in Napier.

A look down Napier’s walkable street during sunset. The flower pot sculpture in the center of the photo changes with the seasons. I visited the city in spring.

This money-driven culture that fuels Miami Beach is something Napier and really New Zealand (apart from maybe Auckland) just can’t compete with – most of the time. There are no massive clubs or luxurious spas for you to enjoy in Napier, but there are world-class restaurants. In fact, its Napier and not Auckland that currently houses the country’s “restaurant of the year,” Pacifica. I have not had the pleasure of tasting Pacifica’s dishes, but after a quick look at their prices and reviews, I can only assume they are fantastic: their prices rival those of restaurants in Miami Beach, the playground of the rich and the famous. But the thing is because it’s not Miami Beach, the restaurants in Napier aren’t paying exorbitant rent to be there, and that means: good food doesn’t have to be expensive. Case in point: tasty restaurants like Honger Monger and Mister D’s regularly make “must try” lists for the country and are more than satisfying. And both aren’t going to bust your budget. Talk about old-fashioned entertainment!

Mister D’s is known for its donuts, which you can get at any time of the day. You can fancy them up with a syringe of glaze, some of which come in alcoholic flavors

Speaking of old-fashioned entertainment, Napier also makes it easy to be home by curfew: except for the Rose Irish Pub which stays open to a late 12:30 am, the city mostly shuts down at 10 pm. There are no modern-day clubs or bar fights to tear you away from your return to the art deco era.

Napier has less art deco buildings than Miami Beach, and it’s certainly less of an overall tourist attraction. But what it lacks in population, nightlife, and frankly beaches, Napier makes up for with atmosphere. This place, like much of New Zealand, feels like a step back in time. So while this Florida-girl isn’t ready to say Napier is “The” Art Deco Capital of the World, it can certainly be one of them. (Or even, The Art Deco Capital of the Pacific.)

Napier, like Miami Beach, has palm trees. So that means I love it

January 1, 2018February 21, 2018

Hello 2018: What’s Next For Me

2017 will always be the year I took the leap. 2018 will be the year I take back my life.

What does that mean? While I don’t have too many specifics, I will do my best to try and explain.

One specific I can give you is I will be leaving New Zealand as soon as possible. Whether that is when my visa is up in May or sooner is yet to be seen, but I do not plan to stay and settle here. There’s a lot of reasons behind this but they are not limited to cost of living, weather, and lifestyle. Kiwis are much more outdoorsy than I am, and while I do enjoy hiking, I would much rather spend my day lounging on a warm beach that I didn’t have to walk an hour through bush to get to.

This isn’t to say New Zealand is a bad place; this is a beautiful country with a lot of unique experiences to offer. I even had an opportunity to stay long term, but after a lot of thought, I have come to the conclusion its not for me. While I wouldn’t mind staying to the end of my visa as planned, the cost of living here is really catching up with me and making it hard to pay my bills. I am also missing the creativity and purpose of my former career, and staying would mean not only would I be giving up travel, but I would also be giving up my chances to do something creative full-time.

This leads to the next question: where am I headed next? The short answer is: I don’t know. The long answer? I want to find a “home base,” and a creative job in a place I can see my self-living long-term. I have focused a lot of my search for jobs in Florida, as that is where home is for me. However, I am also applying for positions in Australia, Singapore, and other places in the states and around the world. The outcomes of these applications will determine where I head next.

How does this have anything to do with me “taking back my life?” Well, I want a career again. I want to make and create meaningful content, whether that be at a tech company, a news organization or something else. I miss having a job that I am proud to go to every day. (Or at least a remote one that would let me travel.)

2017 will always be the year I decided to live abroad for the first time. Its been full of highs and lows and lots of life experiences I would’ve otherwise missed out on had I not done it. I have grown spiritually and emotionally, and I am so thankful for this year. Fortunately or unfortunately, my first stop on this adventure wasn’t meant to be the final stop. It’s scary and frightening to be back to “not knowing” where I will be in a few months again, but it’s also a little exciting.

However, if you still want more New Zealand content, don’t worry! I have quite a few new adventures to write up and share with you, as well as a potential 4 more months here, so you can look forward to that in 2018.

Happy New Year.

December 25, 2017February 21, 2018

Castle Point, New Zealand

If you love lighthouses, New Zealand is the place to be. Honestly, I think I’ve walked and hiked to more lighthouses in the Wellington area in the past 7 months then I did my entire life in the states.

That being said, when it comes to my favorite lighthouse here, that would easily be the one at Castlepoint.

Castle Point’s main, but not only attraction

The small town of Castlepoint is about a 2 and a half hour drive outside Wellington in the Wairarapa Region. It’s pretty rural and home to just over 1,600 people. But what it lacks in residents it makes up for in pure beauty.

The obvious attraction at the Castlepoint scenic reserve is the lighthouse, but that’s not all there is to see. Because this is New Zealand, there is also a trail for you to climb, in addition to a number of sandy beaches.

Upon arrival, you’re going to want to climb to the lighthouse first thing, but I would advise you save that for last. That’s because the walk to the lighthouse is quite easy and quick, so you won’t need a lot of energy to get it done. However, you’ll need a bit more to finish and enjoy the Deliverance Cove track, so I suggest you do that first. (And trust me, I don’t suggest hikes unless they are worth it!)

The trek is only about 45 minutes long and is mostly flat. It starts at the parking lot and takes you around the area’s picturesque lagoon. The actual trek ends on the beach, but if you are daring, fit and confident, there is a hidden (and harder) trek that offers beautiful views from above.

The view from Castle Rock of Deliverance Cove

I am generally a rule-follower, and had I been to Castlepoint alone I probably would’ve ended up on the beach. (Also, because I dream to spend every day of my life on the sand.) However, on the day I explored Castlepoint, I went with my friend Rose, who is definitely more on the adventurous side. (Also she doesn’t like sand.) Rose saw a few people climbing up to the top of Castle Rock instead of down, so we followed.

To be clear: while there were a lot of other people headed up the rock with us, this climb is not an official track. There is no path that is cared for or maintained by anyone, and it is steep. At times, it feels like you are going up the rock at a 90-degree angle. And if that wasn’t tricky enough, there are no trees or shelter to shield you from the area’s wind, so you really have to find secure places to land your feet, and occasionally take a seat to make sure you are grounded.

But like any great hike here in New Zealand, the views from the top are spectacular. You can see so much from the top of Castle Rock: from the beach at Deliverance Cove, to the tiny town of Castlepoint, to the lighthouse, to the stunning blues and turquoise of the Pacific Ocean, it is breathtaking. So far, I think it has to be my favorite vantage point I have climbed to in New Zealand.

But what goes up, must come down. The hike to Deliverance Cove is one way, meaning you have to return on the same path. This isn’t an issue on the official track, as it is big enough for pedestrians in both directions, however, that is not the case for the unofficial climb up and down the rock. This means you have to find creative ways around people going in the other direction, while also fighting gravity and wind. It wasn’t incredibly difficult, but it is a hazard to be aware of. Luckily for me, it was something that was encountered on the way down.

After returning to the parking lot, its a quick walk over the beach to the lighthouse trek. The walk itself starts actually starts along a rock in the water, which means the installed concrete path is sometimes wet from the tide. From there, its a bunch of simple wooden boardwalks over the water and apparently a reef, to the lighthouse.

This area is apparently known for marine mammals and birds, although I have to say we didn’t see anything other than seagulls on our visit. Still, the scenery and jagged, rocky coast are stunning. It reminded me a little of forts on the sea, like Castillo de San Marcos in St Augustine, Florida. It’s a feeling Captain James Cook also shared, having named the place “Castlepoint” because it reminded him of the battlements of a castle.

The castle-like rocks that hold the lighthouse

I could’ve spent the day there, but it was quite windy and neither of us had brought our bathing suits or fishing rods, so we headed home shortly after the trip to the lighthouse. On the way back we stopped at Tinui Bar and Cafe. Now, for any tourists visiting the area this is a must because this place sells the best, and least-expensive Manuka Honey of anywhere I’ve been in this country. For about $14 NZD ($9.50 USD,) you can get a jar of this stuff, that is not only tasty but is also known worldwide for its medicinal properties. This is why Manuka Honey usually runs upwards $30 to $50 NZD a jar, and why this is such an amazing find.

In all, if you ever find yourself in the Wellington Region on a summer’s day, make sure you make the drive to Castlepoint. It is the best day trip any beach or lighthouse lover can take. And hey, there’s a hike too.

The lighthouse, with Deliverance Cove and Castle Point in the background

November 23, 2017February 21, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Today is Thanksgiving in the states. While it’s not the first time I’ve “missed” the holiday with my family (working in news will do that to you,) it is my first one being quite literally half a world away, which, surprisingly, is a little difficult for me. In addition to missing my friends and family, I am also missing the “Thanksgiving atmosphere” that tends to fill the States this week. You know what I’m talking about: that festive feeling that the holiday season is upon us.

However, I do want to take a moment to express how thankful I am for all of you reading along and following my experience at the moment. Your input and comments really continue to inspire me to write more, share more, and even just keep going when things get tough. I am amazed at how many of you are interested in my travels and wellbeing; your love and support mean the world to me, and without it, I probably would’ve stopped blogging months ago.

I also want to say how thankful I am for the experience I am having at the moment in New Zealand. I have met so many people here who have supported me through some dark times (and I’m not just talking about the short days!) I also have a wonderful job and a flurry of opportunity ahead thanks to the skills I have learned during my stay here. This experience has also brought me closer to a lot of people back home who I lost contact with and that makes my heart happy.

I do have plans to celebrate the holiday in New Zealand next week, so maybe I’ll write a full post about that at some point, but for now, I just wanted to share a few things I am thankful for with you on this special day.

-Amiekay

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 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