ISSUE 71: New Zealand Closing Statement

I feel like I have a lot of feelings about New Zealand. Obviously, as I am sure you could tell, New Zealand was full of highs and some very low lows. All in all, there is a lot that I look back on now and laugh about. …but would I go back? Probably not.

First, I want to address the totaled car & Clear Blue aka the most embarrassing travel moment of my life! After the incident I still did a lot of driving around the southern island to get us to all of our activities which meant that we had to stop at several gas stations during the last half of our trip. I looked at every single one, and did not see a single pump for Clear Blue which was oddly comforting. It made me realize how much of an anomaly my situation truly was. The fact that we happened stopped at this tiny fueling station with only 2 pumps and I happened to use the one with Clear Blue was astounding to me. It made me feel less like an idiot especially since I had never heard of the stuff or what it is for until that God forsaken day.

I did not tell Brad about the Clear Blue incident for about 6 months. It is probably the biggest secret I have ever kept from him, and he was really surprised I never told him. Honestly, I was so embarrassed, and did not want to stress him out because I didn’t know what the outcome would be. I could have owed nothing, or I could have owed $7000. So, months later, when we finally got word from my sister’s credit card company’s insurance representative that the totaled car was only going to cost me about $325.00 USD, I made the payment and finally told Brad. First, I asked him he had ever heard of Clear Blue and if he knew what it is for. He answered “no”, and then I gave him the news. He was in utter disbelief, and thankfully just laughed about it while I told him it could have happened to him too! (I think he secretly disagrees). I explained my reasoning for not wanting to tell him too soon, and I think he understood my logic, but I think he probably wondered what other skeletons I have been hiding in my closet.

Second, we had so many issues with our activities because of weather which really put a damper on things! It made me realize that if you want to have a truly great time in NZ you need to have a flexible schedule. …and a flexible schedule means more time and a camper van. That’s where this all falls apart for me. As a woman who grew up in Arizona, I am used to having my space. So the idea of having to living in a small van with my sister for a week sounds horrible. I don’t want to drive, sleep, eat, shower, and pee all in one tiny van. I think I would go completely mental after a couple of days. Even when we backpack in Yosemite, our supplies might be limited, but I have wide open spaces. I’m fine roughing it, but I just can’t be confined. …Yeah, I wouldn’t last in prison. haha!

Lastly, We had a few good meals here and there, but as a whole the culinary game was weak. A lot of it was the same thing, just in different places. So many burgers. In the end, I was pretty much over the food, and didn’t always want to eat. Sadly, I think that is why so many of our meals were unmemorable.

All in all, New Zealand was full of ups and downs and crazy memories, but I just don’t think I’d go back. I feel you can do a lot of the same activities (kayaking, rafting, horseback riding, etc) and see similar things (waterfalls, mountains, rivers, ferns, etc…) all around the world, so I think I will keep scouting out places that are more suited to my travel style and interest. However, I will say I loved visiting the Lord of the Rings sights. I am not a mega LOTR fan, but they are still great movies that I enjoy, so getting to experience actual parts of those films was really special and exhilarating!

*The wet boat ride in Milford Sounds still stands as my favorite memory.