Beginnings: The plan for New Zealand

I believe more in adventures, not journeys. Life as a journey sounds more like “wherever you go, there you are.”   But an adventure!  Well, that’s more purposeful, more open-ended.  The dictionary definition of adventure “an unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or activity.”  Whereas a journey is “the act of traveling from one place to another.”  Which would you rather have?  An exciting, unusual and perhaps hazardous, adventure , or a traveling from one place to another,  journey?  And what is hazardous anyway?  You might be thinking hazardous like putting yourself in harm’s way.  But it can also mean taking a risk, a personal risk, stepping out of your comfort zone and making a (dare I say?) a leap of faith? Join me on my adventure, my leap of faith, to New Zealand!

Sabbatical is truly a gift and a blessing. I get that not many people in the world have such an opportunity, and I do not take this for granted. Sabbatical is an extended period of rest and renewal. I am an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, serving now in Windsor, CT. I have been serving churches since I began seminary in 1993. This is my 3rd sabbatical for a total of 6 months. This will be a one month sabbatical. Pastors often get sabbaticals because our work can include 24/7 on calls, with 4 weekends off each year. We miss a lot of family events, and rarely get 2 days off in a row. Sabbatical is time set aside for true rest and renewal. To get away for me, must be really away AWAY.

What would you do with one month of time? My answer: explore New Zealand! I have always wanted to go since the Lord of the Rings movies with the diverse and dramatic landscapes.

I will be traveling solo to NZ June 18-July 18, 2024 from Boston to Auckland. In Auckland, I will be picking up a 2-berth campervan and travel around the north island for about 2.5 weeks. On July 5, my husband and 2 daughters join me for 10 days, but not in a campervan. They return on the 13th, and I have afew days before I come home on the 16th.

It all begins with a lot of research of the new place. I’ve read lots of blogs and The Lonely Planet guidebook. My packing list is based on the fact that I am camping in a van in the NZ winter, which can get cold, but probably just down to the 40’s F. It feels like a LOT of stuff, but I think that’s because I am used to backpacking. My duffle is about 45 lbs., plus my carryon backpack. I include a down winter coat, rain gear, wool sweaters, and winter hat and gloves. Normally I just wear trail runners, but because of the colder temps and the inevitable rain, I decided to bring my old hiking boots. NZ requires all footwear that has been worn outside to be scrubbed clean to keep bio pathogens out.

June 17, I drove back with daughter Olivia to her apartment in Malden. I spent the night and will make my way via the Boston T to the airport for my 6:15 pm flight.

Come along with me on my adventure to New Zealand. –Nicole