Arriving in New Zealand for the first time and beginning my 1 year working holiday in Auckland, I was left with several decisions on what direction I would go and would find myself heading north until the end of the road. Here are 15 of my personal favorites and highlights of my time north of Auckland City.
1) Shakespeare Regional Park 2) Sunrise at Wenderholm Regional Park
3) Ocean Dip at Tawharanui Regional Park
5) Whangarei Falls
6) Whale Bay
7) Whananaki Foot Bridge
8) Rawhiti & Bay of Islands
Did not visit these islands due to costs agains my budget but is certainly a must see! Credit: Wikipedia
9) Rainbow Falls
10) Hokianga Harbour
Martin’s BeachBeautiful beach sunset at beach near Beautiful Beach Hokianga Harbour.
11) Kauri Trees
Tane Mahuta, The Lord of the Forest, the largest Kauri tree standing today.
12) Kai Iwi Lakes
13) Drive 90 Mile Beach
14) Cape Reinga
15) Te Paki Sand Dunes
The highlight of my time around the north as well as my entire time in New Zealand
2017 was one of the most difficult and life lesson learning kind of years for me. Leaving home early this year had me anticipating an incredible voyage spanning across the United States, Hawaii, & the South Pacific. I met amazing people, reconnected with old friends, connected with family for the first time. Couchsurfed and rode the train across the US and camped and hitchhiked around Hawai’i island.
San Francisco Historic TrolleySan Francisco Golden Gate Bridge
Coffee on Amtrak, Houston to LA Yosemite National Park
Shaka at Makalawena Beach
But like life itself, things do arise and things happen. For me, my travels came to a dead halt nearly halfway through the year, rupturing my achilles tendon in a riverbed in Hawai’i, leaving me nearly off my feet for months and needing to have surgery. Recovering in Hawai’i was hard and I reached deep dark emotions nearly bringing me back to a familiar dark time in my life. But being there has allowed me to fall in love and call a beautiful place, home.
Achilles Tendon Post op Day 1
With my heart in Hawai’i and plans to return, my journey was set to continue in New Zealand once I got back on my two feet. Still in recovery mode, I managed to do what I did best once i arrived,, that is travel by whatever means necessary. I hitchhiked, journeyed with a travel mate via campervan, & finally lived yet another dream by buying a motorcycle. Seeing and enjoying all that New Zealand has to offer and eventually taking a break from the road, finding a job, and reflecting on what an incredibly wild yet amazing year it has been.
Tongariro Alpine Crossing New ZealandTe Paki Sand Dunes New Zealand
2017 was surely a year of perseverance! Despite hitting possibly one of the lowest points in my life. It’s this experience that has allowed me to have and enjoy more of the best things of my life. Doing more for me than taking away from me. My surgery allowed me to fully appreciate the little things in life. That is simply having the ability to walk, and move freely, whether its across a room or across a nation. Enjoying the beauty in everyone and everything around me in every way possible. And lastly, exploring areas of my heart I have never explored before.
To conclude, positive or negative experience, the right attitude, respect, kindness, patience, motivation and perseverance can do many wonders, bringing the right energy and people into your life to do wonderful and incredible things you never thought you could do!
Thank you for a wonderful year of growth 2017!
Pali Lookout O’ahu
Ready for the next year of evolution! More love, more adventure, more cultural experiences, & more dreams to live in this beautiful world.
