It has been a full month since we left the beautiful country of New Zealand. Looking back, we can easily say it was the perfect beginning.
It was a place we had been dreaming about for years. The mountain ranges that cascade right down into the ocean paint the most beautiful postcards. Those postcard images were our main motivation – we needed to see the natural beauty with our own eyes.
We thought it would be the perfect place to kick off a year of traveling. Our strategy was to get the more expensive country out of the way first. We thought we would get there and never want to leave – maybe even figure out how to return for an extended visit (aka find jobs and spend a year or two living there.)
Turns out, we were a little surprised at our feelings as the time there wrapped up.
Our Perception was Perfection
Before arriving in New Zealand, we read about the government’s response to the shooting in Christchurch. It was amazing how quickly they were able to create change in the legislation to avoid these events from occurring in the future. We were envious.
Hours were spent looking through maps and photos of all the national park space. We were overwhelmed by choices and jealous of all the beautiful landscapes this country has.
We learned Maori was one of the official languages of New Zealand. There was an endless number of articles about how the culture was celebrated. The incorporation of the indigenous people’s language and traditions is amazing. We found ourselves wishing that our government showed more care and attention to those things.
Basically, we spent months thinking that New Zealand would be a complete utopia compared to our home in the United States; so much more progressive with a strong female leader and a stronger stance on climate change and equality. Things that are important to us. We thought this place would feel like it was an idyl place for us to be.
Our Discovery
On the day before we left New Zealand, we had a glass of wine while overlooking the harbor in Auckland and both agreed that we were ready to leave. Both of us were a bit surprised that the other felt this way too. We had been dreaming of New Zealand for so long and brainstorming ways we could turn the six weeks into a longer stay before we even landed there. But when the final day arrived, we were so excited to continue on.
Our time was incredible. Every drive we took, we just couldn’t keep our chins from dropping. Our computer has over 1,000 photos from NZ because it was just so beautiful.
We had spent a month-and-a-half marveling at the scenery, posting a fraction of the pictures we took, drinking cheap grocery store wine and taking time to slowly enjoy our coffee every morning. We talked a lot about the things we noticed, the people we met and how weird it was to have each day free to explore.
What we learned in our short time here was that it wasn’t perfect. While this small country may have some incredible things going for it, it has its share of issues too. We had lifted it up on this pedestal of postcard perfection, but the same things that we deal with in the United States are issues here as well. We witnessed several unrelated incidents of racism, for one. There are battles over farming chemicals and how to help save the native bird populations.
Moving Forward
This adventure was born out of a desire to see more of the world. With only a few weeks of vacation each year, it’s hard to stomach 36 hours of travel time just one way to only get a few days to enjoy the destination. Taking some time off from work allows us to make that journey and travel slowly on the other side of the planet. As beautiful as New Zealand was, it also felt way too familiar. There were a few things that were different like driving on the opposite side of the road, but overall, this was an easy place to visit.
This beautiful country was the perfect place to us to begin this adventure. It wasn’t uncomfortable and allowed us to ease into a different routine. We practiced slowing down and doing more quiet observing. We caught up on our fresh air intake and learned about plants, birds and sea creatures that we had never seen before.
We also learned to appreciate some things that the United States has that this seemingly perfect country does not – lots and lots of diversity.
Postcard perceptions of different places are challenged when you travel slower. We were lucky enough to spend 6 weeks discovering more about New Zealand. While it may not be perfection, it was beautiful and wonderful.
We are so excited to spend this year learning more about the places we have seen in the postcards – the beauty and the reality behind it. New Zealand helped wake us up from what was probably a little ignorance in what to expect as we continue our journey around the world. It’s important to slow down and observe the good and the bad of places. Humanity is complicated and takes time to process. We are excited and a little overwhelmed for what is to come.
We put together a collection of clips of coffee sipping in New Zealand. Enjoy that and let us know what you think about perceptions vs. reality of places you’ve visited.
