2 days left in New Zealand

On Friday morning I woke up at the Green Monkey not knowing what the day would hold. I thought about staying another night but because they only accepted cash and I didn’t have enough, and didn’t want to withdraw any, I decided it was time to move on. I packed up my stuff and hung out at the hostel until early afternoon when my bus left. One of the girls that works at the hostel, Katia, was kind enough to give me a ride into the town center. I enjoyed the smell of campfire that lingered on my fleece during the next 2 hours as I traveled from Nelson to Picton. It was close to 5 when I arrived and after booking a night at the Atlantis hostel, went in search of food. I purchased a Subway sandwich and thanks to a coupon I picked up at the hostel, had a free cookie and drink as well. I took my dinner to the water front where I enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the Marlbourgh Sounds and got bit by those horrendous sand flies.

Vineyards near Blenheim

Picton

Again, the next morning, I woke up with no plans for the day. Should I stay in Picton or should I carry on? The weather was a bit gloomy so I wasn’t too keen on being outside. After much thought, I decided to move on to my next destination, Kaikoura; with a bus leaving shortly after noon. The drive along the coast was beautiful. It was mid afternoon when I arrived in Kaikoura. I checked into a hostel and went to the i-site to gather information about what there was to do around town. I then went back to the hostel where I was feeling a little off and weary from traveling and was reminded of Matthew 11:28 which says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” With little motivation to do anything, I spent most of the rest of the evening in my room which I shared with one other guy.

I woke up refreshed Sunday morning. I went ahead and booked another night at the hostel and then set out to see the town. Coming into town, I had seen a church and headed in that direction. After walking 40 minutes or so, I arrived to find no one there. They were having a joint service with another church at a different location. Not knowing where it was held and knowing I would be quite late if I did find it, I decided to forego church that morning. Instead I sat/napped by the water before walking around the Kaikoura Peninsula, a 4 hour endeavor. It started by walking along the roadside before arriving at the seal colony in which only 4 seals were in attendance, and then climbing the cliffs along the coast. Walking along the cliff near the coast was beautiful with the waves crashing into the rocks below. From the top I was able to look down and see more seals basking on the rocks below. Upon arriving back in town, I stopped at the supermarket to purchase a few items for dinner before going back to the hostel for the night.

Kaikoura Mountains

SEAL!

I love having flexibility while traveling to do what I want when I want yet with this decisions still have to be made. Monday was another morning of decision making. My goal was to be in Christchurch on Tuesday evening. So the question was, do I stay another night in Kaikoura or do I made a side trip to Hanmer Springs and enjoy the luxury and relaxation of the thermal spa pools? Kaikoura it was. After short sunny but cool and windy time by the sea, I walked around for a bit; at times with a destination and at times aimlessly. The joy of not having anywhere to be. I made my way back to the hostel where three others and myself made cake in a cup and watched a movie. Although I can’t say it was the most productive day, it was good nonetheless. 



Making cake in a cup: Michelle, Adie, J

My cake

And that brings us to today, Tuesday, May 1^st. Today I will go to Christchurch where I will spend the night with the family of a friend before flying to Melbourne, Australia early Thursday morning. With only 2 days left in New Zealand, my time here has gone by so fast. I’m sure there is more reflection to come in the upcoming days, weeks, and months but for now, it is a bittersweet. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here. I have met so many wonderful people, seen many wonders of God’s creation, and had opportunities I would have never imagined. New Zealand is definitely a place I could live. I would love to stay longer, yet at the same time, to be honest, there is a part of me that also looks forward to going home. I look forward to seeing my family and friends; to be able to just pick up my phone and call or text them rather than having to communicate via internet. I know it sounds vain, but I look forward to having a wardrobe of clothes to choose from rather than the same things day after day.  I look forward to not having to share a room and bathroom with strangers. I look forward to home cooked food. I look forward to what is to come.