New Zealand : Aotearoa
It took 22 years, but in Ocotber 2023, I finally made to New Zealand, Aotearoa, The Land of the Long White Cloud. It is the most beautiful country with warm and welcoming people. Epic landscapes and beautiful cities, small towns and rolling farm land.
Yes, there are more sheep than people and they have 3 native species of pengiun, and no snakes. It really is my kind of place. Lots of libraries and bookshops too...!
I went on the most amazing 18 day tour of New Zeland across both islands and getting a real flavour of this wonderful country. It is not perfect, no country is, but I left a bit of my heart and soul there. I was lucky to have a wonderful tour group to travel with too, and to come away with new friends both near to home and from far away. I went there and back again and forged bonds of fellowship.
A few travel facts:
There were 40 earthquakes whilst I travelled New Zeland, and the only one I felt was in a simulator!
I sailed both the Cook and Foveaux Straits. Regarding the latter, it also meant surviving the roaring 40s,
60 knot winds and 4.5m swells...not the best sea fairing experience, but I live to tell the tale!
I travelled 1933miles in a coach across New Zealand.
I flew over 30000km to get there and back.
All images property of Louise Judge (c) 2023.
Yes, there are more sheep than people and they have 3 native species of pengiun, and no snakes. It really is my kind of place. Lots of libraries and bookshops too...!
I went on the most amazing 18 day tour of New Zeland across both islands and getting a real flavour of this wonderful country. It is not perfect, no country is, but I left a bit of my heart and soul there. I was lucky to have a wonderful tour group to travel with too, and to come away with new friends both near to home and from far away. I went there and back again and forged bonds of fellowship.
A few travel facts:
There were 40 earthquakes whilst I travelled New Zeland, and the only one I felt was in a simulator!
I sailed both the Cook and Foveaux Straits. Regarding the latter, it also meant surviving the roaring 40s,
60 knot winds and 4.5m swells...not the best sea fairing experience, but I live to tell the tale!
I travelled 1933miles in a coach across New Zealand.
I flew over 30000km to get there and back.
All images property of Louise Judge (c) 2023.