New Zealand Starts in 13 Days

As I sit in my empty classroom, I am overwhelmed with joy and sadness having had walked my first class for the last time out to the buses, something I will never do with these students again. Though, I couldn't be more thankful that I chose a career that is so rewarding and impactful.

Now that my first year of teaching is complete, I have tons of memories to reflect on during my summer vacation in New Zealand. In 13 days I will be traveling to Auckland, New Zealand for a 5 week long vacation. Not all 5 weeks will be spent in New Zealand. I will be traveling to the beautiful continent of Australia as well. Then back to New Zealand and making a stop in Fiji before arriving in the U.S. in late July.

This will be my first time leaving the country to travel over an ocean for 12 hours. Yes, the flight is that long and I will be flying coach. Steph a close friend of mine will be traveling with me from Chicago to New Zealand and throughout my trip. She is a teacher on the Westside of Chicago in North Lawndale. Her sister currently lives in Auckland, New Zealand. She has planned a lot of the trip and will be joining us as well. I have a friend that was born and raised in New Zealand and currently resides in Wellington, New Zealand (the south end of the North Island) and he will be touring me around.

Unlike the typical sunbathing summer vacation on a tropical island, during Chicago’s summer months New Zealand will be beginning its winter. New Zealand is broken into two main islands: the North Island and South Island. The weather is different on each. On the North Island the weather will be around 55 degree Fahrenheit. Here I will spend time surfing, snorkeling with seals, hiking on a volcano, hunting goats, rock climbing, and visiting many beautiful rock formations. New Zealand is very volcanic. So it's landscape varies depending on what region you are in. There are some mild volcanoes that give off heat creating thermal pools. I will be visiting these mountains where I can put on swimming trunks and relax in natural thermal pools. Pretty cool!

Also, New Zealand is known for it's Weta's. You're probably wondering what they are. Well, they are large bugs, roughly the size of your hand. They look similiar to a grasshopper but brown and very large. Weta's are not poisonous and don't bit. My friend Nate, a native New Zealander a.k.a Kiwi, mentioned that they are always around his garden. They have large pinchers but they use them for eating not for defense. If you know me at all, you know that I am terrified of bugs but for some reason this bug interests me. So I can't wait to see it.

About one weeks into my trip, I will take a flight to the South Island where the temperature will drop a bit, ranging mostly in the 30’s. During my 8 day stay I will travel with friends to see glaciers, jump off a plane to skydive, leap off a bridge connected to bungee, and see the beautiful landscape.

Feeling hungry? Well, I will be visiting a place called pancake rock. These unique rock formations were limestone that melts into peculiar shapes. Unfortunately, if I try to bit into one I will chip a tooth.

Every time I think about my trip I can’t help but imagine myself hiking through the vast New Zealand Mountain range and taking in a deep breath of pristine frosty air. Many people say, "New Zealand is one of the most beautiful places in the world." I am still in shock that I am taking such an incredible trip.

After my stay on the South Island, I will take a flight to Sydney Australia. Here I will be doing the usual touristy stuff. I don’t have any friends that are native to these lands who will take me around like in New Zealand. So this part of my trip my friends and I will be taking guided tours. The first 5 days of my Australia stay I will be in Sydney then I will take another flight to a small city near the Great Barrier Reef. Here I will do some scuba diving and beach activities because it will be a lot warmer.

This trip is definitely a challenge to pack for, considering the differences in climate.

I will take another flight back to New Zealand to gather things we left behind. Our second to last flight will be to Fiji where we will enjoy beautiful HOT weather and crystal clear ocean. Fiji will bring our trip to an end.

During my trip we will staying mostly in hostels. We will be saving a lot of money this way because they are way cheeper then staying in hotels which can range in the hundreds per day. Hostels are roughly $30 a night to stay. You would have to share a community shower but you have private rooms and clean linen. Please visit my site after June 23 as I will be on my trip and posting pictures and video.

PLEASE COMMENT AND ASK QUESTIONS! I will definitely answer them to the best of my ability. I will take request for souveniers. My gift to you. Make sure in your comments you write your name. Thanks for visiting and I will see you soon.