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Reflections on New Zealand

  • Jul 1
  • 3 min read
A man in jeans, a button down, and a leather jacket stands in front of a green and blue swirled river lined by lush vegetation.
Putaruru Blue Spring on the North Island, back in October 2025

I am now back in the United States. I first left North Carolina on June 13, 2025 and returned on June 7, 2026.

 

This is not the first time I’ve been abroad for a year. I am reminded often lately of my stint in Cambodia, between 2018 and 2019. During much of that time, I was working for a nonprofit and writing my first draft of Specks of Dust. 

 

Instead, during my time in New Zealand, I was working remotely and traveling. I traveled plenty while I was in Cambodia, but I traveled extensively last year. It was a miracle of luck and logistics that I managed to do as much as I did.


A man in a life vest sits in a kayak on blue-green water floating in front of striated rock formations.
Kayaking was one of the many activities I took part in. This is at Pancake Rocks, near Raglan on the North Island.

In one year I have:

·      Seen a volcano eruption

·      Bungee jumped

·      Rode in a helicopter for the first time, 3 different times, and for every single one I got to sit in the front

·      Rented 10 different cars, even though I had never driven a rental car before, nor driven on the left side of the road

·      Backpacked all 11 Great Walks, plus five other world-class multi-day hikes

·      Visited all 13 national parks in New Zealand

·      Visited glowworm caves and climbed a waterfall inside of a cave

·      Seen rare birds such as kea, takahe, and kiwis in the wild

·      Seen other animals such as whales, penguins, seals, dolphins, wombats, and wallabies

·      Ridden a horse, white water rafted, and boogie boarded down sand dunes

·      Given rides to hitchhikers and taken rides as a hitchhiker myself

·      Toured Samoa and Tasmania

·      Visited 7 US National parks that I hadn’t been to before (more on that in the future)


 

It’s funny, because in many ways, I thought it would be more difficult for me to leave. The kiwis I met were incredibly friendly, helpful, and kind. The hiking was some of the best in the world. I felt comfortable there, developed a familiarity with the restaurants, the towns, the way of life. I could’ve easily stayed for another six months and been perfectly satisfied.

 

Nevertheless, I left. And furthermore, I wasn’t too sad about it. I attribute this to a few reasons. First, I had plenty to look forward to in Tasmania, and then in the US. I also had family, friends, and pets who I missed. And in some ways, I think I was so thorough in my year of travel that I can leave without any regrets. The only thing I wanted to do that I could not manage was to go to a rugby game.


A brown and grey rock face along the side of a teal lake features a traditional Maori carving.
A piece of Maori art on the edge of Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand

 

I am full of new experiences. I have acquired a better understanding of solo travel, and gained a greater confidence in my capability to handle whatever situation comes my way. I have gotten quite good at planning out travel, become more comfortable with a wider variety of vehicles. I am in good physical shape and yet also developed a newfound appreciation for Whittaker’s chocolate.

 

I think it was the perfect time for me to spend a year away. I think it was the perfect place for me to have gone away to. Truly, a serendipitous experience from start to finish.


Volcanic rock formations worn by wind and water sit atop a grassy hill.
Castle Rock, on the South Island

 

New Zealand is a gorgeous country. It’s incredibly clean, full of outdoor activities, appreciative of its nature, vibrant in its culture, welcoming with its people. I couldn’t recommend the country enough. I could definitely see myself returning.

 

Except there’s still so much more of the world to see right now, so I doubt I’ll be back anytime soon.




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