This last month in New Zealand can be read as a grocery list. A 28-day whirlwind trip to catch the most spectacular attractions of South Island. Visit two glaciers on the same day? CHECK. Kayak in a fjord with rock faces that rise 1,200 m? CHECK. Visit the highest mountain in Australasia? CHECK. But our trip doesn’t boil down to attractions proposed by tourist information centres. We’d rather travel off the beaten paths as much as possible and discover a country through people we meet and their stupid suggestions.
So we met Dave, a Westport coal miner. His contribution to our joy? To borrow 3 bikes in disarray from his neighbour, carry us in his pickup to the peak of the mountain where they dig their tunnels and let us bike down the 9 km almost vertical road on these rusted old bikes. In our defence, we were wearing motorbike helmets and cheap leatherette gloves.
After that, Kate, a primary school teacher in Ahsburton invited us to give a creative movement workshop to her 5th and 6th graders during an afternoon. The dance exercise was followed by a question period to the great travellers that we are. Since we didn’t know exactly how many people live in Canada, we jumped on the opportunity to give them a research assignment, hence avoiding showing our ignorance.
During our visit to Vincent and Christelle, recent New Zealanders by adoption and (very) old friends, we took our spare time to solve a local mystery and find Oska, a lost Siamese cat appearing on overexposed photos put on multiple telephone poles in the municipality of Sumner. One phone call later and local authorities were on the track of the fugitive feline and a family will be reunited with their companion, asking loud and clear like only Siamese cats can do for a little love and a can of Wiskas.
This is a strange way to summarize our trip, the end of an almost one year long expedition. One year on the road, one year homeless, one year unemployed. One year meeting people, discovering a totally different fauna, incredible landscapes, new friends, and revisiting the old ones as often as possible. One year, it goes so fast. Hard to believe we are taking a plane in less than de 24h to go back home. We come back excited, a little bit sad, our batteries recharged, heads full of projects and luggage really too full of souvenirs (Almost 70 kg of souvenirs). For those we leave behind, don’t hesitate to come and see us! For those waiting for us at home, we’ll see you soon! If they let us take the plane will all this luggage.
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