A Return to New Zealand and Learning to be Alone

I check into my hotel for what would be my last night on kiwi soil. After answering a few emails, I head down to the restaurant for dinner and sit a table for one. I take in the tables around me: groups of friends laughing and couples enjoying a quiet meal. I smile at the waitress and ask for the fish.  Fingers drumming on the table, I stare out the window into the inky night. A sigh escapes my mouth and I turn on my eBook. It is the first time I have ever gone for a sit down dinner, in a nice restaurant by myself.

It has been an amazing month. Countless miles were flown to head back to the country I have called home for the last four summers (or winters, depending on your perspective). Friends new and old were greeted; beautiful scenery, sunrises and sunsets admired; experiences discovered and relived. Ironically, I headed back to New Zealand the way I first came in 2009. Alone.

The initial trip was exhilarating and liberating. It was my first time in a new country by myself. I felt scared but free. Since then, I have lived in the US and Japan, experienced four years of consecutive winters and met the love of my life. Coming back on my own, with so much time to think has only served to make me appreciate how unique, exciting and fortunate my life is. Though I have at times struggled, missing my partner fiercely over the last month (I fully admit to random fits of tears), I recognize that I have grown and changed so much since that first trip. Once again, New Zealand has been the backdrop of epiphany.

A special thanks to all my friends who made the trip so memorable; I seriously enjoyed myself. Our paths will surely cross again.

On to Japan!

Dork and Dorker on a crazy Ohakune bike adventure, creepy tunnel and all.

A Niseko reunion in Ohakune with Ralissa, Jim Jam and Baby Bacon

Exploring Turoa, the largest ski resort in New Zealand.

The clouds lifting over Ohakune.

Can you spot the classic kiwi humour?

Selfie with 'Kune's giant carrot

Mt. Ruapehu on the a clear day.

Flying over Tongariro National Park.

The only Remarks return staff. Joke... well almost.

Just like coming home: Single and Double Cone at the Remarkables.

The only Remarks return staff. For real this time.

Sunrise at Cardrona

Not a bad place to break from work.

Skiing the only run open at Treble Cone with Boudric.

Our reenactment of Cats, the musical. No, actually its just Cat Night. 

After a season of scouring japanese shops, who would have guessed that we would find our perfect crews in New Zealand? In case you hadn't noticed, it's definitely meow or never.

Girlies at the Remarks lookout.

Michelle: "Don't do it, you'll die!". Then she did it 30 seconds later.