The last day in the car

So I spent the weekend in Blenheim and waited for Tuesday, when I could check the cameras in the library. However, the cameras didn't show anything specific because they were placed too far away and at a bad angle, but the assumption is that I forgot the hard drive on the computer. I talked to the librarian at the library and left all my contact details so that I could be informed if anything happened. On Monday, I also went to the police. Since nothing was handed in there, I filed a report. On Tuesday evening, I considered the hard drive issue to be over, as it made no sense to stay in Blenheim any longer. I did everything possible to retrieve it, but nothing helped. The librarian made a nice comment about it, saying that I would have to come back and experience everything again, which is sad nevertheless.

On Wednesday, I left for Christchurch around 12:30. At the outskirts of Blenheim, there was a hitchhiker, whom I initially passed by, but after 100 meters, I decided to pick her up. At first, we talked a bit, but for the rest of the journey, we just listened to music. After 5 hours of driving, with a short break for photos and standing at traffic lights at construction sites, we arrived in Christchurch. I dropped off the woman and planned the last few days. At that time, there were still 3 days and 12 hours left.

On Thursday, I looked for a parking space and printed out all the vouchers for the attractions in Los Angeles. In the evening, I washed everything that needed to be washed and started preparing everything at a campground.

On Friday morning, I washed my laundry and vacuumed and drove the car through the carwash. Then I packed my things and took photos of the car. Now everything was prepared for my departure and my dad's arrival, except for the parking space. At the same time, I also confirmed a meeting with Chris.

Now I'm lying in front of the library and slowly realizing that this is my last proper night in New Zealand, and especially my last night in the car. Tomorrow, I just have to drop off the car, meet up with Chris and Jake, and find a hostel to catch the flight to Auckland and then to Rarotonga at 6 am on Sunday.

I still have 31 hours in New Zealand, and I realize what a great time I had. It started with exploring Auckland, all alone in a foreign city in a foreign country with a language that I only vaguely speak, far from fluent and confident. From there, I went to Raglan for surfing, then back to Auckland to buy a car for the first trip to Tauranga. Soon after, Robin arrived. After a few days, we had set up a ready-to-travel car and set off, heading north to Cape Reinga, then east across the Coromandel Park, Tauranga, Hamilton, and Raglan back to Auckland for repairs and to meet Judith and Johanna. Then we continued to explore the North Island, to Nelson on the South Island. Then further along the West Coast, Christchurch, back to the West Coast, Queenstown, and Invercargill. My trip to Stewart Island, as the temperature dropped significantly. Then back up to Christchurch via Dunedin, where I said goodbye to Robin at the beginning of May and then set out on my own to look for work. I went to Blenheim where I found a job. The last two weeks turned out quite different than planned, but not necessarily worse (except for the hard drive). And now I'm about to leave New Zealand. It's a bit sad, I've experienced a lot, learned a lot, seen a lot, and had a really great time. Of course, I'm looking forward to going home, to my family, friends, relatives, my moped, but also my room. But still, it's sad to leave and it's difficult. Because with the return comes the seriousness of life again and it means preparing for internships and studies. Looking back at myself when I arrived in New Zealand or even better, how I planned my whole stay, I could almost laugh about how inexperienced I was back then. Today, I would do many things differently, but I don't regret any of my decisions because I have learned something from each mistake and have become smarter and more experienced. Of course, I made mistakes where I should have known beforehand that it would go wrong (laptop), but apparently, sometimes you have to learn some things the hard way. But now it's about applying all these experiences in the future and not falling back into the same routine I had before my trip. I'm very proud of what Robin and I have done with the V-Class, as it's perfect for its size and there was nothing I had to complain about during all those months. I hope other travelers like my father and others will have as much fun with the car as I did.

If I were to plan the trip again from the beginning, I would postpone everything at least 2 months, from October to May, so that I can enjoy more warm weather. I would get the car from the start and then look for work. Additionally, I would start on the South Island and work my way up north. It's easy to say all this with experience, but maybe it helps someone.

That's enough philosophizing for one evening, I'll enjoy the rest. Maybe I'll drive up the mountain and take another look at Christchurch at night, or in the early morning before sunrise.