GOODBYE NEW ZEALAND…….

Tomorrow we will actually be getting on the plane and heading back to Germany. So until my next trip, this is the last entry for now. Time to review the past 4 months.

Of course, it is hardly possible to summarize everything - but I'll try anyway :D

Our most beautiful hike:
We all agree: Isthmus Peak Track in Wanaka & Tongariro Crossing

Our most beautiful city:
Paddy, Sabse: Queenstown
Kyra: Wellington (probably because I arrived there :) )

Our most beautiful place:
Paddy: Milford Sound - especially the road to Milford Sound
Kyra: Wanaka
Sabse: Peninsula Coromandel and the campsite at Matauri Bay

Our biggest challenge:
Paddy, Sabse: The Abel Tasman Walkway
Kyra: The left-hand traffic and the cows on the hiking trails :D

An experience we will never forget:
Paddy: I can't single out a specific experience... I will never forget the whole trip.
Kyra: The fiery red sky over New Plymouth and when we were in Nelson, we sat by the water in the evening and enjoyed a glass of wine there.
Sabse: The moment we came back from the hike in the Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tane forest. It was late in the evening and everything around us was pitch black (and it was freezing cold :D) I have never seen such an incredible starry sky, the Milky Way looked like it was painted. The whole sky was shining. We only saw that once in New Zealand, never again afterwards.

What we will miss:
For all three of us, it includes the incredible helpfulness and friendliness of the New Zealanders. I can hardly count how many times a New Zealander gave us a ride in their car, gave us fresh fruit or vegetables, patiently explained everything to us until we understood it completely :D and much more. We will never forget the kind gentleman on the Abel Tasman who invited us to his house on the beach to offer us coffee and a warm shower, or when we were at the workshop with our car this week and the owner said we don't have to pay anything because he hopes that if he does something good for us now, one day we will do something like that for someone else.

Additionally, for all three of us, it's the nature, the incredibly turquoise-clear water, and the bright green grass. I will particularly miss the feeling of getting up in the morning and knowing that I CAN SIMPLY DO WHATEVER I WANT, I can go wherever I want... that feeling of freedom.

What we are especially looking forward to in Germany:
Paddy: Family, friends & Amy
Kyra: To be with my loved ones, not living in a backpacker anymore, my bed
Sabse: My friends & family, my bed, a wardrobe & my dishwasher 

Many people who have traveled a long journey always say that they come back changed. For my part, I don't believe that I have changed... rather, I feel more grounded. You simply learn to appreciate the things that are at home again. What it means to always have hot water, not feeling like you have to pay half a fortune for groceries, an apartment, how important it is to be friendly and helpful, and much more...

So - now it's time to say goodbye and farewell to this incredible country.

Sabse, Kyra & Paddy