New Zealand: Reflecting on 6 Months of “Deep Travel”

by Zac Hood | Apr 29, 2024 | Uncategorized
A person wearing a hat and sunglasses smiles at the camera, holding a trekking pole. In the background, two children, each with a backpack, walk along a grassy area. Rolling hills and trees are under a blue sky with clouds.

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Below are some reflections on our 9-month adventure in Australia and New Zealand. Here’s my original post on our trip and another update from Australia. For more on New Zealand, here are some highlights from our 2023 scouting trip.

This adventure was an attempt to live up to one of Tolkien’s lines in The Hobbit: “The world is not in your books and maps, it is out there.”

When we arrived in New Zealand last November, we took the 30-minute drive into the country to our friend’s home where we would be living for the next 6 months. It was like arriving at the Shire, a feeling that’s hard to describe. But visually, the entire countryside all looked the same. Taking the final turn that led to our friend’s driveway, I thought, “How will I ever remember where to turn?” It all looked so similar – rolling hills and green pastures galore. On my last drive to their house last week, I thought, “How could I ever forget?!” I feel like this is the joy of deep travel – coming to know a foreign place and people in all its fullness.

Trip Background

This trip was a result of my experiences in England, France, and Belize when I got to spend extended time in one place. These experiences, along with my grad studies in Canada focusing on cross-cultural studies, shaped me to realize how cool the rest of the world is when experienced in a deeper way.

We settled on New Zealand because it seemed like an incredible place to experience unique things while being in an English-speaking country with a culture that would be easier to navigate compared to places with different languages and customs. It was a good soft landing spot for a longer trip abroad.

The Gift of New Zealand

I’m happy we took the risk. There’s a happiness about going back home, but there’s an equal amount of sadness that the adventure is ending! I love looking forward to things, so I’m sure I’ll have adventure withdrawals when we get back. Overall, I’m also eager to see friends and family, and see the US with fresh eyes after being in a country with more sheep than people.

The gift of New Zealand has been wonderful. The deeper travel outside our comfort zones has been challenging and rewarding. We certainly struggled having a 2 and 5-year-old who are a huge handful in and of themselves in our regular home in the US, but the experiences were well worth it.

Kiwi Thank You’s

Below is the family we stayed with for 6 months. It was a full-on experience with real Kiwis, including the kids who teamed up with our own. So many memories. From camping, hiking, or just frolicking around their lovely home in the country. Somehow I was the “baddy” getting captured and put in jail during much of the playtime.

A group of four adults and four children stand on a paved path in a rural setting. The children hold bicycles and wear casual clothes. Behind them, theres green grass, a fence, and mountains under a clear blue sky.

A family of four stands on rocky terrain near a waterfall. The man is wearing a white shirt, the woman has a backpack, and the two children are holding sticks. Lush greenery surrounds them. Backpacks and a roll of toilet paper rest on the ground.

Two men smiling on a motorboat under a canopy, cruising on a lake surrounded by hills. The sky is clear and blue. Both wear casual outdoor clothing, and the sun casts shadows inside the boat.

Five children sit on a wooden deck, facing a grassy field with rolling hills under a cloudy sky. They appear to be enjoying snacks and are dressed in casual, colorful clothing. One child wears a green hat.

In the form of Jimmy Fallon’s “Thank You Notes” segment, here are some serious and not-so-serious thank you’s to all things Kiwi.

Thank you, Kiwi people – Thank you for showing me another way to be human – for showing us how you live, what you value, how you work hard, how you enjoy your time, how you treat each other. All shown to us simply by what you do on a daily basis. You are a self-reliant, diligent, hard-working people who are all on the same team. I love the connection you share with each other, the joy you have in helping others, and the pride you have in your country. I’ll struggle to attain it, but your self-reliance, multitalentedness, and rugged individualism in the countryside is something I’m still in awe of. Our friends could collect their own rainwater, raise and “harvest” their own sheep, create homemade bread from scratch in 10 minutes, feed the chickens, tile a fireplace, and make artisan pottery like it was all an easy day’s work. I can’t do any of those things.

Thank you, Peter Jackson – So many Lord of the Rings-inspired moments were had on our visit. From multiple trips to Hobbiton to some epic hikes and drives around the film locations.

A woman and a child smile outside a hobbit-style house with a round blue door. Theyre surrounded by colorful flowers and greenery. The child wears a blue cap and green jacket, while the woman has a red backpack and beige hoodie.

A person wearing a travel freely T-shirt stands in a cozy, dimly-lit room filled with wooden shelves holding books and various decorative items. A framed portrait of a child hangs on the wall, and small vases are displayed on a curved wooden desk.

A child in a blue hoodie and backpack gazes up at a life-sized statue of a wizard holding a staff. Behind them, indoor plants and a signpost with destination names are visible. A view of the outdoors can be seen through large windows.

I got really sick in Wellington aka Welly-Wood. I didn’t make it to the visual effects studio that has worked on so many films, including Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and Avatar. Thankfully a few cool pieces were in the airport. I was very proud of my daughter for staring down Smaug the dragon.

A toddler in a hoodie stands in an airport, looking at a large, realistic dragon head sculpture emerging from a rocky wall. The dragon has red scales and glowing yellow eyes. The background includes gray airport carpeting and stone textures.

Thank you, cricket – Who knew cricket was actually exciting?! I became a huge cricket fan, at least the “T20” shorter version, which has a World Cup coming to the US this summer.

A crowd watches a cricket match in a stadium under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The field is lush green, surrounded by floodlights and trees. Spectators sit on the grass and in the stands, enjoying the game in the late afternoon.

A cricket match in progress at a large, crowded stadium. Players are on the field, with spectators filling the stands. The sun lights the field, and digital advertisements are displayed around the stadium.

Thank you, normal life – So this is probably what people back home think happens all the time in New Zealand. This only happened once, but it did happen!

A herd of cows crossing a country road, blocking the path of a car. The scene is surrounded by tall trees and grass under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

A woman uses a laptop while sitting in a chair on a porch overlooking a scenic landscape. Another person relaxes in a hammock. A dog stands nearby, and a child peeks out from a hammock. The background features rolling hills and trees.

And, yes, the family we lived with had sheep! They did not name the sheep because they would eventually end up on a dinner plate.

Two children stand by a wire fence overlooking a green field with grazing sheep. The landscape features rolling hills, trees, and cloudy skies. The children, one in a blue shirt and the other in a blue dress, watch the sheep with interest.

Air drying your laundry is very normal in New Zealand. Just remember to grab your laundry if it starts raining.

A child stands on a stool outdoors, reaching up to hang a small backpack on a clothesline in a fenced backyard. The grass is patchy, and the clothesline has brightly colored clothespins.

Thank you, Kiwi parks and playgrounds – With the exception of our time in Australia, I’ve never seen a country with cleaner public parks and more fun spaces for kids. We found some of the coolest playgrounds in very beautiful settings. One of these included a miniature city where kids could use cars like bikes with actual traffic signs and pedestrian crosswalks.

Two children, one wearing a blue hat and the other a white cap, play on a spring seesaw in a park. Palm trees and a lake are in the background under a clear blue sky.

Thank you, Kiwi fish – You showed me that the fly fishing legends are true. The fish are ginormous compared to anything I’ve seen that qualifies as “large” in Colorado, Montana, or Wyoming. And for the incredibly diverse locations to find these fish. So much fun.

Two people in hats and outdoor gear are fishing along a small stream in a grassy field. Mountains and a cloudy sky are in the background. One of them is taking a selfie while the other gestures with their hand.

A person wearing a camo shirt, sunglasses, and a hat smiles while holding a large fish near a riverbank. The background features lush green trees and a rocky shore.

I haven’t done much fishing in the ocean before coming to New Zealand, but ocean fishing didn’t disappoint either. Reeling in kingfish felt like bringing in a whale. I was pretty sore the next day after catching several kingfish. Other fish included snapper, which was super tasty as fish and chips.

Person in a green jacket and hat holding a large fish on a boat. The person is smiling and wearing sunglasses. The ocean and a clear blue sky are in the background. Fishing equipment is visible on the boat.

Man wearing a red beanie and sunglasses stands on a boat holding a large fish, with the ocean and blue sky in the background. He is dressed in a hoodie and shorts, and the boats equipment is visible around him.

Thank you, Kiwi police (not pictured here) – For the thrill of getting pulled over for going 4mph over the speed limit on a highway. The good news… the ticket was $18! My favorite speeding ticket of all time.

Thank you, Kiwi landscapes – I’ll never forget the lush green, the incredible mountain ranges, and the endless sheep dotting the hills. Plus, the crazy streams with crystal clear water.

Famous landmark time. The famous church at Lake Tekapo.

Man in an orange beanie and gray hoodie takes a selfie with a stone church in the background, set against a lake and mountains under a cloudy sky.

In the Coromandel area of the North Island.

Two children stand in a grassy field, facing away, surrounded by hilly, green farmland and scattered trees under a cloudy sky. A wooden fence is in the foreground.

An arched cove made famous by The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe movie.

A group of people on a boat tour, looking towards a scenic coastal rock formation with an archway. The water is bright turquoise, and greenery covers the cliffs. Some people are taking photos while others enjoy the view.

A picturesque beach scene with golden sand and gentle waves under a clear blue sky. A few people are relaxing near the water, with grassy dunes on the left and a small hill in the distance. A single fluffy cloud is in the sky.

South Island: an enormous glacier that spills into a lake that is so big your mind can’t figure out the scale. The famous Mount Cook is in the distance.

A person wearing sunglasses, a white top, and purple leggings stands on a rocky terrain with snow-capped mountains and a lake in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

A person with blonde hair wearing sunglasses is smiling. They are standing outdoors with a scenic view of a lake, hills, and mountains under a clear blue sky in the background.

Thank you, Kiwi accents and special phrases – For my kids and I to continue to use back at home. My 2-year-old already has her Kiwi accent down. Saying “Nooohhhhhh” instead of “No.” And, “Parrdon ME!” after a toot. My son is full on with his accent and phrases. A few favorites being, “Oy!” (Instead of “Hey!”), “You cheeeeeeky monkey!”, “Good on ya mate!”, and “Where are my jandles?” (Kiwi for “flip flops”).

Thank you, Kiwi café culture – There may be more cafés than sheep in New Zealand. Everyone loves their coffee. Everyone drinks espresso drinks. And you’re likely to find a fancy espresso machine in the most rundown gas station in the middle of nowhere – where the cashier is better than a Starbucks barista back at home. And thanks for always asking for a topping, “Chocolate or Cinnamon?,” when I order a cappuccino as if I’m a kid in a candy store. And as a fan of oat milk, thanks for being able to froth it up so well.

A cup of coffee with a foam design depicting an airplane. The cup is placed on a blue saucer with a spoon beside it on a white table.

A plate of avocado toast topped with a poached egg, greens, and seasoning. Next to it is a piece of seared salmon. In the background, theres a bowl with fruit and a croissant.

Thank you, Kiwis (the birds) – For remaining a mystery and never showing yourself one single time in 6 months. The legend lives on.

(No photos of a Kiwi bird here as I never saw one!)

Thank you, unique Hamilton Gardens – The closest city to us was Hamilton, which is south of Auckland. One of their fun things to do is Hamilton Gardens. Instead of the typical sprawling botanical gardens, they took a time-and-place approach. They recreated gardens from different time periods and different locations around the world, including a really cool one from the 1600s in Italy and another from ancient Egypt. I don’t love botanical gardens, but as a travel lover and history buff, this was the coolest one I’ve ever been to.

A formal garden features symmetrical hedges, vibrant flowerbeds, and a rectangular fountain with statues. A person strolls near the water. A pinkish building with arches stands in the background, surrounded by lush greenery under a cloudy sky.

Ancient Egyptian-style gardens with vibrant columns and murals, featuring a reflecting pool. Trees border the area under a partly cloudy sky. A pillar in the foreground is adorned with colorful Egyptian motifs.

No thank you, Kiwi time travel – I’ll admit, this was a love-hate relationship. I was never living the same day as friends, family, and colleagues back in the US. I’m excited for this mind-bending reality to end and for Friday to be Friday. I will definitely miss my desk at the New Zealand Travel Freely HQ!

A laptop displaying the time 4:59 sits on a glass table alongside a notebook, headphones, and a drink bottle. The table is on a wooden deck overlooking a scenic view of green fields and distant mountains under a partially cloudy sky.

Extra Highlights to share:

The grand experiment is over, but it feels like just the beginning. The risk-taking of our entire family, including my wife, my 2-year-old, and my 5-year-old, has paid off in more ways than we could have expected. And all thanks to what I would call “deep travel.”

For me, “deep travel” is the chance to be in the messy in-between places that bring such joy, confusion, and positive struggles. We are better for it when we can affirm and challenge each other’s cultures and ways. I’ve always felt more alive in the in-between places. So this trip has been a great joy.

Side note: It’s all true that kids adapt so much better. My son recently summed it up with a simple example, “Dada, they say ‘cahhhhhs’ but we say ‘carrrrrrs'” – and that was totally okay with him.

As we pull out of our friends’ driveway for the last time to head to the airport, it has been a road we have traveled over and over for the last 6 months. It has become a path of memories and moments from our days. The road to Sarah and Graham’s house. The road that goes down to the secret stream with some big fish. The road we pull out of to go on a hike or a day trip. Or the road we take to the grocery store for a few more eggs when the chickens haven’t laid enough for us. =).

I’m grateful that such a foreign place could become so familiar. I feel like this is the joy of deep travel.

While the trip itself has ended, I know the growth and memories will stay with us. And the transformative power of deep travel has only inspired me to seek out more opportunities to immerse ourselves in new cultures and ways of life. I encourage everyone to consider the value of deep travel, whether it’s a months-long stay or even just approaching a shorter trip with the mindset of truly engaging with the local culture. My hope is that we are all better people for this great experience. For now and into the future.

And I hope that when we turn into our own driveway in Colorado, we will experience the fullness of the great quote from T.S. Eliot:

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.