Last night, a friend asked me what’s the nicest, fun thing that I did in New Zealand so far? For a moment, I was caught off guard. Amid the erratic travelling over the past two months, I realised that my accumulated stay in New Zealand adds up to approximately three weeks.
(Along the Transapline Route from Christchurch to Greymouth)
Time is her usual deceptive self. On one hand, it feels like I have been here much longer because it’s just so easy to fall into pace and take things slow. On the other hand, three weeks to a Singaporean meant that there are lots that one can achieve. I took a moment to ponder over my friend’s question and felt a tiny frizzle of panic. “Am I taking things too slow or have I been wasting time?”
Feeling somewhat abashed, I told my friend that I haven’t exactly been doing much. Well, there are plenty of things that are nice but I realised that my kind of “excitement” may actually means “boring” for the next person.
(Pancake Rocks, Punaikaki, West Coast)
With her extensive buffet of exciting tourism activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, zorbing etc.; New Zealand can be an adrenaline playground for fun-seeking tourists. While I do not mind trying out some of these blood-pumping activities (I imagine the view is magnificent during skydiving), I do not see the point of risking a heart attack by jumping off a bridge to get a certificate.
(Taitua Arboretum, Hamilton)
(Punaikaki Beach, Punaikaki, West Coast)
I seem to have the soul of a 50-year woman rather than one in her late twenties. Nature walks, farm stays and quiet cruises appeal more to me and I am slowly exploring and savouring what some calls “a better quality of life”.
(Abel Tasman, Golden Bay & Nelson)
(Arthur’s Pass, Transpaline Route)
A new friend told me that I am a “seeker”. I have never thought of it that way, although I have to admit that others have made similar remarks. Could it be a desire for greater self-understanding? Master Shifu in the movie, “Kung Fu Panda”, taught the importance of inner peace. Maybe what I need is inner peace, or clearer directions in life. I have no idea.
I seek something that eludes me.
Travel Beckons 
Lovely.
Thank you! 🙂