New Zealand Adventure ...part 3

I'm not really sure where to start with the last five days.  While I was there to support and encourage my friend, I had the opportunity to see some of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen.  New Zealand is amazing...and that is only an observation made after five days.

We spent our time enjoying the outdoors...lakes, woods and beach.  Liz and I enjoyed time with her kiddos and time without...thanks to her wonderful husband:)

I got to learn about Rotarua...and the fact that it sits along volcanic plate means there is a lot to learn and a lot to see...geothermal sights, hot springs, plus gorgeous lakes and redwood trees everywhere we went.  There was the occasional smell...but that was nothing new for me since I live in HK and come from the "mushroom capital of the world."

Most important to me was my time with my friend, who is going through some hard stuff personally and is about to make a big transition.  We had such a wonderful time together.  We have a lot of history together...going back more than a decade...with many of the same passions.  But it had been over two years since I had seen her.  And yes, we picked up where we left off.  I also enjoyed getting to know her kids...they have four of the cutest kiddos and they have grown so much since the last time I saw them.

This trip was an incredible gift from God...one that I'm not sure I deserved, but one that I will never forget.  Not only did I get to reconnect with a dear friend and her family, but I was able to see a beautiful country that, before three years ago, never would have dreamed I would have been able to visit.  And it was a dream I had as a child, ever since my grandmother brought me back a little kiwi charm from her visit.  Which reminds me that the Creator of our hearts, who knows our hopes and our fears...also know our dreams...and this was a dream that only He could make happen:) Enjoy the pics!!

Mt. Maunganui

Geothermal Wonderlands

Redwoods Forest...13,000 acres

Another perfect night for a picnic

Gorgeous sunset over the rolling hills of NZ

Hot springs...like jumping in a hot tub!

Mountain biking!!!  No injuries:)

New Zealand Adventure...part 2

 So I thought I would have more time to write about actually getting to New Zealand, but it turns out that I didn't, so now I am writing in retrospect...sitting in the Auckland lounge, ready to board my final flight home.

I made it to Rotarua no problem. I was tired, but boarded my trip to Auckland...excited and ready to go!!  I had a wonderful trip to Auckland...I really liked flying Air New Zealand.  The staff was wonderful and I enjoyed flying during the day, realizing that I should try to stay awake so I would sleep when I got to Auckland.  I enjoyed reading and catching up on some movies...including two of the Hobbit movies...getting me even more excited to see this beautiful country.

I arrived to Auckland and was picking up my shuttle to my hotel at 12:30am.  It was surreal thinking I was in New Zealand.  The people were so nice and the warm, summer-like weather felt fantastic.  By the time I got into my room, it was about 1am and I collapsed...but not before I made sure I had a wake up call and set an alarm in my room.  My flight was leaving at 8:30am, so I thought getting up at 5:15 and getting on the 6am shuttle would give me plenty of time to make my flight without stress.  How wrong I was...it was TOO MUCH time!!!  I probably could have arrived at 8am and have been fine.  Sure, I would have had to check my carry on bag, but there was NO security and one gate where everyone sat and waited for there flight to be called.  It was quite humorous, but I did meet some lovely ladies and we chatted about their New Zealand experience and what we were doing there.

Finally, I was on my last leg to Rotarua to meet my friend.  My flight was called and I boarded the smallest plane that I had ever seen. It was a short flight...about 40 minutes...and as we flew, I couldn't help but notice the gorgeous land below, and even the fluffy clouds that we traveled through.  The land from above was amazing...rolling hills and blue water.  Coming from my home of Hong Kong it was just eye opening.

And when we landed next to a beautiful blue lake, with a little green island in the middle,  I couldn't wait to see more.  I found Liz easily, since Rotarua was the smallest  airport I had ever seen, and we were off, with a full day ahead of us!!!

My New Zealand Adventure...part 1

One thing that many articles I have read about expats say is that the expat is never the same after stepping out of the box and going through the challenges and difficulties, joys and triumphs of living in a foreign country.  You change...and this trip to New Zealand

is proving it to me:)

I am on my way to a land far far away to visit a dear friend...and I'm going by myself.  I have traveled by myself before, but never internationally, to a country I've never been to before.  This is definitely out of my comfort zone.  BUT...I know I am supposed to do this, and the Lord has been preparing me to do this for a long time.  Even before we knew we would be going to Hong Kong, Andy and I can look back and see some of the events and circumstances that led to an international move...and now an international adventure for me.  Albeit, this is a short adventure...only being gone 5 full days, it is taking me two full nights and a day to get there.  Since I don't plan on posting this blog until after I am back, here are my logistics:

Flight to Singapore from HK that leaves at 9:45pm and arrives at 1:30am
Sleep in airport lounge Thursday night
Flight to Auckland from Singapore leaves at 8:50am and arrives at 11:30pm
Sleep in a hotel in Auckland on Friday night
Flight to Rotarua from Auckland leaves at  8:30am and arrives at 9:15

Stay until Tuesday night and take a red-eye back to Hong Kong.

 Of course, it helps to have a husband who has been doing this kind of thing for years and who has been my biggest cheerleader.  This would not be happening if it weren't for him. And I'm thankful that the Lord has been instilling in me this sense of courage and adventure. It certainly didn't happen overnight.  But this trip is showing me that indeed, I am a different person.

So as I write, it is 5:30am in the Singapore airport lounge.  I've been awake since about 3:45am...and yes, I arrived in the lounge a little after 2am...so not a whole lot of sleep.  The funny thing is that while I was all prepared to show my "gold card" to get into the lounge, when I entered, no one was at the desk.  I waited for awhile...then started to walk around and get a feel for the place. It was vacant.  There were a few people (three) like myself who were there to sleep...but that was it.  So I found myself a massage chair and settled in.

Unfortunately for me, the bright lights and excess noise made it difficult to sleep. There was the elevator music, construction banging, and a couple deep sleeping snorers.  That on top of the fact that the massage chair was NOT built for someone who is 5'2'', and I had a challenging time sleeping.   And by 4am the place was in full swing.  I got out of the chair to find a ton of people milling around, getting food, reading, working, ect.  I couldn't believe how early things got going.  This has actually served me because I don't feel tired...I'm wondering how long this adrenaline is going to last me?  I'll let you know:)

My Hike Up Cloudy Hill

One of my unexpected surprises when we moved to Hong Kong was how much hiking there was where we lived.  In fact, we have a trail that we can access from our neighborhood called Cloudy Hill.  I have hiked up to the top of Cloudy Hill with friends a few times, usually not going all the way due to time or energy limitations...but this past Friday I decided to do something different...I hiked to the top alone.

I have always enjoyed nature and being in God's creation.  And although I would call myself a "beach girl," I grew up going to camp in the woods and love to experience those scents and views that can only be found in the mountains.  I also think I was due some "alone" time after our hectic and crazy holiday schedule.

I woke up early with the rest of the family, got everyone out the door, minus Sarah who was still sleeping, and off I went with my headphones and backpack.  It was definitely a bit cloudy (not a surprise, thus the name) but I did see sun and was hoping that the sun would burn of the clouds and we would continue to have another gorgeous day (now is the time to be in HK!!!)

I have about a 10 minute walk within the Hong Lok Yuen community before I reach the gate...going up hill.  As I walked, I saw several helpers and drivers washing the cars, the woman collecting the trash, and a bunch of students waiting for their bus for school.  As I reached the gate, I had forgotton to get the code from the office, but I decided to chance it since I had gotten that far and did not want to be stopped.  Besides, the door was almost never shut all the way and therefore never locked:)

As I traveled up the stairs to my first view overlooking Tai Po, I saw sunshine and water with islands that I hadn't seen from that view in quite a long time (they don't call it Cloudy Hill for nothing).  The sun was burning the clouds off and the blue skies were beautiful.  I was surprised not to see more people hiking.  As I got up to the first major resting point, there were a handful of people stretching and doing exercises...all very friendly.  I took some more pictures and then kept on my way.

There were so many scents that reminded me of my camping days, and as I continued I couldn't help being reminded of my dear friend, Leslie, who brought me up Cloudy Hill the first time, and a few times after that. The trail was quiet, and I enjoyed listening to my music and enjoying the crisp clean air and the blue skies.  Of course, there were also the stairs that caught me off guard...I didn't remember there being so many at some points.  At times, I tried not to look up and just took one step at a time...kind of a metaphor for this adventure we are on:) After a leisurely trip to the top, I made it and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I sat up there for about an hour...virtually undisturbed...taking pictures, praying and journaling...it was food for my soul.  It reminded me how very important this time is for me and my health, and that I needed to schedule it more often!!!

Finally, I was on my way down...more in a hurry since I was excited to see Sarah, who was sleeping when I left.  I still enjoyed myself, and didn't rush too much since I did not want to lose my footing.  But all those stairs were MUCH easier going down!  I made it down to the bottom to the gate that was supposed to be open.  Of course I had just missed a couple hikers  who went around the corner.  Then, realizing that the door was closed and locked and there wasn't a guard in sight...I hopped the fence, without hurting myself!  It was such a great morning and I hope that I will remember to make time for this more often!!

  

First view of sun over Tai Po

 

Hong Lok Yuen

Top of Cloudy Hill

From the top!

My spot

The locked gate:)