Whatever you call it, wherever you are from, every traveller knows about it. Itchy feet syndrome is a common thing among those of us who have experienced the world of travel and are now back ‘home’ faced with rejoining the real world. It may not be an immediate thing, it may take months or even years for it to creep up on you, but believe me you’ll feel it.
So how do you deal with it? Up until this year, I had a hard time adjusting to being in one place for more than 5 minutes. I constantly day dreamed about my next adventure or place I could high tail it to. I drove my friends crazy reciting tails of overseas experiences and wishing I could be anywhere but here. But with a shortage of cash and a need to be where I am for the time being, I had to find a way to deal with the itchy feet.
The answer once I thought of it was fairly simple. Instead of one big trip off somewhere, why not plan little trips, weekends away or short holidays around New Zealand. This would give me a chance to discover this beautiful little country that I’m currently living in a lot more, and keep the feeling of being ‘trapped’ at bay.
So since January that’s what I have done. January was spent in the Pelorus Sound part of the Marlborough Sounds, fishing and enjoying the sunshine. February was Nelson and Abel Tasman for 5 days for a mixture of beach lying, wine tasting, bike riding and sight seeing. March was over to Hokitika for the Wild Foods Festival for a gastronomic treat to freak out even the most hardy of taste buds! And so the ‘mini breaks’ will continue. In April I’m off to Queenstown for a long weekend. May it’s to Blenheim in Marlborough for a wedding. I’ve yet to plan past that point however, so am now looking for suggestions of places to go and things to see.
So…….. if any of you have any suggestions for must see things or places that should go on my weekends away list then leave a comment or email me.
4 Comments
Kelly
March 23, 2012 at 6:36 amIt’s amazing to me that you would feel trapped in New Zealand, I’d give anything to have such a wealth of amazing places so close at hand. Here are a few ideas from my travels:
1. Taste Martinborough. I did this with a few friends and it was a wonderful way to spend a day, I think you’d love it!
2. Perfect Day Out trip to the Poor Knights Islands from Tutukaka. I did this with Amy when we were both backpacking around the North Island. Snorkelling, swimming, just a great day
3. 90-Mile Day Trip, out of Piha. Very touristy, but amazing. You take a bus from the town up along 90-mile beach at low tide, sandboarding, then up to Cape Reinga, and finally Puketi Kauri Forest. I went with AwesomeNZ tours, loved it!
4. Kayak trip to the Hole in the Rock, Coromandels.
5. A day exploring the thermal parks near Rotorua. You can get a bus pass that will take you to both Wai-o-taupo and Waimangu (or you could when I was there).
Im sure there are more that I did, but those are whats up the top of my head.
Admin
March 23, 2012 at 9:21 amDon’t get me wrong – I do love NZ but having grown up in the UK I really miss hopping on a short plane journey or train and getting off in a totally different country/culture. And it’s the longest I’ve spent anywhere in my life! Thanks for the great ideas though. Will definitely look into those.
Michelle
March 26, 2012 at 11:36 amYou could head south and do the Catlins – that’s a stunning part of the country. Or explore the Banks Peninsula – the four day Banks Peninsula track is stunning and there is a pack cartage option. Tramping with hot showers, flush toilets and electricity!
Admin
March 26, 2012 at 3:53 pmWow that sounds like my kind of walking tour!! I hate the idea of having to lug everything around. Would be keen to get the details from you. Have never been to the Catlins either – have heard it’s stunning though so that’s definitely on the list.