About me and my time in NZ

In June 2012, I completed my first 6 months of my 18 month Postgraduate programme in Primary School Teaching. With ten weeks off - I wanted to get out of Dublin. It was the ski season in New Zealand at this time and I love snowboarding so I made it my business to get a job on a mountain. Luckily I was offered a job on the wonderful Mount Ruapehu (Whakapapa side), so I booked flights and away I was. Soon after arriving, I began to fall in love with New Zealand and I had barely even seen anything yet. I decided I didn't want to waste my one year visa so I applied for deferral of my course and luckily my application was successful. I was here to stay. I spent about four months working and snowboarding on beautiful Ruapehu. It's such a magical place and I left with friends who felt like family and some wonderful memories. 

In October I moved to Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands, North of the North Island. I worked a lot here but I was still a beach bum and really enjoyed my time by the sea. It was such an amazing summer, and again I met amazing people and have some very special memories of my time in this incredible place.

In February, I flew to Sydney to meet some of my best friends who live there. When I returned to New Zealand a week later, myself and a friend traveled around the North Island in a camper van! What a good time. I was really lucky to see a lot of the North Island this way. We ran out of money when we arrived in Mount Maunganui so we decided to stay there and get more work. Ah the Mount. What a brilliant time I had here. After about six weeks, in April, I hit the road again. 

I arrived in Marlborough Sounds on the South Island (for the first time) just in time for Easter. I stayed working here for 7 weeks. It is such a beautiful place, easily one of the most beautiful in the world, and I really enjoyed my time working at Furneaux Lodge (in the middle of nowhere). More great friends and great memories. 

The day I left Furneaux Lodge is Day 1 of my blog. So the story goes from there...! This blog is for friends and family and any like minded travelers who want to visit New Zealand.

I have traveled and worked in different countries around the world but my time in New Zealand is the longest I have spent away from Ireland. I've always been one for adventure and this year has certainly allowed me to explore, discover and experience another country to the absolute maximum. I wouldn't change it for the world, and feel I have been really lucky and landed on my feet in most situations. I didn't put a lot of thought into leaving the Motherland but my time in New Zealand has been beyond perfect and has inspired me in so many ways.

Comments and suggestions always welcome!

Yvonne :)