Adventures in New Zealand: From Chaotic Travels to Tranquil Aro Ha
Kia ora, fellow adventurers!
I'm ready to share with you the whirlwind of events that marked the beginning of my journey to New Zealand and my arrival at the serene haven of Aro Ha. Buckle up, because it's been quite the ride! 🛫 ✈️ 🏔️
My travels kicked off with the classic dilemma of overweight luggage and an unexpected encounter with exploding breast milk (yes, you read that right! 😅). But despite the chaotic start, I managed to navigate through Auckland airport, with a new friend named Kat, and catch my flight to Queenstown.
During my flights, I had the pleasure of meeting some wonderful fellow travelers who turned what could have been stressful flights into memorable experiences. From learning about the wet substance that hit my face to bonding over turbulence, meeting fellow single women travelers, and playing word search games with French women, these encounters added a touch of camaraderie to my journey.
Once in Queenstown, I embraced the challenge of driving on the "wrong side of the road," checked off two bucket list items with a ride on the Skyline Queenstown gondola and indoor sky diving at iFly Queenstown.
The peak of my journey was arriving at Aro Ha. From the warm welcome from Ricky, the Aro Ha staff member who picked me up from the airport rental car station to being greeted by the breathtaking views along Lake Wakatipu, every moment felt surreal. When we arrived to the retreat grounds, Ricky jokingly remarked, "the gates are opening for you, Kat," I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty surrounding me and remind myself to breathe, “I’ve actually made it!”
The tranquility of Aro Ha enveloped me as Ricky gave me a tour of the retreat grounds. Every view seemed like a scene from a painting, and I had to pinch myself to believe that I was actually living out one of my life dreams.
After settling in and getting to know the staff, I was delighted to join Pete and Grace at the spa. However, my excitement to share the experience on social media was dampened when I learned about Aro Ha's policy on photography and videos. While I hope to be able to share my journey with you visually in the future, for now, I'll be focusing on soaking up every moment off camera.
As I adjust to the time change and prepare for the days ahead at Aro Ha, I'm reminded even more of the importance of self-care. If you have any tips for managing time changes, I'd love to hear them!
Stay tuned for more updates from my time at Aro Ha. Until then, sending you all the best vibes!
With big eyes, a happy heart, and much love and gratitude,
Kat
