New Zealand Weekly Update #54

Last updated on November 7, 2023

30th of October until 05th of November 2023

Approximate reading time: 5 minutes

Lets get it started

Apologies folks, this weekly update took me a while. And I am late, very late. The week has been busy, has been full of adventures, full of work, I took some evenings off from people and refilled the energy. I was pretty low on energy and pretty tired. But having a break from time to time is important to slow down and refocus and refill. Monday afternoon, after having a relaxed day at home and heaps of sleep, Josh, my housemate asked me to join him and a friend for a little boatrip to Ruby Island. So we went down the lake, prepared the boat and went out on the lake. Sunshine, blue sky, the sound of the engine and all the way to Ruby Island (well, it is just a 5 minute drive with the boat). And we had a drink on the island while sitting and chatting. Another way of movement, another way of exploring. Another way of living. Feels like freedom!

During the week itself, I was pretty tired, low on energy and so I needed some relaxing moments. Thatswhy I went to the sauna with a friend of mine, who is crazy as. She already finished an Ironmen (and we are talking about the full distance). So we would go to Hawea on Wednesday to have a sauna session at the Sectret Sauna, a barrel sauna by the Lake Hawea. With stunning vies to the lake and mountains, with some skinny dips in the cold water (well, I did some skinny dips, no doubt about that 🙂 ) and some snacks and a glass of wine afterwards while sitting in comfy camping chairs by the lake. My friend left after a while, but I stayed over night and I was lucky having a clear sky ans some shooting stars above me. New Zealand, I just fell in love with your beauty and peace!

And eventhough I was still tired the rest of the week, I went for a swim on Friday afternoon just to keep the body a little busy and I ended up with the best time for 1.9km so far. I realised, that I just started swimming freestyle 1 month ago. And the first time I ended up with 1h and 16 minutes. Last time, I ended up with 46 minutes – quite a progress right? Way to go Dingy!

Wills Valley Track – a hidden gem(pion)

Sunday and Monday, off again. And since a friend of mine, Karina, was in Wanaka, we decided to go for an overnight hike together. And this time, I decided to go for a quite hidden one, which is considered to be a challenging hike. 7km. Estimated time 5-7 hours. I was wondering, since the distance is not that much, but the hike proved us wrong. So we made our way to the Gates of Haast Bridge, round about 75 minutes driving from Wanaka. With our bagpacks, heas of snacks, sleeping bags and raincovers.
And already the beginning of the hike was quite intersting, since there has been no sign at all. So I took out my phone and we started following the GPS track. Climbing rocks next to the lake and straight into the bush. First, flat way, easy to hike, fun to walk. After a couple of minutes, all the time up and down in the forrest. Slippery sections, steep sections, demanding sections. And step by step along the from now on quite well marked track.

After 90 minutes, climbing a ledder, going down a steep section on a rope and deep into the forrest. And again up and down, up and down. In between some breaks, with some great sandwiches and some talks as well. Having company on a hike is a different quality. Sometimes we did not speak at all, sometimes we were chatting. And so we moved on for 3 more hours. Finally, the forrest opened up and the valley was ahead. What a beauty! But still one hour to go. We were tired, ready to rest and so we slowed down and after a cold river crossing we followed the river upstream on the right side.

Finally, the hut showed up, in the middle of the valley! What a gem in the wild. After 5 hours and 30 minutes, we have reached our reward. And what to say folks! A hidden champion in the wild. Two bunk beds, a small fireplace and firewood in front of the hut!
Ready for snacks, ready to relax, ready to enjoy at its best! Music. Good food. Some books. And a cozy fire. Nothing else to add anymore, this day has been perfect – I am very grateful that I have been able to share this special gem with a special person.

What else to say?

This week was both. Exhausting and exciting. Busy and relaxed. Full of silent moments and full of new and unique moments. It showed me again why New Zealand is so special, so unique and wonderful. Since eventhough you have a daily live, a fulltime job and daily struggles, you still can enjoy this island at its best each and every day. Since it is full of energy, full of gorgeous nature, full of wonderful people. And it showed me again, that is is important to slow down from time to time. To not rush each and every day. To be grateful for the moment, for sharing them. And to be able to make people happy, whenever I can. That it is not about big or expensive things but much more about small gestures, attention and time. Time is the most valuable curreny you have. That you can give and share. With yourself and with others. Enjoy your week folks. Whenever you have some time to share, some moments to enjoy and some smiles in your face, go for it. Show it, share it and make some special memories to think about when you feel upset or whenever you need a refill.

Your DingyInternational
Felix