Caroline

I arrived here 7 months ago and will stay for another 5. Unfortunately, that is when my visa will expire. I have traveled all over the North Island and most of the South Island. I am currently living in a small “town” which has 3 houses, no shops, no phone reception, no anything, right in between the Routeburn track and the Greenstone track and I’ve never been happier. In the North Island, I found myself immersed in Maori culture, making friends with many of the kind-hearted, friendly locals. With it’s beautiful beaches, incredible scenery and laid-back attitudes, my life here has been a constant holiday. I will be extremely disappointed to leave in August but will look forward to many returns in the future.

Thank you New Zealand for all the great memories and all the amazing friends you have given me

There is nowhere else in the world where I could have done that. I lived in Australia from July 08-09. I applied for the visa, bought the flights and just went. It was the best thing I did. Changed my life. For a country so young, there is so much culture and so much to be learned there. When you all go (which you must), make sure you go to Tasmania. It seems to be forgotten by many travelers, but there is so much beauty there. Australia is where I caught the traveling bug and is the reason I’m still not hope and don’t plan to go back anytime soon. I will forever look back on my time there with rose-tinted glasses