Holidays in times of pandemic

Auckland Ferry Building, DowntownNZ, Vinneve photo

Hi to all my readers and supporters who are still here with me through in and out of trying times of the pandemic season. New Zealand has been covid free for a long time and since Delta came, unfortunately, we cannot shrug it off any more by means of elimination (lockdowns). In the end, we have to live with it with enough requirements (90% rate of fully vaccinated people in Auckland City and hope other regions as well) AND the usual restrictions of social distancing, face mask, and sanitizer. FYI, there are some regions, towns, and small cities that are still covid free up to this day.

December 15, 2021, was the start of ALL Aucklanders to have the freedoms to finally travel out of the region, and yes almost everyone is itching their feet to go. So here I will show you QUEENSTOWN. Some of you know this is what they called “The Adventure Capital of the World” please see this LINK to learn more.

Glenorchy, Vinneve photo

Hopefully next time, I will show you the beauty of all the places we’ve been to prior to lockdowns in mid-August and after lockdowns just recently for this month of December 2021. If you can go to my Youtube channel here on this LINK you will discover more about the places we’ve been even on our regional lockdown here in Auckland. For now, I am wishing you all a HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Stay safe and healthy.

Thanks very much for your time reading this. Please do comment and I will try my best to reply ASAP. You can also say HI to me on the PinoySwiss Abroad Youtube channel. Again my thanks!

HOBBITON – A walk through life of the Hobbits

@PINOYSWISS ABROAD YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Before leaving New Zealand in mid 2015 I always thought of going here in Hobbiton. Who wouldn’t? most people and tourists have already been here EXCEPT us. Unfortunately, the year has kept me in a very busy status so we couldn’t go until we came back to Auckland, NZ just before the covid messed up the entire world.

We became fortunate that NZ experienced covid free in the community for such a long time that we decided a few months ago to finally come here to Hobbiton. Driving to Matamata which is ranging from 2-3 hours away depending where the GPS told you to go. Well my GPS told me to go the back way and the last hour I was a bit freaking out already as I only see is just cows, sheeps, hills and full of greeneries with one or two cars passed me by. So it pays that you have a reliable car! You wouldn’t want your car to break down in the middle of nowhere!

Finally, I can say going here is worth the trip! I hope you will agree with me. You can check other travel videos (covid free) on PinoySwiss abroad website the link on the video above just choose to watch it on YT. More Hobbiton travel series on it too starting from driving to Matamata.

Thank You to all who are still here supporting me. Let’s enjoy life but stay safe!

COPYRIGHT

The photos and articles on this blog are a property of the blogger EveWanderer11 unless otherwise stated. None of them should be used without her permission. Snippets and links could only be used on one condition: full credit is given to Evewanderer11 and the site, “Wanderlust, A new chapter”.

Destination: Napier, Art Deco capital

Hawkes Bay , NAPIER @PinoySwissabroad

This marked as another school holiday back in April 2021. For some of you who are not aware New Zealand is enjoying freedom of being covid free in the community. This region of Hawke’s Bay is covid free since last year of May 2020 where every countries in the world are already freaking out with regards to pandemic. Why is that? it’s because Auckland City the largest city of New Zealand is the one taking care most of the residents and citizens who came back to the country for safety (most of the facilities are here) and unfortunately some of them brought the covid-19 with them and inevitably Auckland is the most affected hence, we are the ones having the lockdowns often to control the virus from spreading. FYI

Going back to the topic which is NAPIER. This little city is known for its renowed wine-producing region in Hawke’s Bay. It has been rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake for which most of the city was destroyed and now boasting with the unique concentration of Art Deco Architecture in the world. There are a lot of things to see and do to this small city and most of it you will feel relax and amaze of the beauty of the nature plus activities for the whole family to enjoy!

Please feel free to browse all my related videos on YOUTUBE and it would be great too if you could LIKE and SUBSCRIBE as well as here in WordPress. I have more travel videos to share here in WP please watch this space.

Thank You and your comment will be much appreciated.

COPYRIGHT

The photos and articles on this blog are a property of the blogger EveWanderer11 (Vinneve) and PinoySwiss Abroad of Youtube, unless otherwise stated. None of them should be used without her permission. Snippets and links could only be used on one condition: full credit is given to Evewanderer11 and the site, “Wanderlust, A new chapter”.

My Abu Dhabi Life. Throwback

AL REEM ISLAND, Abu Dhabi UAE, PINOYSWISS ABROAD

There are times in our lives that we are reminiscing the past. Time flies, 2 years to be exact since we left United Arab Emirates for good and at that time I was a bit heart broken. Not knowing that this decision will keep us SAFE here in New Zealand – The land of the long white cloud as we are having more COVID FREE-DOM than being on a lockdown. Just a few countries in the world can say the same thing! We are finally back HOME. Still, I cannot help but to wonder how things changed over there in the UAE. I have this feeling of attachment to every place and countries that I started to love. I still have some friends left in Abu Dhabi and come to think of it… still having my UAE phone number still active up to now. Some businesses that I went to still trying to contact me thru emails or phone. Sending their felicitations and sales promotion not knowing I am not there anymore. Though I cannot say forever since The UAE is the nearest stop over to Switzerland which we also have a strong ties. So perhaps I will say NRAKUM MARATAN ‘UKHRAA.

COPYRIGHT

The photos and articles on this blog are a property of the blogger EveWanderer11 unless otherwise stated. None of them should be used without her permission. Snippets and links could only be used on one condition: full credit is given to Evewanderer11 and the site, “Wanderlust, A new chapter”.

ROTORUA, New Zealand

ROTORUA, New Zealand. Come here if you love outdoors and adventures. There’s more to this town than meets the eye. My photos are not enough to express what you can see and do here. Obviously, it is also a beautiful place but is there any place in NZ that aren’t beautiful? It’s full of natures wonder. It’s up to you to discover it once the world heals.

Here are the videos that attached from PinoySwiss abroad Youtube channel. Please feel free to browse or save it to watch later. I would be grateful for the LIKES and COMMENTS and if you SUBSCRIBE to both here in WP and YT that would make me very happy too! I hope this can gives you an inspiration for the future. Thank You.

@PinoySwiss abroad YT channel

@PinoySwiss abroad YT channel

COPYRIGHT

The photos and articles on this blog are a property of the blogger EveWanderer11 unless otherwise stated. None of them should be used without her permission. Snippets and links could only be used on one condition: full credit is given to Evewanderer11 and the site, “Wanderlust, A new chapter”.

Goodbye 2020…Hello 2021

Wellington @TePapa,Vinneve photo

“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by discomforts.”

Arnold Bennett

So here we are in the New Year of 2021. Somehow my emotions overruled and I started my new year blog with sort of negativity, though I can say I don’t regret it but it’s just wrong timing or perhaps I just want to justify my absence or lack of motivation for writing in WordPress these past months though I had one blog per month, still I cannot ignore the fact that writing is still my first love than any other social media means. That nobody can steal away from me. It is my own thoughts and my own ideas what’s in here as the real author of this blog under evewanderer Wanderlust – A new chapter. It is a new chapter again indeed.

I can say we are pretty lucky to get away with 2 hard lockdowns in Auckland particularly as most of New Zealand’s other region and cities only had it once. The citizens and residents who wants to come home from overseas (@Akl Quarantine facilities) who are unfortunately had the virus in them created so much havoc into our lives here when lockdowns came. Yes we finally overcame it and I thanked everyone for cooperating and also the government on deciding what is right for their people and acted promptly though it can be better but yes we have to be happy with the outcome nevertheless.

We are one of the few countries in the world who are experiencing some sort of FREEDOM last year up till now and can travel the whole country. For us personally, we started traveling again last September 2020 after our 2nd lockdown in August as you can see from my post last year. So without any further ado here are some happy travels around New Zealand since September. Please check >> Pinoy Swiss abroad Youtube channel to watch some more.

@PinoySwiss abroad

@PinoySwiss abroad

@PinoySwiss abroad

There’s more video over YT channel so please check them out.

I hope you are all well and let’s hope for a better tomorrow this 2021.

Thank You very much to all who stayed with me and will check your blog too ASAP.

COPYRIGHT

The photos and articles on this blog are a property of the blogger EveWanderer11 (Vinneve) unless otherwise stated. None of them should be used without her permission. Snippets and links could only be used on one condition: full credit is given to Evewanderer11 and the site, “Wanderlust, A new chapter”.

Expat life in Abu Dhabi pre-covid-19

So true it’s not always sweet and rosy on the other side of the fence but if you are lucky you will have often taste the sweet life than the lemon sour on your taste buds. Definitely the UAE particularly Abu Dhabi gave us a huge opportunity and a different kind of life that we didn’t experienced in our own backyard.

It is now finished and just reminiscing the good life we had while we are there pre-covid times. Unfortunately for those newcomers in times of pandemic they may find it very hard nowadays to even feel the life unless of course you want to risk getting sick if you do the way people do before the pandemic. There’s a lot of job losses and businesses closing here and there. On and off lockdown and non stop quarantining of people.

Let’s face the reality… I may not be able to see these places above. Travelling is banned overseas (well for us NZr’s & most countries) and it may take a year or so before we even get back to normal outside of our boundary. We definitely do not want to risk it.

No more lavish buffets, eat all you can and shop till you drop when there’s a big sale which is almost every public holiday or special events! End of those days we are so feeling carefree. FYI, foods (restaurants & hotels) and branded products are so much cheaper in the UAE or some part of Middle East and yes including Saudi Arabia… and may I add even GOLD. Even now they introduced 5% vat in the UAE for all goods and services, it’s still cheap as compared to prices in the West, South and most part of Europe. Correct me if I am wrong!

Seafoods galore & Hotpot nonstop

No more ladies night (50% are mom’s like me who sometimes enjoy the night out and the hubbies are the ones taking care of the children for once! Fact, most hotel bars are decent and caters to all women with free sushi and drinks to lure them). No more beautiful events to be held in the posh hotels and parks (Fact, you can even get 50% discount to these posh hotels by buying in groupon and other discount coupons!)

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What I am saying is… I truly treasured the times we were in Abu Dhabi as an expat family. I will never forget the high and lows. These were good memories that will last a lifetime as we may never have this again.

Now back to our home country New Zealand, facing the reality now of having the pandemic all over the world and the market crashing down… I can also say we are lucky just in time to be HOME. NZ is still not open for other countries which I approve of to minimize the risk though on the other end our economy is suffering… but ALL countries are anyway so we just have to bear with it and try to be patient. Health is wealth!

Take care everyone!

COPYRIGHT

The photos and articles on this blog are a property of the blogger unless otherwise stated. None of them should be used without his/her permission. Snippets and links could only be used on one condition: full credit is given to Evewanderer11 and the site, “Wanderlust, A new chapter”.

Be patient in this new world

“We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world”  by Hellen Keller

This is in response to the WOTD: Patient

The quote is so true isn’t it?

We learn from our mistakes.  If there’s a will there’s a way.  No pain no gain and so many other sayings.  This pandemic teaches us so many things in our lives.  How to be strong in these tough times.  How some of us become like a master chef or baker in our household without relying too much upon in takeaways or fast foods?  How to pray for our beloved safety and well being.  How to be kind to one another.  How to be tolerant about things we cannot control and accepted how it is.  Otherwise, you will only be miserable if you cannot accept defeat.  Life is in constant change.  We are facing a new life.  Be patient.

There is always a reason for everything and yes there are some positive outcomes of this world problem.  We learn how to be more hygienic or overdoing it at times just to protect our loved ones.  Our world started to heal from the pollution and the birds and other animals profited from it too.  If you love traveling like me, another positive outcome is you are now seatmate free as the seat in the middle will now be vacant for each passengers safety.  New Zealand is now on alert level 2 which means “almost” back to normal (apart from social distancing, proper good hygiene, and “being kind” as what the PM always telling on her media interviews. The tourism industry is now being pushed forward after being dormant for so long.  We just have to support and discover our own backyard deepest corners.  Besides, we have a beautiful country!

We hope of a safer tomorrow.  Wishing a covid-19 free world sooner than later.  Let’s be patient. It will come.

PS:  Please also support my other blog site as per this link >> Life and Wonders.  I have transferred some of my older posts in there as it was the first chapter of my new life being an ex-pat in the Middle East (The UAE).  There you can see how it was living in that world and you will be surprised.  Nevertheless, you can still see some of the remaining post here dated from mid-2015 up to early 2019.  FYI.  Thank You!

Different FUN challenges to inspire you

This is in response to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge as per the below words. Please click each word per photo to go to the link, BUT first finish this read, like or comment that would be great! 😉 Sorry, some word challenges are a bit late but it’s better to be late than never right? This also highlights my past travel and those photos that I am wanting to visit again in person if possible.  If not at least I have them in the archives of my past experiences and will remember always in my heart.

Vibrant Colours 

 

BaguioPH, vinneve

Visited this place two years ago in Baguio, Philippines.  I was captivated at their simple way of living and the vibrant colour of their houses.

Upwards

View to the top

AklZOO.sky, vinneve

Nice warm weather with a cool breeze surrounded us with lots of tall trees in Auckland Zoo (will post about this next time).  My son wants to come back here once we can go back to normal life or half of it as some say life will never be the same again… (sigh!) very sad indeed.

Tea time in Abu Dhabi

teatimeAD, vinneve

Those were the happy go lucky days. A time to indulge your sweet tooth and meet your happy friends making your life happier!

WestAKLSky, vinneve

And finally a view of the sky outside my house.  It somehow tells me that Life is still beautiful and more to look forward to the next day.  Do not be gloomy as what’s happening in the world right now.  Have faith and there’s hope!  See below (better late than never!) 🙂

CovideasterEggs, vinneve

I hope you like these photos.  You may also join the word or photo challenge as per those links to Cee’s blogsite.  The more the merrier!  Cheers!!

 

 

 

 

Hotel review: Novotel Lakeside, Queenstown NZ

the backside of hotel fronting the lake, vinnevefoto

This hotel serves as a second home to us almost every year visiting Queenstown since living in New Zealand and before we left last 2015. Now back home, of course, we visited first our favorite place & stayed in this hotel. It’s good for families though we saw a lot of groups filling up a big tourist bus. The hotel is fronting the lake, playgrounds & the Park. If you are keen to walk thru this Park there’s a way to Botanical Park so it’s a long walk indeed but full of beautiful nature and fresh air.

Restaurant, Parks and the Lake, vinneve foto

The bedroom and the views.

NovotelLakesideQtwn, vinnevefoto

Balcony viewNovotel, vinneve

Just a walking distance to a lot of tourist spots and restaurants.  It can get pricey so better book early as comes peak seasons this hotel can get full. If you are a member of Accor like we do they give you free welcome drinks and can enjoy it beside the fireplace.

QtwnGondola, vinnevefoto

I have so many photos but I cannot put it all in as I need to save my space for later.  So this is it for now.  Thanks for reading and checking out my blog, appreciated.  Cheers!!