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”.
I am glad that we finally went here last week before we get into lockdown again this week after having freedom for more than 100 days covid-free! Why? same issues like what other countries are facing eversince. Now we are back to lockdown level 3 for 2 weeks then we’ll see what’s next.
ARATAKI VISITOR CENTER (above) it is just 40 minutes drive away from our place. Narrow winding roads, bush walks everywhere.
Trust Stadium
This is where I go for exercise and do some repetition of walking before the gym. In this tough times we need to be mentally healthy and fresh air plus a dose of sun helps a lot to boost your endorphins!
Auckland Zoo
Our zoo is also naturally beautiful. It serves like a mini paradise for all the animals living inside. So many natural landscape that you cannot help but to take some photos.
Friend’s house, Party time!
The moment we’ve always been waiting for! After missing all my friends for 3 months of lockdown / quarantine level 4-2 we had our “thanksgiving party” that we are all safe and healthy! Only now we will miss them again.
Hobsonville Point Walkway
This is just 30 minutes away from home. This also serve as a ferry terminal and every week end there is a Farmers market nearby and lot’s of homemade products to buy and dine in to. It is for the whole family plus this walkway is long enough for you and your dog to walk on and enjoy the view.
Riverhead Tavern (lowtide)
Brunching before cruising is nice for a week end away with the family (above) NZ oldest riverside tavern.
There are a lot of places whether hiking, horse riding, hunting, camping or beaches we had it all in the West. Wild West indeed. The featured image above is in Titirangi Village. They are housing 2 art galeries here and some restaurants with a wonderful view of nature.
These are some famous places that I have been in the past (bold) and some would like to visit. Check them out here below:
Piha beach and the Lion rock
Bethells beach
Waitakere ranges – for bush walking
Kumue wine country
Muriwai beach – on top of the cliffs hundreds of gannet birds nesting here
Crystal Mountain
Skydiving in Parakai or if you’re a PRO then any cliffs will do
Paraki Springs
Extreme edge rock climbing in Glen Eden
Kiwi Valley Farm Park
Tree Adventures
Hollywood Cinema – the oldest in NZ since 1915
West Lynn Flower and Butterfly house
Riverhead Cruise
MOTAT
Western Springs
Helensville Railway Station
And many more like this vlog as below from PinoySwiss abroad (Youtube) please watch, like, share and subscribe! 🙂
@PinoySwiss abroad Youtube channel
So many things to do and see plus so many old and new restaurants, coffee shops and malls to choose from. West is developing alright as the population in Auckland soars! Until next time. Thanks for reading.
“It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.”
by John Burroughs
In response to the Word of the Day Challenge – Giddy. I am not sure if I will be giddy to know about how cold it is down there today! But I do agree it is breathtakingly beautiful. Will you agree with me?
See photos below. Please click to zoom it to size. Credit goes to One News TV. I cannot help not to post this. It is on State Highway 8, a southern scenic regions of the Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago in South Island, New Zealand. Major cities are: Lake Tekapo, Omarama, Fairlie, Twizel, Roxburgh, Lawrence, Alexandra & Cromwell. FYI, just in case you want to visit next year.
Switzerland has a white swan while here in New Zealand we have a black swan. The lake got frozen so the swan must walk instead. Cheers!
Wanderlust - A new chapter 