I was nervous about leaving the South Island, nervous I’d be disappointed, that we’d explored the best island first. Seriously, the South Island was even more spectacular than I had remembered from twenty-five years before. The Alps, the lakes, the ocean, the biking, the hiking, the golfing, and definitely the people—everything beyond beautiful. The analogy I’m about to make is a bit hyperbolic, but bear with me; it’s what came to my mind. I was pregnant with David when Abby was only nine months old; she was this adorable, silly, impossibly perfect being, and I worried if I was capable of loving another person as much as I loved her. Well, of course, I discovered that endless reservoir of love that exists and felt the same power and depth of love for David when he came into this world. So, I loved the North Island, too—its beaches with rock cathedrals, its smooth sand and lapping turquoise water, its hot springs, its national forests with dramatic waterfalls, and its All Blacks rugby teams (both men & women). We had a great Airbnb in Hot Water Beach (2 plus hours from Auckland) and used as a home base, finding trails and beaches and golf courses within an hour. We had a different excursion each day of the week. The golfing was crazy fun. The course we played several times had an honors system for renting clubs and paying greens fees, every part low key, maybe what golf is meant to be.

We left New Zealand reluctantly; I could have stayed there for many more weeks. I know we’ll return. Maybe every year.

We stayed a night in San Francisco with great friends, attended The Moth, and flew back to snow and sleet in Vermont. We’re doing laundry, packing up the truck, going to Burlington to see David Sedaris, and will head to warmer places on Friday. South Carolina, (via DC and Chapel Hill) here we come!

Photos below:

Thanks for reading!

Be safe. Stay strong.

Love,

Sarah