Reminiscing on The Return to Auckland

Alain de Botton was right, he's always right (if anyone hasn't read 'The Art of Travel', read it now!). He says, you take yourself with you on your travels, your state of mind, your fears. You can't escape you.

I returned to Auckland, I had a 24 hour layover for a flight, and I was dreading it. But, similar to taking problems with you on your travels, you take your good moods and happiness.

I was now in a good place, loving my life in Nelson and returning to the UK for a couple days before flying out to Antigua and sailing across the Atlantic with friends. A short break from the fast approaching cold and dark days in New Zealand felt right.

I felt I could manage Auckland now and was met at the airport by a friend who showed me the beautiful parts of the city. People are everything, I hate being alone, and in good company everything is ok, even Auckland was manageable. I'd even go so far as to say Auckland was nice!

I was thankful however to spend the night out of the city in the beautiful BEAUTIFUL Warkworth, two hours north of the city, surrounded by sea, islands and birdsong.

I arrived to London Heathrow after 60 hours of travel, the last flight hellish with my neighbour throwing up every hour of a 13 hour flight. It was depressingly drummed home just how far New Zealand was from everything. It's far from EVERYWHERE, and it does make me sad to think that if I make my life there I have to leave Europe more or less behind and start over. But that's a future me problem. Happy with dog cuddles and seeing old friends and family for now.

Coco has hopefully not forgotten who I am. In any case, she tolerates me still.

I write this mid-Atlantic and am missing my life in New Zealand, I'd even go so far to say I'm missing Auckland. I'm eager to get on with life aboard sweet sweet Mahana.