If you want to see every post I’ve written, starting with the most recent, this is the place to start!
I’ve been traveling the globe solo, and many of my posts share thoughts and resources specifically for other solo travelers. If you’re a fellow solo traveler, or you’re thinking about solo travel, this is a collection you will find of interest.
If you’re looking to read blog posts about specific destinations, click the country of your interest below to go to it’s blog page and get country-specific reviews and thoughts.
Sometimes I write posts where I give insider information on certain cities I’ve visited, which may be more along the lines of places to go, how to save money, etc. If that’s your main interest, check out this compilation of posts.
In 2020, I was traveling in New Zealand as the coronavirus pandemic brewed, and, got stuck there. If you want to read about what this time was like and traveling during this time, check out this page.
At the heart of international travel is learning about the many different cultures and ways of being around the world. The posts compiled on this page speak, specifically, about the cultural observations I’ve had.
Many of my blog posts are about things I’ve discovered about myself or about being, while I’ve traveled. If you’d like to focus on posts that only have self-discovery themes, click the button below.
Magic, Word-play, and Intimacy. The Wonders Of Wandering In New Zealand.
NEW ZEALAND
Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business Strategist
Being locked in has some advantages…
(This is the fournteenth post in a series. Missed the first 13? Click here to see them all.) I’m halfway through my fifth month being stuck in New Zealand. It’s not where I planned to be, and I greatly miss Africa and South America, but I am thankful, every day, of how lucky I am to be stuck here, of all possible places, on this earth, at this time. My American neighbors Jess and Aaron, were an absolute godsend during lockdown. They kept me from being isolated and alone, went on almost daily walks with me, taught me how to cook, gave me lessons about the flora all around us, and at night, seeing the light in their cottage made me feel watched over. Sadly, they had to return home to America for a job this past week.
It’s winter here, and it rains almost every day. Though that can be depressing, the flip side is that rainbows are a normal occurrence. Jess, Aaron and I seem to see them all the time. I’ve never seen rainbows like the ones here. First, I see the entire bow. Second, I’ve seen the actual end of the rainbow and it looks like the pot of gold is in reach! The rainbows are always at least double – I once saw four bands, and some of the bands repeat the spectrum within the same band! They really are magical.
Rainbow seen from the bus with the moon in view.
Photo by Heather Markel, copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved.
To lessen the sadness I feel about their departure, I jump the bus with Jess and Aaron – they head to Auckland, and I get off at Whangarei. It’s about two hours south of Kerikeri, where I’ve been living. We see a giant rainbow on the way, this time with the moon! This is my first solo travel/discovery trip in quite a while, and some interesting things are about to happen. I go on two hikes. They’re grueling. In fact, my legs feel like such sludge after the second one I have to phone a cab to make it back to town. Both hikes make me realize this odd gift I’ve been given, as have all of you – being locked in to a country. Previously, I’ve only been locked in to a bar after closing time. We enjoyed free drinks with the bartender for hours while they cleaned up. Now, I’ve got the entire country of New Zealand, virtually to myself. There are very few tourists, no crowding at any event or site I want to see, and, finally, I can book accommodation last minute because I’m not competing against the entire world for them. (Sorry, I know that’s not so good for the tourist industry which is deeply upsetting, but, it does make for a very nice and relaxing travel experience!)
On one of my hikes, I’m the only one on the trail and, walking towards me, is a lone man. In some places of the world, I might be terrified, check for mace, or run the other way. Here, this nice man just wants to gab with me. It turns out he’s from Whangarei and hasn’t seen many of us tourists, so is happy to know there’s a few of us around. He’s been to New York so empathizes with my feelings about the president and what’s happening there. We chat for a while, and then he heads up the mountain I’ve just come down.
“I dearly miss international travel, but give thanks every day for how lucky I am to be here, now.”
All alone in the middle of the forest.
Photos by Heather Markel. Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved.
Earlier along my hike to Parihaka, which offers a beautiful view of Whangerei, I find myself alone, surrounded by nature. It seems so magical that I say, out loud, “OK, where are you fairies?” Later in the day, after coming down the mountain, I have lunch and wander into a boutique. Barely inside the door, I look to my left, and there, on a bookcase, is a collection of fairies! I of course buy one to remind me of the magic in life and the connection to travel.
This is Mahuika. In Maori legend, she gave fire to Maui. For me, she is a symbol of sharing her light and energy with the world – a beautiful symbol for us all to live by.
Photo by Heather Markel, Copyright 2020, All Rights Reserved.
One evening in Whangerei, when I walk back to my hotel, I see a car across the road with a very curious sign, shown in the photo.
I’m not sure what to make of it. My impulse is to cross the street and ask what white bait is. But, being white, I fear it might be a trap to get me to cross the road, so I don’t. I’m perplexed as to why I don’t see any fishing lure, so it seems safest to keep walking. After being in some dangerous countries, I still keep my guard up which may be preventing me from some fun, in this country. I later learn I missed out on some great fish and will have to look for it another time.
The funny thing is, being an English speaker in New Zealand is not necessarily an asset. I am frequently confronted with signs for CBD…in every town I visit. I look around for the CBD oil (note, it’s not legal yet in New Zealand, but they’re voting about this in September, stay tuned!) only to learn they are talking about the town center, or Central Business District. I’m bummed every time. The first week I was in Kerikeri I asked where I might find postcards, and was told to have a look at the Dairy. I was confused about this, but if there are postcards next to live cows in the center of town, I’m certainly not going to complain! I learn later that the Dairy is what we would call a bodega in New York – a store open odd hours that has pretty much any strange food or drink you might crave.
After a lovely few days in Whangarei, I board the bus back to Kerikeri. The driver, who normally checks us in, doesn’t seem to be doing so. I ask him if I need to confirm my reservation. He says, “Heather? Going to Kerikeri?” These are special times.
![Could taking time away from work be one of the smartest decisions you make for your career and your life?
In this episode of How to Travel Full-Time, I explore why intentional time away, including a career break, sabbatical, or travel reset, may become an important part of the future of work.
Inspired by the Harvard Business School Managing the Future of Work episode, "Why Time Away May Be the Future of Work," this conversation looks at how longer careers, workplace burnout, artificial intelligence, and rapid professional change are challenging the traditional idea that we should work continuously until retirement.
But taking time away is not only about recovering from burnout.
A well-planned travel reset can give you the space to reconnect with yourself, reconsider what you want from your career, and decide what your next chapter should look like.
In this episode, you'll learn:
• Why the traditional 40-year career model is beginning to crack • How burnout can be information, not personal failure • Why vacations often do not solve deeper dissatisfaction • How travel creates distance, perspective, and clarity • Why taking time away does not have to damage your career • How a travel reset differs from a vacation or permanent full-time travel • What keeps accomplished professionals from taking extended time off • Why time away could become part of a long-term career strategy
If your life looks successful from the outside but no longer feels aligned with the person you have become, this episode is for you.
🎧 Subscribe to this podcast for more conversations about travel resets, extended travel, burnout recovery, career reinvention, midlife transformation, and using travel as a catalyst for personal change.
🌍 Sign up for my upcoming free webinar (https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/) , How To Use Travel To Transform Your Life, Even With A Busy Career [https://heatherbegins.com/future-webinar-interest/]
Link to HBR podcast: Click here (https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/podcast/why-time-away-may-be-the-future-of-work)
💬 Question for you: Have you ever considered taking one to six months away from work? What's the biggest thing stopping you?
#TravelReset #CareerBreak #FutureOfWork](https://heatherbegins.com/wp-content/plugins/feeds-for-youtube/img/placeholder.png)
Such a fun read! If you were in South Africa, we would direct you to the petrol station instead of the dairy. ?And we do have CBD’s, both kinds! Stay safe and enjoy.
I love South Africa! A friend reminded me of your CBD but it’s legal where you are…they’re voting on legalizing cannabis here in September. Fingers crossed! ?
A lovely read. Funny how it can take some adjusting to get to grips with the slang. In Melbourne they also call the city centre the CBD which when I first moved herez confused me a lot! As did a whole range of other colloquialisms that only agyer two years I understand most! It’s also winter here so I can sympathise. Especially as we’re in a second lockdown. Anyway, i am very fond of NZ, the people and the culture. I cant wait to go back soon this reminded me 🙂
Oh no are you in Victoria? Was so sad to hear about the renewed lockdown. Please stay safe. Yes the slang here cracks me up and I guess a lot of places in the southern hemisphere use CBD for city center (Africa does too). NZ is waiting for you!
Lovely read! We do use the English language differently in various countries, don’t we? It can be rather confusing! Hope you find that pot of gold at the end of one of those rainbows.
Yes the whole English thing makes me laugh all the time lol. I feel like I find gold every day by being in a place doing so well with the virus. ? Stay well!
I loved this read Heather, the whitebait, fairies and the meaning of lockdown not associated with drinking all had me smiling. It’s funny because I was talking to my best friend who lives in Auckland and I said I thought she was in the best place in the world for lockdown (she’s a native) I only wish I were there with her and not at home in the UK where everything still spirals out of control. I remember her once telling me not to forget my thongs for the beach – I thought she was going mad until I realised she meant flip flops not underwear!
Glad it made you smile! The words here totally trip me up every day. I keep meaning to not them all down. Yes it is pretty good here right now! Sorry about the UK. And I’m from the US so three times as glad to be here not there…
Hi Heather. This was such an interesting and engaging post, and I had the EXACT same mix up as you with ‘CBD’. My boyfriend lived in New Zealand for a couple of years and referred to the CBD in conversation for a few months before I realised I had no idea what he was talking about :’) keep writing!
Lol that cbd seems to confuse a lot of us! ? Thanks for reading!
Great to read that you’re staying safe and adjusting well to being stuck in a New Zealand! It must be quite a strange experience but I appreciate all the positive aspects you’ve shared about it. It’s the same in my city of York – there’s very few tourists so we feel like we have the city to ourselves for a while. It must be great to see a unique side of NZ now. Thanks for sharing!
It is strange indeed but I’m so lucky to be here and it’s something I will always remember.
I was in stitches reading your post… and for good reason. I’m a kiwi (but not living there at the moment). How cool it must be to travel there just now and as you say, have the country to yourself. By the way… white bait are gross… you didn’t miss anything 😉
Oh I’m so happy my cultural mishaps create a smile! ? Yes I’ve been told they are fish but in the moment was slightly scared! Your country is awesome!
This is a lovely post and reminds me so much of my situation! I am “stuck in Peru” but honestly, I’m a bit happy about it. I miss my family and would in a way like to be home but I think that part of me would prefer to be here. New Zealand sounds like a wonderful, magical and amazing place! You seem lucky to be there. Be safe and enjoy! Thanks for sharing.
Yes ! Same I’m happy and lucky to be stuck here…but Peru oh I lived peru! Another amazing place!
I love how you’ve found the upside to lockdown! There have been so many negative things about this pandemic, but hopefully, like you, everyone has also been able to do something positive.
Yes ! Actually I also quite enjoy feeling like I have nothing but infinite time to do what I want. Very luxurious and calming.