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.
Saying Goodbye To New Zealand
Heather Markel, Writer, Speaker, Photographer, Traveler, Business Strategist
Saying goodbye to an unexpected new home is very strange.
As you read this, I may already be at the airport getting ready to leave New Zealand. A trip that should have lasted a few weeks became almost two years. Getting ready to leave this beautiful country, that became a second home, I’m thinking about the things I’m grateful for. Strange to have weathered a presidential election, and four time changes in one country that is not my own.
Chair with a view. Auckland, New Zealand
Copyright, 2020. Heather Markel.
1. I Had The Best Refuge From Covid
I had more than a year to live a normal life while the rest of the world went through the travesties of Covid. I’m so grateful for having this time to adapt, slowly, to the new world, and to be in a place where, up to now, people treated one another with respect and compassion through lockdowns and government policies.
2. I Was Surrounded By People Who Always Wanted To Lend A Helping Hand
New Zealand is full of really helpful people. No matter what hardship you’re facing, there will always be someone who wants to help you reach your destination, pay the bus fare when you don’t have a fare card, talk about something getting you down, and just be there. I’ve made some beautiful friends and they will be missed. And, I have a lot of them to thank for putting up with me as a flatmate for way too long – thank you! Thank you for your friendship, thank you for your kindness, thank you for teaching me so much about your culture, about being less wasteful, and living happy.
3. The Chance To Learn About The Maori
Another unexpected joy has been learning about the Maori. Traveling through the Southern hemisphere in 2019, I began my lessons about inidigenous peoples. There is so much I didn’t learn in history classes and I’ve been grateful for the real world education. The Maori are one of few indigenous people that have been treated better by their government. This is a country trying to make reparations, which includes ensuring that everyone makes an effort to learn to speak Maori.
4. Two years To See Spectacular Scenery Over And Over
Most tourists zip in and out of New Zealand, choosing the better-known locations, and then return home. I’ve now been able to travel all over the south and north islands 2 – 3 times. I’ve seen the view from the top of Queenstown, I’ve traveled around the Bay Of Islands, I’ve visited vineyards in Marlborough Sounds and visited the prison and Gannet colony in Napier. I’ve taken the tram in Wellington and visited the Weta workshop, and I’ve gone home to the Shire with hardly any other tourists in sight.
The sea view track at Marsden Cross. Copyright 2021, Heather Markel.
5. An Intimate Relationship With Local Birds And Nature
Learning to recognize the call of the Tui, the chattering of the fantail and the heavy flight of the kereru (wood pigeon) has been magical. Going deeper into the woods and learning about local plant medicine, and living with friends who grow their own food has been a wonderful education.
6. Latin Fit, Pilates And Steep Hills
I haven’t avoided the dreaded “pandemic belly”, but I did get to keep it in check thanks to Latin Fit dance and pilates classes in Kerikeri, and though I complain when I’m on them, the steep uphills that are part of most of the country have definitely been helpful managing my weight!
7. Delicious Kai Moana
Kai moana is Maori for seafood, and New Zealand has some of the best. Fresh salmon that hasn’t been farmed has become one of my favorite foods here, along with green lipped mussels, some of the best and meatiest I’ve ever tasted. There’s a long list of other fish I’ve never heard of that I’ll miss seeing in the supermarket.
8. Wonderful pets to keep me company
I did a lot of housesitting during my time in New Zealand. I loved the many companions I had. Recently, I had what felt like my own cat. I named him Max. I’ll miss his daily visits, nap-time cuddles, and his ever-growing intelligence figuring out which door to meow from to get my attention, and even climbing on the roof to make sure I saw him!
I knew this day would come, and feel an odd mix of sadness and excitement about beginning my long journey back to friends and family I haven’t seen for 2 years. Thank you Aotearoa, and New Zealanders, for a lifetime of great memories. You have become my whanau, and I won’t soon forget.
Staring out my window, my last evening in Auckland, I caught a glimpse of Sky Tower. I guess I’m not the only one feeling a bit blue about my departure.
Check out my New Zealand playlist on YouTube – a walkthrough of many of the places I got during my time here.
![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)
Just had to read this post Heather. I too love NZ and can appreciate how wonderful it must have been to spend your covid time there. Lucky! It’s a truly amazing country in every way. My own latest blog post is a review our own 5-week NZ road trip from a few years back. It was definitely a highlight.
Hope this next phase will be wonderful!
Stay safe. have fun.
Hugs 🤗
Hi Alison! Yes, it really was a blessing, and everything you say. Can’t wait to read your post as well. Thank you, I certainly am trying to stay safe – thanks for the hugs! 🙂
I am sure it is very hard to leave New Zealand after such a long time. It seemed like a wonderful spot to be safe over the Covid pandemic. So many amazing places to visit. But I am sure there are many more adventures just around the corner.
It was very hard to leave but I’m so looking forward to the other adventures as well!
I have never visited NZ but your experience convinced me that I must visit.
I hope you will love it as much as I did!
We all will have our Covid stories to tell our future generations, but you really have a special one. I can feel the gratitude you have by reading this. Thanks for sharing. I’m excited to see what’s next for you…we are about to embark abroad again and I can’t wait. xoxo
So exciting! I can’t wait to follow your adventures. And I agree I’ve had a beautiful experience.
Wow Heather, this is huge & what a moving tribute to this beautiful country. I have enjoyed following your time in New Zealand, seeing the pandemic from what seemed like another world away from the UK has been really insightful. I feel sort of sad that you’re leaving but also excited that you are on the move again. Some of us just aren’t meant to stand still! Good luck on the journey & say Hi to Australia from me!
Hi Sue! Yes, it feels like a major life step, lol. I am truly blessed for the timing of my visit as well as all the beauty I got to be in for so long. I’m sad, too! But yes, time for me to get on with my travels – as you say, I’m not meant to stand still too long, and yes, saying hi to Australia for you!
I enjoyed reading about your NZ experiences and I hope you have an amazing time in Australia. You were so lucky to spend so much time in beautiful New Zealand and to weather the Covid storm from such a safe place. Wishing you all the best on your travels!
Thank you so much! Yes, I’ve been really lucky. 🙂
Bittersweet! If you did not move on, you couldn’t continue with your journey, but I am sure NZ has become more than home for the last while for you. Enjoy your next adventures and looking forward to reading about them!
Hi Alma, yes, that is so true, and leaving “home” was hard, but also, I am a traveler and I have to get back to Africa, planning to next year! I’m looking forward to sharing my onward adventures. 🙂