Memorable journey to New Zealand
Recently, I had an extraordinary opportunity to travel to New Zealand with a Japanese friend, and the experience was truly awe-inspiring. We explored popular destinations on both the North and South Islands and at every turn, it felt like we were stepping into a breathtaking painting.
New Zealand's natural beauty is hard to put into words, with its magnificent trees and leaves. Our visit coincided with New Zealand's southern hemisphere winter, which offered a unique charm compared to the scorching summers in Korea and Japan. We enjoyed the cool atmosphere, serene rivers, majestic oceans and snow-covered mountain peaks all around us.
One unforgettable moment was sitting at the bar on a floating boat in Lake Wakatipu, savoring delicious wine while basking in the cool vibes. The trip was replete with moments of wonder and profound gratitude. In contrast, Korea and Japan endured scorching summers, while New Zealand, renowned for its top-quality white wines like sauvignon blanc with its sweet taste and fragrant honey notes, offered a delightful wine exploration. We roamed wineries across different regions, enriching our journey and highlighting the value of cultural and landscape immersion for relaxation and deeper understanding.
Vacations hold their charm in breaking free from daily routines, discovering inner peace and savoring life's simple joys often overshadowed by the daily grind. I'm reminded of the Christian hymn "Count Your Blessings" by Johnson Oatman Jr.
Now, each morning, I pause to reflect on countless reasons to be grateful. Just like that serene moment at the Queenstown floating bar, I affirm, "My life is blessed and joyful!" and start my day with a heart full of gratitude. How fortunate I am!
The most unforgettable moment from my trip will always be the day I accidentally left my phone at Auckland Airport. It was found by a kind Samoan woman working at the duty-free shop who went above and beyond to ensure its safe return to me in Seoul.
On our final day, my friend Naoko and I indulged in a mix of wine, cocktails and champagne to lift our spirits. In my slightly tipsy state, I panicked about losing my phone, making it hard to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery outside the plane window. Instead of reporting the loss to the phone company in Korea, I decided to send messages to my phone from a temporary device, trusting the person who found it. After a few days, I received a reassuring message confirming the safety of my phone and their commitment to returning it.
Despite being strangers, we shared stories through email, and a week later, my phone was safely returned. I'm deeply grateful to Easter and look forward to meeting her when I visit New Zealand this winter vacation again.
Shin Hye-suk (sinesu@naver.com), with an English name Shindy, completed a Ph.D. in sociology, has devoted two decades of her life to academic pursuits at a university in Japan. Also a flower artist, she has served the role of president at the Rotary International Seoul Rotary Club.