Little catching up

So, since the last 2016 post – Back to Reality- I have done countless things. So let me fill you in.

Since Oct 2016 I have gone to Bali, moved to Canada, been to Mexico, Back to New Zealand for a holiday and made a home and life in Canada.

Sunset at Old Man's

Firstly Bali. So my friend Megan & I travelling to Bali for 14 days and met up with my buddy Ben who I met in Banff when I went around the world. We stayed in Caangu for the first few days, up to Ubud (so rainy and cold), then moved down to Nusa Lembongan, over to Padang-Padang and back up to Canguu because we liked it there so much. Bali is one of my favourite places to visit. Not only are the locals SUPER lovely and accommodating but the life in Bali is very relaxing among chaos. Not only that but I came home with some permanent reminder of Bali- a white lotus tattoo on my inner forearm. This wasn’t my smartest move as it was done IN the hostel outside by the pool. But hey, memories were made and I don’t regret a thing.

Secondly, I moved to Canada. This was a decision I made back in June 2016 and live with my friends Carly and James- both of which encouraged me to do what I loved. I moved back to Banff in the middle of winter. To say I was cold would be an understatement. Upon moving here I have made some incredible friends (some of which have now gone home), done some amazing things and travelled to places around Canada I never had even heard of. I met the love of my life- 2 weeks in to being in the country on a drunken night out. Lived with him after two months of knowing him and making it work, as well as applying for permanent residency because I love it so much . I now live with one of my best friends, boyfriend and his best friend as well as working at an awesome little locally owned restaurant. I couldn’t be happier. Now that I’ve decided to literally move my life here I have a lot of work to do, like change over license, change over degree, further my studies so I can then work in a Medical Laboratory. At moments I freak out and think “f*ck I ruined my career moving here”, and then remember how unhappy and bored I was going into that job day-in and day-out. Now I have a semi-permanant job to which I have freedom in to do as I please and travel round, hike and snowboard and make everyone at home envious with all the stuff I do and the breath-taking views I live within driving distance of.

Third, Mexico. Girls trip to a all inclusive resort in Puerto Adventuras. It is between Playa del Carmen and Tulum in the Quitanna Roo Province. Oh my is it gorgeous. To say we drank would be a lie but more so ate our way around Mexico. We stupidly decided to hire a car

and drive over the the Lagos de Flamingoes on the Northern side of the Yucatan Peninsula- which is super dangerous and NOT recommended, got lost in small towns and pooped our pants . Drove to some local Cenotes (this I will highly recommend), swam with turtles, relaxed by the beach as well as visit the Chichen Itza ruins. It was days of indulgence as well as amazement of the local surroundings. It is one place I want to go back to thats for sure.

Lastly I went home for a holiday. Not only to see my family but to show the Boyfriend my old life. Minus the 27 hour travel time from Calgary to Auckland via Hong Kong it was amazing. I showed him my home town of Hamilton (super boring), Waitomo caves with the glow worms, which I would tell anyone in that area to go see. It is a little pricey but amazing. The way I explain it is a little worm hanging from the ceiling with a glowing bum, and theres so many that it looks like the galaxy in a cave. Down to Lake Taupo, and Rotorua( smelly city). I showed him a glimpse of the Māori culture (which I want to show him more of this as it fascinates me growing up around it and the people are beyond friendly and proud) and of course it being unique to New Zealand and our history of New Zealand, I can not honestly not stress how much I would recommend when visiting NZ to learn about this culture and try embrace it! We went up to Whakatane and Ohope which is my childhood. I spent every summer and Easter break here so it was nice to have those memories and be able to share them with him. Up to the Coromandal Pennisula and to Cooks beach where we went to Hahei, Whitianga and Cathedral Cove. For those visiting NZ this area in particular is one of my favourite and what I would say is one of the most beautiful. I am waiting to plan another trip with him in the future to b able to visit the South Island where my family grew up.

For now however, I am living life in the Rocky Mountains being active and somewhat carefree. There are plans to travel in the future but for now I am content with setting my life up here.

Sorry for the novel.