WHAKAWHETAI
Gratitude
Kiau ki te pai, kia whai hua
Hold on to what is good and good things will follow
I started my journey on 1st November 2025 from Vienna (Austria). As a first destinaty I had chosen Aotearoa – New Zealand with a short stopover in Shenzhen (China).
Jules Verne describes in his classic novel “Around the World in Eighty days” about his adventures circumnavigating the Globe. I am much slower, discovering only New Zealand in eighty days!
now 80 days later it’s time to reflect on my endeavours here in
“the Land of the long White Cloud“
Couchsurfing community
I started of with Couchsurfing. Being a member since 2009 the last couple of year I acted more as a Host instead of a Surfer. It was good to experience “the other side”. Some wonderful people opened their doors for me and made me feel at home. THANK YOU: Neil, Cathy, Duncan, Andrew and Peter!
**Also Terence, Kieran, Dan and Marina…. even though I didn’t stay with you, your helpful information sure made a difference
Whanau – Family “HOME”
Before heading to New Zealand I knew, that I would stay twice with wonderful people, who were already part of my life.
1) Amanda – who I met in 2002 while walking the Camino de Santiago – from Tauranga. It was awesome to see her again after all those years. Meeting her wonderful Family: Gemma, Lola, Ziggy and dog “Tato” was so special. Instantly I felt at home! She also hooked me up with several friends and arranged for me to stay with her mum Sue and Ray. On my last day Amanda blessed me with Pounamu.
I feel so much GRATITUDE towards this strong Whanau!
2) Christl – who I know for ages from Mayrhofen, now staying at her daughters’ in Hawea Flat.
Her generosity was beyond. She offered me to use her cozy home as a “base” for over a month. Her daughter Nicola with husband Matt and Carlos and all their animals took me in as one family member more. I am forever GRATEFUL!
3) Sue (Amanda’s mum) and Ray welcomed me in such a natural way. They took me places, spoilt me with excursions and adventures and took me dancing! Sue encouraged me several times to go beyond my limits. Without knowing me, they accepted me as WHANAU. I was given the most precious present when leaving… a kauri bowl, wood-turned by Ray! LOVE YOU both!
4) Erich & Margaret – we have common friends back in Zillertal. Again, not knowing me at all, they let me stay in their precious home and pampered me with one delicious home-cooked meal after another. Staying with a former Chef is pure luxury! I felt like a princess, having my own ensuite bathroom with a freestanding bathtub. Sharing so many wonderful moments with you fills me with THANKFULNESS!
Kindness of HOA
Travelling has always been about “the people” for me. Meeting “Hoa” Friends I hadn’t met before makes the journey so worthwhile. I was lucky to find wonderful people all along the way. Some of them just during a meaningful chat,… without introducing ourselves by name. With others I shared a room, a ride, a moment or even a day (or two).
My APPRECIATION goes especially to:
Alicia (AUS), Andrew & Megan (SCT), Anny (CH), Clara (AK) Douglas (US/ARG), Frank (D), Katie & Claire (UK & FR), Leanne & Claire (IRL), Lenja (NL), Marijke (NZ/NL), Martin (CZ), Max (D), Nicole (D), Rosie & Alister (NZ), Sarah (NZ), Sidd & Brad (CAN/IND & NZ) and Timothy (NZ/UK)
KIA ORA wonderful PEOPLE
