Being granted a work/holiday visa in New Zealand is what sparked my departure from the States. My goal was to take consecutive trips until I eventually arrived in New Zealand to begin my up-to-one-year-long work/holiday visa status. Once I arrived in New Zealand, I spent many months doing freelance design and various temporary labor jobs. It was such a pleasure getting to know the culture and natural beauty of this country. I only experienced the North Island while there. Although small in comparison to the size of things in the States, there was still much to see on the North Island of New Zealand. The varied elevations and habitats keep things interesting. Whether it be dramatic mountain peaks, giant caldera lakes or sulfuric steaming pools of geothermal activity. There was always something new and exciting to explore. I spent most of my time in the capital, Wellington. Coming from Chicago, the “Windy City,” Wellington gave new meaning to the term with an annual average around 16 knots/hr (18 miles/hr). It is actually the windiest city in the world. The quality of life in New Zealand seemed idyllic, but in terms of career opportunities, it didn’t feel like the right fit at the time. The wind took its toll and I eventually got blown away to Hong Kong when a job opportunity arose after looking online for intriguing roles in the metropolitan city.
Auckland
Cathedral Cove
