The Wonders of Homeland Travel

by Larissa Aberhart (New Zealand)

I didn't expect to find New Zealand

Being in a converted self-contained van, on my honeymoon, touring the South Island of New Zealand has been a treat, and a mixture of experiences I would have never anticipated. In New Zealand as a New Zealander with a familiar accent, you can easily blend in with the locals. There is a kind of ‘you and us’ mindset when it comes to observing travellers. Because of this, my husband Michael and I supposedly had the home advantage. As soon as we began to look baggy, with a travel branded raincoat and an eco bag full of groceries walking through the park towards the nearest campsite, we were placed in a box called Tourist. Seeing us attempt to cross the road on the home stretch now filled the local driver’s minds with questions and opinions. ‘Should I slow down in case they are silly enough to walk in front of me and expect me to stop?’ ‘It would be much easier if they waited on the side of the road till no cars were around, than doing The Middle-Island Hover.’ ‘Why do we have to put up with silly tourists who take all the parking spots and ruin our views?’ The margin for human error tends to become drastically smaller for a visitor than a permanent dweller. With it being my honeymoon and highly introverted, it was natural for me to choose to keep to myself when being surrounded by strangers. As you can tell, this meant I had plenty of time to people watch and wonder. Here are my unexpected findings from this homeland trip. There are perks of having the local accent and approach to life. You often get given the best campsites, options on where to seat in a restaurant, and a more relaxed feel from the international on a work visa behind the check in desk. It feels much more comfortable to take risks. Choosing to lean over and catch a glimpse of the 176 meter depth of Harwoods Hole or only arriving 15 minutes early for check in to the ferry did not result in bodily harm or a waste of money. I have found travelling locally makes it easier to worry about what is waiting for you at home (my husband can vouch for this). It also tends to mean plans are more open, there is more flexibility and it becomes less of a big deal when the sight you desired to visit, is actually shut due to a slip on the road... I’m talking about you Milford Sounds. The highlights of our trip included freedom camping spots that have public toilets, as I was not quite ready to experiment with our portable toilet. Also, the realisation that I don’t get out that much in my own city, and that I should do this more often. I have my favourite stores and paths to walk so I avoid trying new places to eat because it takes effort to change and embrace the unfamiliar. Seeing fellow Kiwi’s do what they do with excellence in rural settings has been a blast. I have more freely given out complements than ever before (adding caramelised onion to a bunch of loaded wedges is the best – visit the blue food truck at the Hokitika Gorge walk @hokitikagorgecafe). Treating yourself in your own country seems somewhat forbidden, and doing so, has been highly rewarding. Glamping lakeside, horse trekking, having a super long shower because you’re in the rainiest place in the country and you aren’t the one paying for water. The benefits of being on a tiny footprint while doing so, opens your eyes to the possibilities for living differently within your own country. Although the thrills of international travels are a delight and necessary, visiting your own country can be a humbling and exploratory experience that should be encouraged more (if you don’t mind being treated like a tourist that is).