<\/p>\n I\u2019m going to be completely trustworthy right here; I didn\u2019t have excessive expectations for 2022. The earlier two years may solely be likened to a nuclear bomb going off on this planet we knew. I ended 2021 with a horrendous break-up, homeless, and crying on my good friend\u2019s couch in Wanaka, the place I used to be crashing for the summer time. Again, hopes weren’t excessive.\u00a0<\/p>\n In truth, once I look again on the start of 2022, I can\u2019t even actually keep in mind all that a lot. I’ve emotional PTSD. I went by way of the motions of day-to-day life, propped up by a few of my oldest buddies. But I couldn\u2019t actually let you know specifics. It was too painful to commit issues to reminiscence, I feel. I used to be attempting to outlive.<\/p>\n We began 2022 with our worldwide borders nonetheless closed in New Zealand, and no concept when it will change. I used to be caught, and I hated it. At the time, I had no concept what to do with myself, my work, and the place to stay. My world had imploded. At the time, I didn\u2019t understand that I might primarily be homeless for half a 12 months, attempting to determine my new regular. Where would I land?<\/p>\n I rapidly realized that I couldn\u2019t be in Lyttelton for some time. Space away from the place I had been residing and the entire painful reminiscences was what I wanted. Unsurprisingly, I landed 5 hours away again in Wanaka, my previous dwelling and the place I knew I may heal, particularly with the assistance of my buddies.\u00a0<\/p>\n But maybe even once we are ghosts of our former selves, we are able to depend on muscle reminiscence to hold us on. Wake up. Brush tooth. Drink espresso. Get dressed. And little by little, month by month, I started to search out myself once more.<\/p>\n And then issues started to alter, as they normally do. That previous adage of how time heals blah blah blah is sadly true. With my remaining guide draft due on the finish of summer time, I had the proper excuse to be away and threw myself into writing. And I went into the hills searching for nature, and nothing makes you’re feeling fairly so good as time offline outdoors having adventures.\u00a0<\/p>\n As I emerged alive once more, I smiled and laughed, and happiness began appearing in my life little by little. It seems like a lifetime has handed since I\u2019ve completed a journey roundup. But as we shift into 2023, I really feel compelled to mirror on the previous 12 months, what I\u2019ve completed, and my 2022 travels. If something, I word this for myself, a reminder of the issues we are able to do when occasions get exhausting, to look again on the place I used to be and the place I’m now.<\/p>\n As somebody who tends to be actually exhausting on herself, believing that she by no means does sufficient, this can be a good reminder that we’re sufficient. 2022 wasn\u2019t so unhealthy in any case.<\/p>\n I speak lots in regards to the energy of nature to heal in my new guide, in addition to relating the expertise of strolling the Routeburn Track<\/a> proper after my break up. With Auckland nonetheless in lockdown on the finish of 2021, I booked a last-minute spot on the Routeburn throughout a advantageous climate spell; it was magic and simply what the physician ordered for my battered coronary heart.\u00a0<\/p>\n In truth, it was so magic I walked it once more on New Years\u2019 with an previous good friend.\u00a0<\/p>\n I feel the Routeburn<\/a> is perhaps my favourite Great Walk. It\u2019s shorter than most, clocking in at 33 kilometers, and will be walked in two to a few days. It has every little thing: historical beech forest, massive mountains, distinctive birds, traditional huts, and good swimming spots. It additionally traverses two nationwide parks: Fiordland and Mt. Aspiring (professional tip: use Easy Hike<\/a> to relocate your automobile from the beginning of the monitor to the top).<\/p>\n My subsequent aim is to run it in at some point. Let\u2019s see if I can tick that off for 2023.<\/p>\n The summer time of 2022 was one of many hottest I keep in mind on the South Island, and my 2022 travels started proper right here on the South Island. I spent most of January working down in Fiordland<\/a> on media tasks.<\/p>\n Fiordland within the summertime is magical. Last January was uncommon for 2 causes: firstly, there have been no vacationers. Our borders had been nonetheless closed, and COVID was beginning in the neighborhood; every little thing felt unsure. And it was tremendous bizarre to be down in Fiordland<\/a> in peak vacationer season with no vacationers. It was additionally boiling \u2013 it didn\u2019t rain for weeks and weeks, the lakes and rivers dropped, and the plush forests began to grow to be dry and even brown. I had by no means seen something prefer it.\u00a0<\/p>\n But I made probably the most of it, spending lengthy days within the hills tramping and exploring new locations. It was so distinctive and a major step in my journey of therapeutic.<\/p>\n After Fiordland, I made my manner south to Southland<\/a>, a area I\u2019ve been visiting on and off for a decade. Covering the underside of the South Island and Stewart Island, it\u2019s dwelling to waterfalls.<\/p>\n Living in Wanaka, locations just like the Catlins<\/a> and Riverton<\/a> are our go-to seaside spots once we need to go away to the coast. It had been years since I had been again down this fashion, and it was actually particular to get pleasure from it by way of a brand new lens.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Stewart Island<\/a> is considered one of my favourite locations on this planet. New Zealand\u2019s quiet third island off the underside of the South Island is wild and distant. Less showy than different locations, you must actually love nature, wildlife, and being off the grid to totally respect this place.\u00a0<\/p>\n I spent almost per week right here final summer time throughout my 2022 travels, which gave me the area and time to heal and mirror. I even took the time to tramp all the best way down to go to the bones of the stranding whales<\/a> I chanced on years in the past, an expertise that modified my life.\u00a0<\/p>\n Perhaps my favourite journey of 2022 was spending almost per week on the Breaksea Girl, a ship out within the distant Dusky Sound<\/a> with Wild Fiordland.\u00a0<\/p>\n Milford and Doubtful Sounds are probably the most well-known fiords in New Zealand as a result of they’re (considerably) simply accessed. Dusky Sound is more durable to succeed in; most individuals fly in by helicopter. It\u2019s been excessive on my bucket record for ages to go to, and I used to be so excited to spend per week on a ship right here final summer time.\u00a0<\/p>\n Created by locals to share this unimaginable slice of paradise in Fiordland<\/a> with others, an journey right here is value it. If you want an expertise to catalyze change in your life, this journey is for you. I nonetheless arrived unhappy and indignant about my breakup and felt 100 kilos lighter. You know, mentally. The meals was insanely good, and we additionally caught crayfish and fish to cook dinner up on board.<\/p>\n Summertime means tramping time while you stay within the mountains of the South Island. You\u2019ve gotta take advantage of the lengthy days when the solar units at 10 pm, and the snow has melted from the peaks. When I mirror again on my 2022 travels, tramping and being within the hills is an actual spotlight for me.<\/p>\n Last summer time, I spent many nights within the New Zealand backcountry<\/a> climbing mountains and swimming within the lakes. One of the highlights was lastly ticking off the Gillespie Pass<\/a> route close to my dwelling in Wanaka. It kicked my ass, and I misplaced half of my toenails, however it was so value it.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to being outdoors and profiting from nature on my therapeutic journey, I additionally completed writing my first guide \u2013 Houseplants and Design: A New Zealand Guide<\/a> (worldwide store right here<\/a>). I spent day after day glued to my laptop computer at totally different cafes in Wanaka and writing it saved me busy and sane.\u00a0<\/p>\n Many individuals ask me how lengthy it took me to jot down my guide. That\u2019s really a tough query. It was a 12 months\u2019s value of labor, however the writing took me six weeks on the most. The modifying, fact-checking, and capturing of the photographs had been probably the most difficult and took me the longest.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the top of summer time, I spent nearly two weeks touring throughout New Zealand taking photographs for the guide; from non-public homes to botanic gardens to retailers and cafes, I met many fabulous like-minded plant individuals. It was a lot enjoyable and a cool approach to expertise New Zealand in a manner I hadn\u2019t earlier than.<\/p>\n After two years of being caught in New Zealand behind closed borders, I lastly managed to get out to see my household, the spotlight of my 2022 travels. Once my remaining guide drafts had been submitted to print in March, I booked flights to the US. I left earlier than the official announcement of the border opening with the whole understanding I is perhaps caught within the US, however I didn\u2019t care. At that time, I nonetheless didn\u2019t have a house, and my massive jobs had been all wrapped up.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was bizarre flying out of Auckland with closed borders. The complete worldwide terminal was closed and empty apart from one bar. But how good was it to lastly arrive within the US? It was wonderful, and I ended up staying with my household for six weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n I nonetheless haven\u2019t come to phrases with the trauma that this pressured separation had on me. I\u2019m simply glad it\u2019s over (for now).<\/p>\n Pre-pandemic, I used to go to Sydney nearly month-to-month.<\/p>\n Many of my partnerships and enterprise collaborators have their major Pacific places of work in Sydney, so I used to be at all times over there. The direct flights from Queenstown to Sydney are normally about three-ish hours, making it straightforward to hop throughout the pond.<\/p>\n It was wonderful to be again, and I spent my time catching up with buddies, getting dressed up and going out, and having fun with the massive metropolis life; it was a small however thrilling expertise on my 2022 travels. I really feel just like the theme of 2022 was catching up with family and friends you haven\u2019t seen since earlier than 2020.<\/p>\n By winter, I had begun quietly in search of a spot to stay in Wanaka. Man, issues have modified right here, and leases had been slim and costly pickings.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wanaka is the sort of small city the place everybody is aware of everyone, and it\u2019s normally straightforward to discover a place by phrase of mouth. I ended up flats on Trademe and discovering a pleasant one in Hawea, a lakeside suburb of Wanaka. Many of my buddies have moved out right here not too long ago, so it\u2019s an ideal place to be based mostly.\u00a0<\/p>\n I ultimately signed a lease for a\u00a0 stunning model new small one-bedroom flat. A number of of my buddies stay throughout me, and it\u2019s so beautiful to have a spot to settle in after 9 months of residing out of a storage unit and my automobile. Though I’ll say it took me months to furnish it, and I lived on an air mattress for 3 months. That\u2019s not an expertise I\u2019m eager to repeat any time quickly.<\/p>\n Tekapo is considered one of New Zealand\u2019s hottest vacationer cities, and with good purpose: she\u2019s a magnificence! Roughly midway between Wanaka and Christchurch, it\u2019s a surprising excessive nation city overlooking a brilliant blue glacial lake and the Southern Alps.\u00a0<\/p>\n My houseplant store, NODE<\/a>, is in Lyttelton, so I typically cease in Tekapo<\/a> on my commutes between Wanaka and Christchurch. One of my dearest buddies additionally lives in Tekapo. I spent almost per week right here on a undertaking this winter, exploring the realm with recent eyes. I\u2019m so glad I\u2019ve made probably the most of my 2022 travels and skilled my very own yard earlier than tourism en masse resumes.<\/p>\n When Tekapo is admittedly busy with vacationers, it was straightforward to skip on by, however to have all of it to your self in winter? Well, it was nothing in need of magical.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve made no secret of the truth that considered one of my favourite locations to get away to jot down is on the West Coast of the South Island. At least yearly, I attempt to make the time to recover from to the Punakaiki<\/a> space.<\/p>\n Usually, I am going there within the winter as a result of that\u2019s when the climate is good and calm (shocking, I do know). My 2022 travels introduced me again to a spot I like.<\/p>\n The West Coast<\/a> is New Zealand\u2019s least-populated area, so that you typically have seashores all to your self. There\u2019s one thing so nostalgic and beautiful about listening to the sound of the surf or strolling by way of the rainforest, and it makes me so completely satisfied.<\/p>\n Visiting Doubtful Sound<\/a> is fairly memorable, and seeing it twice in a 12 months is extraordinary.\u00a0<\/p>\n For Mental Health Awareness week, I spent a number of days off the grid on the RealNZ boat in Doubtful Sound, absorbing the fantastic thing about Milford. We had each climate and many adventures, and it was an ideal reminder of how a lot I like my job and respect the alternatives that include it.<\/p>\n Finally, after almost three years, I took my first running a blog journey abroad on my 2022 travels; excited doesn\u2019t even start to cowl it. This time I used to be headed to a spot I had been dreaming about for therefore lengthy: Esperance<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lucky for me, Air New Zealand has resumed their direct flights to Perth in order that I may hop on over for a two-week journey round one of the crucial stunning elements of Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n WA (Western Australia<\/a>) is magnificent. Big, brilliant, and delightful, it\u2019s nearly like its personal nation. And Esperance has one of the best of every little thing. Incredibly colourful, it\u2019s dwelling to the whitest seashores in Australia, the ocean is crystal clear, the roads are earthy purple, and there are salt lakes which might be brilliant pink. You need to see it to consider it.<\/p>\n It felt so good to slide again into my previous function as a journey blogger, and it was a beautiful reminder of what I can do. It\u2019s exhausting to remain unhappy in stunning locations like this.<\/p>\n In the weeks main as much as my guide<\/a> being launched on November 1, 2022, I used to be shitting my pants with concern and nervousness. I knew there was no level in worrying, however I couldn\u2019t assist myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n While I\u2019ve thought of myself a author for over a decade, a guide was totally new territory for me. There is one thing somewhat terrifying about creating one thing over the course of a 12 months (and secretly, too) after which releasing it out into the wild far past my very own neighborhood.\u00a0<\/p>\n But as quickly because it got here out, my stress started to ebb away. I can not consider I managed to create one thing so essential (to me, not less than) throughout one of the crucial difficult years of my life. Wow.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve by no means been that sort of journey blogger who tried to tick as many nations as attainable off an inventory. In truth, I\u2019m not even certain what number of nations I\u2019ve even been to. I get pleasure from returning to locations I like and experiencing them in a brand new gentle.\u00a0<\/p>\n In November, on the finish of my 2022 travels, I made my manner right down to Antarctica to information my first journey there because the pandemic. The journey routes haven’t picked again as much as their pre-pandemic ranges, and there have been only some expensive choices to get to Ushuaia, Argentina, the place the ships depart from.\u00a0<\/p>\n In truth, the one direct flights between New Zealand and South America are with LATAM Airlines to Santiago, Chile. A brand new metropolis for me, and I ended for a number of days on my manner over to expertise it. I had a good time. And I had incredible meals. More on that quickly as I mirror again on my 2022 travels.<\/p>\n *PS I\u2019ve received my subsequent spherical of journeys to Antarctica up for 2023 and 2024 \u2013 you may apply right here<\/a> to get despatched all the main points!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n Finally, lastly, FINALLY, I used to be going again on a polar journey. It had been years since I final stepped foot on an expedition ship, and I used to be dying to return to the ice. Antarctica<\/a> is considered one of my favourite locations on this planet, and when Chimu Adventures approached me to information my very own journeys there, I couldn\u2019t say sure quick sufficient.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like New Zealand, it\u2019s a spot I do know very well, and it\u2019s a spot I can\u2019t shut up about. I\u2019m totally conscious that I enter that Hermione-know-it-all state once I speak about Antarctica, and I don\u2019t care. The polar bug received me good since 2014.<\/p>\n Over the final decade, I\u2019ve completed seven polar expeditions worldwide, and this journey solidified my want to grow to be an expedition information. As an introvert, I used to be nervous with 17 of you guys becoming a member of me on the ship (137 passengers on board). But we had probably the most wonderful time. We all received alongside so properly, everybody was like-minded, and we stayed buddies. It was a bunch journey for those who aren\u2019t tremendous into group journeys. You may do your individual factor; we may cling collectively. There was freedom. It was wonderful, and I can\u2019t wait to return once more (click on right here<\/a> to study extra about becoming a member of me).\u00a0<\/p>\n And to high off the top of a greenback coaster of a 12 months, I flew dwelling for per week to see my household within the States on my manner again to New Zealand. I\u2019m decided to see them as a lot as attainable, and though it was a brief keep and I lastly caught COVID on my flight again to NZ, it was beautiful.\u00a0<\/p>\n How was your 2022? Did it exceed expectations? Any enjoyable 2022 travels or adventures? Share!<\/em><\/p>\n![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/017A7011.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/017A3490.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/F_12-06-2022-21-57-38-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/F_07-03-2022-20-04-56-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWalking the Routeburn Track<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Routeburn.jpg\")
<\/p>\nExploring Fiordland in summer time\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1N9A8247-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHanging out down south<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/1N9A9428-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHeading again to Stewart Island<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/1N9A0542-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGetting offline crusing round Dusky Sound<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/1N9A0809-copy-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTramping, tramping, and extra tramping<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/1N9A1916-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWriting and capturing my first guide.<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Photo-13-03-22-1-54-21-PM.jpg\")
<\/p>\nFinally getting again to the US to see my household<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/IMG_2207.jpg\")
<\/p>\nVisiting buddies throughout the pond in Sydney<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/2FCB3ACB-F965-4922-9121-ABEEC7BB4147.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOfficially shifting into my very own place in Wanaka<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/12-2022-19-24-19.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEnjoying Tekapo as a winter wonderland<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/017A8443-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSelf-care on the west coast<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/08-2022-22-38-34.jpg\")
<\/p>\nReturning to Doubtful Sound with new buddies<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/017A0077-copy-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRemembering my roots as a journey blogger in Esperance, Western Australia<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/017A0358-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nEnjoy the discharge of my guide Houseplants and Design: A New Zealand Guide<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/017A0059-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nTraveling to Chile, a brand new nation for me<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/6.jpg\")
<\/p>\nGuiding my first journey right down to Antarctica<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/V5A4003-copy.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCountry roads take me dwelling \u2013 seeing my household once more within the US<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"2022](\"https:\/\/youngadventuress.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/5.jpg\")
<\/p>\n