It’s hard to look back on 2021 and not think about all the cancelled plans and locked down weeks. But there were some awesome adventures too – here are my favourites, plus looking forward to 2022.
Summer holiday in the Tutukaka Coast
We kicked off the new year at a drum and bass festival… safe to say, after a couple of nights of dancing, our 30-something bodies needed a rest. Our gang headed to the Tutukaka Coast, and based ourselves in a spacious house with views down to the water. We made the most of our location, heading to the beautiful beaches around the region, including Whale Bay and Matapouri (above). It was the perfect way to start the year!
A Super Fun Wedding
I’ve got to thank my friends for routinely throwing awesome weddings – and hopefully 2022 will have more of the same. Gore and Anthea’s, in this beautiful local spot, was a blur of love, laughs, great speeches, and an epic dance floor. What more can you ask for?!
Splore 2022
Splore continues to live up to (my) billing of it as NZ’s answer to Glastonbury – even with a 100% local line up thanks to Covid. I love the artsy feel, the fact that it’s also great for families, the epic music and especially how wholeheartedly people embrace the costumes. I think our Queen Bees were my favourite one yet, even if the wings alone took hours (and a bit of OOS!)
Easter in the Marlborough Sounds
One of the (few) bonuses of the ‘rona has been the emphasis on exploring our backyards. I had the opportunity to do that in a spectacular setting, spending Easter at my friend Kate’s family bach in the Marlborough Sounds. How’s that for a view from the patio?! We saw dolphins, we laughed, played games, swam, chatted with seals, and hiked for some even more incredible views.
My legs were like jelly after this hike, but wow it was worth it!
Buying our First Home
Not your normal travel adventure, but potentially more of a slog than any I’ve been on! The real estate market is bonkers in Auckland right now, and in much of New Zealand. It’s deeply troubling that so many are cut out, and we count ourselves very fortunate to have secured a beautiful house in Beach Haven. It meant goodbye to these Takapuna sunrises, and hello to some beautiful spots around the neighbourhood. Having new walks to explore made up a little bit for the three month lockdown that happened just six weeks later!
I particularly loved discovering this stunning viewpoint from Northcote over to the city – the closest I got to work for some months!
The start of Summer 2021
Maybe to make up for Auckland being in lockdown for so long, but the start of summer in 2021 (and now continued in 2022) was a beaut. Lots of sunny days, so we’ve been able to catch up on lots of the friends and family time we missed over the winter and spring. We’ve been trying to get to the beach plenty still, and that’s adventure enough for now!
We finished our 2021 in our favourite Mount Maunganui, and started the last day of the year with a hike up Mt Maunganui / Mauao. I never get tired of these views from the top!
What about 2022?
To be honest, this section was one of the things which put me off writing this post. We’re in such a privileged place in New Zealand, with Omicron still held at bay. But the emotional toll of seeing family and friends stuck overseas unable to easily return (which of course pales in comparison to that toll on them) is rough. And I miss travel! So far I have a hens party in Wellington, a return to Splore and a wedding in Hawkes Bay, with nothing else, let alone anything international, in the pipeline. There is some excitement on the horizon though, and I have my fingers crossed that 2022 will still be an amazing year!
What was your favourite adventure of 2021? What are you looking forward to in 2022?
