Honey, I’m hoooooooooome!
Three months down and I am back on UK soil. I missed last week’s Added Extras because I was up at 5.30am, travelling from Lake Rangitata to Christchurch and during the week I just didn’t have time. Knowing I was heading home soon, I started having a bit of a panic about life and had been applying for a couple of jobs a few weeks back. Before I arrived in Christchurch I had got through to a second round interview stage which involved writing a presentation for a Skype interview and well, that took up basically all of my spare time. BUT, there’s still a heap of great things for this week’s Added Extras:
Before I arrived in Christchurch I had got through to a second round interview stage which involved writing a presentation for a Skype interview and well, that took up basically all of my spare time. BUT, there’s still a heap of great things for this week’s Added Extras:
1) I arrived in Christchurch and stayed with two friends who were my first ever housemates when I moved to London. When they moved back to NZ a year ago I didn’t imagine I would be seeing them again so soon, but it has been amazing to hang out with them again.
2) We took a day trip to Akaroa, a tiny town about two hours drive from Christchurch and having first been colonised by the French it is a mini European haven! All the street signs and shop names are in French, and the French flag even flies proudly on the harbour.
3) I GOT A JOB. My second interview and presentation went really well and I was offered the position on Friday. I am SO thrilled as it is an awesome role with a really exciting company and means that I can afford to eat, which can only be a good thing!
4) I finally got around to having fish and chips in New Zealand! Akaroa’s famous chippie was well worth the wait and I demolished an unladylike portion in less than five minutes.
5) My friend Rochelle and I spent the most relaxing day in Hanmer Springs, home to a range of thermal pools. It may have only been about 6 degrees outside but we donned our bikinis and slowly poached ourselves for a good few hours before smashing some chips and a chocolate cake. Girls’ day out done right!
6) I spent the day in Christchurch city wandering around and seeing what was on offer. It is still very much reeling from the earthquakes in 2011, but there are pockets that are being more urban and grasping at a pretty cool personality with coffee shops and street art dotted around. I genuinely think that in a few years time it will be a big NZ destination. The cardboard cathedral, built after the original cathedral was damaged in the earthquake, was a real highlight.
7) I introduced Rochelle to Mean Girls and Pitch Perfect. She liked both of them so we’re allowed to carry on being friends.
8) We had a great brunch at Hello Sunday in Christchurch. I had chipotle scrambled eggs with chorizo, mushrooms and manchego, and then went home to lie on the sofa and regret my life choices.
9) New Zealand continued to be a total doll until the very last moment, giving me views that made me well up as we flew towards the Pacific. Utterly beautiful.
I can’t actually believe that I’m home. It’s exciting to be back and give my mum a big squeeze, and I will probably cry when I see the Bangarang girls, but my word, New Zealand has stolen my heart. And travelling has made me so unbelievably happy. Onwards and upwards! (And on to planning my next holiday…!)