Growing up in a middle class household in India meant travel wasn’t something that we did as a family. Weekend were generally spent at home – watching TV, cooking and just hanging around the house. Having working parents meant relaxing on the weekend and any longer breaks meant going home to my grandparents and socializing with over 13 cousins and various aunts and uncles. The first time I sat on a plane was when I was 13 and that is because we moved to Malaysia for my dad’s work. I came back home to India soon and then did not leave until my early twenties for grad school in the States. And any student who is self-funding their education knows how tight money can be. Vacations are the last thing on your mind when you are in school. It wasn’t until my mid-twenties that my husband took me on my first international vacation other than the trips back home to India. It was a super special trip because it was our honeymoon that was a complete surprise. In fact, I did not know where we were going until right before I boarded the flight.
View from Musick Point to Rangitoto Island
It was an epic adventure – we spent 18 days in an RV (my first time) touring New Zealand – with no agenda or no plan. We explored, camped, hiked our way around the country. We stayed in campgrounds cooking meals in a community kitchen with other travelers, got suggestions from locals on places to see and things to do, and shared meals with strangers. All in all, it was an adventure of a lifetime and New Zealand stole a big piece of my heart.
Milford Sound South Island New Zealand
So when the idea for Season 05 came about I knew I wanted to connect with someone from New Zealand to get a local’s perspective of a place many call paradise of the pacific. I am so excited to kick off season 05 with Megan Lawrence from New Zealand.
Megan is a local kiwi born and raised and now lives in Auckland with her family. An avid traveler and photographer, Megan is discovering the benefits and joys of travelling as an active middle-aged Mama and shares her beautiful country with us – the popular as well as the lesson known parts of this amazing country. Megan says that with every destination she visits, she strives to find and experience that what makes it truly unique. Since the pandemic she has learnt to appreciate her local neck of the woods more and loves get outdoors, and enjoy Mother Nature’s best especially in a place like New Zealand.
Sights along the Hauraki Rail trail with Megan’s family.
Beautiful waterfalls that appear during the rains along Milford Sound, South Island make the scenery so much more dramatic.
Equally stunning are the views as you hike along Queen Charlotte track in South Island. 
There really isn’t a bad view in any part of New Zealand. Views like this from Whatamongo bay are quite the norm.
I know for me I cannot wait to go back to New Zealand and relive all those wonderful memories from so many years ago as well as make new ones with my family. Join me in exploring the land of the kiwis with Megan Lawrence.
I would be remiss if I did not mention that due to changing travel advisories and restrictions as a result of the global pandemic, please check local and country specific travel guidelines before visiting.
{Photos credit – Megan Lawrence, Website : My Moments And Memories }
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