Category: Oceania

A day in Abel Tasman National Park
By Lieselot

A day in Abel Tasman National Park

It’s been just over a week now since I’m back in New Zealand and I’ve had no time to give in to that jet lag. My three weeks in Belgium were amazing, but very intense. I had no time to relax, but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make if that means catching up with my friends and family. Not that being back in New Zealand is less intense. I immediately started working again, jumped on all the writing and editing pieces stored in my head and went on little adventures.

One of those adventures is Abel Tasman National Park, one of New Zealand’s smaller National Parks – it is ‘only’ 225km2 – but such a scenic one.  Think golden beaches, turquoise water and lush native forest. I spent a day exploring this lovely park.

Continue reading →

On a holiday to… home?
By Lieselot

On a holiday to… home?

You know it’s been a long time when you are looking up restaurants in your home city. That’s right, I am booking a dinner with some girlfriends next week in… Belgium! I’m visiting Belgium!

And I have no idea what’s still there, what’s cosy and delicious. It’s a very weird feeling, as I used to know the newest spots in town. Now I need to rely on Google..

Continue reading →

Otago in autumn: a fairytale world
By Lieselot

Otago in autumn: a fairytale world

It is that time of the year… Scarf, beanie, gloves. Winter is here. It’s beautiful and great, but it also means that the autumn in New Zealand is over…

And isn’t that just the season that turns this country into a real life fairy tale! I think I could even use the word magical.

Continue reading →

Beauty in my New Zealand backyard
By Lieselot

Beauty in my New Zealand backyard

I got asked today by a Kiwi “Why would you move to NZ?”. I didn’t know what to answer for a second. In my mind it is obvious why a European moves to New Zealand, but she didn’t see it. Life in New Zealand is great, and I feel like there are a few Kiwis who don’t realise how stunning their country is.

Continue reading →

10 things to do on a rainy day in Wellington
By Lieselot

10 things to do on a rainy day in Wellington

I like Wellington. It has the advantage over other cities that it once saved me from a horrible road trip. The first time I arrived in the capital of New Zealand I was so happy to escape from some people who didn’t like me – and vice versa.  Wellington was the bright light at the end of a not-so-nice trip, the place where our roads would finally separate and therefore I will always love Wellington.

Continue reading →

Don’t let terrorists dictate your life
By Lieselot

Don’t let terrorists dictate your life

When the news of the terrorist bombings in Belgium reached me I was filled with unbelief and then I got very angry. Which #@é&&!# dared to mess with my people at home, with my small beautiful country. There has been a lot of bombings lately, in Paris, Istanbul, Pakistan, Tunisia, but you never get used to it. Every time again I grieved. For humanity. But when I heard about the terrorist attacks in my home country it just hit me right in the heart.

Continue reading →

New Zealand’s cutest theatres
By Lieselot

New Zealand’s cutest theatres

For me New Zealand is: mountains, lakes and gorgeous sunsets. In one word: nature.

I never imagined New Zealand would hide a wealth of cute little theatres. There are little theatres everywhere in this country, which caught me by surprise. In Belgium all the independent theatres were disappearing.  Here it’s the opposite. Hurray for New Zealand!

Continue reading →