Although I had a good year, in 2017 the world wasn’t always a safe place, with terror attacks, hunger and the ongoing climate change. We definitely have a lot of work to do in 2018, but let’s not loose hope. I suggest we start by being nice to each other and take care of our planet.

My love for our planet grows with every moment I spend outside, whether that is in New Zealand, Canada or Belgium. Of course with my camera by my side to capture it all.

Below you find my 2017 highlights in photos! 

1. Weekend Adventures in Wharariki – January 2017

I spent a lovely long weekend at one of my favourite places in New Zealand: Wharariki Beach. Me and some photography friends had a lot of fun capturing sunsets and sunrises. It’s a wonderful feeling when everyone is on the same page and just loves being out there with their camera.

2. West Coast Heli Flight – February 2017

I’m a lucky girl, I’ve seen quite a bit of New Zealand from above. My flight over glacier country with West Coast Tourism though was by far the best. Sometimes I have to pinch myself by the amazing things I get to do with The World is a Circus. This helicopter flight almost got me emotional, as it was incredibly beautiful to see the glaciers, the crevasses and patterns from above. If you want to do one flight in New Zealand, do this one!

3. 30^th Birthday at Liverpool Hut – April 2017

2017 was also the year I turned 30… Yes, I’m starting to feel (get?) old. Just think about it, the year 2000 is almost 20 years ago! I still remember being in high school, and don’t know where the time went. To make the transition less painful Nico and I decided to hike to Liverpool Hut, in Mount Aspiring National Park. I spent my last day as a 29-year old in the mountains, and that was a great decision. At least I could tell myself that my ‘old’ legs were still able to climb high

4. Romance in Queenstown – June 2017

My boyfriend and I often go shooting (photography ) together in the most beautiful locations. That’s pretty awesome, but you’re mostly busy with your own stuff and not with each other. So I got the idea to focus on romance one weekend in Queenstown. You’d be surprised how many romantic activities are available in the adventure capital of the world! In need of some ideas? Get some inspiration: Queenstown romance. 

5. Jane Goodall Talk – June 2017

After years and years of admiring and following anthropologist and activist Jane Goodall, I finally got to see her speak in Christchurch. She’s 83 years old and still radiates inspiration. Her work is so important for this world, and I hope she has a good influence on you too. Visit the Jane Goodall Institute if you want to learn or do more.

I took some pictures that night, but unfortunately can’t find them anymore. I still wanted to mention it, as she is a kick-ass woman!

6. Mount Cook Goodbye – July 2017

I’ve visited Mount Cook many times, but this was a special visit, as it was my last New Zealand weekend before going to Canada. It was hard to say goodbye to New Zealand, because it is the most amazing country. Nico and I wanted one last roadie, and of course we went to Mount Cook.

7. Garibaldi Lake Hike – August 2017

In August we hopped on a plane to Canada. It felt quite nice to go from New Zealand winter to Canadian summer. August was all about hiking. It was the end of summer, so we had to make the most of it. And we did. Our first longer trip once the smoke cleared was Garibaldi Lake, with a sunrise hike to Panorama Ridge.

8. Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park Week – August 2017

I spent a week in nature, when hiking in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. A week without phones, computers or civilisation is something that everyone needs once in a while. We hiked, laughed and took many photos. The only thing we forgot was a bottle of wine. Beautiful area and on the list to return!

9. Multi-Day Maligne Lake Canoe Trip – September 2017

Canoeing Maligne Lake was one of my highlights. I discovered that I didn’t like canoeing, but still absolutely loved the experience (if that makes sense?). We got wind, snow and most of all insane scenery.

10. Family Christmas in Belgium – December 2017

I ended an amazing 2017 with some long overdue Christmas time in Belgium. It had been four years since I spent it in Belgium. The previous years I was in Australia, India and New Zealand, so 2017 was the year to have a winter Christmas with lots of presents!

I also spent a lot of time with family and friends and even explored my own backyard a bit (including spending a night in a castle in Wallonia!). My Belgium trip was the cherry on the cake of a memorable 2017.

Time has flown by, when I look at all these amazing things I’ve done. I’m ready to enjoy 2018 and can’t wait to see what it has in store.

What were your 2017 highlights? Tell me about your favourite moment!

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Most tourists visit New Zealand in summer, which is December – January in the Southern Hemisphere. The temperatures are higher (which is nice), but you’ll have to deal with lots of people. Spring on the other hand is one of the best periods of the year to visit the country. So I wrote down a number of reasons why you should leave summer behind, and come a few months earlier to visit New Zealand in spring.

1. Less tourists

As I mentioned before, summer is New Zealand’s high season. Do you really want to fight for a spot at one of its famous locations? No! In spring you’ll get a chance to experience New Zealand as it really is: peaceful and quiet.

New Zealand welcomes more than three million visitors each year, so believe me: it can be really busy sometimes. High season usually starts early December, so book your trip in spring, which is in October or November, and you’ll have a way nicer experience.

2. Taste new wines

Spring is the time of the year to taste new wines. New Zealand is home to many vineyards, and who doesn’t love wine? For me experiencing a country also means indulging yourself in the local cuisine.

There are lots of wine regions in New Zealand, but Marlborough, Waipara, Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay are my favourite ones. Have a look here (link) if you want more information about the New Zealand wine regions. https://www.nzwine.com/en/our-regions

In November there is also the Food and Wine Festival in Hawkes Bay. Get ready for a belly full of yum food and delicious wines.

3. Little lambs

Even if you prefer to eat them, they still are adorable to see. In spring you will find little lambs all over New Zealand, and they are the cutest. Fields are filled with lambs, and it is a pleasure to see.

I actually used to eat lamb, but after seeing those little cuties jumping in the fields for a few years I stopped… My heart won from my appetite!

4. Cheaper accommodation

Accommodation will be a bit cheaper, as the masses of tourists still has to arrive. On another note, it will also be easier to find accommodation, as in summer it can be hard to find a last-minute spot in popular places like Mount Cook Village and Queenstown.

Have a look what’s available!

Booking.com

5. Lupins are in bloom

New Zealand in spring equals lupins. And here’s a secret. Lupins are a pest in New Zealand. The beautiful purple and pink flowers are a non-native, invasive species and are taking over the habitat of New Zealand’s wildlife.

They look pretty, but don’t belong in New Zealand’s high-country landscape. Photographers love them though (I’m guilty too), and take lots of pictures with the lupins.

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Let’s make a deal. When you visit New Zealand in spring, and you take a picture of the lupins, pull a few out! Roots included, otherwise they’re not gone. This way you get your shot, but you’re also helping the country.

6. There is still snow

Snow on the mountains! Do I need to say more? The country is transforming from winter into summer, meaning you’ll still have some snow around. And we all know, mountains look way more impressive under a layer of snow. In summer most of the snow on the mountains will have disappeared.

And if you like skiing, you might be lucky. Sometimes there is a big dump of snow in spring, and the ski fields stay open until end September.

Average spring temperatures range from 16 to 19 degrees Celsius, but there are also plenty of warmer (and colder) days. Weather in New Zealand can change unexpectedly, so always bring enough layers of clothes with you.

And, tempted to go? Believe me, you won’t be disappointed visiting New Zealand in spring. I went for a two-month holiday to New Zealand and ended up staying 3,5years. So be careful

If you like some inspiration on what to visit during your trip, check out these beautiful places:

New Zealand From Above: Mount Cook

A Weekend in Franz Josef

Hike Roys Peak, Wanaka

PIN NOW, READ LATER

Which season do you prefer? Would you like to visit New Zealand in spring or are you more a summer person? Let me know!

The post 6 Reasons Why You Should Visit New Zealand in Spring appeared first on The World is a Circus.

I have multiple homes now. Belgium, where I was born and raised and New Zealand where I’ve been living the last three years. Travelling does that, making the world your home.

When I was 16 my mum asked me: “Do you have an idea what you’d like to do after high school? I’m so curious.” She didn’t mean to pressure me, she was just very curious. I smiled at her and said: “I’m curious too! I have NO idea.”

Have you ever felt that feeling of excitement, adrenaline and slight nervousness? Your heart beats faster of happiness, but joined by a little bit of fear? That’s what I felt at that moment. I had no idea. I wanted so much, but quickly realised that wasn’t possible. First I wanted to be the new Jane Goodall (see here), then an artist and then a radio presenter.

At that age already I realised that there was a whole world out there and that I’d had to find my own path. And oh man, I was so excited for all the possibilities and I actually still am. Never would I have predicted though that I would move to New Zealand…

I remember being exciting about my future, because I saw all the possibilities. I was looking forward to see and get to know the ‘me’ in five years. What would my future me decide and make out of life?

I think I can say I’m quite happy how life turned out so far. There have been ups and downs, as everyone experiences, but I’m truly happy about my path. I ended up studying communication and a second degree in Journalism. Afterwards I rolled into a job at a production company and then got my second job as a journalist at one of the biggest Belgian TV channels. Life was almost going too smooth!

Luckily my parents always had my back. They supported my choices, even if they didn’t understand them. I was lucky. This way I was able to quit my job in Belgium to travel, and to move to New Zealand in the end. Sometimes there are people who remind me that I’m thirty now and I can see they don’t understand my life choices. I know I’m not twenty anymore, but everyone has their own path, and that’s the beauty of life. You can be totally different people, with different goals and a different life, but both be happy.

Because of my choices I was able to say good bye to my twenties on a mountain in New Zealand, far away from civilisation and with no cellphone coverage. Just the mountains and beautiful Kiwi nature. Who would say no to that?

Life is good. And that house, the kid and the cat will come, one day.

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The flight left at 5.30 in the morning, to capture the sunrise from the air. There we a bit of clouds, but I still managed to take some pictures. We flew in the Mackenzie region, over Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook National Park, right in between the mountains. I adore the mountains with my feet on the ground, but I was just totally in awe seeing the scenery from above. Looks like I was visiting another planet.

What do you think?

Check out the other articles in this series here:
1. New Zealand From Above: West Coast
2. New Zealand From Above: Tasman region

3. New Zealand From Above: Milford Sound

Disclosure: The flight experience was offered to me by Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism. All opinions are, as always my own.

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So that’s what I did. I let that little devil (or maybe angel?) win and decided to quit my job as an online journalist. It was NOT an easy choice. I had a good lifestyle, I was happy, I adored my friends and family, why change that pattern? Why leave everything behind? Because of what might be.

I’ve always had a thing for travelling, seeking out the unknown and putting myself in sometimes uncomfortable and funny situations. It all started in 2012, me going on a solo-travel to California. Best-decision-ever. 8 months later I was gone again to the States. Is it obvious I was bitten by the travel bug?

When I came back the second time I knew: I want to do more of this. And not just a couple of weeks, but for real. A month later I had a serious chat with my boss. We were having a coffee in the sun and I told him my plans. It came a bit out of the blue, so he asked a couple of times: “Are you sure?”

I don’t know if you can ever be sure of leaving a good job and awesome life, trying to live an even ‘awesomer’ life. But that’s what I did. I committed myself and went for it. I was sure that I wanted to try. I needed to try.

And here I am, living and working in New Zealand. I live in a stylish art deco house in the hills of Christchurch, get spoiled by the most beautiful sunsets every night and travel around every weekend. Just to give you an idea: look where I’m writing this from.

Every weekend I go on the road with my friends, discovering a new little part of New Zealand, with a camera in my hand. And every time again it feels like a holiday. Life feels like a holiday. How awesome is that? I didn’t know that was even possible!

You do make some sacrifices by living on the other side of the world. My lovely godchild celebrated her 3^rd birthday last week, I wasn’t there. One of my good girlfriends is getting married in two months, I won’t make it. My little brother (10) misses me so much and tears up when he talks to me on Skype. Nothing I can do.

I’m writing this to show you that it isn’t always sunshine in my head. 95% of the time it is, and those really are the brightest days of my life. But I do feel guilty sometimes. Guilty that I chose to live on the other side of the world and that I chose to leave my friends and family behind.

But it is not for nothing. I’ve seen a big part of the world. During my 1,5 year trip I’ve been to Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, France, Italy, Singapore, India and the Maldives. After all that travelling I chose New Zealand as my new home. A country that is so beautiful, words just can’t describe it.

I feel really blessed that I live here, that I can try something new than my life before. And believe me, it is new and very interesting to live in another country far far away. It’s my opinion that you have to do these things while you’re still young. There are a lot of sayings that when you’re old you don’t want to regret the things you didn’t do. And how cliché it sounds, it is true. So that’s what I’m doing. Living my life to the fullest. In a beautiful country.

I left my comfort zone 2 years ago. What about you? Does it tickle as well to take the big jump and go travelling? What would be your dream destination?

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About a year and a half ago I got (happily) dragged along by my couch surfer hosts in Christchurch. We jumped in the car, drove 1,5 hours and arrived in Flock Hill.

We decided not to go to the more touristy spot Castle Hill, but chose for Flock Hill. It is around the corner of Castle Hill, as beautiful (maybe even better) and way less people. We walked a bit uphill and all these rocks (boulders) appeared. Bouldering is basically climbing on rocks. No ropes. No harnesses. You don’t climb high, but it is very technical, all about trying to find the good holds and grips. It sounds easy and maybe ridiculous, but it is awesome and way more difficult than you would think!

And because it is New Zealand, the views are just amazing. So there I was, trying to find a route up some rocks, trying not to make a fool out of myself. My first time bouldering I managed to hit my head and scratch my legs, but at least I was committed!

Since then I’ve bouldered a bit more (this doesn’t mean I’m good at it), also at Castle Hill. Even at night. But that time we had a beer or two (or three), so I ended up more posing than actually bouldering.

And is it just me or are there figures in the rocks? I have a huge imagination, so it could just be me…

Castle Hill and Flock Hill are the perfect day out. Take some beers, music, food and have fun!

Ps: On the way back stop at cave stream, where you follow an icecold river through a cave! Check out the route here: DOC NZ. Pretttty damn cool.

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