My voyage Story and doctrine - After a 3-Year Stay in New Zealand

Basic Profile
Doris was born in the 1980s and grew up in Singapore. Fun-loving and all the time having a animated nature, she found her passion in traveling after a 3-year stay in New Zealand.

My Story
When I was 23, I was given an opportunity for an undergrad university schooling in New Zealand. This was one of the most needful gifts I ever received in my life. On my blog, I can share with you all about my experiences and lessons learnt throughout these 3 years.

California Sky Diving

In the first 20 years of my life, I had never traveled overseas. The first time I went to Malaysia (Johor Bahru) was when I was 21! And thereafter, I have been to Genting Highlands, Bintan, and any more times to Johor. My very first plane ride was on 14 February 2006 from Singapore to Auckland, New Zealand.

Prior leaving for New Zealand, I did very tiny research on the country and its culture. The only things confirmed were my University entry, staff pick-up from airport and school hall accommodation. What I brought with me was reconsider minimal in most population standards - 1 luggage, 1 hand-carry and a backpack.

Other than getting a degree, my introductory objective was to truly contact New Zealand - the culture, the lifestyle, the people, the nature, the food (including the beers as well) - the list goes on. Looking back, I daresay I fulfilled practically everything I set out to do in New Zealand in 2006. Those unique experiences there were truly once in a lifetime.

The number of unique and memorable experiences in 3 years can practically equate to my 23 years of living in Singapore. Living overseas alone trained my independence and discipline, as well as studying how to be more street-smart. In fact, I also learnt to see Singapore from a foreigner's point of view and truly appreciate how blessed and sheltered our Singaporean life is.

Three years may sound like a long time, but it flew by so quickly. Before I knew it, I have graduated and been back to Singapore for more than a year since then. Hence, I set up this blog mainly to immortalize my precious New Zealand memories - the population I met, the friends I made, and all the experiences I had.

Travel philosophy
The word 'philosophy' sounds big and all, but legitimately it is something very simple. Well, after traveling on and off nearby New Zealand and parts of Australia, trying out different traveling style and methods, I believe I ultimately figure out what is my trip philosophy. It may differ with every person and changes with age and maturity.

Basically, it can be summarized in 8 simple points:

Must be fun for me
Sounds simple? My selection of activities is what is fun in my opinion, not what is termed 'fun' for everyone. I think going to spa and facial at Rotorua and Hamner Springs were great experiences, but others might not think so. On the other hand, I don't think bungee jumping or skydiving is fun, so I won't do it, even though these are some of the must-dos in Nz.

Safety and safety first
Although New Zealand is a safe country with law and order, even so, do not take it for granted. In my 3 years, regardless which part of Nz I am in, I will all the time be home by 6pm unless I am out with friends. population said that South Auckland is more dangerous, after staying there for 3 months; I can safely say that it is not true. Yes, there might be crimes happening there, but it is the same for everywhere. It is also there where I met some overwhelming population and seen the gorgeous side of human nature.

Travel in comfort
I am referring to animated in a comfortable pace, staying at lodging with basic facilities, and having proper meals. I like to see and contact in a comfortable pace, without rushing from one place to an additional one place, and spending most of the time on traveling. Personally, I like a proper bed with heating facilities at night if the weather is cold. Eating bread with Nutella and banana for 1 month is definitely a no-no; it is nice to have an occasional meal at a café or restaurant once every other day.

Experience true freedom
In a new country, you are just you. The new friends and population you meet will not judge you from your past. Unless traveling with parents, there is no one to remind you that you should eat your greens or go to bed at a confident time. This is the best opportunity to form your independence and discipline, with many choices that comes with it.

Be open-minded to other cultures
As the saying goes "When in Rome, do as the Romans do", it is good to know and corollary parts of the culture, only to what you are comfortable with. For example, Kiwis drink heaps of beer, and it is probably the same for most parts of the world, except Singapore. I am not an alcohol-lover, but I had tried most of the beers, and some other alcohol mixes while I was there. Although I had never drunk to the extent of getting wasted, I did grow to like white wine. In fact, I still drink a glass of Sauvignon Blanc once in a while now, especially if it is from New Zealand.

Satisfy my curiosity
Personally, I prefer not to know exactly what to expect in a confident place. It is good to get a normal idea of what's the place is like, what is there to do, and then find out more when I get there. Yeah, Auckland is a big city, that's all I know before I drove nearby to peruse the city on my own while my 6 months there.

Live like a local
That is the best way to truly contact a country lifestyle and culture. Understandably not every person have the time and luxury for this, farm-stays and Wwoofing are some of the short-term alternatives. I was relatively kiwi-nised by my second year in Nz that strangers thought I was a New Zealand Chinese. I even advanced a very mild kiwi accent (more of improved enunciation minus the Singlish) when I was working at my summer job for 3 months. Now, I am back to my customary Singaporean accent, of course.

Experience it myself (or not)
Nothing beats Looking and experiencing it myself. However, I am by no means an athlete who does marathons and animated treks. Despite the Tongariro Crossing and Milford Track sounds real fun, I don't know if I am up to it. Do I legitimately want to try it and suffer the aching body and over-exhaustion for the rest of my trip? In this case, I rather hear other population experiences and not try it for myself.

Future plans
Ever since arrival back from New Zealand, I have started to plan for my hereafter trips. One of my to-dos in this lifetime is to trip to at least 100 countries nearby the world. In my opinion, part of the fun is the planning and anticipation.

For the next few years, I am Looking at short trips to Southeast Asian countries, and Australia as well. Due to commitments, I am unable to trip extensively for prolonged periods while this time.

Between 2015 and 2018, I am Looking at a 1-year trip to Japan and/or Korea. After watching so many Japanese and Korean drama series over the years, I am legitimately excited to see how the country is like, to contact the beauty of these 2 countries.

After 2018, I intend to trip and reside in some other countries for a more holistic earth experience. Some of the places I have in mind at the occasion contain England, France, Cape Town, Greece, Caribbean islands, Hawaii etc. This list is definitely subjected to changes, modifications and extensions along the way. This is something to look transmit to for the next few decades of my life.

My voyage Story and doctrine - After a 3-Year Stay in New Zealand