Today’s post will be short, and not because there isn’t plenty swirling through my mind. It is short for two very practical reasons. First, I have packing to do. In two days, we’ll be leaving Kaiwaka after nearly two months in this peaceful little corner of New Zealand. Tomorrow night, we’ll stay near the airport in Auckland, positioning ourselves for an early-morning flight to Tasmania. The process of moving on has become familiar to us over these many years, yet it always carries a mix of anticipation and quiet reflection. We’ve settled into the green pastures, the winding country roads, the gentle cadence of rural life. And now, once again, it’s time to follow the next bend in the road.
At least this time, the two-hour drive to Auckland will be in daylight. When we arrived here on December 13, that drive felt endless. It was dark. We were exhausted. Both of us were sick, and I was struggling with a respiratory virus that made every breath feel tight and labored. I remember sitting cramped in the front seat of the tiny rental car, luggage wedged beneath my feet, trying to find a position that allowed me to breathe just a little easier. The highway lights blurred past while I silently counted miles and wished for a bed.
It is strange how certain travel days etch themselves into memory more vividly than the postcard-perfect ones.
Hopefully, this departure will feel lighter. We are well now. Stronger. Grateful. The suitcases may be just as full, but we are not weighed down in the same way.
The second reason for today’s short post is far less dramatic and much more fun.
I intend to pack everything we won’t need over the next 48 hours so I can settle in and watch the Super Bowl with Tom. Living on the opposite side of the world means American traditions arrive at unusual times. Here in New Zealand, it’s already Monday, and the game kicks off at 12:30 in the afternoon.
Even after years of international travel, moments like this remind us that we carry pieces of home wherever we land. A big game. Familiar commercials. The comfort of a shared cultural event unfolding thousands of miles away. It keeps us connected, even as our address changes.
So today will be a blend of packing, setting aside what we’ll need for the next two days, mentally reviewing flight details, and carving out a few uninterrupted hours to enjoy the game. It feels balanced somehow. Responsibility first. Then a small celebration.
Tasmania awaits. Another island. Another chapter. Another set of experiences at Penguin we can remember from ten years ago, when we enjoyed ourselves so much. In Tasmania, we’ll be close to shopping and restaurants, with easy access to the quaint little ocean village with lots of penguin statues.
We’ll be back with more tomorrow, once the suitcases are zipped and the final details are tucked neatly into place.
Enjoy your day, wherever in the world you may be.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, February 9, 2016:
