The Homeland
Sunshine, warmth, pristine beaches, Pohutukawa trees, walks along white sandy shores, fish n’ chips wrapped in newspaper… these are things I remember from home, the land of the long white cloud, Aotearoa.
As a lead up to a special month of blogging in March, I thought I would reminisce a little about where this all began. I was born and bred in New Zealand and caught the travel bug off one of my sisters that worked on cruise ships around the Caribbean. I loved seeing her postcards and photographs and knew that one day I’d experience what the world had to offer outside of NZ. Yet, nearly 7 years on from my first big trip and as much as I travel the world, many of my favourite places remind me of my homeland.
Christmas 2012 I had the chance to be back amongst my family and Kiwi mates and to enjoy these lovely pastures again. Please peruse the photographs I treasure from that visit below and if you want to see more check out my New Zealand photography gallery »
And don’t forget to keep an eye out each week in March for an exciting blog post to celebrate kiwifootprints.com turning 1, which happens to mark my 4 years in the UK and almost 7 years since I began travelling!
Mt. Maunganui, one of my favourite places in the world
Pilot Bay, Mt. Maunganui
Anzac Bay, Bowentown, near where I grew up
View over Papamoa and Mt. Maunganui
Farmland view from Papamoa Hills
Papamoa Hills, a lovely place I just discovered on this trip back to NZ in 2012
Papamoa Beach on a not-so-sunny day
Sheep on Papamoa Hills – had to include a sheep didn’t I?
Ponga Frond – you know you’re in NZ when you see one of these
Fern trees
Huka Falls, near Taupo
Pauanui
Pohutukawa tree that marks Christmas time in New Zealand
Pukeko bird (naughty little things that damage cars if you hit them… by accident)
Cute shops in Tirau, near Rotorua
Sunset over Hamilton to mark the end of a lovely summers day
These are gorgeous photographs! You’ve absolutely inspired me to make a trip to New Zealand. I really enjoyed meeting you at the bloggers tea and hope we can get together before the next one. You are exceptionally talented!
Oh wow thank you for your kind words! NZ is beautiful. I hope we can catch up again soon too!
Papamoa Beach, one of my favourites on the North Island: Enjoyed the walks at the beach. Doesn´t compare to the to my current situation in my home office … maybe one day again a trip to NZ, hope it will work!
Awww, so beautiful, and making me homesick…
Yer I know the feeling… sorry!
Looking at your photos shows me how much more I need to explore wheni go back home
Ah you and me both!!!! I can’t wait to see the South Island!
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