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New Zealand- Aotearoa
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New Zealand- Aotearoa
Having completed an Anesthetics elective in Alice Springs and having had a brief rest in Melbourne, I headed off to Auckland where my relatives lived. This was special as I had not seen any members of my family, immediate or extended, for quite a while. I was looking forward to familiar faces and familiar ways. My maternal uncle, auntie, and cousin Linus were exceptionally welcoming. During the first few days we reminisced about old times, gossipped about family news (the biggest ones had to be my cousin Marie's marriage and my other cousin Henry's engagement), and discussed where this generation of "kids" (meaning my cousins and I) was headed. My auntie also gave me cooking lessons in Taiwanese cuisine. Furthermore, I was taken to Auckland's major tourist attractions such as One Tree Hill, the Domain, Cornwall Park, Western Springs, and of course the magnificent harbors and beaches. I was particularly impressed by the ferocity of the wind there.
The four of us then embarked upon a 4 day journey to various towns and natural wonders south of Auckland. Hamilton Gardens with cultural themes, Waitomo Caves and the glow worms, and Lake Taupo which was bigger than a whole town (Taichung) in Taiwan reminded me of nature's majesty and splendor. If you have only seen pictures of New Zealand on the internet, then, my friend, you are missing out. However, it wasn't just the scenery. My company was fantastic. It was a regular occurrence that we stayed up to exchange ideas- my uncle and auntie's from a mature, Taiwanese perspective, whilst Linus and mine were more western and idealistic. Nevertheless, I believe these chats served to enrich us.
In addition, we visited Wai-o-tapu, Rotorua, and Buried village. They were spectacular. In detail, Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland comprised of the bubbling Champagne pool and Artist's palette with its explosive array of bright colors. It is the elements such antimony and sulfur that colored these attractions. The smell of sulfur assaulted my olfactory nerves.
Whakarewarewa was dedicated to promoting Maori culture. Prior to this New Zealand trip, I had virtually no knowledge of the indigenous people of New Zealand. Their intricate carvings, war canoes, and costumes revealed the richness of Maori culture. New Zealand is proud to preserve its Maori heritage.
After returning to Auckland, I then went on a cruise to explore the Bay of Islands. Hole in the Rock was extraordinary, as were the dolphins that swam beside the boat.
