Today, the beauty and peacefulness of the New Zealand landscape was apparent, today it dawned on me more than ever that I am in a wonderful country and I am truly blessed. Today I wanted to share this with everyone..

Sure, we have been on a constant travel trip since May and I have seen some spectacular sights throughout this rugged, pure country but sometimes you get overwhelmed by everything such as working, socialising and daily errands that you forget to stop and smell the roses. Today I did just that and by pure spontaneity.

Kaikoura is a small town situated on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island, and is known for it's whale watching tours, swimming with dolphins & it's epic Kaikoura peninsula walk. Yesterday, after a morning of laziness (it's the wknd after all) we decided to be productive and head out on a hike. Four hours and 11.7kms later, Dory, Manuel and I, found ourselves beat from all the excitement. We had spotted half a dozen seal pups on the riverside as we walked by which was incredible. We had walked up and over cliff tips which seemed so similar to home for me and through fields with only dirt tracks to guide you. We arrived back happy and complete.

Today, after deciding to drop some laundry info the local laundrette, I headed off down the street (in my flip flops for the first time this winter) into the countryside and out of civilisation. I walked towards the foot of the snow capped mountains before me and somehow, 20 minutes in, I was drawn across a field, over some train tracks and onto the sparse, ambient beach. Nothing could be heard around me, only the intense roar of the waves against the shoreline. I just went with it!

I found myself in a meditative state just listening to the ocean roaring at me and reminding me of the strength and powerful ness of Mother Nature. Every thought came to mind about nature and the world and let me to be thankful about everything I am surrounded by, every day. I then found myself going with the flow and continued my relaxation with a yoga self practice. Not a soul was to be seen around me and for a moment I felt like the only person on earth.

If there is one place that has opened my eyes and given me this intense experience, it would have to be Kaikoura and considering I still have more to see in terms of New Zealand scenery and landscape, I'm hoping this won't be the first experience of it's kind. Needless to say, my positive mindset, led me back to the hostel balcony, where I whipped out my yoga mat and contined with some meditation and pranayama while the sun beamed on my face. It truly is a place of unique beauty where you can take a moment to enjoy the crashing waves on the beach but then turn around to admire huge snow capped mountains behind you. Kaikoura - you have stolen my heart :)

Namaste x