Home » New Zealand » Asia Tour 1999-2000: New Zaeland

Fed up with after not even two years of employment I decided to quit my job and go travelling for a few months. This travelogue is a personal account of the trip, but it also includes some general information on things to do and places to go. It was the first time I travelled on my own, but as it turned out, travelling on my own did not mean travelling alone...

Asia Tour 1999-2000: New Zaeland

Andreas Mayer
2005-12-04 12:10:56

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not find him so went to bed pretty early.

Next day Koby came around and we went out for some food and shopping after meeting up with Heike. Went to the American Cup village again and then on to Victoria Mall to get some presents for back home.
Went out with Koby to a Korean place but again had an early night after just a few beers, which is a bit strange given that this was my last night in NZ, my last night of the trip, but I think I had this strange feeling that you get when returning home after such a long time away.

Flight back with Singapore airlines was OK, just watching lots of videos and playing this wicked racing game, then had a 2 hour stop over in Singapore where I called Ahock but he was kind of busy. Flight to the UK was good, although the captain predicted a bumpy ride, and again I was fairly happy just watching the movies and playing the video games.

UK

Back in the UK (very cold), got a tube to Stamford Brook, had fears of none being in but luckily Lisa was still in and welcomed me back, which was nice. Spent two days in the house just cleaning and sorting through all the stuff that I left behind which was now ready to be thrown out due to a water leakage in the cellar. Friday Jason came down and we went out for few beers in Chiswik and then chatted to my new housemate when we got back. Next day we drove up to Leeds where we went out with Ulli + her friends, then met up with Stephen, Lizzy, Joe and her new friends.

Next went to see Ally in York for a few days, trying to sort things out but none the wiser, before heading down to Cheltenham to see JD. Had a good night in Embassy’s, then spent the next day walking and going for pub meals. Sunday evening got back to London just to leave for Germany on Monday where I am sitting and writing this now.

Reflections

What can I say about the trip? I think it was the best time I had in my life, or at least right up there with the best. It made me realize that I was not really happy with the 2 last years of my life and although I missed out on lots of free CMG shares I do not have any regrets about leaving. Also things with Alison are pretty much dead I think, but I can not really blame that on the trip, I think the problems were there before.

I think the quality of life is better in NZ than it is in the UK, in terms of weather, friendliness of people, outdoor activities, value for money, and I have serious thoughts about moving there in the not too far future. I want to give Australia a go before I make up my mind though. I really think that a lot of people who slave away for a nice house and a nice car in some office job in London are really missing out on life. I will, howeeder, never be a person that truly lives for the moment, I can not leave everything behind me and go off for years just to have fun. But the world is out there to be seen, and people seem to enjoy themselves so much more when they are travelling;

Travelling on my own was a lot better than I expected. I was afraid I was going to be lonely a lot, but in fact there were maybe about 6 days in the 5 months where I was truly on my own. I met amazing people and hope I can stay in touch with a few of them although I know how terrible I am at that. I am a lot, lot happier now than I was when I left. I think I come back a changed person, not that I am fundamentally different, but I feel full of energy, like the world is out there just to be taken, that I can really do what I want.