Alright, let´s get this tap board burning – question number one! Before I swing long speeches I will better start!

The idea and the growing wish – New Zealand!

The young girl with itchy feet – oh, that’s me!

The plan – let´s combine these two components!

Well, I had this first thought though it was not possible at that time, but I knew one thing – if I get such an adventure into my head I’m going to set out on this journey some day in future!

First, however I was working and saving money toward it! When I realised – I could set out on this adventure – I wasn´t really aware of it at all!

During the last years my bachelor degree including internships and study has taken me in a lot. As well I spent time with family and friends while travel thoughts missed out. Although, I gained experience abroad – school exchange to London and LA, a semester abroad in Ireland and an internship in Spain – some may think that this is already enough- well, it wasn’t and still isn’t enough for me J! The wanderlust was laid in my cradle by my parents! From Dresden, former GDR, we moved to the West of Germany. My father is originally from Budapest, Hungary, where I visited my grandmother many summers when I was little. The whole year we saved on a family holiday – Turkey, Dominican Republic, Egypt! Of course we also enjoyed beautiful beaches, but we were always interested in the culture and the people of the country! When I see an airplane, sit on the train or do such as a short trip to London to meet my cousins – this feeling in my heart does not let go of me! I think some of you know these butterflies in your heart

So, it was on my birthday last year (2009) that I went to the travel agency with a happy smile and booked my flights! That’s right, you read “flights”! Two good friends of mine asked me – Stephi and Vik – if I will come around and visit them! It would be on my way home anyway! Well, I didn’t need to be told twice! Australia and Singapore were immediately booked! However, New Zealand was (and is) my main intention!

But why New Zealand – I have no correct answer!Somewhere between all the books I have read, TV documentaries I have seen and my passion for travelling, which has inspired me; New Zealand came out of nowhere and never let me go! This unique nature and these people down on the bottom right of the world map got my attention. I used to turn around my Globe from Germany to New Zealand. Then I realised how far away this country actually is – pretty much the end of the world!

In the course of time I read about the books of J.R.R Tolkien and he enchanted me with his World ‘Middleearth’. Soon I devoured his masterpieces and was excited about the film version of one of it – The Lord of the rings!”

Director Peter Jackson created an incredible work of art for a film, because the books have been told to be impossible to make a film of. An admirer himself of Tolkien, Jackson gave these books life on the screen! His idea was to use his home country as a huge film set – New Zealand! My fascination for this country was greater than before for the reason that this enthusiasm for Tolkien’s masterpiece and the film version did add up!

So it came that I packed my stuff into that oversized backpack, tied it up on my petite back and off I went! On my way like the four hobbits from the Shire – Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry!

Here comes the next question – Why writing a blog so late?

Since some weeks I’m back home, well to be precisely much more than a month! During my journey I tried to write a newsletter to my family, friends and work colleagues, so that they can join my adventures and enjoy some of my great pictures. Without a laptop and a fast growing number of pictures soon I couldn’t handle the amount of it anymore. I invested part of my budget for a reflex camera instead of a small net book and I think that the investment for the camera is way better! Therefore have a look at my gallery! J

Whereas this journey I met some people who have blog and they started to get my interest for this so called blogging! As well my fellow travellers encouraged me to go on writing. While I was staying in Sydney I decided to try this Blog thing. Why I deciding in Sydney, ahm can’t remember, but I do remember that from that point on I decided to start a blog!

While you surf on the internet you will discover many travel blogs! However I recognised during my trip that the people I met and the interest in looking at things and places from a different angle, that they made this journey so special! Not a lonely planet or other travel book made this happen. I just used these ones for basic information about a spot, its history or nature and pretty soon I threw this backpacker bible into the back of the jeep.

I was excited about my unexpected adventures, which would appear from somewhere! In the meanwhile I shall meet great and interesting people! For you, for my family, my friends and working colleagues – for you all I’m writing this blog! Away from the daily life and let’s have a look at things form a different view, whether it is your hometown or the next holiday or the snack bar around the corner! I would like to explore the world with all of you! Culture, people, countries, cities, nature and so much more – let’s go!

Cheers,

Livia