Just around the riverbend - Roxburgh
ADVENTURE
The adventure goes on, after a short break among the orchards of Roxburgh, a charming village with a close-knit community where life flows peacefully.
I've never been much of a mountain person. It's beautiful, and I love going hiking occasionally, but only if there's a water source; that's my motivation to make the effort to climb without (too much) complaining. It's peculiar since my main elements are fire and earth, determination, and grounding. Yet, the mountain strengthens, protects, and anchors deeply. It nourishes the root chakra and reminds us of our own solidity and our ability to create a balanced reality.
But I need water. Water is fluidity and creativity. It's the free expression of emotions and the channelling of intensity that bring the grandest dreams to life. Water soothes and enlivens; it's both gentle and impetuous. It represents freedom when the mountain tends to make me feel confined.
Roxburgh, however, is inland, surrounded by mountains. Fortunately, a turquoise (as usual) river flows through it, helping me breathe (and making me sing Pocahontas’ river song every other day).
A month and a half of house-sitting in such a place is still an opportunity for exploration. Here, the great adventure is introspection. We spent the end of the year here, which means self-reflection and closing cycles. Then comes the question of cohabitation, not only among us but also with a traumatised dog and a serial killer cat (I know, it's in his nature, but watching him play with mini mice he brings into the bedroom in the middle of the night… Well, it's not my thing). Everyone has to adapt to their new environment and make the necessary adjustments for their balance, trying to stay aligned with their true selves while sharing living space.
Our surroundings serve as a mirror to what is happening inside us, clearly reflecting what we need to work on and transmute. Well, once again, I had things to understand! It's cyclical; we always come back to it. And when you can't wander in all directions to be visually stimulated, you're forced to accept looking inward; you have no choice.
So, it's been less of a geographical exploration and more of a psychological and energy journey.
Nevertheless, we explored the region, as well as the towns of Queenstown and Wanaka.
Queenstown is a small ski resort nestled by a lake. It's a bit of an alternative city that attracts many travellers. Its park is charming, and the setting is delightful.
As for Wanaka, also renowned for its winter slopes, it's once again a small New Zealand-style town (meaning no tall buildings and recent structures) with a lively lakeside and a huge second-hand store (seriously, it's thrift and recycling paradise).
Then comes its charming feature, the one that attracts thousands of tourists every year: the Wanaka Tree.
Eighty years ago, this tree surrounded by the cold waters of Lake Wanaka was just a simple post planted there, like a final challenge in Survivor. The branch, recently cut from a nearby willow, was still alive and would have taken root before slowly growing and developing. No one paid attention until it became a social media star following an award-winning photograph that made it globally famous a few years ago.
Since then, tourists (including myself) flock to the shores to capture this symbol of resilience in one of the most poetic settings.
Oh, and we also got to admire rabbits and birds of all kinds and eat endless amounts of fruit (seriously, I've eaten more apricots and cherries in a month than during my entire life).
Now, it's time to hit the road for a week of van life in the far south of the country before heading to Dunedin and taking care of three dogs and two emus (that's going to be quirky too).
Then, we'll see where the wind takes us next.
❂ In the meantime, I deeply thank you for following my adventures. Take care ❂
