shan-mack92

[shan-mack92]

Post trip blues. Maybe it's the fact I've been sick for the last week, or that I feel like there's so much to do but also so much up in the air; but man this week has been hard. I sat down this morning to figure out what I need to do and I had to take a moment to just breathe. There's just so much. So many decisions out of my control. So many options. So much to do. #takemeback #realitycheck #posttripblues #roamingmack https://www.instagram.com/p/BvAb2hFnh04/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bveq5yjwih8a

[shan-mack92]

Wow what an amazing whirlwind 4 weeks! I have been terrible at posting updates partially because Internet has been patchy, and partly because we've been having such an amazing time. Now back to reality, and figuring out what reality will mean for me... #vango #vanlife #roamingmack #southislandnz #travelnz #speechie #realitycheck (at South Island) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuqLXpBHvun/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15k6a75muan9m

[shan-mack92]

Dunedin: featuring street art and trains. Although it was o-week while we were there, we managed to get some good nights sleep up in the hills overlooking the city; and had some great days exploring Dunedin and its surrounds. . . . #southislandnz #roamingmack #dunedinnz #vango #travelnz (at Dunedin, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuSCaKAnwd_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qr4qbaqb8mm0

[shan-mack92]

We visited NZ's only Castle! Situated in Dunedin high up on the hill giving amazing panoramic views from the top of the tower. An Alice in Wonderland themed garden also helped bring out the inner child. #castle #travelnz #roamingmack #dunedinnz #vango (at Lanarch Castle, Dunedin) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuP17L5HHZK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p2ljmda4j1xs

[shan-mack92]

A couple of days ago we made it as far south as we could go by van. We said a quick hello and goodbye to Bluff (without eating their oysters as neither of us are big fans), and to slope point which is the southernmost point of the south island. We then continued our journey north to Dunedin where we climbed some steep hills and saw some awesome views. #roamingmack #vango #southislandnz #southern #vanlife #bluff #nz #dunedin (at Slope Point, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuASx00HN0e/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1mqnhdqzya39q

[shan-mack92]

Invercargill rocks! Caught up with an old friend who was able to point us towards some fun things to do so thanks heaps @lee_scully. Moved some #invercargillrocks around Queens Park, visited a cheeky kea among other birds, and then went to Riverton where we wandered through the museum, and saw some awesome #streetart. #roamingmack #vango #invercargill #nz (at Invercargill, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt-SOYlH2b_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=19sds2xb7mlbz

[shan-mack92]

Franz Josef Glacier was really cool; and Fox Glacier rocked 😂. The walk to Fox was a lot more effort, and it was misty and drizzly so not the most enjoyable walk and we had to wait for the view to clear once we got there. . . . #roamingmack #franzjosef #foxglacier #vanlife #vango @hamish_of_the_hill (at Fox Glacier) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bty-H9VnwSS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1cljifz39il32

[shan-mack92]

#timetogodown Officially started our trip of the south island NZ. Since arriving back in NZ a week and a half ago, we had some pretty stressful moments when we weren't sure whether we would make the ferry tonight. But we did! Watch out Southerners, here we come! . . . #southislandnz #bluebridgeferry #vanlife #roamingmack (at Wellington, New Zealand) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtnQcaantTq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1m5zjosb0i83l

[shan-mack92]

I feel like I haven't had much to post about recently because I'm spending so much time planning and looking to the future. However, I have done a bit in the last month (side note: how is it almost December?!) Including but not limited to getting a new tattoo representing home and travel; getting that tattoo covered up for body painting (photos might be coming...), and spending time with my sister and nephew (pictured). . . . There's been a lot of planning happening for someone's wedding (just call me official wedding planner, I don't take bookings). Planning for a South island trip next year with @hamish_of_the_hill. And figuring out when the move to the UK will happen. . . Watch this space! #roamingmack #weddingplannerextraordinaire #roaminroman #girlswithtattoos #bodypaint (at Perth, Western Australia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqwBZD8HKeX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tkr172v16v2p

[shan-mack92]

Flights back to the Land of the Long White Cloud are booked!! I'm so excited to visit some friends on the way home as I'm flying via Brisbane to see @ribbons23 and @kingleotard. Then once home, I'll be attending the wedding of two good friends and will then embark on a trip around the South island in a van. Photo of a long white cloud from a plane window when leaving Auckland recently. #adventures #aotearoa #nzishome https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp0VpA-HPfd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1qwh0imd8vdb3

[shan-mack92]

What a great day yesterday at Hobbiton! I decided to embrace my own backyard while home for @trudieandjohn 60th and am so glad I did. Thanks for joining me @hamish_of_the_hill and adding an extra element of entertainment to the trip. Quote of the day (after seeing Hobbiton Movie Set Tourist Farm sign): "do they grow them here?" #hobbiton #roamingmack #travelnz #homesweethome #touristfarm (at Hobbiton Movie Set) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpVFlLFjjdo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=p83n64xmyprv

[shan-mack92]

Thank you @kyleesmileee for being my push to go to Bali, being my photographer for insta worthy pics, and giving me great memories. I don't really have a travel word for this post, because for me Bali wasn't necessarily about travel. This trip helped me push personal boundaries of confidence and spontaneity that I had been too scared to confront before. This post not only has more pictures of me because of Kylee, but because I felt comfortable enough to be in them and to show them to the world. . . . #roamingmack #baliindonesia #confidence #spontaneity (at Bali, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7-Lk5jEbZ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=xeto1pq25159

[shan-mack92]

Strikhedonia (Greek: the pleasure of being able to say "to hell with it"). . . . This is a concept that I've been trying to embrace. To be spontaneous and remember that life is short. The first time it happened was when I booked to go see #aladdinbroadway without anyone to go with. Then it happened again when a friend and I booked tickets to Bali for two weeks time. And then again today when I booked tickets to see @fluffyguy in January with my sister; and booked to get another tattoo later this month when I'm back in New Zealand. I have saved to not only fly places and see the country, but also to experience new things. And it's paying off! Aladdin was magical and funny and it was 100% worth it! And I'm sure that everything else I've booked will be worth it too. Aside from booking future adventures, I've been enjoying my time with #roaminroman and am looking forward to spending more time with my sister once she's back from her adventures. . . . #roamingmack #inktober #gabrieliglesias #strikhedonia https://www.instagram.com/p/BoZFYeEjIVR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1j1frf4ouoyfy

[shan-mack92]

I'm so excited to be going to Aladdin next week! And what's more, I'm taking the plunge and going SOLO. Because I'm travelling alone, I've decided I need to feel okay going to things alone. Feeling like I'm growing into my status as a solivagant (noun: lone wanderer). #roamingmack #aladdinbroadway #perthventures https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn0NB0MgOvC/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=yis1mefx3tuf

[shan-mack92]

Thanks to an amazing friend, I HAVE A JOB! I'm doing something different to what I've worked in before and am surprisingly loving the stress of hospitality. I'd love to eventually get a job on a cruise ship cause I think it'd be an awesome way to see the world; so this experience should be helpful. I am working on a beautiful winery as pictured with some pretty awesome people, so I'm feeling pretty lucky at this stage. I've been meeting new people and catching up with old friends and as a result have been feeling Hygge (Danish: the warm feeling you get while enjoying the company of great friends and all life has to offer). It's been a long time since @tamaramackintosh and I have lived in the same place so spending time with her and her friends has felt extra special. I've booked flights back home for @trudieandjohn 60th birthdays and am looking forward to spending a few days back at home with friends and family which will break up my time here nicely. I am likely going to have some barrista and wine tasting training, am currently studying to teach English as a foreign language, and have almost finished my application for UK registration to work as a SALT (Speech and Language Therapist); so my future is feeling pretty open. https://www.instagram.com/p/BmzxIcwAYVbtVOtF0GCMakrqpVCwGodPoB8LQI0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1njay61rpzmq5

[shan-mack92]

So what does travelling solo actually mean? For me it's meant feeling sad and alone at times as evidenced by my post-crying face in the centre of the collage (my phone is extremely kind to me and edits out the redness...) But it's also meant feeling empowered and adventurous. In the couple of weeks I've been away I had to come to terms with the fact that travelling alone is going to mean doing things alone. I don't have a partner to do things with anymore. As much as that sucks, it also means that I get to do what I want to do. And that using the excuse "but I have no one to do it with" just isn't going to cut it anymore. That doesn't mean that I can't catch up with old friends or find new people, it just means being comfortable going out solo. So in that time; I had my first job interview, French plaited my own hair (messy I know, but it was my first time so cut me some slack), got lost and found a community book exchange in the city, visited the art gallery (also after getting lost), and having various walks, pats, cuddles, and meetings with strangers due to the handsome one featured a couple of times in these photos. Having support of family and friends has helped keep me in check such as @tamaramackintosh telling me that "there's no point in coming to Perth if you're not going to do anything"; @hamish_of_the_hill saying "you're doing what most unemployed people do - looking for a new job. You're travelling, enjoy the time while you have it"; and @trudieandjohn saying "Can you not. Please keep looking" when I told them I was considering doing door to door sales. So, here's to getting lost a few more times and having more trouvaille (French origin: chance encounters with something wonderful).

[shan-mack92]

Saturday 21st July at approximately 12pm I made my way into the sky over the ditch. Filling in my departure card was a little tricky - I don't know exactly how long I'll be gone for but I know it's not indefinitely. I felt schwellenangst (German: fear of crossing a threshold to begin a new chapter) as I went through the gate and left mum and dad behind. Good bye for now, New Zealand.