The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one's own country as a foreign land. ~G.K. Chesterton
I think one of the best and long lasting side effects of travelling is a burning desire for exploration. What's ironic is I explored far more in Europe in 18 months than I did in Auckland, since I got here. I guess we all take "home" for granted. Home is known, home is safe, home is always going to be here so may as well book a flight to the other end of the world first before you revel in the beauty and bounty of what home has to offer. Not sure if this is true for everyone but it sure was for me.
As one of the panelists from the event earlier this week had mentioned, NZ is a country where you walk through the exit gates but run back through the entrance at the airport. While I was away, I realised how I longed for this green pasture, that I had taken for granted earlier. So now that I was back and now that I had to challenge myself in some way, I FINALLY decided to do the Rotary Walkway right in my backyard. The walkway was always on my to-do but never done list. What better timing than day 4 and a pseudo-summery November day?!
The Rotary Walkway is a 5km walking route going through various reserves in East Auckland. It runs all the way from Pigeon Mountain to Pakuranga and is an oasis in the middle of..well another oasis. 14 km, various pukekoe sightings, one crazy encounter with a wild cat, majorly sore legs and a couple of blisters on my feet later, I can say this is one of the most awesome parts of Auckland and a highlight of my week.
It challenged me physically, simply coz I haven't been too physical lately (no pun intended) and blew my mind with all the tricks and treats that were up mother nature's sleeve in that 5 km stretch. Vast areas of lush green grasslands, canopies and reassuring shelter of trees, pukekoes that walk around fearlessly traversing into a small coastal line where you can hear the waves, smell the sea breeze and see the boats casually bobbing in sync with the waves (like my head to The Islands song that I was listening to at that time) to some volcanic remains to some more beauuuutiful flora and fauna. Coldplay's "paradise" came on the iPod several times during this walk. How apt I thought! I don't have to close my eyes to see para-para-paradise. I just have to walk 10 k to discover and enjoy it :).
“People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes
I think the same can be said about places.
Day 4 was awesome! I discovered paradise in my backyard. Boom!
Did you walk 14km?? Proud, Rucha! :)
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