Page 62 - Khabar Magazine (February 2020)

Travel

ADVENTURES IN

MIDDLE EARTH

Australia and New Zealand were in the news recently for the wrong reasons: raging
fires and an active volcano. Despite these tragedies, the Antipodes have much to offer
today. New Zealand, seemingly remote, has attractions ranging from spectacular,
selfie-friendly scenery to vibrant cities, adventure sports, and a happily laid-back ethos.
The multicultural nation is home to a growing Indian community and sports desi
restaurants in every city. By SUCHETA RAWAL

My first visit to New Zealand in 2007 was un- to explore New Zealand in depth on a two-week tour
der grave circumstances. A close family member had curated by Aroha Luxury Travel Company. Prior to my
passed, and I was summoned for the funeral. Like arrival, German-Kiwi tour operator Veronika Vermeu-
many Indians, my uncle and aunt had immigrated len spoke with me on the phone to discuss my inter-
from north India to Hamilton (the country’s fourth ests and customized a package to the North and South
most populous city) in search of better opportunities. Islands. Having worked with international custom-
As new immigrants, they received subsidized educa- ers for over twenty years, she had deep knowledge
tion, medical, housing, and many other benefits that of different ethnic groups and their preferences for
helped them establish their lives. diets, budgets, accommodations, and even appetite
Though the moment was somber, I met many of for adventure.
my family’s South Asian friends and relatives who We escaped the mainstream attractions and got
were living in different parts of the country. Each per- on a road trip starting in Auckland, and made our way
son shared similar opinions of their life in this remote through rolling hills, sheep farms, isolated beaches,
country. They loved driving through fragrant, wild- pristine coves, and luxurious private lodges.
flower lined highways, scarce traffic, and pure, clean North Island
air. Work-life balance was great, and salaries much Auckland is the largest city in New
higher than those back home. They could also afford Zealand and a good starting point
to live in nice homes, purchase cars, and give their kids to explore the North Island. In
a good education. recent years, Auckland has
Indian New Zealanders or “Indo-Kiwis” are the transformed into a multi-
fastest growing ethnic group in New Zealand. Most of cultural destination with
them are of Punjabi or Gujarati descent, followed by award-winning restaurants,
speakers of Fiji Hindi. One of the main attractions bars, and clubs.
for immigrants is high paying jobs, especially The best way to orient
ones that require manual labor, as the country yourself to the city is from the
has more sheep and cows than people. Farm- sky. Take a scenic seaplane ride
ers can earn as much as six figures and are over the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland
not considered “blue collar” workers. Harbor, Rangitoto crater, and Motu-
A New Perspective tapu, to see how most locals live with-
Over a decade later, my husband in a few minutes of beaches, vineyards,
and I finally had the opportunity and hiking trails.
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60 • FEBRUARY• 2020 KHABAR MAGAZINE