Colin Wright: Author, Entrepreneur, Full-Time Traveler

New Zealand is So Beautiful it Makes Me Sick


Posted on 25th March, 2010.   74 Comments

New Zealand is So Beautiful it Makes Me Sick

 

I’ve lived in New Zealand for almost a month now, and there are a few things that I can tell you about the place that stand out.

The people here are very friendly. I’ll be a solid 20 feet from the curb and a line of cars will stop for me to cross, waving me on like old friends, barely able to see my face from such a great distance.

The alcohol here is very good. From beer to wine to liquor, the Kiwis know their alcohol. It’s really fantastic.

There are a lot of drunken bar fights. I think a combination of the first two things leads to this…all that pent up aggression and all those delicious drinks are a recipe for fist fights with cops (I’ve seen this happen several times already).

Oh, and one other thing: IT’S SO GODDAMN BEAUTIFUL HERE IT MAKES ME SICK.

Let me explain.

I’ve been trained to create and appreciate beauty, and a good portion of my life is spent making sure that I am able to surround myself with beautiful things, beautiful people and to live in a beautiful place, no matter what kind of beauty we might be talking about at the time.

But New Zealand. NEW ZEALAND!

You seriously cannot throw a stone without hitting a gorgeous, purple (PURPLE!) mountain.

You can’t turn around without seeing some kind of cute little bird wobbling around looking for cute little seeds to eat.

You can’t take a photo without it being a work of art. Why? Because the landscape in all directions looks like a frickin’ watercolor painting of a landscape. From a hotel. It’s too easy.

As someone who buys things in supermarkets based on the design of their labels and stops to take deep breaths of beauty wherever I find it, I must warn you away from New Zealand.

If you are anything like me you won’t get anything done. You’ll be far too busy gaping awestruck, snapping photos and writing angry blog posts to make it through your to-do list.



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I have LIVED here for almost 20 years and it is revolting....tourist dont have any idea how depressed, superficial and plan stupid locals are and yes very agressive , petty deep down. Can't wait to leave!!!

your make me blush linda kiwi

Impressive regarding the New Zealand.The things i most like most about the New Zealand that is people are friendly nature and green valley in the New Zealand...

hire campervan Australia

Ah, this makes me want to head back down to NZ. Been once. In 2002. Cruised around the North Island for a week in a campervan - Rotorua, Bay of Islands, Paihea. It is a beautiful place. And I hear the South is even better. Live it up Colin.

Christchurch!

I agree that the Kiwi culture is generally very chill and 'live and let live'-like, but I did notice that when the beer started to flow, people started to get a bit rowdier.

Glad you enjoyed your stay :-)
If anyone ever needs a place to stay in Auckland, New Zealand, visit me @ http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/mellysunshine/
xx

Glad you enjoyed your stay :-)
If anyone ever needs a place to stay in Auckland, New Zealand, visit me @ http://www.couchsurfing.org/people/mellysunshine/
xx

Thank you kind Sir! Enjoy your stay here :-) You're right we Kiwis love to travel but we always come home, hard not to.

Thank you kind Sir! Enjoy your stay here :-) You're right we Kiwis love to travel but we always come home, hard not to.

Sorry to have made you sick, but glad you are enjoying our little island nation.

Sorry to have made you sick, but glad you are enjoying our little island nation.

just got back from a far-too-short 3 week vacation there in Feb, my first time. spent the whole time gawking and borderline speechless. also with gaping jaw at things like purple mountains. thanks for reminding me of all that im desperate to return to. it actually aches. i am both sickeningly envious and and thrilled for you.

just got back from a far-too-short 3 week vacation there in Feb, my first time. spent the whole time gawking and borderline speechless. also with gaping jaw at things like purple mountains. thanks for reminding me of all that im desperate to return to. it actually aches. i am both sickeningly envious and and thrilled for you.

Lol, you also choose supermarket produce based on the aesthetic quality of their labels. Designers eh? Tough break for any girlfriend.

Lol, you also choose supermarket produce based on the aesthetic quality of their labels. Designers eh? Tough break for any girlfriend.

@Diego: There are some really cute ones!

@TJ: Not sure, honestly, though many people have told me, when I've mentioned how beautiful the landscape is, that it's even more beautiful when covered in snow.

@Krista: Do it! Yeah, I've got some amazing photos I'll treasure from this trip, for sure.

@Danielle: Yes ma'am! I'll post more photos over at Hard Is Easy soon!

@Mary: Word.

@Cris: Thanks, lady! Just found out there's a big roller derby presence down here, and I thought of you when I found out.

@Richard: Maybe I could have been a troll!

@Carlos: There are worse ways to go, for sure.

@Lauren: So true. I get that feeling all the time down here.

@Sally: Thanks Sally! So true...I know you Kiwis love to travel, but it seems like you always come home, and I can't blame you!

@Lissa: Right? Man. Gorgeous scenery.

@Mario: Awesome! You won't regret it!

@Mary: Nice! Make it happen!

@floreta: Guess I've never given Oregon a fair chance...have only been through it. Will definitely be checking out Portland when I'm back in the States before Thailand, though.

@Maxim: Not hard to capture a bit of it!

@Suzanne: Thanks Suzanne! Thrilled to have you as a reader.

@Rose Dee: I'm sure I'll figure out a way. Blinders, perhaps? Keep the blinds closed on my windows? I'll make it work.

@Simeon: You definitely should!

@Brian Moseley: I doubt it.

@Alejandro: Definitely both. Like a delicious jalapeno.

@Ben: Like anywhere, there are ups and downs, but there are definitely some very hot ones!

@Jason: I'll have to take your word for it until I make it up there to BC. I've heard good things about it, though. Lots of Canucks in these parts, actually. Coincidence?

@Ash: Exactly! Beauty is an important part of my life. It impacts your mood, how well you work, your health, and on and on and on.

@Arsene: Not a bad idea! I'll check and see if they need a new series of promotions.

@Robin: Thanks, glad you liked it; that was my favorite part, too!

@Diego: There are some really cute ones!

@TJ: Not sure, honestly, though many people have told me, when I've mentioned how beautiful the landscape is, that it's even more beautiful when covered in snow.

@Krista: Do it! Yeah, I've got some amazing photos I'll treasure from this trip, for sure.

@Danielle: Yes ma'am! I'll post more photos over at Hard Is Easy soon!

@Mary: Word.

@Cris: Thanks, lady! Just found out there's a big roller derby presence down here, and I thought of you when I found out.

@Richard: Maybe I could have been a troll!

@Carlos: There are worse ways to go, for sure.

@Lauren: So true. I get that feeling all the time down here.

@Sally: Thanks Sally! So true...I know you Kiwis love to travel, but it seems like you always come home, and I can't blame you!

@Lissa: Right? Man. Gorgeous scenery.

@Mario: Awesome! You won't regret it!

@Mary: Nice! Make it happen!

@floreta: Guess I've never given Oregon a fair chance...have only been through it. Will definitely be checking out Portland when I'm back in the States before Thailand, though.

@Maxim: Not hard to capture a bit of it!

@Suzanne: Thanks Suzanne! Thrilled to have you as a reader.

@Rose Dee: I'm sure I'll figure out a way. Blinders, perhaps? Keep the blinds closed on my windows? I'll make it work.

@Simeon: You definitely should!

@Brian Moseley: I doubt it.

@Alejandro: Definitely both. Like a delicious jalapeno.

@Ben: Like anywhere, there are ups and downs, but there are definitely some very hot ones!

@Jason: I'll have to take your word for it until I make it up there to BC. I've heard good things about it, though. Lots of Canucks in these parts, actually. Coincidence?

@Ash: Exactly! Beauty is an important part of my life. It impacts your mood, how well you work, your health, and on and on and on.

@Arsene: Not a bad idea! I'll check and see if they need a new series of promotions.

@Robin: Thanks, glad you liked it; that was my favorite part, too!

Haha, I loved this post. "You can’t turn around without seeing some kind of cute little bird wobbling around looking for cute little seeds to eat." - This sentence literally made me laugh out loud all over the place, and it's rare that a blog can do that. You're funny.

Haha, I loved this post. "You can’t turn around without seeing some kind of cute little bird wobbling around looking for cute little seeds to eat." - This sentence literally made me laugh out loud all over the place, and it's rare that a blog can do that. You're funny.

Haha, "don't go to New Zealand, it's too beautiful."

You should write their travel commercials. Now I want/need to go there.

Haha, "don't go to New Zealand, it's too beautiful."

You should write their travel commercials. Now I want/need to go there.

Intentional or not, I think you hit on a really profound concept here: "I want to surround myself with beautiful things, beautiful place and live in a beautiful place." We should be striving for beauty across the board--from internal emotions, to external demeanor, from thoughts to actions. Beauty is not a frivolous goal, but one worth standing up for.

Intentional or not, I think you hit on a really profound concept here: "I want to surround myself with beautiful things, beautiful place and live in a beautiful place." We should be striving for beauty across the board--from internal emotions, to external demeanor, from thoughts to actions. Beauty is not a frivolous goal, but one worth standing up for.

New Zealand is without a doubt one of my favourite countries as far as beautiful scenery goes. It's like British Columbia, Canada crammed into a tiny easily accessible island!

New Zealand is without a doubt one of my favourite countries as far as beautiful scenery goes. It's like British Columbia, Canada crammed into a tiny easily accessible island!

Yes Colin, are the women hot over there?

Ohh, come one I would like to see, but maybe as a pleasure trip rather than to work on something. I do get distracted easily by amazing pictures.

I bet I would be awestruck the moment I get down the plane. I wonder if that is awesome or the worst thing ever. Both at the same time?

Yes Colin, are the women hot over there?

I invented New Zealand.

Ohh, come one I would like to see, but maybe as a pleasure trip rather than to work on something. I do get distracted easily by amazing pictures.

I bet I would be awestruck the moment I get down the plane. I wonder if that is awesome or the worst thing ever. Both at the same time?

I invented New Zealand.

I intend to visit New Zealand after my time in Australia. I'd love to see it for myself when I get there!

Haha, I love your little rant. I'm pleased to know you're enjoying your stay here, keep up the good work! (that is, if you can get anything done......)

Wow, it's easy to see the beauty even on this small picture! :)

I intend to visit New Zealand after my time in Australia. I'd love to see it for myself when I get there!

Haha, I love your little rant. I'm pleased to know you're enjoying your stay here, keep up the good work! (that is, if you can get anything done......)

I totally agree with you Colin. I have only been in New Zealand myself for 2 years and I think it is absolutely beautiful.
Looking forward to seeing more of your adventures.

Wow, it's easy to see the beauty even on this small picture! :)

beauty makes me angry too! haha.
not really. :)

i also buy things based on their design. i guess it's what we designers do hahaha.

i've been wanting to visit/live in new zealand for awhile now. they speak english. and i'm told it's very similar in climate to oregon because it's got a close latitudinal distance from the equator. sounds good to me. and i think oregon's pretty gorgeous too. :)

In the past couple days I've been thinking about the NZ work permit in my back pocket ... usable this fall. Yes! Thanks for the reminder.

Thank you Colin. I've been deciding where to go next year and you've just tilted the scale in favor of NZ.

beauty makes me angry too! haha.
not really. :)

i also buy things based on their design. i guess it's what we designers do hahaha.

i've been wanting to visit/live in new zealand for awhile now. they speak english. and i'm told it's very similar in climate to oregon because it's got a close latitudinal distance from the equator. sounds good to me. and i think oregon's pretty gorgeous too. :)

In the past couple days I've been thinking about the NZ work permit in my back pocket ... usable this fall. Yes! Thanks for the reminder.

Thank you Colin. I've been deciding where to go next year and you've just tilted the scale in favor of NZ.

Hi, I am a Kiwi (New Zealander) and you're absolutely right. We call this country Gods Zone for a reason it is spectacular. Not just the scenery, but also the rawness of the people. I travel but would never live anywhere else. I'm happy you enjoyed our little patch of land. Travel well, Sally

One of those places that doesn't even feel real when you're standing right in front of it. Typically have those moments of, "I know it's there...and I know I'm actually standing here staring at it...but this CANNOT be real."

Every view is postcard material. Best part is, you don't even have to be a good photographer to get some unbelievable pictures. :)

Looks like New Zealand is where I'll go to die of improductivity. Love the idea.

*I made sure I commented in the proper field this time!*

As someone who is surrounded by, what was once corn fields in the fall - but is now a dead, barren wasteland -, I must say after reading your post I'm a little depressed.

I've been fascinated with the beauty of New Zealand ever since I watched a National Geographic documentary about the Lord of the Rings on tv. Too bad your not staying a little bit longer though....you could of ended up being an extra in Guillermo Del Toro's The Hobbit!

Thanks for sharing this vision of enraged beauty! Love following your stories. xo

Beautiful. There are just no other words to describe it.

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  1. [...] New Zealand is So Beautiful it Makes me Sick [...]

  2. [...] a week, and the rest of my time is spent playing around with personal projects (this one included), exploring New Zealand, appearing on TV, hanging out with new friends and generally getting myself into all kinds of [...]

  3. [...] been wanting to make my first international trip for a while, and I think New Zealand is the winner. It won’t happen for a while, but it’s good to start [...]

  4. [...] It’s been about 2 months since I arrived back in the US from my New Zealand adventure. [...]

  5. [...] It’s been about 2 months since I arrived back in the US from my New Zealand adventure. [...]

  6. [...] a new camera to attempt to better capture the beauty of a place that Colin Wright described as IT’S SO GODDAMN BEAUTIFUL HERE IT MAKES ME SICK, but amazon’s one day delivery service let me down, leaving me with the good old iPhone 4. On [...]

  7. [...] New Zealand is So Beautiful It Makes Me Sick [...]



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