On The Road With My 'Fitz & Huxley' - Part I / New Zealand
In Collaboration with 'Fitz & Huxley'
Thanks to my job I've got the possibility to travel a lot. So, it's super important for me to have travel equipment that is not only pretty but most efficient when it comes to packing and comfort while carrying. For me the first criteria is the size, the bag must have the max size that is allowed as hand luggage on a plane (ca 55x40x20). I don't want to waste the possibility to stuff as much equipment as I need into my hand luggage, not booking extra luggage saves a lot of money on business trips.
Secondly, it's important that my perfect bag has an included lap top bag - every extra bag while travelling is just annoying and more likely to be lost or forgotten somehow. So, an included cushioned lap top bag makes travelling way more comfortable.
Next I check how good I can fit all my camera gear (e.g. batteries, camera, external hard drive..) into the bag. Therefore I prefer having one huge pocket than lots of little ones. Otherwise I feel like wasting space because you never have exactly the fitting equipment for the pockets anyways.
Ready for my first stop: Auckland, New Zealand
So, while searching for a perfectly fitting travel bag I had a pretty good idea of what I needed and of course what I wanted style wise - a bag that's a bit fancy but practical, perfect for everyday use, made for long term and timeless design.
After a little research on lots of bags I concluded that the 'CONVEYOR big grey' from 'Fitz & Huxley' would be my perfect match. Thankfully 'Fitz & Huxley' teamed up with me to show my new Conveyor around the world.
'The Conveyor big grey', a minimalistic backpack which carries 17 litres and if needed up to 20, is water resistant and has an included lap top bag. Because of it's nice brownish- grey colour it matches every outfit and dirt hardly gets seen - perfect for working days and photo shoots but also relaxed beach days and weekend forest hikes.
I had planned that flight in January already, booked the tickets beginning of February and was ready for take off as soon as the month turned over to March. As some of you may know I'm half Kiwi, half German- having family on both ends of the planet isn't always easy, especially when it comes to family visits.
I spent my first month of the total two mostly in Auckland except of a few short trips down to Rotorua and Hamilton. But that month was all about family time, a little holiday and photo shoots at super nice cafés. I must admit that New Zealand Cafés really know how to amaze with their interior and dishes.
Next stop: Raglan - Wellington - Raglan
After spending one month in Auckland at my family's I was ready to explore a little more of New Zealand's beauty. Off to Raglan I went to spend a week (I thought) at the beach, enjoying a few sunny late summer days and then heading to Wellington for some upcoming photo shoots. Enjoying that week way too much I decided to come back to Raglan after Wellington and not heading down to the south Island as I actually had planned. I just wasn't ready for colder days if I could also have beach and sunshine every single day.
Of course my 'Fitz & Huxley' joined me on my trip down to Wellington and walked with me to the beach every day. I must say, with getting this tiny bit of a used look hence to sand and salty air I liked it more and more.
Last stop: Wellington - Kaikoura - Christchurch
Spending a bit more than two weeks in that Raglan bubble I was ready to head down to Wellington on my way to Chistchurch Airport. Had one more photo shoot coming up and just a tiny bit of time to explore Wellington. Maybe it's because I've been living in Berlin for quite a while now or it's just in general a welcoming atmosphere but I felt right at home walking the streets of Wellington. If you're ever down there don't miss on going around the coast line along Wellingtons bays with the car or bike. Especially around sunset it is simply breathtaking.
Wellington also amazes with it's several possibilities of weekend- morning hikes. So easy to just step outside your back door, walk up the next hill and enjoy the view- something you can't really get tired off. But because I only had three days left in New Zealand I needed to move on from morning hikes to long bus rides down the South Island Coastline. I can tell you guys, I didn't expect a simple bus ride could have amazing views like that. Definitely didn't get bored and I may even have enjoyed it a bit.
My last stop before heading back home was Kaikoura - doing a little 'back to the roots' I wanted to explore the tiny town in which my dad was born. Super cute and such beautiful nature all around. But if you're not keen on spending money for whale watching there is not too much to do on a one day stay besides going for beach walks and enjoying the view. But I still loved the whole vibe that went with that tiny and cosy town.
The next morning I was ready and almost a little exited for my last bus ride to Christchurch- luckily everything went as
planned and there where no traffic problems on the way.
I might have planned this ride a little risky as I was arriving in Christchurch one hour before I had to Check-in at the airport and I still had to find my way from the town centre to the airport. But, I wouldn't be me if I wouldn't think I could make it easily in time.
So here I am, looking back on two months of finally being back in New Zealand, visiting family, exploring my second home and filling my mind with lots of experiences and memories- happy and grateful for every moment!
I hope you're just as exited as I am, where I will be taking my 'Fitz & Huxley' next- because now it's officially stress, long flights, beach days, weekend hikes and especially heavy weight approved.