Coming back home on the other side of the planet

It feels like the end. We know it is not, but it somehow feels like that. With more days still ahead of us than holidays we had in the last couple of years all together, we still feel like it's coming to an end. We didn't plan any destinations after New Zealand, we thought we would have loads of time afterwards to pick one of the many possible routes: South America, North America, maybe Africa?! We didn't know, we didn't want to plan. Now it seems we won't have to worry about that, as we are simply running out of time.

Thing is, we invested the most we ever did on the trip so far: we bought a car!!! Full independence, at last! But the independence cost us the flexibility; it means we will stay here longer, otherwise we should simply have rented it. But when renting a car, you somehow feel every day the money "ticking away". Most likely it is the same when you buy a car (depending on the price of course and what you get back for it...), but it feels a bit more like freedom, and we feel less rushed. But it's a risk as well. And it's not that we think it is a bad decision, we love it! And we love the one that we got!!! But it does have some consequences, and it means we will not going to see all the marvels of the rest of the world. Sadly enough, we had some troubles buying one, and we were almost desperate. If it wasn't for Chris & Mary, we probably wouldn't have ended up this well now.

The first car we wanted, unfortunately didn't make it through the WOF (warranty of fitness), as the window had a crack. Since the previous owners didn't want to repair it themselves, we thought it would be a too big financial risk to take up the cost on our account. The second car we actually bought, didn't end up in our hands. We left the couple we bought it from for 5 more nights sleeping in it, in order for them to save accommodation costs. We would have loved to have it on the spot, but went sailing over the weekend instead. Which was marvelous by the way!!!! Two days before handover and us leaving Auckland, we got an sms that they sold the car!!!! Although we had a contract saying we were the legal owners, and already made a downpayment. Ridiculous. Now, we're a bit calmer about it, but at that moment we simply could not believe what happened. We thought all rip offs and illegal stuff was left behind in Asia, just to meet it here again. We were absolutely guttered. Mary really helped us out here in bringing them to reason. Until today, they still believe to have done the right thing. We don't want to waste any more tears over it, but the bitter aftertaste remains. Put it away as good learning experience. Choose your battles to fight and get over with it. Wish it was as easy as that. :D

In a last attempt to buy a car, we saw a beauty, The French couple that owned it didn't take our offer, so feeling a bit "defeated", we sent an email to the rental company, telling them that we wanted to rent a car the next day. Two hours later, the French couple messaged, agreeing on our price. We didn't know what to do anymore. Should we? Should we not? In the end we did, and it was good. We LOVE our van.Thousands of pictures will prove that :D

We've also had a lot of thinking. A mail arrived from my (Mar's) work; and it triggered a lot. To make a long story short: I've decided to stick to the original plan, and come back. There are numerous good reasons to do so, and I don't regret it. But also this has it's consequences: the end of this fun is settled. And even though we are kind of excited about it all, (that we will get to see our friends and family again, that my bosses are still happy with me, that we have something to come back for and look forward to), it sometimes makes it hard to breathe. This here, this now, this is what we wanted for so long. And it's coming to an end. We knew it, but never wanted to be bothered with it. And seriously, right now in this moment I do not want to go home; that goes for the both of us. We feel torn between two good things. If it wouldn't be for the fact that I like my job and want to keep it, and Jan wouldn't have his insulin issues, we might have and would have just continued. All the work for it has been done, the apartment is gone and it's contents still in boxes. We like travelling, we feel happy together. We could just put another year onto it. Only if. So guess it's the end of the chapter. But it's not the end of our story.

Nevertheless we felt the urge to secure an affordable flight home as in July Kiwis apparently travel to Europe for the European summer. :( So we checked our options and our idea to fly back via America was blown as it costs double of what we have booked now. We'll fly via Singapore and a two week stop in Sri Lanka back home to Frankfurt on the 19th of July. So in the end Sri Lanka becomes reality after all (as we skipped it after Nepal)! It maybe fate, but it is a pity we cant visit our friends over in the US and Canada, SA or South America; we definitely could use another year :)...

As for Auckland itself, good memories about this place fill our minds here. And new good memories are being made. We lived with Chris & Mary, whom Jan knew from his time when he was living here in Auckland. And we are, as in all other places, so welcomed here. The kindness we encounter again is heartwarming. For Jan it felt like coming home, everything looks 13 years exactly the same, feels the same only he is not a boy anymore and there are no friends around of that time :). It was fantastic to be in Auckland, we stayed almost 2 weeks there and went fishing, sailing, canoeing, went to the ANZAC Parade, helped Chris Dad moving his house, walked up to Rangitoto and had a look at Waiheke Island and its Stony Batter Fortress, sowed new linings for our car,.... We actually didnt even make it into town once!!!! It is weird but Devonport is so nice, you've got everything you need. And of course, Mary & Chris's wonderful dogs made it even more home :)) which led to the feeling that we (despite our new car) did not want to leave anymore :)). THANKS and we are looking forward to coming back to Auckland. It is funny how comforting the sight of known surroundings and things can be....even though it is 13 years ago!!! Weird how time becomes a insignificant factor in these situations and decays to a measuring unit to keep track of the past. When you travel, every day is so precious (like in "normal" life too) and sometimes it leads to a restlessness that you want to gain as much as possible out of each and each other. And then 13 years later you stand at the same spot - and NOTHING feels different, just the body that beholds those staring eyes is (only a little) older. Ok enough philisophical excursions :)....

As anywhere, a place is as good as the people you meet there; Auckland was great and we will be back!

Now it's time to head off in our awesome van!!:)