Happy Place

I had the opportunity to go back to Arrowtown today and spend the afternoon exploring the old mining town where some lucky folk once struck gold. I originally planned to enjoy a leisurely Monday wandering the streets of the town and treating myself to a cafe type lunch with a crisp glass of white wine, but something bigger was in store for me.

My adventure began alongside the Arrow River. The babbling brooks and the vibrantly green trees that framed the scene then inspired me to impulsively detour to Tobin’s Track. I clearly had no idea what I was getting myself into, climbing up an unforgiving path in my jeans and jandals, but the reward was utterly incredible. At the top of a very tall mountain, I found my happy place.

I have never in my life experienced such immense beauty and tranquility in one place. I cannot even begin to articulate the feeling of being there and finding such a surprising view. If you can imagine your absolute oasis in your most exquisite dreams, New Zealand can create its reality. The town was below, the mountains were ahead, there were undisturbed pastures everywhere I looked, and as I sat to reflect, I could even hear the sheep grazing behind me. It was peaceful like you couldn’t even believe.