Earlier in March this year, I took a trip to New Zealand which was initially planned to be for 2 weeks. It was the end of summer there, and since I was going to be visiting the ‘winterless north’, I had packed light. T-shirts, shorts, sandals. That sort of thing. I hadn’t been back in Auckland for almost 15+ years, and so was incredibly excited to be there again, and even more so, to meet my yet-to-be-born niece. I arrived practically skipping with joy, and was lucky enough to wander in the city for a few days and meet with my Kiwi friends - the Langs - former guests of mine in Dubai.

At the time, New Zealand had confirmed its 6th case of COVID-19, a small number relative to the reported cases elsewhere in the world. But the nation, with plenty of experience of dealing with natural disasters under its belt, was on-the-ball and responded immediately by establishing a 4 stage alert system. The government clearly communicated what each level meant, what people could or couldn’t do, and which businesses would remain open under each level. So at this stage - Level 2, residents still went about their ways but had to exercise caution.

 ‘Be strong, but be kind. We will be ok.’ - Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister

Then a few days before I was supposed to head back home, the Dubai international airspace was closed, following similar shutdowns all over the world, and my flight out was cancelled. New Zealand, for the first time in its history, also closed the country’s borders to all but returning citizens and residents. I practically jumped when my phone honked and I received an emergency alert message declaring a nationwide lockdown aka ‘Level 4’. That’s when everyone went into self-isolation and people were urged to stay in their ‘bubbles’ – the people you can remain in contact with during COVID-19.

Like an estimated 100,000+ international visitors, I was stuck. So were almost 100+ other UAE residents scattered across the country who became family and the best support group one could ask for. We were stuck in the sense that we weren’t able to go back home, but considering the place, I would hardly call this being ‘stuck’. If anything, it’s pretty darn lucky.  

For starters, we were in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, even if one couldn’t go out and wander far at the time. Thankfully in Auckland, you really don’t need to ‘travel’ to see jaw-dropping views. They're often only a stone’s throw away from home. I was also ever-so-grateful for many other things, including our health, an Airbnb roof to sleep under, my lovely Kiwi friends – the Langs, and beautiful baby Luna who became the newest member of our ‘bubble’. It’s worth noting here that being in lockdown with a newborn baby is something parents should be awarded a medal for.

So for over a month of Level 4 lockdown, we stayed home, tuned in to PM Jacinda’s daily updates, and went out only to buy essentials. Trips to the supermarket became the highlight of the week, as did walks around the block. And yes, I too caved in and joined the banana bread club (right).

I also took part in the Getty Challenge which was incredible fun, and attempted to recreate several artworks using whatever I could dig out from my suitcase and in my Airbnb(s). Here’s the link to see all of my at-home attempts. I’m proud to say that 1 of my recreations, Edvard Munch’s ‘The Scream’, is now featured in a published book by the Getty Museum commemorating the challenge.  WOHOO!!. Big thanks to my creative directors Mo and Dana who skipped no detail. P.S: You can now order a copy of Off the Walls: Inspired Re-creations of Iconic Artworks online from the Getty Museum for $14, an excellent coffee table book if I do say so myself.

After that, we moved on to Levels 3, then 2, then finally 1! That’s when PM Jacinda, and probably all New Zealanders, did a ‘little dance’ when hearing the news that New Zealand was then COVID-19 free.  

This truly felt like a seismic change, considering how strict the lockdown had been when started. Sitting in a restaurant with no social distancing, masks, or gloves was almost crazy to imagine when we were at Level 4, but then at Level 1 quickly became the norm again. It was then that I was finally able to wander the country as I had been itching to do all this time. At this stage, NZ borders were still closed to international travel outside of Australia and the Pacific, so there was a huge campaign to rejuvenate the economy, one where tourism accounts for 10% of GDP, by inspiring Kiwis to explore their own backyard. ‘Do Something New, New Zealand’. And so I did. I wandered all over the North Island in an epic 1966 VW campervan, with no detailed plan in mind, discovering small towns, hiking mountains and volcanoes, and stopping only to soak it all in. It was an absolute dream to be able to sleep in the wilderness and wake up to the sound of birds chirping and to the smell of crackling campfire. A far cry from the concrete jungle I’m used to. No WiFi. No crowds. Only greenery and breathtaking views.

And so I fell in love. In love with an island that had become a home. It was in many ways a fresh perspective that I didn’t know I needed. Despite the many challenges and squashed plans of 2020, I would not have wished to have had it any other way.             

Almost 6 months later (yes you read that right) – now winter, after experiencing one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, then life back to normal, and lockdown again, I was finally heading home to Dubai.

It’s been an emotional roller-coaster 🎢 filled with absolute joy, laughter, tears, and way more honeycomb KitKats 🍫 than I’ll care to admit 🙄. Leaving what I would probably describe as the most gorgeous place I’ve seen yet and the kindest people is no easy thing to do 🥺. A big giant hug 🙏 to the Langs. I’ll be back NZ.

Haere rā.