Read about who’s behind New Zealand Travel Insider and what’s the purpose of NewZealandTravelInsider.com.
Who is the New Zealand Travel Insider?
Some people know me as a software developer and (technical) writer, while others know me as a landscape photographer. I’m all of those things and more…
I’m an artist, sister, orphan, citizen of the world, nature lover, hiker, runner, cyclist, and I have a “thing” for mountains – so much so that I graduated from university as a Geophysicist.
I’m the author of the articles published on New Zealand Travel Insider, the copyright holder of all of the photographs, paintings, and videos in which the newzealandtravelinsider.com URL appears, and the person who designed, developed, and maintains the website.
I’m not a Kiwi (New Zealander), although I’ve very much been “contaminated” with the Kiwi way of living and speaking.
I’m Dutch by birth and can speak 9 languages of which Caribbean English is my first. I was born on a tropical island in the Caribbean – so on the American continent – and lived there for almost 18 years.
The view from one of 5 scenic lookouts in Queenstown
Then I moved to the Netherlands (Europe) to study and work, and stayed there for almost another 18 years. And finally, I moved to New Zealand to spend what I’m hoping are the final days of my life.
In summary, I’ve lived on three continents, have been moving east my whole life but hope that New Zealand is my last destination.
My reasons for moving to New Zealand are simple: the country is uncrowded and gorgeous where nature and landscapes are concerned, the people are wonderful, and it is an English-speaking country.
New Zealand is the country I wanted to visit since I was 12 years old after seeing a photograph of Mount Cook, and after three years of thinking about it and traveling alone to New Zealand several times, I decided to make it my home.
While I used to travel around the world a lot, I don’t do that anymore, because I got tired of the long-haul flights. These days, I often stay in New Zealand and travel around the country by airplane – my flights are no longer than two hours – and by car, go on long solo hikes on known and unknown trails, and in general enjoy what New Zealand has got to offer.
I’m not a backpacker and I don’t do camping or tramping (multi-day hikes), which is why you won’t find information on those topics on my website. I’m an independent traveler who enjoys going on long drives, staying in New Zealand hotels or motels, and who does day hikes. The latter are the topics I focus on writing about here on New Zealand Travel Insider.
The purpose of New Zealand Travel Insider
New Zealand Travel Insider started as a way for me to share my own travel experiences with you and to share the love I have for New Zealand with the world.
The goal of New Zealand Travel Insider is not only to educate you on New Zealand’s travel opportunities, but also to entertain you and most importantly help you make decisions about your own trip to New Zealand if you’re planning to come here.
One of 5 best places to see fall foliage (pastel on paper)
Unlike other New Zealand travel websites, New Zealand Travel Insider has a personal touch, that is, New Zealand Travel Insider articles are based on my own personal experience while traveling in New Zealand and/or on research I’ve done.
My New Zealand videos are homemade – I don’t use professional equipment to make my videos – and the New Zealand photos on the website have all been taken by yours truly while traveling the country – I do use professional photo gear to shoot photos and occasionally let myself go with my point-and-shoot digital camera.
You will find mostly photos on this website, but a few New Zealand paintings have been sprinkled around the website as Easter eggs, and yes, those have all been painted by yours truly. My preferred medium of choice is soft pastel, but I also paint with gouache and oil paints.
You can say that I sample New Zealand and then tell and show you what you can expect.
I hope you enjoy my website and welcome any comments and/or personal experiences you may have before or after you’ve visited this marvelous piece of Earth called New Zealand. And if you like the website, I encourage you to invite your family and friends to also come and have a look.
You can keep in touch with me by joining me on Facebook.
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