Auckland. Take Two.

So, after a week of camping it out along the north eastern coast of New Zealand, we have decided to refocus and change the way that we are traveling so that we can make it a bit more sustainable, without sacrificing any of the experiences we desire. Traveling by our own van is pretty easy in the most basic of ways - we want to go somewhere...we just hop in and go. However, it is expensive, stressful (mostly because I am a nervous passenger and therefore make Rebecca a not-so-happy driver and i cant honestly figure out how to relax!), and its rather...isolating. It seems it could be very easy to live in this tiny Mistubishi bubble, where 99% of interaction would be between just the two of us. As much as we love one another, we both need a little more social stimulation from the world around us. Having spent, as of today, a month together on the road with very little time apart, we are doing really well with it. But of course it's trying to travel, spending THIS much time with anyone, no matter how much you like them! We have met some really great people along the way (including a guy from Asheville), but we are not spending time in places where our peers and fellow travelers are spending time.
Our solution has been an easy decision for us. We did some further research and have found many great options for "backpacker" travel in this country without the financial responsibility or stress of owning a vehicle. There is an option for everyone, every age, every interests/lifestyle, and travel time frame. Not to mention New Zealand has built The Great Walkway, which allows you to literally walk from top to bottom. We have purchased bus passes that allow for us to travel from top to bottom, side to side, stopping where we want, for however long we decide to stay. We have 12 months to complete the entire loop of the tour we chose. So, here we are, back in Auckland for a few days, asking why we did not figure this out sooner. Our van is officially parked back at the same lot from which we purchased, looking for a quick and easy sale. When it's done we'll be taking the train from Auckland to Wellington, spending a few days, then passing through the Cook Straight to start our South Island adventures! We are both rather anxious and excited to be moving on to the South Island. The more we both hear and learn, the more it seems we may make the South Island our home for the remainder of our stay. Where ever we may land, I feel confident we can and will make the best of it!