Travel Notes from Robin Jones Gunn

Dreaming of New Zealand:

A friend once told my husband and me that New Zealand was the most beautiful corner of the world. He said it felt like Narnia. 

When Ross and I went to New Zealand several years ago, we soon found ourselves agreeing with our friend’s assessment. 

We were mesmerized by the air, the colors, the sounds of unfamiliar bird calls and the curious twists of the leaves on plants we’d never seen before. Yes, we felt as if we were in Narnia. We could see why the south island was the perfect place to film the Lord of the Rings. 

During the two weeks we explored the north and south islands, we went from one delightful discovery to the next, smiling at every turn.

Now I dream of New Zealand. I think of the Tranzcoastal train ride from Christchurch to Picton. One travel site hailed this ride as the most beautiful train ride in the world. It very well might be. We rolled past farms and vineyards and the untamed Kaikoura coast where we stopped for a short break and ran to the shore long enough to watch dolphins riding inside the curl of minty blue waves.

One day I’ll write more stories about New Zealand. Sisterchicks Down Under! was a nice start but more tales need to be told about this place of pristine beauty. 

When I dream of New Zealand, I’m floating in the liquid emerald water in the Bay of Islands on the north island or I’m on the train to Picton watching the scenery roll by. 

When I’m awake and see these same images, I smile because it makes me realize what a creative and awesome God we serve. His creative powers are at work in each of our lives. He is making something beautiful in us that will reflect His glory. May it be so this new day!

Sisterchicks Savvy Travel Tip:

While we were in New Zealand, I found a wonderful travel aid that I now use any time I travel to a different time zone. 

The product is called “No Jet Lag”. www.nojetlag.com  It’s a homeopathic blend made right there in New Zealand and sold worldwide. 

Their web site has lots of helpful information and tips on how to avoid jet lag. I’ve tried their suggestion of drinking only water on flights and avoiding all caffeinated drinks. For me, it really did make a big difference. 

I also agree with their recommendation to try to get a good nights’ sleep at home before a long flight rather than thinking you’ll be able to sleep once you get on the plane. If you do manage to sleep on the plane, it’s bonus sleep and will put you in an even better mood once you arrive. Aroha nui!

Vermeer’s Socks:

I have a pair of funky gray, wool socks that fulfill the role of puffy, pink bunny slippers when I travel. I bought the socks at an open air market in Delft, Netherlands on a freezing afternoon and then we tromped across the square to a restaurant located in the home of the fabulous Dutch painter, Jan Vermeer. I have long loved his paintings; The Kitchen Maid and The Girl with the Pearl Earring.

After ordering pancakes, I headed up a narrow flight of stairs that led to the restroom. I was eager to exchange my thin, knee high trouser socks for the new luxurious warm wool socks. There, in the top room of this centuries old home I spotted a gorgeous, thick-pane window where pale light came whispering through the distorted glass. 

Grabbing a vase of tulips from the hallway table I posed for a picture and imagined Vermeer had once painted beside this same window. When he did, I’m certain he was wearing warm, woolen socks.

Sisterchicks Savvy Travel Tip:

Interview your clothes.

Before packing them in the suitcase, ask each item, “Why do you think you should go with me?” Carefully consider, Do I really need these chubby bunny slippers or would a pair of snuggly socks meet the need and take up a lot less room? Conduct the interview a day or two before you leave rather than the night before. Always leave room in your suitcase for treasures you’re going to want to bring home.

Lost Luggage, Lawn Gnomes, and Lederhosen:

Last summer while I was sprinting to catch a flight to London, my suitcase decided to stay in Madrid. The adventurous rogue spent the next six days gallivanting around the globe without me. 

The remainder of my trip I had one shoulder bag and one nylon tote I always pack for overflow in case my expandable suitcase can’t manage the extras I pick up along the way. This time my tote carried unusual leftovers; one favorite pair of well-worn sandals, two bars of Belgian dark chocolate, a book on Celtic prayers and . . . a pair of orange lederhosen with a matching pointed cap that doubled as a megaphone. 

Let me explain the lederhosen. It was World Cup time. Anne, my friend from Holland wanted us to show support for the Dutch team so she surprised me with the nylon lederhosen outfits. As the photo testifies, rather than turning me into an enthusiastic fan for the “Lions” I looked more like “Lawn Gnome of Unusual Size”.

Imagine the look on the custom inspectors’ face in Los Angeles when he opened my only piece of luggage, sized up the lederhosen as the extent of my travel wardrobe and said, “You’ve been out of the country for two weeks. Are you sure this is the only piece of luggage you want to claim?”

Sisterchicks Savvy Travel Tip:

Print out your itinerary along with your contact information and leave a copy inside your suitcase. 

Oh, and if one of your dearest friends in the world begs you to try on her special gift of neon orange lederhosen, well, make like a lawn gnome and laugh about it later.