What Led to the Journey to New Zealand
First time what I heard about the existence of New Zealand was from a large world map that I get as a gift. Later I began to recognise it from documentaries that were in television. Was it a coincidence? Why my finger, which I used to „travel“ with around the world, stopped most often on this place?
When I grew up a bit and had my first part-time job, I met a friend who had already been to Zealand. I remember that moment, when he started telling me about his trip. I knew that it was no longer a coincidence, and that I will go there one day to explore it! It was Ševis, the head of the Kopřivná ski area chairlift. Long summer days of lifting mountain bikes and building trails were hard, but I was always looking forward to another Ševis stories and started to imagine what it might be like there. Most importantly, I found out how I can get there, travel and work.
Few years passed since I decided to travel to NZ no matter what. I had to graduate, work and more work. When I look back, experiences, which I get abroad were the most valuable at all. For example, opening a bank account at the age of 20, when you don’t know much english and there is no one to help you with it. Ending up locked in a cell of preliminary detention for 12 hours on my 3rd abroad was also big thing :D. It’s great story, great experience now. Thanks to Tomáš and Lukáš for taking me with you! Without these days, I would not be standing so firmly on my feet today.
After returning from England, I found a job in the Czech Republic to gain some experience in my field as a land surveyor. I worked in Brno and spent most of my time surveying on highways. I endured it for 4 months and I am also very happy for this experience, because I found out that it is not my cup of coffee and I will not continue in this direction.
At that point it was New Zealand or continue with studying. It was august and opening quote for visa application was far away. I decided to continue with studying after receiving support from my mum. After 3 great years in Olomouc, I graduated and felt that adventure is inevitably knocking on the door. During study I met great partner – now my ex Niki. With her, we were planning NZ together. But it was august again and we didn’t have much money after studying. So together we decided, that we will earn some money until we will be able to apply for visa. We went to Netherlands and saved as much as we could with the vision of new beginning.
So in March 2019, we were ready to apply for visas and it worked! All that 1200 places were gone within 20 minutes, and as we heard later, we were lucky that we both get it in one try.
After that, most important things were sorted. We stayed few more months working, than we enjoyed Czech summer, bought fly tickets and a show could have began.
On September 24.9.2019, we are leaving from Vienna to stopover in Thailand.
