Lasting impressions of our Family OE

KATIE

You realise what lucky people we are to live in New Zealand and have a good home, have land and have not had war because we are in an isolated island away from everything.
My favourite times were staying out late and exploring cities and places.

CONNOR

It was exciting going to new places that we've never experienced before, there was really good food.
My favourite places were Slovenia, Lake Balaton (in Hungary) and Paris where we did some really fun stuff.
It is cool to be back in New Zealand so we can see our friends and return to our own home where we have space to run around.

MARVIN

It was really exciting because of the new cultures we hadn't seen before and having so much family time, I was particularly nervous about Asia (as a family with kids), but it was fun, vibrant, high energy and easy to get around.  In Europe it was great to discover new places like Budapest that seemed very livable.  Food & drink throughout Europe was excellent.  Apologies to all the people we inadvertently cut off while driving and our near misses!  We found Air BNB & Booking.com to supply us with good accommodation.  Air conditioning was well appreciated in the mid 30+ temperatures we were in!  Watch out for the next trip!

ANNE

Family time was number one, and all coping with being within 2-3metres of each other for 98 days!  We had great conversations over dinner and late into the evenings.  Experiencing the different cultures and countries together as a family so that we can now share the great memories for many years into the future.

The more impoverished countries struck a cord with me the most, seeing the courage, patriotism and hard work of people throughout the world to make a living and provide shelter for their families and to defend their countries when necessary.  Despite poverty, harsh living conditions and little access to resources these people open their hearts and have a genuine smile. 

Experiencing history through architecture was another highlight for me.  Viewing architecture going back 2,000 years in the Roman Empire (Herculaneum, Pompeii, Pont Du Gard), then 1,000 years to the Khmer architecture (Angkor Wat), then the medieval architecture (many castles and defense forts), Renaissance architecture (in Paris, Budapest, Munich, Florence).  Walking 800 metres down the main Sarajevo centre you experience difference architecture styles from the medieval period, Ottoman period, Austro-Hungarian period and Communist period finished up with post-war luxury shopping complexes. 

The big cities of Budapest & Paris are breath-taking with their buildings and famous structures.  Asia was vibrant and full of life, very affordable with great food.  The Mediterranean foods of cold meats, cheeses and breads bought in delicatessens, charcuteries, fromageries, patisseries, boulangeries and local markets, washed down with red wines and lemoncillo are all highlights that enhanced our long evening gatherings as a family.  We plan to keep an international cooking regime on our menu in New Zealand.   The Alps in Austria and Switzerland were spectacular and catching up with friends in Germany were all highlights of our trip.