From Valencia to Costa Blanca

Destinations Europe Spain

You know that feeling when you just decide to pick up a flight from your nearest airport, rent a car and go with the flow? Well I don’t do it often but last May it all added up for a week escape to sunny Spain. We chose the direct flight with Ryanair from Trieste to Valencia and decided to drive along the South East coast towards Benidorm. It turned out that a road trip from Valencia to Costa Blanca is a perfect getaway for everyone in search of endless sandy beaches, tasteful cuisine, liveable night life and impressive historic monuments.

Located at the Mediterranean Sea, Valencia and Benidorm are popular destinations for tourists of all ages. With a pleasant climate tourism is present during the whole year round, with a peak season in the hot summer months from June to August.

Valencia

Valencia is the third largest city in Spain and the capital of Valencian community, with more than 1 million inhabitants. The city is full of culture, offers exciting nightlife and is the right place to indulge your taste buds with the Mediterranean cuisine.

An important landmark of Valencia are the 12 gates that once formed the ancient city wall of Valencia, with the Quart and Serrano Gates being the best preserved. The city centre is distinguished by a green line, that was once a flooding river Turia, now turned into Jardines del Turia, which is a perfect spot for families, nature lovers and all sports enthusiasts. If you are planning your trip in July and want to see some local and international artists performing, you can visit the Royal gardens which transform into an outdoor concert scenery during the Valencian Festival.

Football fans will probably want to visit Estadio de Mestalla (Mestalla Stadium) which is the 5th largest stadium in Spain. If you happen to be in Valencia in the time of a football match, make sure you watch it in one of the bars – I am a Real Madrid fan but still I enjoyed the company of locals yelling at the judge and cheering for their team.

Even if you decide to visit Valencia only, car hire is a good option because you don’t want to miss the city beaches with numerous fashionable bars where you can relax having a drink and some tapas. And just 10 km out of Valencia you will find some mesmerizing wild beaches which are surrounded by thick vegetation and offer a vast view of the Mediterranean Sea.

Tip: Try paella, a traditional Valencian dish, and Horchata, a sweet refreshing drink, exclusively offered in Valencia, made of a locally grown fruit called the tiger nuts.

Road trip along the South East coast

We stayed in Valencia for 2 days and then hired a car for our trip towards Benidorm. I have used different car hire agencies in the past but lately I found this one to be the cheapest option. Benidorm is about an hour and a half drive from Valencia, and the road offers many interesting spots to stop at.

One is a picturesque small town Altea, located on top of a hill, famous for its white houses and cobblestone streets, overlooking the Costa Blanca. Walk towards the main square with “Our lady of Solace” church, which is easily recognizable for its blue and white dome. You can enjoy some coffee in one of the bars on the square or shop some souvenirs and clothes.

I was even more surprised by the beauty of Guadalest, a small village just a 30 minutes’ drive inland from Benidorm. You can park in the village and head towards the castle which you will spot from far away. The castle can be reached through a tunnel hewn in stone and once you get to the ramparts you will be stunned by the view of turquoise water and green valley beneath. The lake is actually a dam which was built across the Guadalest River and supplies water to many towns in the area, including Benidorm.

Benidorm

Benidorm is a small city in the Alicante province with a population of about 70.000 inhabitants. Once a small fishing village has become a popular tourist destination famous for its sandy beaches of the Costa Blanca and a lively nightlife. Yep, Spanish people really know how to party 🙂

The most central and famous sandy beach is Playa de Levante with a lively promenade surrounded by bars and restaurants. Find a place with beach view and try thier cañas y tapas, which is a term for a local bar offering snacks and a beer. There are 2 other city beaches in Benidorm: a bit less crowded Poniente beach and the Malpas beach.

Although Benidorm has grown quite a few skyscrapers, hotels and other works of modern architecture the city’s centre speaks of its rich history. The Old Town is well maintained and represents a more tranquil spot of Benidorm.

If you are into clubbing, Benidorm is the place to be. The majority of clubs are on the Av. Communitat Valencia, throwing parties with some of the world most known DJ’s, while discos are centred around “The Square” in the Old Town of Benidorm.

If you rent a car you might also be tempted to visit Callosa d´En Sarriá, an ancient village just 12 km from Benidorm, known for its Muslim history. And if you want to relax from bustling city atmosphere, take a hike in Parque Natural de la Serra Gelada (8 km away) which ends up with a lighthouse on top of the hill and offers nice scenic views.

Tip: I mentioned spanish food several times, which obviously means this is something I enjoyed very much. Just don’t forget that in Spain, time schedules for restaurants are different than in other countries. Having dinner after 10 pm is just not my idea of healthy diet 😉

Continue Reading

5 things to see in Puerto Rico

Caribbean Trips & Tricks USA

Beaches. Rainforest. History. Shopping. Food. Puerto Rico has it all. If you are seeking for more than just beach and party time, I suggest you rent a car and explore the country as it has so much to offer. We did just the eastern part of the island, but from what I had read I believe it is fair to say that these are the best 5 things to see in Puerto Rico:

San Juan old town

The capital city is located in the north-eastern coast of Puerto Rico and it is divided into 18 districts. We found San Juan Antiguo (Old San Juan), which lies on a small island and is connected to the mainland by two bridges, the most impressive. This district reflects the influence of Spanish architecture with narrow streets made of blue cobblestone and picturesque colonial buildings from 16th and 17th century. One of the most famous buildings is La Fortaleza (The Fortress) which was built to defend San Juan Harbor in the 16th century and has been the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico ever since. The mansion is also known as Santa Catalina’s Palace and is included on UNESCO World Heritage List.

Sections of the old city are surrounded by several defensive structures and large walls which offer fascinating views of the city. Stroll down the Paseo de la Princessa to feed some pigeons and then take Paseo del Moro walkway – start from La Fortaleza and continue along the coast all the way to the end of the peninsula. It’s really romantic.

Castillo San Felipe del Morro

Just above the Paseo del Moro, in the NW point of Old San Juan, lies a beautiful national park, surrounded with a vast green area with an impressive citadel as its highlight. Castillo San Felipe del Morro was named in honor of King Philip II of Spain. The fortification was designed in 16th century to guard the entrance to the San Juan Bay and defend the city from seaborne enemies.

In 1961 it became a part of the National Park Service and was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations in 1983. It is one of Puerto Rico’s most visited attractions and I can confirm it is really impressive. The citadel on one side offers views of a smaller fort which lies in the middle of the ocean, while on the other side the view of San Juan cemetery is even more spectacular. It is for sure one of the nicest places in the world to rest in.

Tip: The entrance fee is 5$. Bring a blanket and a food basket, lay in the park and soak up the history of this fabulous place.

Cabo Rojo lighthouse and cliffs

On our way from Ponce to Mayaguez we decided to turn south towards Los Morrillos Lighthouse which lies in Cabo Rojo wildlife refuge on the southwest coast of Puerto Rico. Situated in the southernmost point of the peninsula (at the end of “Salinas” Road 301) it is a bit off the grid but the trip is worth every hole you will curse while driving on a gravel road.

A fairly steep trail leads from the parking space to the lighthouse and it takes about 10 minutes of modest walking to get up there. We didn’t go inside because the interior was closed due to renovation, nevertheless the limestone cliffs overlooking the Carribean Sea themselves are worth the trip. We came expecting “just a lighthouse” but instead we spent hours walking around, enjoying spectacular views and ending up on one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico – La Playuela (also named Playa Sucia) which lies beneath. I am not sure what was better – looking down at this peace of white-sand heaven from the top or swimming in the turquoise water after we finished our cliffs photo session.

Tip: Take some water with you as there are no restaurants or bars in vicinity. 

Batey Zipline Adventure

Puerto Rico owns one of the world’s longest single run ziplines, which is a part of Toro Verde adventure park in Orocovis. Unfortunately the park was closed during our visit, so we went for the second best choice – Batey Zipline adventure park. The night before we slept in Casa Grande Mountain Retreat which I highly recommend if you are in the neighborhood and looking for a place to stay.

Batey Zipline adventure park is located in Utuado and offers lush trails thru Tanamá National Forest vegetation. You can choose from different adventure tours, including hiking, horseback riding, kayaking through the bat cave, rappelling and ziplining.

We did the ziplining, which included a short drive through a really nasty road and about 15 minutes walking to get to the starting point. It was my first zipline ever so in the beginning I felt a bit nervous but in the end I was sorry it ended so soon. The staff in Batey Zipline park is very professional and you are safe all the time. Trust me, instead of wasting time with shaking and screaming, just relax and enjoy. And have someone to take your fearless acrobatic pictures while you are hanging out there.

Tip: The road to Ushuaia is not an easy one, so take at least 2 hours if you are arriving from San Juan. Be careful as there are some really narrow parts and the local drivers are sometimes quite reckless.

Gilligan’s island

Even though Puerto Rico coast offers a variety of beaches, this little gem is a must see if you are on a road trip or staying somewhere near the town of Guanica. Take Road #333 and follow the turn to Copamarina Beach Resort, after that make a right and soon you’ll see a parking lot where you can get your tickets. A small ferry leaves to the island every day, operating from 9 am to 5 pm.

Gilligan’s island lies around 2 km off the coast and is one of the three cays that make up Caña Gorda Cays. There is no typical beach around the island as the sea is really shallow – instead just bring your chair, pull it into water and relax. While the crystal clear waters offer nice snorkeling opportunities, the island hosts some birds and friendly lizards which are quite fearless and friendly. I guess they are used to being photographed all the time.

By the way, you can swim all around the island if you are fit to fight the gentle current. Don’t worry, the cay is surrounded by mangroves so you can catch them if you get tired 😉

Tip: The ferry ride costs 8$ per person. If you are visiting PR in high season, get there early to grab a spot and picnic table. Locals tend to visit the island on holidays and weekends, especially during the summer so it can get crowded.

Continue Reading

Spomladanska utrujenost – izgovor ali prava nadloga?

Kolumne Slovenski kotiček

Pomlad je tu, z njo pa prihajajo tudi vse daljši in toplejši dnevi. Narava se prebuja, vse okoli nas cveti, zimsko garderobo smo že zamenjali z lahkotnejšimi oblačili in polni energije se podajamo novim izzivom naproti. Če vam nekaj v tej zgodbi ne štima, pa ne veste, kaj, odgovor morda skriva spomladanska utrujenost. Ali gre le za pregovorno lenobo, ali pa v tem grmu morda res tiči zajec?

O ja, tiči.

Verjeli ali ne, številni strokovnjaki se strinjajo, da spomladanska utrujenost praviloma ni hipohondrične narave ali le izgovor za podaljšanje »zimskega spanca« – ampak posledica različnih dejavnikov, povezanih z menjavo letnega časa.

Seveda ne gre za kakšno bolezen, pač pa je to neko »utrujeno« stanje našega organizma, ki se pojavi zaradi menjave vremena in nenazadnje tudi premika ure na poletni čas. Spomladi se moč sončnih žarkov poveča, temperature so višje, naše žile se razširijo, kri se hitreje pretaka in s tem se pospeši tudi presnova organizma. Poleg tega nas sonce hitreje zvabi na plano, dalj časa se zadržujemo zunaj in večina med nami ravno v tem obdobju začne s projektom »plaža 2017« – torej izklesati svoje telo najkasneje do poletnega dopusta.

Vse to je velik napor za naše telo, ki zlahka zapade v stanje utrujenosti, ne glede na to, ali ste tudi pozimi fizično aktivni. Verjemite mi na besedo – kljub temu, da skozi vse leto pridno telovadim, sem tudi sama te dni podobna zombiju, ki posega po kavah ali še raje prehranskih dopolnilih za zmanjšanje utrujenosti. Pa delujejo?

Kako zbrcati zajca iz grma?

Iskreno, kava pri meni ne deluje. Gre bolj za navado in pa seveda izgovor, da se lahko prestavim iz pisarne eno nadstropje nižje, v lokalni kafič, kjer mi natakar postreže, še preden se usedem. Prehranska dopolnila pa sem, roko na srce, začela uživati po službeni dolžnosti – nekatera jemljem zato, ker so me tudi osebno prepričala, druga pa kot poskusni zajček, ko testiramo nove izdelke. Seveda v nobenem primeru ne pretiravam in se vedno pozanimam o morebitnih stranskih učinkih in predoziranju. Na srečo imam okoli sebe res dobro ekipo nutricionistov, ki ji lahko popolnoma zaupam.

Recepta za preprečitev spomladanske utrujenosti, ki jo vsako leto bolj občutimo (saj se tudi vi starate, kaj ne?), žal ni. Letni časi so in letni časi bodo. Vsaj na naši zemljepisni širini. Vsekakor pa se da s kombinacijo kvalitetne prehrane, redne športne aktivnosti skozi vse leto in občasnega jemanja prehranskih dopolnil zadevo omiliti in jo hitreje premagati, kot če se zgolj brezvoljno smilimo samemu sebi in čakamo, da nas napad lenobe mine.

Nasvet iz prve roke

Lahko temu rečete tudi poskus promocije, a dejstvo je, da lahko verodostojno priporočaš samo tiste stvari in izdelke, ki si jih sam preizkusil in vanje verjameš. Če ste ostali z mano do tu, potem si vzemite še eno minutko za zdravje – obljubim, da vam ne bo škodila.

Sama pozimi in občasno tudi spomladi jemljem vitamin D, za katerega se je v preteklosti izkazalo, da mi ga primanjkuje (več o tem morda kdaj drugič). Ne glede na to, da gre pri uživanju te »dnevne doze sonca« morda za placebo učinek, pa s tem zagotovo investiram v svoje zdravje v poznejših letih. Predvsem ženske smo namreč podvržene nastanku osteoporoze, ki je ne imenujejo zastonj »tiha bolezen« – zanjo največkrat žal izvemo takrat, ko je že prepozno.

Sicer pa skozi vse leto, praktično brez prekinitve, uživam koencim Q10, za katerega lahko rečem, da je ena izmed najboljših investicij v moje zdravje. Študije namreč kažejo, da nam ga po 25. letu začne primanjkovati (to se lahko čuti tudi kot padec energije) in bi ga zato moral uživati vsak med nami. Gre za močan naravni antioksidant s pomembno vlogo pri nastanku in prenosu celične energije ter s številnimi drugimi pozitivnimi vplivi na zdravje. In, nenazadnje, tudi na izgled. Le-ta pa je, kakorkoli vzamete, ogledalo našega počutja, mar ne? 😉

 

Continue Reading

Hotel Review: Casa Grande Mountain Retreat (Puerto Rico, USA)

Caribbean Hotel reviews USA

We chose Casa Grande Mountain Retreat after we decided to head towards Batey Zipline Adventure park on our Puerto Rico road trip back in February 2012. After getting lost for several times (GPS somehow didn’t want to find the location) and arriving there in the middle of the night, we were pleasantly surprised by a welcome sign on our door with the instructions where to find the key. And that key made my Puerto Rico trip even more memorable.

Location

I was sure that the situation with GPS had gotten better in the past 4 years, but apparently I was wrong 🙂 Check this out: “We do not recommend using a GPS to get to the retreat as GPS directions have been found to suggest more difficult and challenging roadways than the directions we provide”. Really funny – it brings back the memories of us wondering in the dark, back and forth, nervous as hell (we weren’t sure if anyone would wait for us as this isn’t a “normal” hotel with a reception), with no living soul to ask for directions. I still don’t know how we found it, so if you ever go there, make sure to check the instructions here. Anyway, like I said, Casa Grande Mountain Retreat is located in the central mountainous region of Puerto Rico (Utuado), in a valley between Dos Bocas and Caonillas Lakes, about 20 km away from Batey Zipline adventure park. A perfect getaway in the middle of nowhere.

Facilities and surroundings

The retreat itself looks very “natural”, as if it was just another part of the green nature and not a place built for tourism. The main hacienda has three separate spaces for dining: the interior room, the patio and the veranda with spectacular views across the valley and forests. Breakfast is not lavish, but still with enough choices to satisfy just about everyone.

Casa Grande also offers a very invigorating outside pool, which looks stunningly natural among the greens and flowers. Even just a view of the pool from your room makes the picture perfect.

Speaking of relaxation, the retreat still doesn’t offer Wi-fi, so do bring a book or (even better) some cozy sneakers for exploring the nature. Plenty to see just a few steps away from the hacienda.
Rooms

Casa Grande has 5 wooden buildings supported by cement columns and each offers 4 rooms, so 20 in total. The rooms are very eco oriented but still offer everything you need for a comfortable stay. They are very cozy and clean, with private porches and hammocks for your afternoon rest.

Anda’s rate: 9.5 from 10

Bottom line: Casa Grande Mountain Retreat is like a piece of heaven, nested in the kingdom of nature. Although we only stayed for one night, it will stay in my memory forever. I am only rating it 9.5 because of no wi-fi, which can be disturbing if you spend there more than one day. But don’t mind me, I am an unrepentant social media addict and I need to keep you posted 24/4 😉

Continue Reading

Hotel review: Hotel Ponte Sisto Roma (Rome, Italy)

Europe Hotel reviews Italy

Ah, Rome. One of the most romantic cities in the world. We decided to spoil ourselves for the weekend, so we searched for a higher classed hotel with excellent guest reviews. We didn’t want any surprises so we booked hotel Ponte Sisto, which was rated as one of the best in the category of four star hotels.

Saving tip: If you book this hotel (or any other hotel / room for that matter) through this link you and I will both get 15€ pocket money for our travel 😉

Location

Hotel Ponte Sisto has a very romantic location near Tibera river which offers a good starting point for sightseeing. It doesn’t offer a direct river view, as it is hidden in the narrow Via dei Pettinari street but it is literally steps away from Ponte Sisto bridge which leads to Trastevere.

The closest metro station is around 2 km away, so this can be a small turnoff if you are arriving to Rome by public transport and carrying a lot of luggage. In this case I recommend renting a taxi, which turned out to be cheaper than Uber. We didn’t mind stretching our legs because Rome has so much to offer. For example you can reach Campo di Fiori in 5 minutes, Piazza Navona in 10 and Pantheon in 20 minutes’ walk.

Rooms
The interior of the hotel is in a vintage style, however it doesn’t give you the impression of being old. Rooms have an interesting ground plan, with separated
entrance which looks like a very convenient hall where you can hang your coats and leave your shoes. The best part for me was the bathroom which is separated from the ground floor by a few stairs. It is very modern and spacious, with a very nice view of the Rome rooftops. I really loved this detail. The bed is comfy and big enough, however be prepared to jump out of it quickly if you feel an earthquake early in the morning. Of course this excitement is not a part of Hotel Ponte Sisto’s regular offer – just keep in mind that Rome does shake a lot 😉

 

 

Facilities

The reception is very bright, as it runs along a glass hall with a small terrace. There is a lot of space to sit and rest in comfortable sofas while waiting for a taxi or your Italian lover 😉

Hotel Ponte Sisto offers a quite rich breakfast, however you have to pay extra for some foods like bacon and eggs different styles. If you are not a morning person, I suggest you skip breakfast and have a brunch across the bridge in Cafe Meccanismo – a perfect spot for Illy coffee or some finger foods with wine for dinner. Italian cuisine is actually my favorite so you can imagine Rome was heaven for me, also in a culinary way. I can’t wait to go back!

Anda’s rate: 9 from 10

Bottom line: Our Rome trip was perfect in all aspects so I might be a bit bias when it comes to rating this hotel. I have to mention a slight noise from the street, which might be disturbing during summer if you are used to sleeping with your windows opened – so try to ask for a room not facing the street. And if you want a view, go for the high floor. But all in all, I can recommend hotel Ponte Sisto to anyone who wants a care-free vacation in the eternal city.

Continue Reading

Hotel Review: Boutique hotel Budapest (Budapest, Hungary)

Europe Hotel reviews

Every time I visit Budapest, I choose a hotel close to one of the main bridges and steps away from the charming Vaci utca street. I stayed in Boutique hotel Budapest just for one night in February and the price was more than reasonable for this 4 star hotel.


Location

Boutique hotel is also known as Zara Boutique hotel and it is conveniently located in So utca 6, just steps away from Vaci utca and a few steps further from the beautiful Liberty Bridge. The location is perfect for exploring Budapest on foot (famous Citadella is just across the bridge,and beautiful Budapest City Market Hall just around the corner) and shopping. The hotel is somehow hidden from the busy traffic so you can hardly hear any noise from the street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rooms

I stayed in a double-bed room, which was relatively small but more than enough for what I needed. The bed was cosy, however the pillows were a bit high for my taste. They do offer two choices of pillows, but I am a bit picky when it comes to sleeping quality.

I was happy to see complimentary coffe & tea maker, as well as a big bottle of water, which is one of the perks if you are Expedia VIP member. The bathroom is rather small as well but very nice and modern, with basic free toiletries. The room also had a safe and enough space for the clothes. Wi-fi ran smoothly in the room as well as throughout the hotel.

Lobby and dining room

Hotel lobby is very modern, light and spacious. There is a nice bar with very comfortable seats and sofas where you can have your meetings or just relax with a glass of wine or coffee.

Beakfast room is stylish, with some unique paintings which are also available for sale. Food choice is good, I loved the variety of teas and fresh fruits (even thoug no pienapple, which I am a sucker for).

Staff

The check-in went smoothly, both receptionists were nice and their English was fluent. I was also happy to see that the cleaning staff had removed a rug from the floor of my room, as I asked them by email before my arrival. They obviously read emails 😉

Anda’s rate: 8 from 10

Bottom line: Boutique hotel Budapest is a very good choice if you are in the city for a short time, if you want comfort for a reasonable price and a central location. Just keep in mind that parking is a bit of a hassle – the hotel has it’s own garage, but with limited spaces and only for cars under 2 tons. Parking costs 25€ per day. If you come with a bigger car they will send you to a garage a bit further away, which is quite claustrophobic.

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

Slovenes abroad: Janez, Auckland (New Zealand)

Slovenes abroad Slovenia

Janez greets me with “Kia Ora”, which means hello in local Maori language. He is a 28 old structural engineer living in Auckland, New Zealand. He moved there back in November 2014 to broaden his horizon and get experience in earthquake engineering. At the same time he was looking for a country with a good balance of lifestyle and career opportunities. New Zealand was apparently a place to be.

Kia Ora, Janez, why New Zealand?
Something in the back of my mind was telling me that New Zealand would fit my character best. After living here for the past couple of years I realized that I pulled a right decision. I had some positions lined back home, however I really didn’t want to regret not trying abroad first. As a structural engineer you take a lot of responsibility, so working for a minimum wage in Slovenia was a no go. Studying for so long makes you feel even worse. At the same time I wanted to go somewhere where I would have to start from scratch without knowing anyone there. You know, just to try and see if you will make it or fail badly.

Was the decision about moving to New Zealand hard to take?
Not really, because initially I thought I would be back in one year. Now it has been the third year running already. It is crazy how time flies. I wish I could have done it sooner, but it was not possible due to my study and running the Student Organization at the faculty. So I was on a flight to Auckland just a week after finishing my degree. And I literally packed just a couple hours before my flight 🙂

How did your parents accept it?
Well, they were a bit upset in the beginning, saying “Why the hell do you need to go to the end of the world, can’t you find anything closer?” Eventually they accepted it. They are kind of used to my crazy ideas all the time. But I have to admit it was much harder to say goodbye after I came home just for holiday a year later. Going abroad so far is a bit selfish decision and sometimes hard to face.

Is it true that you literally got a job the moment you stepped of the plane?
Well, almost – I landed on Friday and printed a couple of CV’s. On Monday I took the first one to the company which was nearest to my hostel. And their manager came along right at the moment when I was handling my CV over to the secretary. I got an interview right away and the rest is history – I am still working for the same company (KCL Engineering Services). It is kind of challenging going to work literally the next day, without even having a car or a place of your own. It is really hard to settle down if you have to work from Monday till Friday, especially as a beginner. So for about a month and a half I was living in a hostel because finding a room in a flat was a complete nightmare.

What was your backup plan?
I never really had a backup plan. I got a job so fast I didn’t even have time to be stressed. My savings would have probably lasted for a few months before I’d have to go back.

What was your first impression when you moved to Auckland?
Auckland is actually not the best place to live in New Zealand. I would prefer living somewhere out of town. On the other hand if you want to have a decent job with a decent salary, Auckland is the best option. But since you can’t have it all, Auckland is an acceptable choice when it comes to life style, outdoor activities and career opportunities.

Have you faced any negative experience, being a foreigner in New Zealand?
No, never! Kiwis are really friendly 🙂 They are used to tourists and backpackers travelling in New Zealand all year long. I actually met quite a few who knew about Slovenia, been there or have plans to go for a visit. Which is really nice to hear!

So what are Kiwis like?
They are much more chilled than any other European nation. People here don’t care about unimportant things. They consider their jobs to be “something what paying the bills” – they are not carier oriented like us. Maybe because the population of New Zealand is only around 4 million and the market is relatively closed since they don’t have any neighbours. And the foreign workflow is strictly regulated by issuing visas. 

Can you have a decent life with an average Kiwi salary?
Depends where you live. I have to say that living costs here are extremely high. If you want to have a decent house (like in Slovenia) it costs millions. Houses are typically built in timber and quality of construction is not as good as in Slovenia. For 700,000 NZD (around 400,000€) you only get a small tiny 2-bedroom house in Auckland. I really don’t know how people with an average salary and a few kids handle this. Luckily salaries in engineering are quite good at the moment and I can afford more than I could back home.

How do you spend your free time?
Weekends I spend with my friends travelling around New Zealand. We mostly travel around North Island seeking for some waves. I have probably visited more places in the North Island than an average Kiwi. I am away literally all the time. You know how long it took us to finish this interview 🙂

When is the best time to visit New Zealand?
Auckland is known to have 4 seasons in one day. The best time for tourism is summer, which is from mid-December all the way to Easter. Summers are usually really nice (not too hot) however winters are completely opposite and depressive. Everyone wants to escape winters here unless you live in the South Island where you get some snow. You also get burned easily. You can only get sunblock 30+ in the supermarkets. I never got burned in Croatian coast while here my nose looks like reindeer Rudolph all the time.

Let’s say I have 14 days to spend there – how should I organize?
You definitely have to fly to Queenstown which reminds a lot of lake Bled. Small town next to the lake with heaps of tourist and lots of adrenaline attractions around. Unfortunately all the main attractions are spread all over New Zealand so 14 days is never enough. Usually backpackers take 1 month for each island and it’s still tight. The most common way of travelling around New Zealand is with a campervan which is also a unique experience for exploring the new country.

What are top 5 things to see in Auckland?
Auckland by itself is nothing special. Most of the cool things can be found outside the Central Business Distrct, at least an hour drive away. I would recommend Piha beach, wine tour in Waiheke Island, Sky Tower, Mount Eden volcano and beaches on the east coast (Tawharanui, Forestry, …)

How often do you return home?
I would like to go back home on a more regular basis but unfortunately it takes you two days to get one way. Luckily this year a few friends are coming over as well as my sister. After going to South America in July I might stop in Slovenia for few days. It’s a long way and it’s a bit of a hassle spending your annual leave to visit Slovenia while there are still so many place to see.

What do you miss the most?
I don’t want to sound cheeky but Slovenian girls and my grandma’s cuisine are the things I miss the most 🙂

Typical food is kiwifruit, right? 😀
Hm… All the Kiwis would probably struggle with this question as well. They claim fish’n’chips to be their traditional food, although it is nothing spectacular… just fried fish fillet and some potato chips. One thing Kiwis like to do is having a barbecue at any time at any place. I dig that! Oh, and their Pavlova cake is pretty good.

Are there any Slovenians living near you, do you hang out?
Yeah, there are quite a few Slovenians living in Auckland. The community is so small that everyone knows everyone. I’m pretty lucky that I’ve met a few with the same mentality, which means that we often go away for the weekends together. I must admit I would be struggling pretty hard without having so many good friends here.

What do Slovene friends usually ask you about New Zealand? Are they jealous?
They often ask me about the living standards and how much can you afford with an average salary. Like you 🙂 Everything else can be seen through my blog, Instagram or Twitter profile. I often hear how awesome my life is. Well… I just go out and do things. From the end of November and all the way to June I barely spend a weekend at home. I bet you don’t know many freaks who are willing to drive one hour before work to get to the beach, surf for couple hours, and then drive back to the city. And repeat it after work. No one in Slovenia would ever do that… because it’s “too far” 🙂

Do you see yourself turning into a Kiwi or are your plans to return to Slovenia one day?
My heart will always belong to Šentjernej. Slovenia is a beautiful place to live and raise your family and people simply don’t appreciate that enough. They take everything for granted and you only notice that once you start travelling the world. At the same time I reckon Slovenia is one of the safest countries in the world. Unfortunately, career opportunities in structural engineering are reasonably limited. At the moment I’m really enjoying New Zealand however you never know what might happen. Will see… Ka kite!

Continue Reading