What began out as a two-week vacation grew to become an epic journey throughout New Zealand for a philanthropic Puerto Rican couple – and it’s not over but.
Efrain Vega de Varona and Ingrid Marie Rivera usually stay in Los Angeles, however had the “immense pleasure” of getting caught in Kaikōura as the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic hit.
They determined to remain and volunteer in the neighborhood.
Their weekly grocery delivery to 91-year-old Nat over lockdown soon blossomed into a fond friendship, and so they “adopted” her as their granny.
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Efrain Vega de Varona and Ingrid Rivera befriended 91-year-old Nat after they volunteered to ship groceries to her whereas they have been caught in Kaikōura through the nationwide lockdown.
She taught them methods to make pikelets, schooled them within the native lingo – like what stubbies and spuds are – and shared just a few beers. Their story impressed an area motion to attach aged individuals with helpers.
Rivera, an actress and mannequin, and de Varona, an engineer, are not any strangers to serving to others when disaster strikes.
In September 2017, when Hurricane Maria tore via their homeland of Puerto Rico, they helped increase funds and ship provides to these in want.
De Varona flew in to assist his dad and mom initially, taking 19 bins of provides with him. He quickly returned to volunteer with the reduction efforts, and arrange a command centre utilizing his native contacts.
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Efrain Vega de Varona and his companion Ingrid Rivera shared beers with 91-year-old Nat in Kaikōura.
The couple had deliberate to return to LA after their philanthropic lockdown stint in Kaikōura, however discovered that they had fallen in love with New Zealand and wished to remain.
De Varona mentioned it was probably the greatest issues they may have accomplished, contemplating the scenario enjoying out round the remainder of the world.
“We made the very best of it by promoting every little thing we personal again in Los Angeles, establishing our [motorhome rental] enterprise to run itself and travelling your entire nation.”
The couple thought they would go away New Zealand after just a few months, however “determined that wasn’t the good alternative”, de Varona mentioned.
“We’ve been welcomed in all places we go, we’ve simply met superior individuals in all places.”
They’d rented a campervan and deliberate to journey to the few locations that they had not been but – the Coromandel, Central Otago, and Akaroa, with a cease in Kaikōura to go to Nat alongside the best way.
Rivera had enrolled in a grasp of digital enterprise on the Jap Institute of Expertise in Napier this yr, and so they deliberate to increase their visas and ultimately develop a enterprise in New Zealand.
“9 months have handed – we’ve been all the best way to Stewart Island and all the best way as much as Cape Reinga and now we have nothing however nice issues to say about this lovely nation and most of all, its individuals,” de Varona mentioned.
With few different worldwide guests within the nation, the couple did their finest to help the tourism sector, notching up stays in additional than 50 Airbnbs, resorts and motels.
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De Varona says the spotlight of the nine-month street journey was attending to know so many superior Kiwis.
In a bid to encourage Kiwis to discover their very own yard and profit from the shortage of vacationers, the couple put collectively an inventory of their prime stays.
“We have now met probably the most superb hosts alongside the best way, so we wish to assist promote native tourism round this lovely nation.”
South Island
Picton: Moonsounds Sierra, Waikawa Bay – “Ground to ceiling home windows, one of the killer views we have had in the entire 40+ Airbnbs we have stayed in…peaceable, lovely…and attractive liqueur.”
Tasman: Winery Retreat, Riwaka – “A comfortable spot with an on-site bar, and fairly superior house owners to hang around with.”
Golden Bay: Little Greenie Ecohouse – “Wonderful view over altering tides … and you may be greeted by a weka within the morning and night to see if in case you have meals to share.”
Farewell Spit: Twin Waters Lodge, Collingwood – “A unusual mattress and breakfast with themed rooms and pleasant house owners … spent the night chatting about present world occasions and had a blast sharing our adventures by their hearth.”
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With host Peggy in Queenstown, the place the view and firm have been each spectacular.
Kaikōura: Sky Harbour Cottage – “Stayed right here for lockdown and fell in love with NZ … pleasant cows, a mountain hike on the doorstep … and in case you keep lengthy sufficient you could get dragged out searching or fishing.”
St Arnaud: Wairau Move B&B/Homestay – “Properly-travelled host with superb tales about her instances with the Division of Conservation … spent hours by the hearth ingesting port made by her neighbour and sharing journey ideas.”
Springfield: The Raven’s Nest – “This younger couple went all out constructing this Hobbit gap themed home … the main points present a number of love went into constructing this place.”
Queenstown: Breakfast at Tiffany’s – “A scrumptious breakfast to go along with 1,000,000 greenback view … plus a number that was a blast to spend time with.”
Manapouri/Te Anau: Kepler Mountain View Alpaca Cottage – “After a day’s mountain climbing, you may loosen up within the outside personal spa, ingesting wine, staring on the stars and planning the subsequent day’s journey. If you happen to’re up early sufficient, you may stroll the entire farm and feed the handfuls of alpacas.”
Stewart Island: Jensen Bay Home – “Probably the most lovely properties we have seen in NZ. Unbelievable tales and cooking … and kaka might be coming by to go to you.”
Stewart Island: Inlet View – “Overlooking Ulva island, ground to ceiling home windows .. .simply pure magic. It is value each cent to remain at this magical home, you are feeling such as you’re dwelling within the forest.”
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The couple bought caught in to something on provide, together with yoga with this group of girls in Taupo.
North Island
Kohukohu: The Hilltop Hideaway – “The peace and tranquillity of this place is one we’ll undoubtedly bear in mind. Additionally, Gia has a contact for this superior Italian chef that may convey you home made pasta so that you can boil at residence, with one heck of a home made sauce to go along with it.”
Taupo: Fern Cottage – “We rapidly grew to become associates with the host, she took us to her yoga class and invited us for espresso … we repaid the favour by inviting them over for mojitos.”
Whanganui: Owhango SkiHut – “The right residence rental for a household. There’s a pool desk, a well-equipped kitchen and a scorching tub.”
New Plymouth: The Enclave – “Pool desk, dart board and huge TV. We like to play pool, so we actually loved staying right here and simply capturing pool the remainder of the night time.”
Martinborough: De Vine – “All of us bought alongside instantly and have been invited to go bar hopping on Wednesday, when the locals bar hop round city. We truly ended up taking the social gathering again to the home.”
Supply: www.stuff.co.nz
