Tell us about one of your most favoured, enjoyable, beautiful or idyllic moments spent in nature - Where and when was it, what did you do there. Your garden, the woods, the seaside, tropical paradise or desert, a park in the city or the wide open plains; anywhere counts as long as it was a moment spent with nature.
Hi there! How's your weekend? Hope you're all doing well.
This is the first time I post in the weekend community with one of my favorite topic - Nature.
Wandering in the forest I found the peace within myself.
Reaching the top gave me a great sense of satisfaction and achievement.
Being surrounded by nature is a blessing and the time I always cherish.
During my first four months when I first arrived in New Zealand, I stayed in Hastings, a lovely town in Hawke's Bay on the North Island. I remembered it was Autumn which is also the peak harvest for apples, one of the region's famous produce. During the week, I worked at an apple pack house and spend the weekend exploring the area.
Te Mata Peak is an icon of the area, the peak stands 400 meters above sea level and offers a paranomic view over the winery and the nearby regions.
Though it is not the most breathtaking summit I reached in New Zealand, it holds a special place in my heart because it is my first summit and I did spend most of my best time here with friends and on my own.
I was here so many times that I lost count and I didn't even bother to count as it was a different experience every time.
There are many ways you can access the peak, by car, by bike, or hiking. But for me, the best way to really enjoy the landscape is by hiking.
At that time, I did not have a car and only commuted by bike, so you would see I rode across town from downtown Hastings to Havelock North which is about 10 km one way to the car park, locked my bike there, and climbed up.
When I learned that there are more than five tracks you could follow to reach the summit, I was thinking to myself, it would be really cool if I did all five of them. And you know what, I made it.
My favorite track must be the "Big Red Woods", and as the name suggests, the track would take you through a large area of redwoods, with trees that stand at about 40 meters, it left me in awe every time I was in the woods, felt like a small girl surrounded by the giants. The trunk is huge and usually takes two adults to cover their arms around it. I loved to put my arms around the trunk and smell it, it is wet and humid, I think it smells like fungi.
Wandering around the woods, listening to the sounds of my feet rustling on the russet forest ground, and taking a deep breath, it felt like I was in a movie set in the Twilight saga series. Sometimes, it sounded a bit spooky when no one was around though.
Leaving the woods and walking through the grassland, I entered a different world as everything was brighter.
It's always rewarding reaching the peak, I often brought some snacks and just enjoyed looking at people coming and leaving.
What is in your mind when you are walking in nature? As for me, I let my mind wander, I think I become more creative during the walk, it's like thousands of ideas crossing my mind. Is it something magical about nature?
Sometimes, I think walking is another form of meditating. I am present at that moment and enjoy the state of walking itself.
Nature is the best medicine, don't you think?
Wish you a great week! Stay safe and take care!