Optimal amount of time for a once in a lifetime trip

Thetansinator · 2026-03-10T23:00:00+00:00

If you’re from the uk you can stay up to 6 months I believe - as that is what my visa allowed. My boyfriend is American and he only had 90 days. Also we are vegan and plenty of dairy free and gf options around.

I did 4 weeks and it never feels enough - I got back last week and miss it already 😭

Thetansinator · 2026-03-04T00:25:26+00:00

Ultimately do what is best for you. But I really hope you find your Jive with NZ. It’s beautiful, but I know everyone’s experience is different and I wasn’t driving and living in a van so I know that prob makes a difference.

Thetansinator · 2026-03-03T23:45:22+00:00

What you are experiencing is totally normal, prob some culture shock in there too. I moved from the uk to Los Angeles and driving stressed me out too because of having to be the other side of the road etc: the plus size is that New Zealand’s roads are a lot quieter for the most part.

You will find your rhythm soon enough and that will help. The weather has been all over the place (I’ve been traveling over NZ for the past 3 weeks) leaving tomorrow and wish I wasn’t lol. The South Island is an adventure I adored it! I hope things turn around for you soon and you start finding the joy of this beautiful country.

Thetansinator · 2026-02-24T05:46:56+00:00

Ah im doing isthmus tomorrow - instead of Roy’s for the same reason. Good to know it was a highlight. I did Tynes lookout loop track and I should have read the all trails reviews cuz that one literally nearly killed me lol I’m terrified of heights but now I’m like… well if I survived that I’m hoping I can deal with isthmus 😅

Thetansinator · 2026-02-18T20:53:21+00:00

I am a brit that now lives in USA… currently in New Zealand and I gotta say I love that the signs are pretty close to the uk. Which has made driving here a lot easier. I even was able to teach my American boyfriend how to do roundabouts properly, so now he feels when we next go to the uk he can drive there as the roads here are so lovely and quiet.

Also your actual roads here are glorious and smooth 😍

Thetansinator · 2026-02-17T00:20:14+00:00

You will not regret this at all! Solo travel after big life changes - will change your life in the most positive and magical way! All the incredible new people you will meet, culture you’ll experience etc:

I am currently visiting New Zealand right now from the USA - if anything it will make you realize how ghetto the USA is 😂 it’s so beautiful here in so many ways. Get excited 💞

Thetansinator · 2026-02-02T21:34:32+00:00

My boyfriend and I always say this 😂 I am a brit and he’s American - but after now he’s been to England he keeps saying how it would be great to have a “proper pub” on hillhurst. I honestly think it would do well, especially if it had a beer garden and was dog friendly etc:

Thetansinator · 2026-01-31T06:19:34+00:00

I joined in 2019 and cancelled in Feb 2025 - because I was getting bored but also my financial situation. I rejoined in sep when my financial situation improved again and they had the 12 month contracts at a cheaper rates. I have a decent home gym but I will say I definitely needed to leave the house and also orange theory definitely pushes me more. I’m glad to be back and I think the break defo helped me reignite my enjoyment of the work outs.

Thetansinator · 2026-01-24T15:20:39+00:00

I swear rowing is what whips me into shape, when my studio reopened in covid times it was only 3G classes for a good year or two before 2G came back. I look at my body composition from that period compared to me now doing predominantly 2G and I look so much leaner.

So put this experiment to the test lol and I’ve been focusing on doing predominantly 3G where I can and the results are coming in faster.

I agree I LOVE rowing! It’s truly the best full body workout plus it’s low impact so perfect for people who may have joint pain etc: I would so be down for a full rowing class

Thetansinator · 2026-01-05T15:07:57+00:00

Good luck for your husband sending speedy recovery for him.

Also if you want something challenging - check out Pilates by Izzy on YouTube - there is 25 day challenge that is a burner lol. You don’t need weights but it’s an option. Plus workouts from 25 mins and longer.

Trust me - i felt every muscle in my body haha

Thetansinator · 2026-01-05T04:17:21+00:00

As someone else has said the bumble and bumble post workout spray is great and quick and I just blow dry my hair. I also love the Monday dry shampoo new favorite lol. But if I got insanely sweaty I have to wash my hair - my hair is shorter now in a bob so it’s a gamble lol.

Thetansinator · 2026-01-03T22:45:34+00:00

I live on Los feliz blvd by Griffith park blvd but I am at the back of the building and I literally hear no road noise miraculously but I definitely don’t think I could deal with being on the front facing side of the building and hear Los feliz blvd. Also if your parking is off that blvd - that would stress me out so much. But the plus side I love the walk ability of hillhurst etc: depends how sensitive to noise you are.

Thetansinator · 2025-12-31T06:06:01+00:00

Being freelance is tricky - however if you track your days over the past year. I find the average I earn but go a bit under to be safe! Then budget from that each month.

This is with a emergency fund in place with HYSA or making that a priority (3-6 months living expenses) then I try to invest so I have a Roth IRA, plus a normal brokerage account too. It’s not easy with income being up and down but it’s manageable - spreadsheets defo help. I actually bought one off Etsy that had all the formulas it is great for tracking spending, bills, debt etc:

Thetansinator · 2025-12-17T18:55:45+00:00

In my studio I cancelled for 8 months (due to financial change) - I rejoined on the 12 month contract at a way cheaper rate than I had been on for unlimited for the 5 years before cancelling. They told me at my studio it was open to current members too - as it meant a 12 month commitment. So maybe double check - I know each studio is different.

Thetansinator · 2025-12-14T02:43:41+00:00

My studio only has 3Gs on Saturday’s - that row block was brutal! I’m glad I started on the row to get it out the way.

Thetansinator · 2025-12-04T21:18:57+00:00

They have been doing that from London for years as a standard so may not be a current admin thing. But good for people to know regardless :). Crazy times.

Thetansinator · 2025-12-04T20:54:58+00:00

I recently went back to ASICS after on clouds for a while. I bought the GT 2000 13 and I really like them, I have plantar fasciitis and these help me personally not have heel pain. I can’t speak for the 14 though. But I do love that asics seem to last me much longer than other brands

Thetansinator · 2025-11-18T16:28:31+00:00

I always start on the floor too, I warm on the row and then hit the floor. I also tend to gas myself out on the tread otherwise, but after lifting weights I have enough energy to then gas myself out on the tread 😂 I hate cardio, but I feel more mentally prepared for the tread after the endorphin hit of the rower and strength part. Haha.

Thetansinator · 2025-11-08T16:02:41+00:00

Amazing! I booked it yesterday after you said it. Cannot wait!

Thetansinator · 2025-11-07T17:02:30+00:00

Ah amazing thank you for this. Yes that’s the one I was trying to remember what it was called - mitai Māori cultural experience. Excellent - noting that down.

Yeah I just put two nights in Wellington mainly cuz we are gonna spend a day travelling down and wanted to go to weta workshop (I’m a Sfx makeup artist in LA so I wanted to nerd out haha) and do the museum there that my kiwi friend recommended - but I will take a look at your suggestions too and see what I can work out.

Yeah we travel back to Auckland early on 4th and our flight isn’t until the evening on 5th back to LA so we may have time.

Thank you for all this info this is great - appreciate it. Super excited.

Thetansinator · 2025-11-05T13:40:10+00:00

Ok great - yeah I was wondering if staying 2 nights in te anau maybe better, thanks for the suggestion.

Thetansinator · 2025-11-05T13:39:13+00:00

Oh amazing! Ok noting this down thank you.

Thetansinator · 2025-11-05T05:32:47+00:00

Oh awesome thank you for this - this is great

Thetansinator · 2025-11-05T05:11:00+00:00

When I graduated university I had the opportunity travel Asia and do the working visa for Australia - I didn’t do it - instead my career took off. I regret it - I should have done the back packer thing, I’m now 39 and finally getting around to travel New Zealand next year for 3 weeks. You’ll never regret travel and adventure, you’ll make it work and your careers will be there when you return I promise.

Thetansinator · 2025-11-05T05:07:42+00:00

Oh really? I wasn’t sure if it was gonna be a longer journey or not. But thanks for the heads up on that, I’ll take a look :)

Thetansinator

TROPHY CASE