Adventure Magazine Issue 220

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
There is nothing worse than being in an incredible environment
to be so bogged down by the weather you simply cannot enjoy
it. I've had times I swear my brain has frozen over just from the
memory of a place. Being from New Zealand, I have braced
some arctic winters in my time, and to be honest growing up
I dreaded winter every year. To the extent where I relocated
to Australia just to escape from it. They say you don't know
what's good until its gone, so I returned to my arched nemesis
and went in with a different tactic - PREPARATION. I have had
a complete shift in my mentality and prefer van life in winter, it
truly is a breath of fresh air.
RUG UP
Warm clothes are the greatest protection against the winter
chill and staying on top of it before the cold shakes your bones
is highly important too. I seem to feel the cold far more than
the average person. I cannot express my love for thermals,
snow socks and beanies and wear them like it's going out of
fashion. You'll often find me wearing multiple thermals at once
and even in my snowboarding gear, do what YOU have to do,
and never underestimate the cold. If you are prepared, winter
van life is extremely rewarding, trust me.
The perk of having a van as your home base is that small
areas require little time to heat up. If you are at a powered site
you may have access to get that heater cranking which means
you'll be tucked up like a little burrito in no time.
HEART-WARMING MEALS
Speaking of food, cooking in winter is a task that you will
look forward to and undoubtedly treasure. There's nothing
quite like comfort food, it's like being served heaven on
a plate, and this doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be
unhealthy. Fueling yourself after a great hike with heartwarming
meals and a warm cuppa is sure to keep your
body toasty and spirits lifted. Home-cooked hot soups with
buttered bread, mmm gets us every time.
HOWS THE SERENITY?
Do you ever just ache for those moments where you get to
experience a magic spot all to yourselves? As social media
has increased and tourism has spiked these untouched
encounters are unfortunately harder to come by. Winter
is a time where most people shy away, in turn, a vanlifers
dreams come out to play. Winters gift is a raw experience
without all the summer chaos and crowds. Peaceful and
soul-fulfilling adventures are topped with plenty of spots to
choose from with less competition.
If winter vanlife hasn't grabbed your attention yet I want
you to visualise it. Picture waking to the morning sunlight
glistening from the dewdrops on your window. Find yourself
awakening in a bed of clouds formed by the fog from rivers,
forests, and oceans nearby. These are perfect conditions for
a photographers dream, the adventure is honestly surreal
and provides a majestic start to your day.
THERMAL POOLS, BEACHES, AND ONSENS
This world is full of hidden gems and if you are traveling in
New Zealand, the most rewarding winter experience is the
moment you stumble across thermal pools and hot water
beaches. The only issue is you'll never want to leave! We
have hiked through the Kaweka Ranges and ended the day
by soaking in the natural hot springs, perfect for soothing
those adventure ridden muscles.
OFF SEASON IS IN SEASON
Looking to spice up your winter? Winter travel is regarded
as 'off-season' you will be thrilled to hear rentals come
at a lower cost. So our secrets out that vanlife is in fact,
enjoyable in any season. We encourage you to go discover
it first hand.
NEW EXPERIENCES
Traveled your country in summer and think you have seen
it all? I urge you to go back and do it in winter, you will gain
a totally different experience! Not only does the scenery
change it is accompanied by a complete shift in mood too.
Some places are even unrecognisable especially if they
have been sprinkled with snow, now that's something worth
traveling for.
FIRE AND STARGAZING
Fire packs a punch, it not only brings light on the
subject it brings warmth too, and the subject in this
instance is overcoming the tough winter vanlife
reputation that even I admit I once believed in. We
honor fire for the contrast between warmth/cold, dark/
light and I guess what it boils up to is we have complete
respect and appreciation for it. We have spent
countless nights by the firelight gazing up at all the
stars listening to the sounds of nature, time passing us
by as we lay there deep in thought.
For me, winter vanlife is like the story of 'Beauty and
the Beast' I had to give it a chance to see its amazing
qualities, see it for what it truly is. So now you know
its possible to do van life in winter, but that you can
completely fall in love with it too.
Warm Regards,
Jess
Follow Jess and Jordan: @our_van_life_ | @jessmiddletonxo | @jordan_whitcombe
78//WHERE ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS/#220 ADVENTUREMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 79