At the Sika Show I had the privilege to briefly meet Maria and Sean from Pure Salt a Charter Operator in Fiordland.
Who doesn’t love the very special place in New Zealand, the remoteness, loneliness and the land of milk and honey? I was even more excited when the couple gave me the opportunity to join there upcoming “Girls Only” Trip in February to see if our values align and there might be a collaboration between Pure Salt and Wild Chix on the Horizon…
Fast forward 3 months and I am now sitting at Christchurch airport, waiting for my onboarding flight to get back home to Tauranga, into reality from a surreal experience I was able to be part of!
This blog post is not supposed to be a diary, as I really would like to experience the journey yourself, but here are some key learnings for me from that trip to Fiordland which was mainly - New Connections
1. People
What an interesting journey…meeting a bunch of absolute randoms. Not people I would hang out with in my “normal life” – but how quickly you get to know each other, share vulnerabilities, boundaries, stories, encouragement, laughter, food, bedrooms and teach each other new things. You talk about different subjects, hear new perspectives and get new ideas. Sometimes it is so refreshing to get out of your normal “friend groups” to open up your mind to more.
2. Location
“I am going on a trip to Fiordland” – for most people this means Crayfish and Cod for weeks! Taking home your daily quota, feed family and friends and have heaps more in the freezer…well not with Pure Salt. The team on board takes “a place called home” very serious and does and amazing job in educating people on “raping and pillaging” the ocean beds, being single minded and just focused on catching things and forgetting about the beauty of their surroundings, company and shared meals. We caught what we needed for dinner, enjoyed it fresh to have another mission for the next day. All frames, skins and organs were utilized and nothing went to waste! A great way to learn, experience and appreciate our ocean and use the privilege of fresh kai moana ON board and not in the freezer to stay in the moment and live in the here and now.
3. Myself
It is amazing how much you can talk or read once there is no reception for days. No “Google” to ask, but a bookshelf with almost all your answers. Reading books is something I have not done in a long time. Discovering once again how much I enjoy seeing other people trying new things, eating fish frames and skins, forgetting for a little while who we actually are – I have not often been that present! Just the here and now, with no distractions and other thoughts in my head, other than the here and now.
4. Soul Food
The deep connection with new people, locations and myself is eye opening and rejuvenating. An experience everyone needs at least once in their lives and it would be nice to take a jar off that feeling with you and open it every now and then if you need some warm fuzzy feeling in your body – a mixture of amazing memories, companionship, remoteness and just the feeling to be complete.
I am very excited to go on further trips with Maria and the team at Pure Salt. It felt like I met my long-lost sister. I am evenly excited to take a bunch of Wild Chix with me who are hungry to experience, learn, make new friends and step together out of comfort zones. Fiordland takes you to a spot where you can reconnect with your soul and come back with a new mindset, new attitude and a jar full of amazing memories, feelings and learnings.
Stay tuned for the first release dates to come on this epic trip! Spaces will be limited!
Express your interest here: Fiordland Expression of Interest-Wild Chix
