Viewing images of Rotorua's hot pools and thinking, "One day maybe?" The photographs of the many beautiful sun-bleached beaches and realising that, God willing, I could spend Christmas Day on a beach and enjoy what they called a barbecue. And having seen the All Blacks playing rugby in Scotland I was aware of Maori. Now at last I was here in what Maori call Aotearoa and learning more about the people and their culture.
27 years after my arrival they opened Kauri Cliffs, followed four years later by Cape Kidnappers. Way back in 1973, New Zealand was considered a backwater by international golfers and better suited for fishing, famous walks or enjoying what's been called, "A simpler place in time".
Nevertheless there were two courses in the North Island which reminded me of playing golf in Scotland. Wairakei, which continues to remind me of Gleneagles and Paraparaumu, a links golf course. Right down to the last hump, unfortunate bump and strong breeze to test the very best of golfers.
Later on I discovered that there was a links-style golf course right on my Auckland doorstep at Muriwai Beach.
The wee village of Muriwai is only about 40 minutes from Auckland's CBD and yet it feels like another place in time. Especially around Christmas time when the Pohutukawa, the Kiwis call them the Christmas tree, are in full bloom.