Love, the Sounds, and the Lockdown That Changed Everything into an Unexpected Twist in New Zealand
Love, the Sounds, and the Lockdown That Changed Everything into an Unexpected Twist in New Zealand
“We thought it was just another adventure on the sea—until we stepped off the ship and into a world that would never be the same.”
A romantic cruise through New Zealand’s breathtaking Sounds turns into an unexpected two-year journey.
Full Story
After 90 magical days exploring New Zealand, I returned to America to wrap up business, finalize personal matters, and decide what to do about my Ladybug business.
Then came the invitation from Tony—the “Booz Bug.”
“Would you come back and take a cruise with me?”
How could I say no? The ship was the NCL Jewel, and our route would take us through one of the most breathtaking places on earth—the New Zealand Sounds.
The Beauty of the Sounds
If you’ve never been to the Sounds, put it on your bucket list. The Sounds are a network of stunning fiords carved by glaciers, surrounded by towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and emerald-green waters so still they look like glass. Sailing through them feels like slipping into another world—peaceful, wild, and impossibly beautiful.
Tony and I spent our days on deck, taking it all in, meeting new friends from America and New Zealand, and enjoying the kind of joy that only comes when you’re in love and at sea.
The Decision That Changed Everything
When our cruise ended in New Zealand, the ship continued over the Tasman Sea to Sydney, Australia. Our friends begged me to stay on.
“Tony can go back to work—you stay with us!”
But Tony asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks:
“If you had to work, would you want me to keep cruising without you?”
The answer was easy. “No.”
So we got off together.
Then Came COVID
Within days, the world changed. COVID-19 was announced. At first, I didn’t think much of it—surely I could still get back to America.
Then my airline called. “Sorry, there are no more flights out. Everything’s stopping.”
One by one, every airline I called said the same thing. I was stuck.
Two Years in New Zealand
Those friends who stayed on the ship? They ended up stuck at sea for weeks because no port would let them in. Tony and I? We were safe in New Zealand… but my business, my six kids, 20 grandkids, and two great-grandkids were all back in America.
It was scary. I didn’t know what was going to happen next.
My visitor visa was running out, so I hired an immigration attorney—$14,000! But Tony, bless him, split the cost with me. The paperwork flew through since I had a spotless record (not even a speeding ticket).
Suddenly, I had a resident visa for New Zealand—complete with free healthcare and other benefits.
A New Chapter
Those two years brought me even closer to Tony. I learned more about New Zealand’s culture, its people, and its breathtaking landscapes. I discovered new corners of the country I hadn’t seen before. And I realized that sometimes, life changes in the most unexpected ways… and it turns out better than you could have planned.
