Our day in New Plymouth feels like a story that has been quietly waiting to complete itself. It begins in 2023 during our Trafalgar Unlocked trip to Croatia, where 15 of us — chosen from 11,500 entries — came together as the very first group of contest winners. Among us, Rochelle was the most unexpected arrival. She was the very last person to learn she had won, so when she and Shane joined the group, the rest of us had already exchanged introductions and excitement. Rochelle became known as the mystery winner — the one none of us knew anything about.

And yet, from the moment she appeared, there was an instant ease. Something about her felt familiar, as if we were picking up a friendship that had already existed somewhere. During that trip, I kept saying — half joking, half dreaming — that one day I wanted to meet her cows. I said it lightly, never imagining that life would actually arrange that moment for me.

📖 How Our Paths Cross Again

Fast forward to this voyage. Rochelle has been following our blog, and one day she realizes we will be docking in New Plymouth, right where she lives. She reaches out with that same warm, open-hearted spirit she had in Croatia, offering to spend the day with us and show us her world. It feels like a thread from that first trip being gently pulled back into our lives.

🚗 Circling Mt. Taranaki

One of the most unforgettable parts of the day is the drive around Mt. Taranaki. Rochelle takes us on the full loop — a slow, beautiful circle that lets us see the volcano from every angle. From some sides it looks perfectly symmetrical, a classic cone rising out of the landscape. From others, the ridges and folds catch the light in ways that make the mountain look alive.

And then we see the dramatic northern indentation locals call the Phantom Hole — the huge ancient collapse that carved a deep scoop out of the mountain’s side. From that angle, Mt. Taranaki looks almost sculpted, as if nature pressed a thumb into its flank. Seeing it from all sides makes the mountain feel less like a landmark and more like a presence.

🐄 A Promise Kept: And then it happens, I finally meet her cows.

Standing there on her farm, surrounded by the animals she cares for every day, I feel a wave of gratitude. A wish I tossed into the air in Croatia — said with a smile, not knowing if it would ever be real — has found its way back to me in the most genuine, grounded way.

🏡 Lunch at Her Table

After the farm, Rochelle welcomes us into her home — a moment that feels as warm as the day itself. Shane is waiting for us when we arrive, having already finished the morning’s work on the farm. Seeing him again feels like reconnecting with an old friend, the kind you may not see often but instantly fall back into step with. We finally meet Natalia, her daughter, someone we’ve heard about but have never met in person. She is every bit as lovely as Rochelle always described.

Lunch isn’t formal or staged; it’s simply home. We sit at her table, treated like part of the family, sharing a beautiful meal that feels effortless and heartfelt. The cheese we enjoy is made from milk processed at the very same place where their cows’ milk goes — a small detail that makes the meal feel even more connected to their life and work. And the bread… that incredible bread… I’m still thinking about it. It’s the kind of simple, perfect food that stays with you long after the day is over.

Knowing how hard Rochelle and Shane work, how early their mornings start, how constant the rhythm of farm life is, makes the gesture even more meaningful. She doesn’t squeeze us in; she gives us her whole day.

🌤 A Gentle Goodbye

On the drive back to the port, Rochelle makes an impromptu stop for ice cream — a sweet surprise that seals the day with a smile. Jay chooses Hokey Pokey, New Zealand’s iconic honeycomb flavor and chocolate while I take Rochelle’s recommendation of passionfruit with chocolate. It’s a small, joyful pause on the way to the ship, the kind of moment that feels like it belongs only to this day.

As we continue toward the port, the clock edges closer to the 3 p.m. milking, a process we would have loved to see, but the ship is calling and the farm waits for no one. We leave it with a promise: next time, we’ll stay long enough to watch the milking. Who knows when that will be… but after today, anything feels possible.

This day doesn’t compete with anything else on our journey. It lives in its own gentle, generous space — a day defined by reconnection, by the kindness of someone who opened her real life to us, by gifts we will cherish, and by a promise made in Croatia that unexpectedly comes true in New Plymouth.

Thank you for the beautiful necklaces!