Mum’s birthday is today, and while a simple “Happy Birthday” post would be nice, I wanted to write something a little more special – because she is. 🥰 She’s not just ‘mum’; she’s my friend, my first travel guide, my original adventure planner, and the one who showed me how great the world can be.
It feels fitting that, later this year, we’ll be setting off on a multi-generational journey together! Mum, Kaydes, and me, exploring parts of the world I never imagined we’d see all together! From the ruins of Machu Picchu to the waterways of the Amazon, from the bright colours of Buenos Aires to the glaciers of Patagonia, this will be one of our biggest adventures yet! But really, the adventure started long ago – when she first introduced me to the magic of travel.
Road Trips and Singing in the Car
Some of my earliest memories involve being in the back seat of the car, road-tripping around New Zealand, with Mum at the wheel and us singing rounds of Do-Re-Mi from The Sound of Music. She didn’t just take me places – she made every trip feel special, especially with occasional loving knee squeezes.
She took me to Rotorua when I was just a baby, to the South Island when I was a toddler, to the Central Plateau when I was five. Showing me geysers, mountains, lakes, and glowworm caves, before I even knew how special they were.
Then multiple knee squeezes came along when my sister Julia did. Our East Cape trip was a favourite, and we came back with wonderful memories and stories. Like the time I thought we should bring Julia’s pram up to the East Cape lighthouse, even though the wind was so strong it nearly sent it (and mum) flying! Or when we went to the easternmost cinema in New Zealand to see The Lion King for the first time, a memory that still makes me smile. And then there were the long summer days spent at beaches, exploring new places, and creating stories that we still tell to this day.
Expanding Horizons
As we grew older, Mum took us further, across oceans and into new worlds. And with that came meals that turned into adventures of their own! In Hong Kong, we ordered food with a bit of an idea, only to end up with a table full of mystery dishes. The confusion quickly gave way to uncontrollable laughter – then and even now – as we tried to guess what on earth we were eating!
And in London, we braved the rush of commuters at King’s Cross Station, dragging our suitcases through the chaos! Once we’d settled into our accommodation, we took on a new challenge: battling the shoppers on Oxford Street just to find jackets warm enough for the unexpectedly chilly weather. Our adventures continued in Windsor, where we tried to catch a glimpse of the Queen as her car passed by. But perhaps the most magical moment of all was listening to evensong at St George’s Chapel. A truly transcendent experience that felt like stepping into another world.
The simple joys of discovering new foods, new streets, new places – always with Mum leading the way.
GPS Activated
As I got older, life shifted as it does. I became the one planning routes, choosing the places, and mapping out the adventures for myself. I love that my family calls me GPS – a title I wear with pride! I’ve normally had a knack for knowing exactly where I am and where we need to go, a skill that’s served me well on countless journeys.
Alice Springs in Australia has been another thread woven into our family’s journey. Mum and Dad lived there for some time, and it became a place I found myself returning to. Last time, I had Kaydes in my arms, experiencing it all anew through her tiny eyes. Almost every day, we’d go for walks around Olive Pink Botanic Garden, soaking in the red earth, the dry heat, and trying to spot kangaroos and wallabies. We explored along the MacDonnell Ranges, visiting stunning gorges and swimming in hidden waterholes. Australia has been a place of adventure, reflection, and connection for all of us.
And just like Mum set me up for a life of happiness and adventure, I’m doing the same for Kaydes. She’s already learning that exploring is about trying new things, meeting new people, and finding excitement in the little moments. From wandering around new landscapes to discovering joy in everyday adventures, the love for exploring has been passed down. 💞
Happy Birthday, Mum!
Thank you for every road trip, every adventure, every memory. For singing with me in the car, for your affectionate knee squeezes, for taking me places before I even knew how much they would mean to me, and for always being up for another adventure!
This September, she’ll be joining Kaydes and me on an incredible journey through the Americas. It will be a bit different but also really familiar – three generations travelling together! If it hasn’t been for her, I might have never become the traveller I am today! Thank you Mum, love you lots xx
Lore & Tempo is where motherhood meets adventure. I’m Ren – storyteller, explorer, and single mum in Wellington, New Zealand. I’ve been lucky enough to wander through 45 countries. 15 of them with my +1, Kaydes, either strapped to my front, on my hip, or running ahead on her own adventures. I created this space to share single parent life, travel tips, and the joy of exploring the world.
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