With an OE off the cards, one couple opt for an IE instead
When they were forced to cancel their OE due to Covid-19, a young Southland couple decided to pack up the Combi and head on an IE (Internal Experience) instead.
High school sweethearts Nic Chamberlain and Tamara Mason, both 19, realised their dream seven-month trip to South America was not going to happen and were given flight credits and got back all but about $400.
While they were disappointed to be missing out on Chile and Machu Picchu, the Incan citadel high in the Peruvian Andes, they are happy to explore New Zealand.
The couple had been working on a dairy farm in Tuatapere, Southland, since June before picking up Mason’s parents’ 1973 Combi in Clyde on October 14.
They met aged 16 through their high school rowing teams, and have been an item ever since. Since leaving school, Mason has worked at an orchard and as a kitchen hand while Chamberlain has driven tractors. Neither had seen much of Aotearoa though Mason has travelled with her parents to 30 different countries and six continents.
‘‘My parents love travelling. We used travel every four years to Asia and America,’’ Mason said.
But she has not been further north in her own country than the Central South Island until now.
Chamberlain has been to Australia, the United States and with Mason and her family to Cambodia but has not seen the West Coast of the South Island or much of the North Island.
The outdoorsy teenagers have spent the past week in Wanaka, fishing in Jackson Bay, enjoying the scenery over the Haast Pass and revelling in the wild desolation of the West Coast. Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers have been a highlight so far.
‘‘We flew halfway up Fox Glacier in a helicopter and walked around for three hours. It was amazing,’’ Mason said, agreeing it was an expensive adventure but worth it.
Staying at campsites, DOC areas and Caravan Association spots, they have loose plans to continue up the coast and across to Picton. From there they’ll drive up the west of the North Island visiting the middle of the island as the mood takes them. They will then return down the east coast of both islands and home.
They both love the freedom of not having to be anywhere and taking their time to see the country.
‘‘We have allowed time until mid-January,’’ Chamberlain said.
The Combi does not offer much alone space although it has a portable gas cooker and toilet. The couch becomes a bed at night and they are not sick of each other yet, Chamberlain said.
Once this trip is over, Chamberlain hopes to get a mechanic apprenticeship while Mason is going to study space engineering at Sydney University in Australia.
As for coping with being apart after such an intense time together they both think they will manage.
‘‘We’ll figure it out, it’s only over the Ditch,’’ Chamberlain said.