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As a full-time model-actor-writer-rhymer, my jobs take me all over the world. Luckily, I'm a huge fan of the work-cation: an extended period of labor away from home that's mixed with downtime to explore, learn, and experience. "Work-cation" may be a made-up word, but it's my personal mantra (I also claim rights to its Spanish translation, "trabajaciones.")
My most recent work-cation had me flying to the far-away land of New Zealand's South Island with a photo production team. We were contracted to shoot winter sportswear on snow-covered mountain peaks overlooking Queenstown. We helicoptered to the tops of The Remarkables, snowmobiled through the cross-country ski trails of Wanaka, and drank mulled wine in the cozy, lakeside town. Not too shabby for a day at the office.
Once our job was done, I decided to stay in New Zealand for three extra days to explore Auckland and its surroundings. I didn't waste much time: I took a ferry to the gorgeous, 8,000-resident, four-vineyard island of Waiheke. I took yoga classes and made friends with the ladies of Abundance Yoga on Queen Street. While having lunch one day, I ran into a guy from my flight; we drove to Ponsonby Road, where we partied with some Northern European ex-pats on work visas.
It's currently winter in New Zealand; it will be summer during our winter. So, if you need a reason to escape another potential Polar Vortex, click through for my photos of New Zealand's wildly diverse landscapes. If you do end up traveling here, I recommend staying as long as you possibly can. Adventure awaits.
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