If the temperature is predicted to hit the highs like summer 2024, you might consider an escape down to New Zealand in August 2025. It will be the middle of winter with similar temperatures to winter in Malta. But a lot of rain, you'll be dancing in it!
Auckland is in the northern part of New Zealand, known as the "City of Sails" with many boats in the harbour and also home to the America's Cup races in the past.
A city of 1.5 million in a nation of 5.5 million, it is home to every nationality, a truly multicultural population.
It's the end of the world, so if you have travelled for a couple of days to get there, there are showers at the airport, to get you feeling human again. Stop off somewhere along the way for a few nights in Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia to avoid those long continuous flights.
Pick up a SIM card at the airport, to give you access to the internet, GPS and each other while you are there.
Plan ahead for a car rental and it will be there waiting for you. They drive on the left so no problems there. But make sure you use your indicators, otherwise you will cop a lot of abuse.
After you leave the airport, head for one of the bakeries or a petrol station café and pick up a meat pie and a bottle of Lemon & Paeroa. The meat pies are delicious, you'll get addicted to them.
Every year they hold "The Best Baked Pie in New Zealand" competition, the past five years it was won by a former refugee from Cambodia, who has assimilated into the Kiwi culture. Also try the Kiwi fish and chips you'll go back for more.
From Auckland you can go north to the Bay of Islands and Waitangi where the treaty was signed between the British Crown and the Maori Chiefs in 1840. As you travel you will see many Maori place names, google them to understand their meaning. "Waitangi" means meeting by the water.
Or if you like surfing go over to the west coast beaches of Piha, Bethels, Muriwai and Raglan, with their black sands.
Everywhere you are overwhelmed by the shades of green, soft on the eye.
August is springtime, so as you drive through the countryside you'll see all the lambs being born. New Zealanders are relaxed people, of course if you are counting the 20 million sheep all the time, you'd be a little bit sleepy too!
Rotorua is a must visit, it is a thermal area with geysers firing hot vapour skywards, there's a sweet smell of sulphur in the air. Spend a few hours in the hot pools, soak your cares away, a great way to connect with people, relaxing in the different mineral rich hot pools.
There's also the red wood forest and the canopy walkways up high in the tree tops. Or speed down the hill on the luge, great for kids and older kids alike. From the top of the hill you'll have a panoramic view of Lake Rotorua and the surrounding district.
You could then travel across to Tauranga, the Kiwi fruit farm region, or down to Taupo and the desert road. "Did you say Desert!" Yes, it's in the shadow of the mountains no rain falls there, it's all tussock grass and sand, no greenery anywhere. The New Zealand army practice their drills there.
Then all of a sudden, after about an hour driving, you are back in the green zone again.
Or you can go down the East Coast to Napier with it's unique Art Deco architecture and the region's wineries.
The open roads have a speed limit of 100km, near the cities there are motorways, but further afield it is just two lanes with no centre strip. Large truck and trailers delivering milk products and logs are always on the move, pull over and let them pass to take pressure off yourself behind the wheel. There are plenty of roadside picnic spots along the road, they are well signposted an oasis where to chill.
You can also head to the west coast dissecting the farmlands of King Country through the Awakino Gorge and over Mt Messenger toward Taranaki to the city of New Plymouth, settled by people from Plymouth in Devon, England. The main street is called Devon Street.
Taranaki is dominated by Mt Taranaki, with the local weather swirling around the mountain. Ukekura Park is within a 15 minute walk from the main street, there's a lake, fountains and waterfalls, you can walk through the ferneries in a microclimate, also visit the Bowl of Brooklands, where every year they hold WOMAD the "World of Music and Dance" with musicians from around the world performing there.
Go to the other side of the city and there's the open sea, with a walkway that takes you for about 20 kilometres up the coast, great for walking, jogging, cycling.
Pukeiti, up Mt Taranaki displays one of the most diverse collections of Rhododendrons in the world. There's tree houses and fitness walks around the extensive gardens to suit all ages.
Don't be shy, as you travel start a conversation. New Zealanders are friendly and they like to know what's happening in the rest of the world. New Zealand is so far away and in different time zones, you won't hear much about all the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East.
But you'll be constantly reminded of home with all the St John's Ambulances everywhere, they are the first responders at all the public events and traffic accidents.
As your journey through New Zealand comes to an end, you'll carry with you more than just souvenirs - the warmth of the people, the breathtaking landscapes, and the memories of unexpected discoveries. Whether it's the golden beaches, lush forests, or the hearty Kiwi hospitality, this land has a way of leaving an imprint on every traveller. And who knows? Maybe one day, the call of adventure will bring you back to dance in the rain once more."
About Bryan Corlett
Bryan Corlett is originally from New Zealand and has been living in Malta for over 36 years. He is married to a Maltese woman and has four daughters and is the managing director of Casa Natura, a well-known health shop in Sliema.
He is a Moonie, a member of the controversial Unification Church of the US, where he was backpacking in 1977. That is how he was "matched" to and married his Maltese wife.
Casa Natura on high street, Sliema, was founded nearly 30 years ago and has grown into a store offering over 5,000 health products. Bryan started the business after experiencing health issues himself - he was once dependent on an inhaler despite playing rugby. He saw a gap in the market for natural health products in Malta and teamed up with a business partner to start importing them.
Bryan's philosophy is that "your health is your wealth", and he has helped many people improve their well-being through lifestyle changes.
Bryan made the headlines in May this year when he graduated at the age of 72. He followed a course in journalism, something he has always loved.