Living in a Yurt
Trip Start
Feb 26, 2011
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239
393
Trip End
Ongoing
Dovedale, Nelson, New Zealand
Monday, March 19, 2012
Aika is Darren’s friend from the UK. I remember him going travelling, coming home for a bit and travelling again, then he vanished. He came to NZ about 10 years ago with no money, but managed to get himself a job (using false details apparently!). He has worked in the orchards, which was seasonal and Deb works as a relief teacher so their income was sporadic.
Living in the Yurt means they have very low living costs which allows them to save. They use bottled gas for cooking and to keep the fridge cold. They use solar power for electric. They use old fallen trees for firewood. They have a huge veggie patch which has kept them in fresh veggies for 2 years. They pickle or freeze surplus stuff and trade with the neighbours for other food stuff such as goats milk, peaches, plums. They share the neighbours freezer (2km up the road). They also keep chickens so they have a supply for fresh eggs. They use rainwater which they boil for washing up and then they buy huge canisters full of drinking water. They also share the neighbours shower when it gets cold, in the summer they use an outside shower. Oh and they have a long drop toilet!
Whilst it appears a little primitive, they are very self sufficient and I can see the appeal. Apparently lots of people like in Yurts here in NZ. There were promised running water by the owners of the land, but they never delivered on this, so they have worked around it.
After a few nights in the Yurt we have moved to a tent in the garden so we all have a little more privacy and space. The Yurt is one big room where everyone sleeps, so there’s no escape.
They have been super generous and lovely to us.
