When was the last time you fantasized about dropping everything and starting over somewhere else? Some people actually make that dream come true. Catrin, just 22 years old, managed to relocate and change her life completely. Born and raised in Britain, she made the bold choice to move to an island thousands of kilometers away.
Catrin has been documenting her life of endless travel and irresistible beauty on a blog she created, Catrin Explores. She explained that from a young age, she loved to travel, and could often be seen boarding planes to exciting and remote places.
In 2023, she took control of her life, left her home in Wales, and moved to Motutapu – a small island off the coast of Auckland, New Zealand. The population? Just six people. Motutapu, which means "sacred" in Māori, boasts stunning landscapes, serves as a sanctuary for native birds, and can only be reached by ferry from Auckland.
Catrin shared the pros and cons of living in such an isolated location in a blog post on Catrin Explores. She revealed that if someone is seeking a quiet life, a remote island might be perfect, pointing out that there was no “business buzz” on Motutapu.
Catrin, who lived on the island for nine months and worked at an outdoor leisure center, explained that there was plenty of time to think and relax, with birdsong being the only sound likely to wake you up in the morning. Due to the island’s remote location, there’s minimal light pollution, meaning the night skies are filled with thousands of sparkling stars. She noted that if someone loves stargazing and astrology, then living in a remote place would be “super cool.”
She proudly mentioned that the island offers panoramic views of nearby islands, rolling hills, and even a volcano. Despite being an experienced traveler, Catrin admitted that as a young woman, she often felt worried about her safety while abroad. However, she revealed that on her island, she felt the “safest” she had ever felt. She described how she never liked going out after dark, never left her doors unlocked, and always felt paranoid that something might happen. Now, she said, that was one less thing to worry about when going to sleep.
For those wondering – there are no bars, pubs, or shops on Motutapu, which might sound boring to some. However, Catrin explained that this helped her save a lot of money for her next trip. Since there were no stores or restaurants on the island, she admitted that getting food could be complicated.
Whenever she needed to go shopping, she had to wait for the ferry to the mainland, which meant she had to plan carefully to make sure she didn’t run out. Without nightlife and only five other people to spend time with, life on the island could get boring. Catrin remarked that one had to get along with nature and find ways to entertain oneself.
In the end, she said that the hardest part about island life was not being able to pop into shops or go out for dinner whenever she wanted. She revealed that being stuck in the same place, with the same view and the same people, could drive someone a little crazy—but at the same time, she claimed it was worth it for the peace of mind.