New Zealand? It’s Not Just Manuka—It’s Motorbikes, Bee Stings, and Cyclones Too
In connection with New Zealand, we most often talk about Manuka honey. So you might be a bit surprised to hear that this article will mention rally racing, Australia, bee stings, and unpredictable New Zealand weather.
But all of that is part of a local beekeeper’s life—and Theo experienced it firsthand.
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Unexpected Stories Written by Life Itself
You know that feeling when life throws challenges at you that you couldn’t have made up even if you tried? That’s exactly how Theo feels right now. His journey into beekeeping and the spirit of New Zealand is full of unexpected adventures—the kind only life can write. And honestly? We just have to share them with you. 😄
The Crash and the Cancelled Race
Let’s take it from the top, so we don’t miss a single moment since our last update. Besides his passion for Manuka and healthy living, Theo also has a soft spot for adrenaline sports. So in New Zealand, he decided to buy a motorbike and sign up for a local rally race. 🏍️
Even though he trained hard and prepared carefully, things took an unexpected turn while getting used to his powerful new machine. Fueled by excitement after a great ride, Theo slightly overestimated his driving skills—and ended up crashing. Hard. 🥴 It turned out to be a serious lesson. Fortunately, nothing major happened—aside from bent handlebars and some skin missing from his hands and backside. 🙈
But every cloud has a silver lining—Theo got the chance to test Manuka’s healing power on his own skin. 🌿 And the race? It was just a week away, but with no spare parts available, his rally dream had to be put on hold.
A Trip to Australia to Visit Family
But let’s not focus only on the rough parts—there was also an unexpected and uplifting detour to the Australian mainland. One day, Theo’s great-uncle Lejsek reached out and invited Theo, Majda, and Matylda to visit him in Australia.
The family gladly accepted and set off on their Australian adventure. After weeks spent among bees and New Zealand wilderness, it felt like stepping into an entirely different world. They enjoyed a few days filled with sunshine, rest, and relaxation. ☀️🏖️
A Swollen Neck and a Cyclone Outside
The return from Australia to New Zealand was far from a smooth landing. As soon as Theo jumped back into beekeeping, reality hit hard. He went through something he’d definitely rather not repeat. 🤭 Moving bee colonies in the dark turned out to be much more dangerous than it first appeared.
Although his task was simple—just to hold the light for Luděk—the bees weren’t thrilled and quickly marked Theo as their number one enemy. The stings to his neck and arm were brutal. 🐝💥 And to top it off, a cyclone rolled in, bringing heavy rain and chaos. Not every day in New Zealand is sweet—but as Theo himself says, we still have honey, and that’s what matters. 🍯
What’s Coming Next?
Theo’s stay in New Zealand may be coming to an end—but that doesn’t mean our journey is. In fact, you can look forward to the start of a new era, where we’ll be sharing everything we’ve learned about honey, Manuka, beekeeping, and life in New Zealand.
You can also expect an in-depth interview with Theo coming soon. Don’t forget to follow us on social media, and if you’d like to get updates before anyone else, we recommend signing up for our newsletter.
— The More Than Honey Team