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New Zealand truly was paradise. Crisp, clean air, no real hint of Covid because the legislation had done such a good job with it from the beginning, and the citizens adhered to all of the protocols. It was just so pleasant being there, just a purely picturesque and amazing place.

On this day, they had a hike planned, which Maya was really excited for, and Carina actually was as well. There was a somewhat untrue misconception between them that Carina hated all things athletic - that actually wasn't true at all, she just wasn't nearly as exercise obsessed as Maya was. She also liked her exercise in different forms - dance, yoga, pilates, but, she actually didn't mind hiking with Maya.

They got ready in their hotel room, with Carina packing a lunch, as well as some water and a couple of other snacks. She had to make sure the backpack wasn't too heavy, as it would be quite burdensome on the hike if it was. She also made sure to pack her camera, as she definitely wanted to snap some pictures from the top, when they got there.

"All ready to go?" Maya asked in a beyond chipper manner as she was beyond thrilled to get this going.

"Just about," Carina said as she zipped up the backpack with was loaded with their food as well as her camera.

"If you want, I can carry that," Maya suggested.

"I'll be fine, Bambina," Carina said flatly. "It's not very heavy. And you're not the only one who can do athletic things," Carina winked with some attitude.

Maya smiled and pulled her girlfriend in for a kiss, and then they went downstairs and waited for their car to take them to the trail. They had found a trail that was enough of a challenge for both of them, with nice views along the way. As the car pulled up to their hotel, both of their excitement levels increased as they were just so excited to get this going.

"The Whatipu Caves are so beautiful," their driver said as he pulled out. "Just keep your eyes peeled because there are some secret ones you can miss."

"Oooooh, really?" Carina asked. "Bambina, make sure we don't miss any."

Maya nodded, and their very nice driver continued.

"Is this your first time here?" He asked.

"Yes," Maya answered. "And it's absolutely gorgeous. We may never leave…."

"Don't joke about that," Carina smiled as she playfully rubbed Maya's temple.

"Hey, you could easily practice medicine here," the blonde playfully responded. "I'm sure they need OBs and studies on female orgasms in New Zealand."

"You're a doctor?" The driver asked. "That is very exciting."

Even though they had been there a few days now, both of them still marveled at the kiwi accent, and just loved hearing it. This man's was super thick, and the two of them just hung on every word he said.

"She is a doctor," Maya reiterated. "And she has done extensive studies in female orgasms which has been great for me."

"Oooooh, this is a great place to come if you're a couple," he said. "Do you have anything else special planned for when you're here?"

"Another hike, and some scuba diving, and also a promised surf lesson," Maya said. "The last one was my idea, as there's nothing more I want to see than this one on a surfboard."

"I may surprise you," Carina deadpanned. "You don't know about my secret surfing passed in Italy."

Maya rolled her eyes as they pulled into the campsite. It was beautiful, and both of them couldn't wait to get started, and they also just so excited to see some of the hidden caves the driver had mentioned.

"OK, you two have fun" he said as they excited.

They got started and it was pretty easy at the start, and there were plenty of other people along the way. Maya was absolutely loving this, but, what was so interesting is that she was so used to competing against something, and in this, she wanted to enjoy it with Carina, so they went at her pace, which was awesome. The driver was also right about the hidden caves, as you could definitely miss some of them if you weren't careful.

About halfway up, they stopped in one of the caves for a break, as Carina handed Maya some water. Maya sipped it, and moseyed her way around it, and Carina snapped a few pictures while she walked.

"It's so beautiful here," Maya said. "I'm also loving this trail. Definitely so much to see."

"I'm loving walking behind you and seeing how those beautiful leggings hug your amazing body," Carina said as she walked behind her girlfriend and playfully slapped her ass. "Lord, your butt muscles are amazing, bambina."

Maya blushed a little, as she did love those kinds of comments and compliments from Carina. It also made her feel great as Lane had done so much body shaming to her over the years, that hearing someone appreciate her body just made all of the difference.

"Come on, let's keep going," Maya said. "We definitely want to make it to the top and check out the views."

Carina agreed, and they started to walk hand in hand up the mountain. It was definitely getting harder, but it was nothing that they couldn't handle, and they also were liking the adrenaline rush of going up this trail. Carina never really understood why Maya ran so much. She obviously knew that exercise is good for you, but, Maya tried to explain "runner's high" to her a bunch, but, she never really got it. Even in the times where they ran together, she still never really understood that concept.

But this was different, as both of them were really pushing it, and stopping to check out cool views along the way. Seeing other people along the trail was also really nice, as the two of them waved and made small talk as they went.

One of the caves was beautiful with a lot of underbrush, and as Maya looked on, Carina snapped a beautiful picture of her from behind, that was absolutely gorgeous. The got to another cave that had a giant opening, and Carina took another picture of Maya gazing inside, which was also perfect. Carina was snapping a lot of pictures along the way, and all of them were stunning and beautiful, and she was super proud of herself for capturing everything.

"Are you ready for more? We're pretty close to the finish," Maya said.

"Absolutely, Bambina, it's so stunning up here," Carina said as she was walking. "I am getting some fantastico photos as well."

"If you want, I can take some of you," Maya said. "I don't want your entire roll of film to just be me."

"What's wrong with that?" Carina joked. "But, we'll take some of both of us when we get to the top."

"OK," Maya said. "But, lets' get there!"

With that, the two of them kept going, and waved to more people along the way. Both of their legs burned a little bit, but it was a good kind of burning, knowing that they had really done good for the day. Finally they got to the top, which was so triumphant.

As they looked on, they just saw beautiful blue skies and mountaintops, and Carina snapped more pictures of the scenery. Before they ate, Maya did take a couple of pictures of Carina gazing on, and another hiker took a few pictures of both of them. They were so proud to have done this hike together, and just really appreciating being out in nature.

"Here you go," Carina said as she handed Maya a turkey sandwich and a banana, as well as some water.

Maya gladly took it as she was famished from the walking, and she was also sweating like crazy.

"Mmmmm, so good," Maya said as she chomped down. Carina also indulged, and she swore that this simple turkey sandwich never tasted so good.

"It's so peaceful," Maya said. "I swear, I could live up here if mosquitos weren't a thing."

"I have to say bambina, I'm not too outdoorsy, but this was super fun," she said. "And I got some great pictures."

"It was fun," Maya said. Just then, Carina took her camera and set it behind them, and put the timer on, and took a picture from behind of them gazing on. It was another really good one that she couldn't wait to share with all of her friends.

"Have you guys seen the best part?" another hiker, Stephanie, who had taken a few pictures for them asked.

"No, what's that?" Maya responded.

She motioned over to them, and Maya and Carina followed, and then found a beach on the other side of a small decline. It was so nice, and secluded and was just the perfect end to an absolutely incredible day.

"So peaceful," Maya said as she rested her head on Carina's shoulder. "I swear, I really could live here."

"Me too," Carina replied. "It's truly incredible. What a wonderful place."

Both of them dipped their toes in the very blue water, and just took it all in. Carina wasn't a nature person, but she could appreciate all this country had to offer. Sure, camping may not be her favorite thing, but these views, this water and this pure and crisp air, she could absolutely appreciate all of that.

"OK, we should head back," Bambina, carina said. "We have dinner reservations, and we have to shower and all that."

"Fiiiiiiiiiinnnnnneeee," Maya said as she took Carina's hand. As they walked, they made it back down faster than they came up, and they got another car back to their hotel.

When they returned, Maya showered first while Carina uploaded her pictures to her computer, and sent Maya a bunch that she really liked. There was one in particular of the two of them kissing in the beach that was really special, and another one of Maya looking pensively in one of the caves that was also really beautiful.

Maya then came out of the shower, she dried her hair and saw Carina's camera out.

"I sent you some," Carina said.

Maya then looked through her phone and saw all of these absolutely gorgeous pictures Carina had taken and was just absolutely awed. She scrolled through a bunch, and picked out two that Carina liked and posted them to her instagram, immediately getting likes.

"OK, my turn to shower, Bambina," Carina said as she kissed maya's lips, softly. "And after I'm finished, dinner reservations, right?"

"Absolutely," Maya replied. "And babe, thanks for the pics, they are stunning."

"Oooooooh, have you seen the two lovebirds?" Andy said back at the station. "I just opened insta and look at the pictures Maya just posted."

"Oh my god, let me see," Travis said as he hurried over to Andy. The Latina then showed everyone, and honestly, it was pretty amazing how gorgeous these pictures were.

"Holy shit," Vic said. "Did we ever think we'd see the day when Maya would post lovey dovey pics with a girlfriend?"

"God no," Andy said. "But, when your girlfriend is has hot as Carina how could you not post pics of her?"

"Good point," Travis said. "Also, Maya getting Carina on a hike? That's pretty cool too."

"Awwwww, I'm so happy for them," Andy said. "It's just so nice to see this version of Maya. Someone who is just so open and afraid of nothing. This is a long way from 'monogamy is for the weak.' "