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I visited New Zealand throughout winter and stayed in a geodesic dome on the nation’s south island.
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I feared I would spend my evening shivering within the 430-square-foot tiny dwelling.
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However its luxe facilities and fuel fire satisfied me that I by no means needed to depart.
New Zealand is dwelling to essentially the most breathtaking nature I’ve witnessed. Naturally, I needed to soak in each second of the nation’s putting mountains, lush forests, and crystal waters once I visited in June.
And though it was winter right now of yr in New Zealand, I used to be keen to depart my dwelling metropolis of Denver, Colorado, and discover the nation’s landscapes by reserving lodging that seamlessly linked to the outside.
That want led me to seek out Cross Hill Lodge and Domes in New Zealand’s Otago area, an space within the southern area of the nation’s South Island.
sources: Cross Hill Lodge and Domes
The property, which solely rents out geodesic domes, has six domes and a shared lodge on the fringe of Lake Hawea.
I discovered the domes on Airbnb and booked a single-night keep in one of many 430-square-foot domes for $250 USD.
sources: Airbnb
To get there, I drove about an hour northeast of Queenstown and handed spectacular mountains coated in snow and freezing lakes.
As I neared my vacation spot, the highest of a white dome peaked by means of bushes.
After I stepped out of my automotive and into the frigid air, worry set in. The plastic exterior of the domes appeared wafer-thin, and I hoped the heating within the domes would suffice. I needed to embrace the outside, however did not need to spend the evening shivering in 40-degree Fahrenheit climate.
However there have been no refunds and no turning again. I headed to Cross Hill’s communal lodge, the place the host Stevie T greeted me. He confirmed me the lodge, which had couches, a TV, and some desserts that had been free for visitors.
Then, we headed to dome six, which was my tiny home for the evening.
I stepped inside and my worries vanished. The tiny home was heat due to a warmth pump, and it was way more spacious than I anticipated.
It felt like stepping inside a large marshmallow. The dome’s steel construction was encased in a number of layers, which I believed created a puffed look on the inside.
Slippers and robes had been ready for me on the entranceway to the dome.
To the suitable of the entryway was a king-size mattress. The mattress confronted a large panel of clear plastic, which was partially coated by a row of curtains.
I pulled the fabric again and views appeared. The dome missed the property’s manicured gardens, 4 different domes, and mountains within the distance. As I appeared out the window, I felt crisp, chilly air seeing in on the base of the dome.
Stevie T reassured me that the dome could be heat for the evening. It was heated, plus there was additionally a fuel fire, a heated mattress, and heated rest room flooring. Certainly, I solely felt the air when standing close to the window.
As I moved previous the bed room, I handed a small desk and a compact kitchen.
The kitchen had the whole lot I would want for a brief stick with glassware, dishes, a espresso machine, and a mini fridge stocked with milk and chilly water.
I handed by means of the kitchen and walked towards the again of the dome. Right here, I discovered an entrance to the lavatory.
I used to be grateful the lavatory was inside my dome. Up to now, my Airbnbs have had outhouses and porta-potties, so I celebrated the truth that I would not need to step again into the chilly as soon as I settled in for the night.
Later, I noticed extra of the dome’s luxe particulars. All over the place I walked, motion-sensor lights turned on. The toilet had a towel hotter, and within the kitchen, I discovered a milk frother.
The facilities, gorgeous views, and comfortable mattress simply satisfied me that I did not want to depart the dome — not even for dessert. So I settled in and turned on the heated mattress, which was like mendacity on a large heating pad.
Round me, different guests arrived. Much like a tenting tent, the domes weren’t very soundproof. I may hear {couples} debating what to have for dinner and discussing plans for the following day.
And I knew that they may see and listen to me, too. With the privateness curtain open and my lights on, anybody strolling by had a transparent view into my dome.
However even with restricted privateness, I used to be extra linked to nature than in most different locations I’ve slept. I felt at peace listening to birds chirping and rain dripping. I noticed rugged mountains and smelled wooden burning from the lodge.
After consuming the dinner I packed, I crawled into mattress. The solar set and my dome was illuminated by the fuel fire. Then, I spotted I used to be lacking one of many dome’s predominant appeals — the celebrities.
I turned off the remote-controlled fire to get a greater view. Via the clear plastic, I looked for capturing stars and constellations.
My gazing did not final lengthy. As chilly air seeped into the tent, I turned the hearth again on and fell asleep. With the mattress heater turned on excessive, the hearth cranked to its max, and the dome’s thermostat set to 72 levels Fahrenheit, I used to be heat all evening.
The subsequent morning, I woke as much as a blazing dawn.
I crawled out of my heat mattress and explored the lodge’s gardens.
I walked by an outside wood-fired sizzling tub that’s free to make use of however should be booked upfront. If I used to be staying longer at Cross Hill, I’d’ve reserved a spot.
Lastly, I headed as much as the lodge, the place complimentary breakfast was served every morning. There, I joined different households and {couples} for a meal of eggs, toast, and mushrooms.
Full from breakfast, I dragged my ft again to the dome. I did not have any want to pack up my suitcase and depart. As I folded my pajamas from the earlier evening, I dreamed of creating Cross Hill my dwelling.
Positive some nights had been sure to be chilly, however I discovered that dwelling in a spot that seamlessly blended indoors with outside is perhaps a greater swimsuit for me than my metropolis life again in Denver.
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