Waking at first light in a glasshouse is like nothing else. Expansive skies, rise like a tide, gaining colour and depth around us as we float in the cosy warmth of sheets and pillows. All the beauty of the outdoors, with all of the comfort of indoors. Actual luxury.
The PurePods ethos is to provide high-end nature stays in remote New Zealand locations. Glass Cabins, with a touch of off-grid luxury. The experience starts with a journey on foot. With a 20 minute overland hike from the car, we carried in our overnight bags (plus wine, snacks, guitar, tripod and all the camera gear - just the essentials ; ) We followed the sign posts off the farm track, through long grass and bracken, over a stile to the brow of a hill where the cabin came into view. It was isolation with an outlook. Bliss.
This is a partnership made in heaven. “Rural landowners work alongside PurePods to create a unique experience for guests." The hosts and land owners (Te Taki and Cheryl) have left us a personalised welcome note as well as having provided a beautiful food package filled with local fare. They are raising their five kids on the land, living the rural kiwi dream. Looking out to the rolling hills and distant ranges, I’m thankful for this little visual taster.
The pod interior has a combination of aluminium joinery and wooden detailing. Every glass wall is a framed outlook of green or blue. Solar panels power the house lights. Gas heats the water and powers the hob. Not a power line in sight.
The beauty of off-grid isolation is the lack of distraction. Time slows and the sounds of nature kick in without other input. Quality time is my thing. It was our wedding anniversary when we stayed, and what a treat this was; eating good food and drinking wine together as the sun dipped into the hills behind the cabin. We collected wild flowers and watched the long grass dance in the fading light as we explored the land.
Night drew in and the indigo sky deepened seamlessly above us. I’ve slept under the stars a few times, but usually with the addition of damp dew and plenty of mozzies. This felt like royalty. I’m ruined for roughing it after this experience, haha. PurePods have partnered with land owners all over Aotearoa so there are luxury glass cabins to be found in all corners of the Motu. To book your own escape, head to https://www.purepods.com/