iliana moved to new zealand in 1990, following her heart.  no choice, really, as she had left it in new zealand after her first visit december of 1988. as she says, "i wasn’t born in new zealand but i came as soon as i could."

upon her arrival in new zealand in september of 1990, she lived in a flat in a nursing home operated by her employer until she located a house to rent at ohope beach, the beach just west of ohiwa beach where she now lives.  she had never had the luxury of living at the ocean; it was a thrill.

friends from ohope invited her to a picnic the day after christmas on a neighboring beach.  after enjoying a picnic beneath beautiful pohutukawa trees on the beach, it was time to go.  walking back up the rise to the parking lot, she looked across the road and saw a cottage tucked away in native pohutukawa bush; it was love at first sight. 

one day a few months later, she returned to the parking lot. she had decided to meet the owners of the cottage and request that they keep her name and number in the event they ever wished to sell this charming property.  she didn’t get very far when she had what was to her a most unusual experience. 

when she reached the gate, she clearly heard a voice speak to her.  "we are so glad you have finally come.  we have been waiting so long for you to arrive."

there was no one around, and she realized the speaker wasn’t there in a physical sense.  this was quite surprising. (the last sentence is an understatement.)

feeling most welcome by she didn’t know whom, she proceeded up the hill to the cottage, where a lovely english couple greeted her.  they quickly bid her farewell when she told them why she had come.  they had no intentions of moving but if they ever should want a change, they had a list with 6 people on it already waiting for them to leave.  this list was long enough already, good day.

quite a contrast between the experience at the bottom of the hill  and that at the top…

aurum is hosted by iliana, who is eagerly waiting to meet you!

iliana was born in atlanta, georgia, usa and emigrated to new zealand in 1990 (she wasn’t born here but got here as soon as she could!).  she has been fortunate enough to travel in the americas, europe, india and austrailasia, and is familiar with popular destinations in new zealand. 

being one herself, iliana understands the needs of travellers, and has provided aurum with broadband connections in each guestroom.  she also provides phone cards for very economical telephone calling to destinations worldwide. she is happy to help overseas visitors plan their new zealand stay or help guests make arrangements for the next leg of their new zealand journey.

and she has provided a glorious spot for you to rest and enjoy new zealand’s beauty, serenaded by the pacific, and at the moment, covered in pohutukawa blossoms of new zealand’s beloved christmas tree.