All of this witnessed by a special correspondent of the Global Times occurs around 6 a.m. At this time, many people in other countries are still struggling with their alarm clocks under warm blankets. A survey by the Organization for Economic Co – operation and Development (OECD) shows that Colombians are the earliest risers in the world, waking up on average at 6:31 a.m., nearly an hour earlier than Americans in the same hemisphere.

During the time spent in Colombia, the reporter deeply felt the “early – rising trend” of the locals. The morning market in Cartagena is quite lively. Vendors set up their stalls in the early hours of the morning, selling fresh fruits, freshly – baked corn cakes, and bread.

Bogotá, with a population of over 8 million, is one of the most congested cities in the world. Many office workers choose to leave home before 5 a.m. to avoid traffic jams. Not only office workers but also students get up early. Many students board school buses before dawn. El País, a Spanish newspaper, reported that before 2009, primary school students in public schools in Bogotá started classes at 6:30 a.m.

The Reasons Behind the Early – Rising Habit
Why do Colombians generally get up early? Besides the limitations of urban public transportation construction, it also has to do with their coffee – growing culture. Colombia has always been a major agricultural country in South America, famous for producing high – quality Arabica coffee beans. Many coffee farmers usually get up at 4 a.m. to pick fresh coffee beans. The early morning is cooler, making it easier to pick and preserve the coffee beans. If they get up late, the hot sun will make the labor more difficult.

Colombia is crossed by the equator and has no distinct seasons. The sunrise time throughout the year is relatively fixed, usually around 6 a.m., and sunset is around 6 p.m. The temperature rises quickly after sunrise. Getting up early helps to avoid the heat in the morning and make full use of the cool morning hours for work.

Moreover, the early – rising habit of Colombians is also closely related to their colonial history. The Catholic culture brought by Spanish colonizers centuries ago has taken deep root in Colombian society. Many religious ceremonies are held in the early morning. The Catholic morning prayer is conducted at dawn, and the church bells mingle with the chirping of birds in the morning, becoming the background sound for many Colombians to wake up.

The Significance and Modern Challenges of Early Rising
The early – rising time of Colombians is not entirely dedicated to work and study. Many people hope to spend more time with their families and share the warm morning light with them. Many families will use the early – rising time to prepare a delicious breakfast and gather briefly in the morning before starting a busy day, sharing bits and pieces of life.

Although the early – rising culture has always been prevalent in Colombia, the development of modern technology is gradually impacting the lifestyle of the locals. With the popularization of the Internet, the sleep schedules of the younger generation in Colombia are gradually shifting to sleeping late and getting up late. Nightlife has become popular in big cities, especially in Cali and Medellín. Young people like to go out for parties at night and return home in the early hours of the morning. This lifestyle makes their wake – up time later and later. Of course, for many older Colombians, getting up early remains an indispensable part of life. Especially in rural areas, whenever the sun is about to rise, the crowing of roosters and the busy footsteps can be heard in the villages as people greet each dawn with hard work.

Though lighthearted, the jest carries weight. New Zealand, an island nation suspended in the ocean, seems forgotten at the world’s edge. Dubbed “the world’s loneliest country,” its seclusion is not just geographical but also an intrinsic trait. To its south lies the frigid Antarctica; to the east, the vast Pacific, as if shielding its quietude from the world’s clamor. Even Australia, its closest neighbor, is a full 1600 kilometers away.

On this solitary land, New Zealand often slips from global recognition—overlooked by world internet regulators’ maps, missing from Esri’s mouse pads, absent from the IMF’s logo. Yet, it is this solitude that endows New Zealand with its unique allure. Like a steadfast island, it floats quietly, unassuming yet captivating.

Here, one can encounter nature in its raw purity and experience a tranquility that feels cut from the rest of the world. New Zealand, in its solitude, narrates its tale in its own distinct manner.

The World’s Most Contentedly ‘Lazy’ Country

It is the island’s unique living environment that has given rise to the New Zealanders’ distinctive “lying flat” life philosophy. They maintain a calm demeanor toward life’s vicissitudes, as if saying, “Let the world rage on; I remain unshaken, committed to my languor!”

Children are spared the burden of heavy tutoring and are released early from school, while parents regularly immerse them in nature to explore, experience, and grow. The working adults staunchly oppose overtime, valuing their rest with over 140 days of vacation per year. Lingering in the office for even a second past quitting time is seen as a disservice to family.

The country’s work efficiency seems to slow in every field. Mornings in cafes are serene; shops close their doors early in the evening. Online shopping for seasonal clothing must be done half a year in advance, earning New Zealand the playful title of “the world’s laziest country.”

Yet, if asked whether they covet a life of luxury, New Zealanders would likely respond with a chuckle and a shake of the head. They’ve already achieved it, with a GDP per capita surpassing $41,400, even outstripping the UK, rightfully placing them among the ranks of developed nations.

But New Zealanders prefer subtlety over ostentation. With their wealth, they choose to invest in life’s pleasures. They shy away from luxury brands and elaborate grooming, even embracing a “barefoot culture.”

Instead of karaoke bars, they prefer yachting or venturing into nature—hiking, skiing, crabbing by the seaside—basking in nature’s gifts. This is the New Zealander’s way of life, a true embodiment of their “lying flat” philosophy, enjoying simplicity and abundance.

The World’s Last Pristine Sanctuary

Though New Zealand occupies less than 3% of China’s territory, its 270,000 square kilometers of land are vast for an island nation. Like a radiant gem, it rests upon the blue waves of the South Pacific, a veritable treasure island. Its breathtaking beauty, once heard of, becomes even more astonishing upon witnessing it firsthand.

The North Island is sketched with hundreds of dormant and 26 active volcanoes, painting a picture of grandeur. The South Island is a masterpiece of nature, with 18 peaks soaring over 3000 meters and more than 3000 glaciers reflecting off each other, crafting a pristine paradise.

Moreover, New Zealand is like a living painting. The picturesque fjords, serene hot springs nestled in forests, stunning subtropical beaches, and mysterious rainforests offer a variety of enchanting scenes. Here, a grand 5D visual feast unfolds continuously, with the magnificent vistas and the essence of nature creating a dreamlike world.