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Rotorua – The Sulphur City

By on 16. April 2008 in New Zealand

 

Maori Museum, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Maori Museum, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

In case you wonder where this nickname comes from, wander through the street of this small town and the odour of rotten eggs says it all. This is geothermal country with exploding geysers, bubbling mud pools and the omnipresent smell of sulphur. The potential of this thermal wonderland was recognized from early on. Tourists travelled here to marvel at the geothermal landscape as early as the late 19th century and spas were built around 1902, promising cure from gout and rheumatism. Continue Reading →

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In The Land Of Mordor Where The Shadows Lie

By on 13. April 2008 in New Zealand
World of Wearable Art, Nelson - THE Ring made for the film Lord Of The Ring: "In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them", South Island, New Zealand

World of Wearable Art, Nelson – THE Ring made for the film Lord Of The Ring: “In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them”, South Island, New Zealand

“In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.” (JRR Tolkien, Lord of the Rings). Continue Reading →

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Tongariro Alpine Crossing

By on 12. April 2008 in New Zealand
Red Crater, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand

Red Crater, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Tongariro National Park, North Island, New Zealand

Established in 1887, Tangariro National Park was New Zealand’s first national park. It is also one of the most active volcanic areas in the world, the last eruption dating back no later than 1996! Mount Ruapehu, the highest of the three volcanoes of the area with 2.797 meters, is the most active one. But Mount Tongariro, 1.967 meters and Mount Ngauruhoe, the youngest one, 2.287 meters, are also still active. Continue Reading →

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Political Hot Spot – Wellington

By on 10. April 2008 in New Zealand
The Silver Fern Ball in the Civic Square, North Island, New Zealand

The Silver Fern Ball in the Civic Square, North Island, New Zealand

Visiting New Zealand’s capital turned into a very special experience, for various reasons! First of all, we were invited to stay with Julie and Rob, where we enjoyed each others companies over great food, first class New Zealand wine and discussions touching everything from farming to world politics. We also learned a great deal about New Zealand politics from them. We had met Julie in Bolivia about 6 months ago and kept in touch. She also arranged for us to stay with her parents on a farm in Wanaka, for us city people this was an unforgettable experience. We already wrote about it… Continue Reading →

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Hopewell

By on 8. April 2008 in New Zealand

Home Far Away From Home In The Marlborough Sounds

Hopewell, probably the best Hostel I ever experienced, Malborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand

Hopewell, probably the best Hostel I ever experienced, Malborough Sounds, South Island, New Zealand

Of course lots of hostels make this slogan part of their promotion, but here at the Hopewell it is a fact. There is no better place to spend a rainy day on a comfy coach in front of a wood fired stove with a well-groomed cat curled up in your lap. We came here to experience what it is like to stay in the very BBH hostel that had received the best rating in the year 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007, a mere 97 to 98%, year permitting. Continue Reading →

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Darwin’s Nightmare

By on 6. April 2008 in New Zealand
A possum, South Island, New Zealand

A possum, South Island, New Zealand

The movie “Darwin’s Nightmare” dealt with the heavy consequences the introduction of the Nile Perch had on Lake Victoria in Tanzania and eventually on the people of the area. During our trip, we repeatedly have heard about the problems arising from introducing animals and plants not native to a region or country. Usually guides, who conduct tours through a bird sanctuary or nature reserve, bring this issue to the attention of the visiting overseas tourists. Continue Reading →

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Taking A Brief Holiday In Nelson

By on 5. April 2008 in New Zealand
Along Maitai River in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

Along Maitai River in Nelson, South Island, New Zealand

We toured the whole South Island in three and a half week and managed to explore all the highlights thoroughly, which meant spending long hours in the car in between – Something every traveller to New Zealand had predicted. Since this country was the first destination we had not prepared a great deal, this had to be done while in the car or reading at night before or after writing our entries for the website. Continue Reading →

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Frolicking Seal Pups On Breathtaking Wharariki Beach

By on 3. April 2008 in New Zealand

 

Fur Seal Pubs in a Tidal Pool, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand

Fur Seal Pubs in a Tidal Pool, Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand

Wharariki Beach is something you need to see to believe it. We were totally unprepared for this visual feast, since we had planned to go the opposite way, out to Farewell Spit. This peninsula, a sea of sand dunes, is a popular breeding ground for seabirds and thus can only be accessed with a tour. Luckily we were advised against this six hour trip in an eco-bus (!) that goes all the way to the tip of the peninsula with two little stops in between. So instead, we went to discover the area west of the peninsula on foot, which is so much more scenic. Moreover, it does not cost a penny. Continue Reading →

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Golden Bay & Abel Tasman National Park

By on 2. April 2008 in New Zealand
Golden beaches in the Abel Tasman National Parc, South Island, New Zealand

Golden beaches in the Abel Tasman National Parc, South Island, New Zealand

The amazing scenery of Golden Bay was matched by our home for two nights, “The Innlet”, a hostel that we highly recommend. It offers different types of accommodation and this time we treated ourselves to a self-contained unit with a bedroom, living-room / kitchen and bathroom, all together for 80 NZ Dollar a night. Continue Reading →

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