Steaming oceans accompanied us going further north towards Westport, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand
Of the 40 days in New Zealand, we spent 4 weeks on the South Island and a little less than two weeks on the North Island. If the start was not the most pleasant one, we slowly got caught from the unique landscape of both Islands, which couldn’t be more different… Continue Reading →
Wharariki Beach, South Island, New Zealand
Of the 40 days in New Zealand, we spent 4 weeks on the South Island and a little less than two weeks on the North Island. Initially New Zealand was not one of our top 10 destinations, but since everyone was sooo enthusiastic about this country, we felt we should decide for ourselves. Continue Reading →
Queenstown is only about “Adrenalone”, South Island, New Zealand
We spent almost 6 weeks in New Zealand, four on the South Island and a little less than two on the North Island. New Zealand is not a budget destination, nevertheless, we managed to spend 59 Euros per person per day, less than what we had budgeted. This is rather unexpected! How comes we did not spend much more? Continue Reading →
Ferry to Devonport, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand
Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest and culturally most diverse city: When walking through the centre, it seems like strolling through Hong Kong or Tokyo: 20 % of Auckland’s population comes from Asia. Many of them come here to study or learn English, but most are first or second generation New Zealanders. Continue Reading →
Bay of Islands, North Island, New Zealand
Famed for its stunning coastal scenery, this place with its 144 islands MUST be explored by boat. So we booked an overnight cruise from Rotorua, where we were grounded due to torrential rainfall for two consecutive days, just keeping our fingers crossed that the weather would improve or be different up north. Our boat, the Rock, has a very interesting history – it used to be a car ferry and was transformed into a very comfortable cruise boat to sleep 36 passengers. Continue Reading →
Maori “Haka” (a dramatic dance with a lot of chanting, facial movements and tongue poking), North Island, New Zealand
The second attraction that makes people come to Rotorua is a strong presence of Maori culture, mostly manifested in over-commercialised evening shows. There, tourists from “different tribes” eat Hangi, food cooked on hot stones in pits dug in the ground and watch various dances. The more famous ones are the “Poi”, where female dancers swing ball tied to the end of a cord and the “Haka”, a dramatic dance with a lot of chanting, facial movements and tongue poking. Continue Reading →
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 →
Taupo Tandem Skydiving in Lake Taupo, North Island, New Zealand
New Zealand is THE country to try some adrenaline-pumping activities, like bungy jumping, jetboating, white-water rafting, paragliding or … skydiving!
Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
