‘GIRL ON THE ROAD IN KIWI-COUNTRY’,
Where to begin to talk about New Zealand/North Island … First of all, it is a really long trip but also really worth the “trouble” if you ask me. Leaving from the Netherlands on November 1st 2014 there was a 38 hour trip waiting for me and I was so stoked to do this trip! Not only was it the first time I travelled this far by myself, but I was also visiting family whom I hadn’t seen a long time and my auntie was meeting me there as well. She was travelling through Australia in the months before and we agreed to meet in NZ to do some travelling on the north island of NZ together. Stoked to do this trip and explore kiwi land up close !!
It does’t get much greener than in kiwi land. They have all the regular seasons with the matching weather and that is one of the first things I noticed. It is very similar to the Netherlands, weather and seasonal wise. The variety in the colour scheme of green is mesmerising. The people are much more found indoors, unlike australia (my second home) people are almost always outside. But not less friendly at all. People are super duper nice and very helpful and welcoming to tourists.
New Zealand has so many gorgeous spots where you can totally interact with nature’s beauty, small towns and awesome beaches. There is something for every interest on the north island.
My favourite spots during this trip:
CAPE REINGA – SPIRITS BAY – LIGHTHOUSE / DARGAVILLE & WHANGAREI / RAGLAN / NAPIER / WAITOMO AREA / MOUNT MAUNGANUI / WAIKIWAU BEACH / MARAKOPA FALLS / LAKE TAUPO /
This country is absolutely awesome and an experience that I recommend to everyone if you have the possibility to go. Next time I definitely want to visit the south island as well.
Travel info: November 2014 / Netherlands > Shanghai > New Zealand (North Island) > Tokio > Netherlands
Visited during trip: Amsterdam / Shanghai / Auckland / Dargaville / Whangarei / Tutukaka / Parahaki view / Whangarei falls / Kai iwi lake / Maunganui bluff / Opononi / Rawene / Kohukohu / Kaitaia / Cape Reinga – spirits bay & light house – / Pukenui / Awanui / Kaingaroa / Te Ngaere / Whangaroa / Matauri bay / Kerikeri / Paihia / Haruru falls / Kawakawa / Auckland / Hamilton / Raglan / Otorohanga / Waitomo / Mangapohue natural bridge / Marokopa falls / Piripiri caves / Waikawau tunnel view beach / Waitara / Inglewood / Stratford / Hawera / Patea / Waverly / Whanganui / Bulls / Foxton / Levin / Otaki / Waikanae / Paraparaumu / Paekakariki / Wellington / Napier / Lake Taupo / Huka falls / Craters of the moon / Wai-O-Tapu / Tamaki village / Rotorua / Okera falls / Tauranga / Mount maunganui / – Dargaville – / Auckland / Tokio / Amsterdam.
HANDY TRAVEL WEBSITES FOR NZ TRIP: / WWW.NEWZEALAND.COM / WWW.WIKICAMPS.COM.NZ / WWW.UNIVERSALPACKINGLIST.COM / WWW.MAORI.COM /
XO,
Boni
