15 days on the North Island. Packing in their nature wonderland and culture. They have it all.
So many many adventures here it’s difficult to know where to start this blog. Maybe with the memories that float to the top.
- People walking around with no shoes. In the middle of a city, wearing everyday clothes you might see in the US. But NO shoes. On cobbled streets, stores, restaurants, anywhere. Like hippy throw-back attitude. It’s just their thing.
- Rental scooters. Electric powered, stand-up blade scooters. Everywhere around the big cities they are used as ride-shares. Jump on. Drop off.
- Everyone says ‘sweet’ as - at every opportunity.
- Expresso is called Short Black… or an Americano
- They love old cars, motorcycles. A true appreciation of motor-heads.
- Rugby is another word for God
- Self-serve water at most all restaurants.
- I can brush my teeth in the bathroom sink using the tap – Safe, clean, H2O – Yeah!!!
- City streets with sculptures and art – with a passion.
- They love their birds
- Everyone hikes, or talks of the tracks that crisscross the islands.
- Driving on the left. Remembering where the turn signal is.
- Always paying your restaurant bill at the counter, not waiting on the waitress.
- No or non-existent security guards everywhere.
- Being called ‘love’
- Being greeted with ‘Kai Ora’ - the Maori hello/good health/thank you all in-one.
I visited the South Island 10 years ago with River and Rain. Skiing, the Fjords, Queenstown, Christchurch, Bungy jumping (River only!!). This visit to the North Island is inspired by a visit to Wellington – and my good friends Mikey and Allison. My NZ friends are world travelers from the States, living and working in Wellington. World-Class people in every sense and I’m fortunate to call them friends. They helped plan my itinerary and hosted me in their downtown Wellington Flat. Wow!!! How can I ever repay their friendship and generosity?
No diving during my tour of the North Island. A little on the cold side for my thin-blood.
I start my North Island tour in Auckland. Traveling to downtown by bus from the airport, walking the CBD, eating gourmet meals on the wharf. I’m in a civilized Nation – wow!!! After traveling the 3ed world for 4 months; it’s a shock to my senses. After a day of museums, I rent a car and head south.
First stop Hobbiton. The movie set for the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies. Amazing how those movies put NZ on the map. Showcasing the beauty of these islands and their creative talents. I love the J.R.R. Tolkien books and movies by Peter Jackson. Classic Good v. Evil. It’s a subject close to my emotions. If anyone has noticed: My web site uses a famous quote from the Hobbit movie; Bilbo is running to join the Dwarf’s; and says “ I’m going on an Adventure “ - Nothing better. Bilbo had it right!!!
I push on to Rotorua for a few days hiking around geysers, bubbling mud pits and hot springs – like a mini Yellowstone. Adding a tourist trip (trap) to a Maori Polynesian village for a culture show and dinner. Not the authentic experience I would have liked, but I did learn a ton. The Haka – their war dance. I had to perform the dance as part of the tour’s learning experience…badly admit !!! I must add that although the Maori show didn’t capture the authentic feel…I did leave vastly more knowledgeable about Polynesian culture, dance and traditions.
Next up. Tongariro. I stated at the Chateau Grand hotel in the heart of this mountain reserve. Shadowed by two huge Volcanos. I fell in love with the place!!! Hiking several tracks. Learning to play snooker. Visiting magnificent Waterfalls. Taking pictures of Hobbit movie locations. I could barely make myself leave. Please…will one of my mates come back here and hike these trails with me ???
Hitting the roadway again. Its time to crash Wellington. My friends have prepared a room in their home for me, hand me a key – and line up a crazy-ton of NZ culture. City walking tours, beers at a Pub with locals, a Rugby Match, a comedy show, Weta Special Affects workshop, Te Papa and Wellington museums, dinners at great unique restaurants, hiking in Zealandia wildlife sanctuary, driving the entire peninsular with scenic views. Every one of these mini-adventures can fill a blog. How can you top Front-row in a 2500 seat theater for a NZ comedy show? 11 comedians in my lap !!!! – fantastic.
I leave learning so much of Wellington. My Rugby knowledge took a leap forward. The Wellington Hurricanes beat the Melbourne Rebels 26-19. Cold weather, good friends, the quintessential authentic NZ experience.
It’s easy to see why my friends live here. Expat’s - the real deal.
The calm and trusting vibe here is amazing. I visited that building that houses their historical documents: Declaration of Independence, the Waitangi treaty, the Woman’s suffragette scroll. I walked into the showcase room with no scan, no guards, with just a simple glass case holding these artifacts. WOW!!! Image our Washington DC. Guards, scans, bulletproof case, ushered in and out. This is NOTHING like the security we feel everywhere at home. Its like this everywhere here in NZ. Refreshing to be trusted, and not feared. Sadly, the US has long ago lost that privilege in the US.
I leave Wellington and push North; heading back to Auckland and my onward flight. I split the drive in half, stopping in New Plymouth for two nights. At-first, I was thinking it was just another tiny – 1 horse town that I had passed thru on my drive of the North Island. But New Plymouth surprised me. I really enjoyed its small CBD and museums, and its wonderful sea-side hiking. And that is nothing compared with what it still holds. Taranaki is a giant volcano that dominates this corner of NZ. I drove up the mountain in the clouds to a ranger station. OH!!! Another massive hiking adventure is calling me. Taranaki just teases, the clouds never clearing for a full view. But the potential hike of these mountain parks might rival Tongariro. … a perfect hiking adventure would combine both these NZ regions.
Finally completing my circuit of the North Island I return to Auckland, return my car and find a final hotel here in NZ. An early flight out awaits. Fiji and back to diving. I’m looking forward to the warm weather; but will be missing my NZ friends and the ‘sweet as’ vibe.
Kia ora
Thanks for reading my NZ blog!
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