The Breaking of the Fellowship - New Zealand Week 9

The proper journey through New Zealand has begun. I thank Impression for the many valuable experiences I have had the opportunity to gather. Unfortunately, I can't think of any examples right now.

Anyway, we are now on the road and in a different place every day. That's why I'm changing my reports a bit now and won't strictly tell them by day. I can't tell you everything we see every week here, it would be too much.

But first, I have to write a short note about the attack in Christchurch. At the time of the attack, we were still in Auckland, which is on the North Island. Christchurch is on the South Island. Due to this spatial separation, I did not feel immediate fear. However, what hit me was the impact the attack had on the New Zealanders. You can imagine New Zealand as a kind of utopia. A beautiful, remote country with people who care about their environment and are kind to both their fellow citizens and strangers. An innovative and liberal government that cares more about the concerns of its citizens than its businesses. In this world, there are few cruelties or serious crimes. A act of violence such as in Christchurch, which was also filmed live by the perpetrator himself, has shaken this society and unfortunately shows that we as humans are capable of unspeakable acts everywhere and at all times. No matter how much our environment tries. However, it should be noted that the perpetrator was not a New Zealander, but someone from Australia. This was important to almost all New Zealanders I spoke to about the events. Who can blame them for wanting to preserve at least a part of their ideal world...

But now back to the whimsical tales of the Knight Lukas with the wheel. We will now see and experience much more, as we are no longer in an internship, but rather traveling for several weeks.

However, I don't think I will only tell you how great this or that beach is and how worth seeing this or that national park is. Because I make too much shit. Maybe more interesting for you, not always positive for me.😄

This week we visited Kuirau Park in the heart of Rotorua. This is New Zealand's only public geothermal park.

There is a legend about the origin of the park:

The boiling lake in the middle of the park used to be colder. Tamahika and his beautiful wife Kuirau lived on the shore of this lake. One day, when Kuirau was bathing in the water, she was snatched by a Taniwha (dragon) and dragged deep down. The gods saw this and became so angry that the lake water started to boil. The Taniwha was killed, but Kuirau also died. Since then, the lake and the park have been named after them.

The boiling springs and ponds have a strong sulfur smell, but captivate the viewer with their colors, reflections, and shades.

However, I couldn't really enjoy the park because I had to pee urgently (Wow, what a plot twist). Actually, there are public toilets everywhere in New Zealand, especially at parking lots and tourist attractions, which is why New Zealanders hate peeing in public. But of course, there was no toilet here. That meant I wandered around the park, the surrounding streets, and weird shops for half an hour, unsuccessfully searching for a solution. So in the end, I had to go into the bushes. Sorry for that, dear Kiwis, but I tried. The park is certainly beautiful, but due to this time-consuming event, I cannot judge it in depth.😄

In the evening, we stayed in a bungalow at a campsite. After dinner, we played cards, specifically Phase 10 pocket, a stripped-down version of the normal Phase 10. It was the worst game night ever because it was so boring. After the 5th round, I couldn't be bothered anymore, so I logically didn't reach the 6th phase until the end of the game. That means I couldn't make a single move for half an hour. Those who know me know how good my mood was.

But according to a group decision, I couldn't stop earlier. The final result says it all.

If I don't have luck in the game, at least I have bad luck in love lately.

When I finally got to shower in the campground's restroom, Glock and Stefan also tried to peep. But there's room for improvement. They actually got lost in the showers and ended up in the men's instead of the women's.

Last weekend, we hiked the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. And what can you say when you want to describe something so breathtaking?

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing is often described as the best day hike in New Zealand and is a tour through fascinating volcanic landscapes, past emerald green lakes, and through undulating fields of wheat. The trip is 19.4 kilometers long, starts at 1120 meters, and goes steeply uphill to the highest point at 1886 meters.

It is not an easy path and you should be physically fit for it. In retrospect, it can be said that almost everyone can do the hike if they walk at their own pace. Except for a group of Asian women who tried to descend on their buttocks. I have no idea how they even got up there.

I asked friends who have already hiked the trek if there is anything I need to know. I received useful and less useful tips.

The most helpful tip for Tongariro was given to me by Willy Joe Grimme. Here's the exact quote: 'You have to walk for a while.'

#ThanksForEverythingWilly

We wanted to start relatively early to beat the tourist crowds. And because the alarm clock would go off at 6 am, I wanted a decent amount of sleep. The situation in Tony's Lodge, our Airbnb at the time, was as follows:

Imagine a room of about 20 square meters that you inhabit with four people. No problem. Everyone spreads their stuff on the floor and you can't find anything anymore? Totally fine. Garlic lying somewhere in a bag, mocking away? No big deal. Everyone using the same sink installed in the room? It works. Sharing a 1.30 meter double bed with a friend. Totally fine. The bed construction is such that a bunk bed is directly above the double bed and so low that you can hardly sit in the double bed? Just have to deal with it. The upper bed bends so much that you're afraid it will break? Doesn't matter. The friend from above steps on you every time he goes to pee? Bearable. Sophia, in the bed next to me, is already annoyed to death? She has to endure it. When you want to sleep, but creepy hands keep coming down on both sides of the bed? You have to fend them off. Foul-smelling gases flow through the room from all sides? Hold your breath for a moment. When your friend next to you playfully tries to spoon with you because it was all about spooning in the last episode of the New Zealand Bachelor? #nohomo If someone starts snoring? Okay, I'm out. There is an electric blanket? Don't you dare turn it on, Stefan!

After this exhausting night, we started the hike.

It starts with some meandering through flat terrain, but quickly becomes serious at 'the devil's staircase', the first real ascent. 

Once you've made it, you reach a large volcanic crater.

There, on the right side, you can see Mount Ngauruhoe for the first time, an active volcano that represents Mount Doom in the Lord of the Rings movie. Impressive.

After the volcanic crater, there is a really tough climb up to the highest point of the trek. The path there was not optimally constructed, making it even more strenuous (I am currently planning my scathing Google review due to the imperfectly constructed road). But from the top, you have a spectacular view in all directions:

Then there is a steep, slippery path through scree down to the lakes. From there, the inclines are rather gentle and most of the path is flat and descending. Let me show you some pictures rather than describing too much.

The last third of the path goes through meadows, fields of wheat, and a forest.

I have to admit, towards the end, the tour becomes quite long. (Just like my report here is currently #sorrynotsorry).

It's no longer strenuous, but in the forest, I eventually lost interest. So I listened to the Lord of the Rings audiobook. When it was finally done, we grilled in the evening and relaxed with our host. Nice guy and the perfect Airbnb host in terms of personality.

Today, March 27th, was my last day of travel on the North Island. Glock and I flew from Wellington (windiest city ever) to Christchurch this morning and will now conquer the South Island. Unfortunately, some stories of our travel group (Sophia, Stefan, Glock, and me) on the North Island remain untold. Spilled milk on Airbnb carpets, discussions about the dirty side of dishwashing, the missed visit to Rivendell, the regrettable missed Cape Palliser, or the meeting with Annika and Ruven in Wellington.

At my time, 16 companions from Hochschule Kehl went to New Zealand. Aich, Annabell, and Jula, we didn't even meet, Ilona is exploring New Zealand with her boyfriend, the four Taurangas are going their own ways to Asia and Australia, Philipp and Chris are flying the flag for us in Auckland, Annika and Ruven will soon be flying to the Fiji Islands, Sophia and Stefan left us in Wellington and are meeting their respective partners in Auckland. So Timm, my gardener, and I are the only ones left to destroy the One Ring. But I don't know where it is right now. I'm afraid I forgot it in the bathroom at the Airbnb...

Goodbye👋

PS: If I have forgotten someone from HS who also did their internship between January and April, I'm very sorry. Please send complaints to the email of my personal secretary: LocherG[at]hs-kehl.de