Wairere Falls

Dear Hobbits,

After working the first 3 weeks in Hobbiton, I felt so good after the acclimatization phase that I had enough energy left to do things on my weekends and go on adventures. So I chose the closest destination: Wairere Falls. Beautiful waterfalls located just 1 hour's drive from home, with an estimated 2-hour hike. A pleasant route with about 400 meters of elevation gain, which can be undertaken even after a week of running at work.

The track winds through thick brush and the incredibly lush green of the New Zealand jungle, and no matter where I looked, I saw life and nature all around. A wonderful track that can occasionally be a bit slippery. After about 45 minutes, I reached the first platform from which the waterfall could be seen in all its glory.

And since I still had some breath left, I decided to hike all the way to the top and enjoy the view from higher up.

After this wonderful hike, I settled into a shady spot a bit further away from the hustle and bustle of the falls and enjoyed the apricot-pistachio tart I had bought earlier. Before I headed to the waterfalls, I had made a stop at the farmers' market in Cambridge, which takes place every Saturday morning and features a bakery selling its incredibly delicious baked goods, where my bread-loving self gets fully satisfied and I perhaps (actually always) also buy something sweet to have a classic coffee and cake experience that reminds me of home.

I have also completely switched over and now drink only decaf coffee except on very special occasions (and when I’m extremely tired). It tastes just as good and I don’t feel like my body is trembling and struggling to function afterward. :D

A wonderful hike on my day off and I already had my next adventure planned, which thrilled my climbing self and was one of the coolest adventures I’ve done here in New Zealand: the Lost Adventurer Tour through the Waitomo Caves. Look forward to this experience.

Your Britta