Once north and back

It has been a few days since we wrote our last article from Auckland. In the meantime, we spent almost the whole time without cell phone reception and made it to the northernmost point of New Zealand and back to Auckland.

But let's start from the beginning. Of course, the first thing we did was receive our new home for the next 2.5 months: our camper. Car, bed, seating area, shower, toilet, stove, sink, and refrigerator all on 12 square meters. A good compromise, considered luxury among simple campers and simplicity among luxury campers. So here we go!

Our first big destination was Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand.

On the way there, we took several days and enjoyed the landscape, which shines in a different light every day and looks different behind every turn.

And there are plenty of turns here. In Waipoua Forest alone, we went through more turns than in our entire previous life.

But New Zealand's roads also offer characteristics that are not found in Germany. Examples?

A cow on the side of the road.

Chickens in the tree.

Lambs in the middle of the road.

Not to mention the warning signs for kiwis, cows, planes, ducks, and many other things. Or the coastal roads plagued by landslides, which would have already been closed in Germany. In New Zealand, a sign with an exclamation mark is sufficient.

There are plenty of warning signs here, but signs pointing you in the right direction are scarce. Although we have a road atlas, it doesn't help much if you have no idea where you are.

Nevertheless, we made it to our destination and decided to treat ourselves to two nights at the camping site right by the sea.

After exploring the cape by car, we hiked there again on our day off from driving, covering 5 km. Doesn't sound like much? Now add the 5 kilometers from one bay over a mountain through another bay over two mountains and maybe you'll understand why this tour takes several hours.

If it starts to rain on the way back, the route becomes even more interesting.

On the way back, we traveled a bit faster and are now back in Auckland at the end of the second day. From here, we will head to the Coromandel Peninsula tomorrow.