Ab in den Norden

On Monday we drove out of Auckland, heading north. Three hours north is Whangarei, the next bigger city. By the way, Whangarei is pronounced Fangarei, that means the WH is pronounced like an F. We sometimes have problems pronouncing the place names in German and adding an English accent to it doesn't make it any easier. But the three-hour bus ride was definitely worth it! The north is incredibly beautiful, just like you imagine New Zealand. We already noticed that on the bus ride. I would even become a bus driver here if I could see such amazing landscapes.

We reached Whangarei in the dark and were a little scared when we were on our way to the hostel because there was really no one around. Our hostel is a former prison and Rian, the owner, welcomed us very nicely. Everything here is very familiar, you sit together in the evening or exchange information about the best hiking trails. As soon as we arrived, we were recommended all sorts of routes and Rian even offered to take us to a great viewpoint and show us around.

The next day I had to open my bank account and I was absolutely thrilled! Actually, I would have had an appointment on Friday, but an office worker cleared his desk so that I could go to him immediately. Well, that would be unthinkable in Germany. This bank appointment was absolutely great! The office worker was so nice, funny and friendly, talked to me and even showed me pictures of his children and bam, the one-hour and actually annoying appointment was over. Later we finally found a supermarket that was affordable and we were just so happy about an avocado for our breakfast bread. In the evening we met many people again, of course many Germans, but also a girl from the Netherlands or French people are here, so that we could finally, finally speak a little English.

On Wednesday we walked to the Whangarei Falls together with two other girls from Germany. The walk there took 1.5 hours but was definitely worth it!

Tomorrow we are going to Mount Parihaka, together with a few other people. It's really quick here, no matter where you are, in the hostels, at breakfast or dinner or while hiking, you meet people everywhere, with whom you get along so well that you do something together the next day or travel together. No one is alone here.

Good night from beautiful New Zealand,

See ya :)