Really now?

Slowly and steadily we feel good arrived in New Zealand, at the other end of the world. It still feels like vacation, but the first challenges bring us back to the ground of everyday life.

Things like - doing laundry (which wasn't that easy the first time - we put too much laundry in the machine, which the dryer couldn't handle...hehe), booking a hostel (feeling comfortable in a mixed 6bed room is a different story - we'll try Couchsurfing next week), searching for transportation, running errands, cooking, washing dishes, planning the next destinations, looking for a car (traveling by bus is too exhausting...), inquiring about and applying for jobs (it's a full-time job), opening a bank account, applying for a tax number, etc. As you can see, a day goes by very quickly and time flies so fast...

Sweet as bro!

Beautyland

The second week here in New Zealand is already almost over, and every new place we travel to is so uniquely different and beautiful. Again and again, we ask ourselves where the hell we are and why it's so beautiful here. Words barely describe the country, even 1000 pictures can only capture a fraction of its beauty. Every day is so special, every piece of nature is just right in every place. It's not about having, it's about being.

drawing the Bay of Island

Diary 16th - 21st October 2016, Bay of Island

After our exciting stay in Auckland and on Waiheke Island, we wanted to explore the north of NZ, Bay of Island. (4h bus ride)

Our hostel *Bay Adventure* in Paihia was very lovely and nice, our rooms very fine and our bed a dream!! On Tuesday after our power breakfast, we set out on foot to the Hanguru Waterfall.

On the way back, we took the hiking trail over Waitanga. This trail was a forest/jungle path next to the water and the famous mangrove trees. After the long hike, we strolled along the shell beach in Waitang and treated ourselves to a tasty beef burger on the way home ;)

New day, new luck. On the way with the speedboat to the *Hole in the Rock*, we encountered dolphins, and a lot of them. Soooooo cool! They were jumping around, swimming with us, incredible. We also saw sea lions and a mini penguin, how crazy is that?

Hole in the Rock

90mile beach & Cape Reinga

The next day we went with our Dune Rider (4x4 bus) to the northernmost and holiest place in NZ. *Cape Reinga*

Our driver Paul informed us that we had to drive along the 90 miles beach on the way there because today was high tide. We raced along the endless long beach in the bus-truck, at one point we needed several attempts because the tide was quite high - it was very exciting! When Paul forced through the spot, there was applause on the bus and a few relieved heads (including mine hehe).

Behind the 90mile beach, there is nothing but sand dunes and grass. We also had the pleasure of sandboarding. It was pretty funny!

After boarding, we finally went to the holy place. Cape Reinga. Eating was forbidden there and there was NO SIGNAL. A very spiritual place - according to the Maori, all souls come here before they move on to heaven. The oceans also kiss each other here (Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean). The view from there is unbelievable, so many shades of blue and green, and this endless expanse...