Back on the North Island

After over two months on the South Island, we are back on the North Island of New Zealand since the beginning of March. We spent a few days in the always windy Wellington. Right on the day of arrival, there was a music festival in the city center that we couldn't ignore. We went on hikes in the surrounding area, visited a great museum, and explored the rugged coast by car.

After that, we continued up the West Coast towards the north. We spent two days in Wanghanui, the oldest city in New Zealand and today's center for glassblowing art.

Between Wanghanui and New Plymouth runs Surf Highway 45, which almost circles the beautiful volcanic cone of Taranaki on the coast and invites you to surf and swim on its many beaches. We have been in New Plymouth for a week now, as this place is a good base for many activities. From here, we drove to Tongariro NP via the Forgotten World Highway. The route there was amazingly beautiful and truly lonely. There are no gas stations, no shops, only one hotel, and about a dozen farms in about 150 km. A lush green hill landscape as you imagine NZ and one of the most beautiful routes we have driven in New Zealand.

In Tongariro NP, we hiked the 'Tongariro Alpine Crossing' with thousands of other people, a very popular hike through barren volcanic landscapes. Due to its length (it took us almost 9 hours), it was quite challenging.

Back in New Plymouth, we spent a wonderful Sunday at the 'WOMAD' music festival. Artists from all around the world, many different genres, and a very family-friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The area around New Plymouth is characterized by the striking mountain Taranaki, whose sight is simply fascinating and also one reason for our long stay here in the area.

Just in the past few weeks, we have met many interesting people, travelers like us, young and old, and also so-called Kiwis. Sometimes it was really difficult for us to continue our journey and leave these nice people behind.