Our December Highlights

With the turn of the year, the second month of our New Zealand journey came to an end and we would like to review it, as we did last month. In December, we saw a lot, had exciting animal experiences, and increasingly got used to living in the car. In addition, we celebrated Christmas in the summer for the first time - instead of hot mulled wine and cookies, we had a serving of ice cream and sunscreen.

Once again, we have come up with eleven questions to capture a few highlights we experienced in December.
To make it clearer for you which answers belong to whom, Tobi's answers will be in bold and mine will be in italics - because of course, the two of us don't always have the same opinion. ;)

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- In December, you saw a variety of waterfalls. Which one was the most beautiful for you? -
Tobi: The Waipunga Falls on State Highway 5 between Taupo and Napier can only be viewed from a lookout, which gives them a special charm.
Nadine: It's difficult because we visited many beautiful waterfalls, but one of the most beautiful ones was the Te Ana Fall in Napier.

- From where did you have a great view? -
Before we arrived at the largest lake in New Zealand, we had a great view of Lake Taupo and the Tongario National Park with its three volcanoes.
After climbing 251 steps to Cape Palliser Lighthouse, we had a wonderful view of the endless ocean and the surrounding mountains.

- Which hiking trail left a special memory? -
After an hour's drive on the gravel road, we walked through green, untouched nature to the Shine Falls. Welcome to the Shire.
The path to the summit of Mount Tauhara is unpaved and leads through a densely overgrown forest. After 1.5 hours of climbing, we reached the top. I enjoy such tracks much more because it's not just about climbing up fixed stairs.

- When you go on such long hikes, you must get hungry. Which food deserves to be mentioned? -
In general, we would like to praise the fruit and vegetables here. Whether from the market, street vendors, or the supermarket - we have never been disappointed with the local products. It tastes delicious and compared to Germany, almost nothing needs to be imported.

- You stay at many campsites on your journey - which one offered the best view from the car? -
At Mount Manganui, our Sam stood on a hill, overlooking everything and giving us an almost unobstructed view of the ocean.
The campground at Cape Palliser is located on a mountainside, so every pitch has a clear view of the wide ocean. Here we enjoyed great sunsets.

- New Zealand's wildlife is very diverse. Do you have a new animal friend? -
I am still impressed by the seal colony at the southernmost point of the North Island. Being able to observe the animals up close and in their natural habitat still leaves me speechless.
This month, we got quite close to many animals. However, one that stuck in my memory was the six-day-old piglet that we were able to hold in our hands at Stu's Farm.

- Did you also have an unpleasant encounter with an animal? -
Yes! We don't have to think long about that - the mosquito plague on December 6th at Muriwai Beach will be remembered for a long time. We don't want to experience something like that again.

- Enough of the negative vibes; in which city could you have stayed longer? -
Definitely in Napier. The city has a beautiful beach promenade, a lively city center, and there is a lot to explore in the surrounding area.
For me, it's another big city. Wellington is modern, vibrant, and it's fun to stroll through the city because it's not overcrowded. It also offers various activities for any weather.

- Do you miss something from Germany by now? -
95% of German backpackers will agree with me - there's simply hardly any good bread here. There's nothing better than a whole grain bread with a crust from the local bakery.
We almost exclusively drink still water - what would I give for a cold grape juice spritzer? :)

- Just between us. Is there anything that bothers you about New Zealand? -
Unfortunately, yes. We don't need to discuss this for long. Surprisingly, environmental protection falls short in some areas here. While there are strict controls upon entry, there is neither a deposit on plastic bottles nor an environmental sticker on cars. In supermarkets, everything has to be packed in plastic bags, and just like in America, the bigger the car, the better. These are just a few examples where we see potential for improvement.

- And last but not least: Your favorite pictures from December! -

Cathedral Cove

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That was our little review of the month of December. If you want to know more about the individual experiences, just read the latest blogs. :)
We hope you enjoyed it, and we look forward to being able to report on our further journey.