New Zealand Holiday

First thanks to Ben in Scotland who has recently sent me an email telling that I should update my blog with pics and stories from my New Zealand holiday. He is right:

After having finished work in Christchurch I joined the Contiki tour that I had booked. The group had already travelled the South Island and was now joined by 7 travellers for the North Island. Already on the first day we took the ferry to Wellington on the north island. The route then led up north to Lake Taupo, Rotorua, Waitomo, Auckland and the Bay of Islands. The Contiki group tour made me feel like being 14 and on a school trip for the first time (incl. everybody being really excited and silly … and I really don’t want to go into detail here…). On the other hand the tour dropped us on spot at many sights and places, hotels were arranged and on my own I would have never been able to cover so much. Here are the highlights of this holiday:

Breathtaking Scenery and beautiful nature

from top left clockwise: Ferry to Wellington, Volcano Ruapehu, Waiheke Island, Geyser in Whakarewarewa

Fun stuff

Of course the Contiki tour also meant a lot of party. Wherever our group of 45 people arrived the first pubs were spotted and tested. Also included was a fancy dress dinner cruise on Lake Taupo. One of my personal highlights: Black water rafting in the Waitomo Caves – home of the Glowworms. For the rafting everybody was equipped with a wetsuit, helmet and torch and was given a crash course in how to use a rubber tube for rafting down the river and how to jump of a waterfall backwards. Then – directly through a little whole into the cave which was really impressive. Most of the time we were floating along the cave in our rubber tube, had to jump two waterfalls and enjoyed the thousands of glowworms in the cave that made the dark cave look like it had a sky with stars!

Maori Culture and Relaxing

Throughout the trip we were given the chance to gain insight into Maori culture. We were thaught how to dance the tradiational Haka dance (very touristic program – but fun) and visited maori settlements like Whakrewarewa.

Besides all the program and activities there was still enough time to relax – which of course happened along the beaches and in and on the water.

pics: relaxing while sailing in the Bay of Islands, Dolphin spotting, Waiheke Island

After having returned from the Bay of Islands the tour ended in Auckand where I spent two more days before flying home. One day of sightseeing in downtown Auckland was enough so I finished the trip with a great day of hiking and swimming on Waiheke Island. In the evening I met Geri, a friend from back home who had moved to Auckland 3 years ago.

A wonderful holiday and 8 days were really not enough. I really do hope that I will find time to return to NZ for a 2 or 3 week road trip holiday in this beautiful country.

Tune I listen to while writing these lines: John lee Hooker - Annie Mae