Follow me around the world…
On Sunday 18th November, I did the heli hike at the 12 km long temperate maritime Franz Josef Glacier. Again I was really lucky with the weather because the few previous days the hikes had been cancelled. We had to be at the base for 9.30 am where they checked our weight and equipped us … Continue reading ? hike at Franz Josef Glacier
The next day I struggled sitting on the bus driving along windy roads. At Cape Foulwind we went for a beautiful walk along the coast and it didn’t really matter that it was cloudy. The scenery was gorgeous and we even saw seals. In the afternoon we checked into the beautiful YHA in Westport and … Continue reading Cape Foulwind & Pancake Rocks
On Wednesday the 15th November, the big day had finally arrived. I got the voucher for the skydiving already in Auckland because I feared I’d chicken out at the last minute. At breakfast I found out they’d postponed the pick up time from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm and I was briefly at a loss … Continue reading Skydiving in Abel Tasman
The next day I had sore muscles but my knees were OK. Before we left Raetihi we planted a few trees in a field near the hostel. We were the first stray bus to do so and became pioneers of a new tradition. On our way to Wellington we stopped at a cafe and at … Continue reading Raetihi – Wellington – Abel Tasman
On Sunday 12th November we had to get up at 5 am because we had a big day ahead of us. We would walk the 19.4 km of the Tongariro Alpine Crossing. Geared up with thermal underwear underneath my outdoor clothes and a woolly hat I only had to borrow gloves for 5 $. Back … Continue reading Tongariro Alpine Crossing
The next morning I went from our lodge to the cafe for breakfast and then horse riding with five other people from the stray group. I was a little bit nervous because I got kicked by a horse last year when I did the same in Costa Rica but all the horses here were well … Continue reading Blue Duck Station
On Friday 10th November, we spent an hour at Murupara Primary School. The youngest 130 children performed the Haka and two songs for us before they chose one of us and an activity they wanted to do with us. I got loads of toy food served before I became a doctor and had to attent … Continue reading Back to school
I didn’t sleep well and got up early the next morning. With one of my roomies I went to a nice cafe for breakfast and enjoyed good and quite deep conversation and normal life instead of a quick bowl of microwave porridge early in the morning before hopping on a bus. Later the other two … Continue reading Lake Aniwhenua
The next morning I got picked up around 8.45 am for a half day trip to Waiotapu in the Taupo Volcanic Zone. First we stopped at a mud pool, then at the Lady Knox Geyser, which they make erupt with washing powder every morning. Last and major stop was the park where I did all … Continue reading Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
On Tuesday 7th November, I had to check out of my hostel by 10 am. The day before I realised I’d paid twice for the night in Raglan. When I was there I remembered I had a voucher for the surf lesson but forgot I had one for accommodation as well. I went to Peterpans … Continue reading Rotorua