Bittersweet Ending

Our final week in New Zealand was all about embracing the beauty of the far north. We made it all the way to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of the country, where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean in a swirling dance of currents. Up there, we found a secluded bay with a stunning campground, perfect for swimming in the ocean and unwinding for a couple of nights.

On our way back to Auckland, we stumbled upon what was easily the most beautiful campsite of our entire trip—a quiet, untouched beach surrounded by majestic trees, far from any crowds or infrastructure. We stayed for two nights, spending our last days in New Zealand swimming, stargazing, and simply enjoying the moment.

Back in Auckland, we returned the van and spent one final night in the city. Apart from wandering through its streets, we visited the Wētā Workshop Experience, where we got a glimpse into the world of film magic. Seeing how props, sets, and scaled-down landscapes are created was fascinating—especially the massive miniature worlds used for filming. We even got hands-on with a 1.5-hour Wētā Workshop, crafting our own diorama. Time was short, but we managed to put together something recognizable. Maybe one day, we’ll try creating one at home.

And now, here we are at the airport, ready for the long journey home—27 hours of travel ahead. It’s bittersweet to leave, but the memories of these incredible weeks in Aotearoa will stay with us forever.Read more