• Yvonne Reinartz
  • Yvonne Reinartz

New Zealand, the big adventure

Et 32-dagers eventyr av Yvonne Les mer
  • Reisens start
    29. februar 2016

    My Auckland Home (Ponsonby)

    1. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    My lovely Airbnb in Ponsonby. Hosts Peter and Judy are fantastic.The houses in this area are adorable. Wooden with little front porches you can sit on. Lots of cafes, restaurants and shops on the main street (all independent) and everyone is so friendly.

    Welcome dinner with my friend Harry and his girlfriend Jamie made for an amazing 1st evening. Hundreds of cicadas in the garden and the pouring rain that fell on the roof last night made everything so much cosier. I went out like a light. 😊

    Link to the Airbnb: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4317624?s=23&u…
    Les mer

  • Mission Bay, Auckland

    1. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    A 20 mins drive from Auckland on a road that takes you all along the coast. For the best views of Auckland stop at the car park of the Sea Life Aquarium in Orakei and then drive on to Mission Bay. All along the coast you will have beautiful views and lovely little bays where you can sit down, put your feet in the sand and smell the ocean. 🌊Les mer

  • One Tree Hill, Auckland

    1. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Maungakiekie / One Tree Hill is a 182-metre (597 ft) volcanic peak in Auckland. It is an important memorial place for both Māori and other New Zealanders.The summit provides views across the Auckland area, and allows you to see both of Auckland's harbours. It was quite a hike up the hill, but the sun made a quick appearance and the views are fantastic (even though it was quite foggy). 😊Les mer

  • Going North (Auckland to Paihia)

    2. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    So this is it. My first proper road trip. It will take me up North to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. It's an approximately 250km drive which should take about 3.5 hours. Knowing me and how often I stop to take pictures it will take much longer than that 😊. But the journey is all that matters so I am really excited to get going. Will also stop at Whangarei Harbour on the way for a spot of lunch. Me and my trusty steed are off. 🚗Les mer

  • On my way North (Waipu)

    2. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    The landscapes are changing from beaches to green mountains with sheep and cattle to lush rainforests to beaches again.

    Coming over one steep hill, I saw the majestic Whangarei Heads in the distance. Looking for an access to the beach I found one. After driving into a dodgy path - within the Uretiti rest area - with massive potholes I was there.

    This beach is a force of nature. You can smell the ocean from miles away and feel the spray of the waves on your skin. This is what I dreamed of! 😊🌊
    Les mer

  • Paihia, New Zealand

    2. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    The 1st stop of my road trip and my home for the next 2 days. After arriving at the hostel 'Cap'n Bobs' (http://www.capnbobs.co.nz/) and checking into my room, I made my way to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to learn more about Maori history. It's such an inspirational place and well worth the visit.
    (http://www.waitangi.org.nz/treaty-grounds/)

    The Waitangi Treaty Grounds is the place where Māori chiefs first signed their accord with the British Crown – the Treaty of Waitangi – Te Tiriti of Waitangi, New Zealand’s founding document.

    The Treaty Grounds feature the historic Treaty House, the magnificently carved meeting house and the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe. I really enjoyed strolling through the grounds and the amazing panoramic views of the Bay of Islands.

    And to top the day off, nature put on a spectacular show with a double rainbow! 😆
    Les mer

  • Day trip (Motuarohia Island)

    3. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    It is safe to say that today I am feeling like the luckiest little German on the planet and I think I found paradise 😊.

    I had an incredible day exploring the Bay of Islands with the crew from Tucker Thompson and their iconic tall ship (http://tucker.co.nz/). We had perfect weather and cruising the islands was absolutely stunning. After a few hours of sailing we stopped at Motuarohia Island for lunch (http://www.bay-of-islands.co.nz/places-to-see/r…). Dinghies brought us to shore and we had free time to go up to the lookout, swim or just relax on the beach. On the boat, the crew encouraged everyone to get stuck in, helping with raising the sails, climbing the rigging or just take in the beauty of the nature surrounding you.

    I met some really nice people on the boat and spent the rest of the day in Russell waiting for the sun to set (a tip from my hostel manager). Needless to say that it was absolutely stunning. 😊
    Les mer

  • Paihia to Warkworth (Tane Mahuta)

    4. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    I was lucky enough to arrive when nearly nobody else was here and had the chance to sit with this magnificent Kauri tree for a while and enjoy its presence. It was quite humbling and I left feeling emotional. There are not many of these gigantic trees left in the world.

    According to the Maori creation myth, Tāne is the son of Ranginui the sky father andPapatuanuku the earth mother. Tāne separates his parents from their marital embrace until his father the sky is high above mother earth. Tāne then sets about clothing his mother with vegetation. The birds and the trees of the forest are regarded as Tāne’s children.

    Tane stands over 4 metres in diameter and has a girth of 13.77 metres, a trunk height of 17.69 metres, a total heigh of 51.5 metres with an estimated volume of 244.5 cubic metres.
    Les mer

  • Cathedral Cove

    5. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 35 °C

    You can reach Cathedral Cove by kayak, by foot or by water taxi. I walked there and took the taxi back. The walk is about 1 hour long and you need good footwear. Having said that I saw a lot of people in flip flops on the way. Not quite sure how they managed. Cathedral Cove is very beautiful. I took a dip to cool down after the walk. The surf is quite strong which lead to one or the other funny moment. 🌊😃Les mer

  • Hot Water Beach

    6. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Early morning walk on Hot Water Beach. Nearly deserted apart from dog walkers, surfers and people with shovels who are keen to dig their own personal hot water hole.

    It is amazing, you walk down the beach and suddenly come to an area where steam rises and bubbles are coming up from below the sand. It is like a natural spa bath 😊.Les mer

  • Rotorua

    7. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    I'm in Rotorua for the next 2 nights in a lively hostel called Funky Green Voyager (http://funkygreenvoyager.co.nz/). The drive from Mount Maunganui only took an hour so I had enough time to explore the area. Rotorua itself is quite touristy and has a certain 'rotten egg' smell. 😨

    Normally I wouldn't choose to stay here but it's a good base to drive to Waitomo to see the glowworm caves, Lake Taupo or Matamata (Hobbiton). If I could do it again I would probably stay in Taupo.
    Les mer

  • Whakarawerawera

    7. mars 2016, New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Whakarewarewa (reduced version of Te Whakarewarewatanga O Te Ope Taua A Wahiao, meaning The gathering place for the war parties of Wahiao, often abbreviated to Whaka by locals) is a geothermal area within Rotorua city in the Taupo Volcanic Zone of New Zealand. This was the site of the Māori fortress of Te Puia, first occupied around 1325, and known as an impenetrable stronghold never taken in battle. Māori have lived here ever since, taking full advantage of the geothermal activity in the valley for heating and cooking.

    Whakarewarewa has some 500 pools, most of which are alkaline chloride hot springs, and at least 65 geyser vents, each with their own name. Seven geysers are currently active. Pohutu Geyser, meaning big splash or explosion, erupts approximately hourly to heights of up to 30 m.

    I saw a cultural performance by the Maori including a traditional Haka which was great. What an amazing energy they have and what beautiful customs.

    I had a walk around and was lucky enough to see the Geysir erupt. The smells in the valley are quite something though. 😜
    Les mer