New Zealand, the big adventure

February - March 2016

A 32-day adventure by Yvonne Read more

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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 1, 2016, 11:02am
- ☁️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 43 m
- New Zealand Auckland Ponsonby Point Chevalier -36.85215, 174.7431736°51’8” S 174°44’35” E
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Day 2
My Auckland Home (Ponsonby)
March 1, 2016 in 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…Read more
Elaine Webb :)
3/1/16Reply
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 1, 2016, 6:59pm
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- New Zealand Auckland Mission Bay -36.84825, 174.8317736°50’54” S 174°49’54” E
Day 2
Mission Bay, Auckland
March 1, 2016 in 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. 🌊Read more
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 1, 2016, 7:04pm
- ⛅ 20 °C
- Altitude: 79 m
- New Zealand Auckland One Tree Hill -36.90524, 174.7892836°54’19” S 174°47’21” E
Day 2
One Tree Hill, Auckland
March 1, 2016 in 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). 😊Read more
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 2, 2016, 8:51am
- ☁️ 17 °C
- Altitude: 42 m
- New Zealand Auckland Ponsonby Point Chevalier -36.85146, 174.7425636°51’5” S 174°44’33” E
Day 3
Going North (Auckland to Paihia)
March 2, 2016 in 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. 🚗Read more
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 2, 2016, 6:46pm
- ⛅ 21 °C
- Altitude: 36 m
- New Zealand Auckland Orewa -36.56931, 174.6915736°34’10” S 174°41’30” E
Day 3
On my way North (Hatfields Beach)
March 2, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Windswept and wild beach. Only came past because I avoided the toll road. Looked through the trees and there it was. It's amazing that these beaches are just dotted around the coastline. One more stunning than the last.Read more
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 2, 2016, 6:53pm
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 2 m
- New Zealand Auckland Waiwera Waiwera Hot Pools -36.54337, 174.7039136°32’36” S 174°42’14” E
Day 3
On my way North (Waiwera Beach)
March 2, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
This one is a little gem! A little beach with lots of atmosphere. Completely deserted apart from a lovely local lady and her dog Harley who told me all about the area and the beach itself. 🐕😊🌊
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 2, 2016, 7:14pm
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- New Zealand Northland Whangarei Waipu Pohuenui Stream -35.96332, 174.4565435°57’48” S 174°27’24” E
Day 3
On my way North (Waipu)
March 2, 2016 in 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! 😊🌊Read more
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 2, 2016, 7:24pm
- ☀️ 25 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- New Zealand Northland Whangarei Onerahi Rangitehi -35.77226, 174.4002135°46’20” S 174°24’1” E
Day 3
On my way North (Tamaterau)
March 2, 2016 in New Zealand ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Stopped here for a little break after driving for about 3 hours. 😊
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 2, 2016, 7:40pm
- ☀️ 20 °C
- Altitude: 2 m
- New Zealand Northland Far North District Paihia Motumaire Island -35.28067, 174.0910335°16’50” S 174°5’28” E
Day 3
Paihia, New Zealand
March 2, 2016 in 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! 😆Read more
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Yvonne Reinartz New Zealand, the big adventure
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- Mar 3, 2016, 9:16pm
- 🌙 19 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- New Zealand Motuarohia -35.23301, 174.1652835°13’59” S 174°9’55” E
Day 4
Day trip (Motuarohia Island)
March 3, 2016 in 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. 😊Read more
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