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New Zealand
  • Simon Helbling
  • Simon Helbling

New Zealand

Travel and discovery experiences from your boii Simon. New uploads and updates coming soon, but are not guaranteed due to laziness ;D. Read more
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  • Trip start
    January 16, 2026
    Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Start of the Adventure

    January 14 in Switzerland ☁️ 0 °C

    Arrival at Zurich Airport and meetup with my friend and travellingpartner Vivien.
    I passed check-in shortly after. Due to still pending immigration papers for entry into San Francisco, Vivien had to book another flight via Hong Kong.
    So we had to separate and head off in two completely opposite directions.

    13:15 – Departure ZRH
    Flight to San Francisco, USA ~13h flight in economy, sitting in the middle seat compartment.
    It was totally fine, and since the plane wasn’t fully booked, there was a lot of free space in between passengers.    Read more

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    Arrival SFO

    January 14 in the United States ☀️ 16 °C

    I had to claim my baggage and recheck it after a thorough security check.
    At some point, I started to worry about whether they would let me enter the country or not (just for a transfer!).
    After a long wait at the baggage-claim and a stressful moment with a security employee, I finally managed to get through.

    Stay at SFO
    I waited about 6 hours at the gate. First, I got some food and water supplies, then I spent the time on social media until my next flight to Auckland.
    After an hour, I decided for my own sake, to upgrade to business class. I know… it’s bougie and definitely not within my original budget, but the thought of a slightly more comfortable bed while flying completely took over. My finger muscles made the final decision for me.

    22:46 – Departure SFO
    So, I upgraded to business class - and you know what? It was worth it!
    Well, not the food though. The food was disappointing.
    By the way, I flew on a Boeing 777-200er, and the business class seats were actually very nice.

    After takeoff, I got my ordered dinner: chicken breast with broccoli, couscous with smoked salmon, and a dry spinach salad without any sauce or dressing.
    It sounded great, but sadly it wasn’t.

    Over the next few hours, I got used to the seat adjustments and shortly after fell asleep in a fully horizontal position - totally worth it!    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Arrival AKL

    January 16 in New Zealand ⛅ 20 °C

    I arrived in Auckland after another ~13-hour flight, but this time I felt recharged thanks to some beauty sleep and a pre-landing breakfast (a great variety of different fruits and a hot coffee).

    Once on the ground, I had to collect my baggage for the second time on this journey at the baggage-claim and go through another security check and immigration. But this time, much smoother than in the USA. Roughly 25 minutes after disembarking, I made it through and had officially arrived in Auckland, New Zealand.

    And now, while writing down my experiences, I’m enjoying a hot coffee at the airport, waiting for my colleague to join me.

    Next task - a shower pls..    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    At George's (Auckland)

    Jan 16–18 in New Zealand ☀️ 24 °C

    We had already booked several Airbnbs in advance before heading to New Zealand. We started our trip at George’s place - a quiet, peaceful little apartment near the city, below their own house, and the perfect way to begin our journey. We’re staying for two days and planning a few day trips in the area.

    The apartment has everything you need - a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, dining table, a huge wardrobe, a hot tub, a terrace, and a lovely view over the sea.
    The bathroom even has a built-in heating lamp in the ceiling, so if you’re cold, you can turn it on and curl up under the warm light, just like the lizards in a terrarium.

    Such a nice and peaceful place :)    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Big City Life

    January 17 in New Zealand ☁️ 22 °C

    Yesterday we headed out early to get a glimpse of the city and uncover some of its hidden wonders. At first, we expected it to be crowded and for the traffic to be a nightmare - but not at all. The drive into the city was easy-peasy, and finding a good parking spot didn’t take long either.

    About 1.7 million people live here, with around 300,000 of them in the main central area near the harbor (Auckland City). We spent time at the harbor and visited several parks in the surrounding area.

    Such a well organized infrastructure, witch mirrors itself in the smooth traffic flow, the harmonic play of city and nature, and the peacefulness of places nearby where you can escape the noise of today’s society and get some rest from it all.
    And yes, believe me when I say that I myself wrote this slightly kitschy texts, just to see whether some of you actually read it all the way to the end... and because it’s sometimes funny to wander off into poetic thoughts like that weather it makes sens or not :)    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Goodbye Auckland

    January 18 in New Zealand 🌧 14 °C

    We packed our things, cleaned up, left the Airbnb nice and tidy, got into our car, and hit the gas.
    We took the highway, heading towards our next stop and a three-night stay in Whitianga. It rained until midday, which had a strangely comforting touch as long as the temperature were warm enough.

    The main roads are mostly in good condition, and the speed limits are generally well placed, though sometimes the distances between them feel a bit too long. But if you want to discover nature’s hidden treasures, you have to handle narrow, steep gravel roads from time to time. They’re kinda sketchy, but totally worth the trouble.

    Along the way, we snacked, listened to random music, and had some deeptalks.    Read more

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    At Sue’s (Whitianga)

    Jan 18–21 in New Zealand 🌬 19 °C

    We arrived at our next pre-booked Airbnb - a room in Sue’s house in Whitianga. Before we could get inside, we had to go on a small kind of treasure hunt to find the house key. Behind the garage door, Sue had left an envelope with our names handwritten on it. Inside was the key to the house.

    When we entered, nobody was home. There was only a letter on the floor, telling us in which room we would be staying in. It felt a bit strange to be alone in a house where someone lives who i didn’t even know.

    We explored the house and unpacked in our room. That’s when Sue, the Airbnb host, came through the front door. She greeted us and explained the house rules while showing us around and pointing out all the amenities.
    Later on, she sat down with us and gave us recommendations on what to see and do in the area.

    Once we compared marmite and vegemite. it wasn’t bad, but also not that great - it tasted a bit like maggi in cream form.
    we talked about many different things, and one topic was cheese. sue couldn’t believe that i had never tried blue cheese, especially considering my swiss heritage. so the next day, she bought some and showed us how she likes to eat it.

    well, now i don’t just think that i hate it - now i know that i hate it.

    Sue is her own kind of vibe, and it was a lot of fun being hosted by her. We had many great conversations and shared the same sense of humor. It was a wonderful time - thank you for the great memories, and until next time!    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Driving Creek Railway

    January 19 in New Zealand 🌬 20 °C

    Barry Brickwell (1935–2016) was a New Zealand potter, artist, conservationist, and visionary creator. He is best known as the founder of the driving creek railway, which he began building in the 1970s on his land in Coromandel to transport clay and firewood for his pottery work. Over the years, it grew into a scenic mountain railway and popular visitor attraction.

    Brickell was a pioneer of studio pottery in New Zealand and deeply committed to environmental restoration, planting tens of thousands of native trees and creating a wildlife sanctuary. His life’s work combined art engineering and consercation.    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    We Found Actual Paradise

    January 19 in New Zealand 🌬 21 °C

    We went on a road trip to explore several beaches along the northeast coast of New Zealand: Otama Beach, Opito Bay, Whangapoua, and New Chums Beach.
    Sadly, the weather didn’t fully cooperate, but it was still good enough to capture some beautiful photos of the scenery.

    I highly recommend this area if you ever visit New Zealand. You could easily spend hours at these beaches and still not get enough of them. I even keep joking about buying a house there someday, well who knows if i’m joking..

    Words can’t truly describe the beauty of this place, so you’ll have to rely on the pictures instead. And don’t be mad if some of them are edited and polished a little.    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    We are stuck here!

    January 21 in New Zealand 🌧 20 °C

    We wanted to leave Whitianga and head for Putāruru early in the morning. Right after we left town, we came across a flooded road and saw a car already submerged in the water. We decided to try the opposite direction, but sadly without success - With all the rain and the roads being flooded, it looked like the apocalypse. The sirens didn’t make it any better.

    After a stressful search for any exit, we went back to Sue’s to ask for advice. We then waited until the tide was at its lowest so the water could drain away. We tried again after a couple of hours, only to see more destruction…

    Sue was prepared and had some warm coffee and tea ready. We were able to stay one more night, playing cards and doing puzzles until midnigh. We had to wait until noon the next day before we could continue.

    We are fine; it wasn't that horrible, but being woken up by sirens isn't much fun.    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    At Cindy's (Rotorua)

    January 22 in New Zealand 🌬 21 °C

    We stayed at Cindy's Airbnb for 3 nights. She lives in a little house right in Rotorua with her two kids and her cat, "Cicy". We’re still not quite sure if she let us sleep in her own bedroom - since she slept either on the couch or in one of the kids rooms - and we felt a bit bad about it. But then again, she is the one hosting and offering it on Airbnb, so... yeah.

    The main attraction was, self-explaining, the cat! ...Such a lovely cat, but that face... pure hate is written all over that cute, fluffy face!

    So, here are some photos ;)"    Read more

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    “TEWHAKAREWARAWATANGAOTEOPETAUAAWAHIAO"

    January 23 in New Zealand ⛅ 20 °C

    Nope, this isn't a typo! This is the official name of the Living Māori Village in Rotorua. The people here are a truly authentic, living tribe who open their doors to the public, offering guided tours to showcase their day to day live.

    The village is located directly beside the town of Rotorua - often called "Sulphur City" or "Stinky Town" due to the many thermal craters and geothermal activity in the area.

    The people of Whakarewarewa showed us how they cook their food using natural thermal vents, how they bath in communal mineral pools, and how they honor their traditions surrounding death. They also performed a “Haka”, a powerful and traditional ceremonial dance. Interestingly, the Māori also played a significant role in WWI (as part of the New Zealand Pioneer Battalion).
    It is a deeply fascinating and still very traditional culture.    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Kiwi - Bird or a Fruit?

    January 24 in New Zealand 🌧 13 °C

    Today we visited the Agrodome near Rotorua. It’s a pretty popular spot, so it’s definitely worth booking your tickets a day or two in advance.

    The Agrodome is more than just a farm; it’s dedicated to a few cool goals:

    Preserving Heritage: Showing the history of NZ sheep farming.
    Education: Learning about 19 different sheep breeds and how wool is actually produced.
    Conservation: It’s home to the National Kiwi Hatchery, which is working hard to save New Zealand’s national bird from extinction.

    Meeting the Kiwis
    We took a tour through the hatchery and were lucky enough to see some real Kiwis. The tour felt very authentic and we learned a lot about their biology. They are such unique, funny-looking birds and actually among the oldest species in history.
    They are near extinction because they had no natural predators - until humans introduced possums, ferrets, and stoats. It’s a bit of a classic chain reaction: it all started with people bringing "cute rabbits" to the island, and then bringing in predators to control the rabbits. Not the best move in hindsight!

    Looking Forward
    Thanks to the conservation work here, the population and survival rates are finally getting back on track. The long-term goal for New Zealand is to become predator-free by 2050.

    We had a wonderful day with some history and nature. Unfortunately, photography of the kiwis was prohibited because the light can be confusing for them.    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Through the Jungle!

    January 25 in New Zealand ☁️ 15 °C

    I went on a hike - can you believe it!? Me, out of my own free will! Yeah guys, I was shocked too.
    We did the Tarawera Trail, which leads through a "rainforest-ish" environment. The track is 15km long (4–5 hours) one way. If you wanna do it yourself sometime, make sure to pack enough food, water, and a good pair of shoes ah and most of all dont forget your smile.. never forget your smile!

    Off to a tricky Start
    We started early and drove to the departure café. We decided to take the water taxi to the end and walk back from there. So, we waited and waited at the café where the taxi was supposed to depart. 20 minutes after the scheduled time, we asked the locals about the delay; they gave us a number to call, so we did... but the number was unavailable. After nearly 40 minutes, we had almost given up hope.

    Luckily, a few minutes later, another tourist approached us with the same problem. He said they had finally reached the taxi driver, who had apparently lost his phone in the water earlier! We drove together with our new friends (who were from Germany btw.) to a different departure pier. After some nerve-wracking discussions and a one-hour delay, we finally made it to the starting point.

    Path Through the Forest
    We began the trek and passed beautiful sites and lookouts - the nature here is just incredible! The paths through the woods were really narrow and sometimes extremely steep, but not unmanageable. A few hours in, we reached a thermal pool that we just had to try. A quick dip is okay, but don’t inhale the water! That can lead to serious health issues... so just don't!

    The walk was lovely, and we kept bumping into our German friends along the way.

    Look at the pictures and take in the positive energy from nature itself - I highly recommend this hike! ;)    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Tongariro Alpine Crossing

    January 28 in New Zealand ☁️ 10 °C

    “Whaaaattt, another hike - again?! Simon, what’s wrong with you, you crazy lad!?”
    Yep, I did it again, and you should too if you’re in New Zealand - what a wonderful hike! The track is 20.2 km long (taking about 7 - 8 hours) and is only possible in good weather conditions. Here is your reminder to take enough food, water, and good vibes with you!

    Shuttle services are available from the Ketetahi Carpark (finish) to the starting point at Mangatepōpō - the shuttle must be booked in advance. We took off and passed the Devil’s Staircase, the Emerald Lakes, and some beautiful sites with scenic panoramas.

    The walk was manageable but still draining on the stamina. They do exaggerate the difficulty of the trek, but I understand why - a lot of people underestimate it, which becomes a major problem if they end up needing rescue.

    Enough talking, here are the pictures!    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    42km in 3h

    January 30 in New Zealand ⛅ 18 °C

    Ruth, our new Airbnb host, lent us her two bicycles for the day, so we decided to make good use of them. We took off after breakfast and followed the trail Ruth recommended - we are currently in Mangaweka, which is a little south of the center.

    The sunshine was amazing, but it got really hot once we started moving. The trek had some very steep sections and we were riding on gravel roads most of the time, which was a bit of a challenge! The views were worth it though; we saw so many beautiful landscapes and, of course, a lot of sheep everywhere we looked.    Read more

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    Seems like a forgotten cave

    January 30 in New Zealand ☁️ 19 °C

    A long trip to a forgotten cave - no one else were there at the time we visited, probably because it’s hidden beside a gravel road out in nowhere. There’s a good chance of seeing glowworms inside, though sadly not at the time we visited.
    Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful spot to explore for yourself. If you plan to visit, make sure to pack rubber boots and long pants; the cave is only accessible through the riverbed, so be prepared to get wet!

    Here are some pictures! ;)    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Waitomo Region: The Caves

    February 3 in New Zealand ☁️ 22 °C

    Because we didn’t see any glowworms in the previous cave, we decided to buy tickets for the commercial ones in Waitomo. The tickets cost us 80 CHF per person for a combo deal involving two tours.

    The Boat Tour: We went through a water cave where sadly photography was strictly prohibited.

    The Walking Tour: A 1.5-hour guided trek through an extensive tunnel system.

    Throughout the entire trip, they taught us about the cave itself - its research history, its commercialization, and how it was originally formed.

    A brief overview of the glowworm lifecycle:
    They live on the cave ceiling as larvae for up to nine months. After that, they transform into flies that live for only about three days to reproduce. During the larval stage, they hunt for food by hanging sticky "fishing lines" from the ceiling and waiting for a moth or fly to get caught in them. Their glow actually comes from their tail and is technically speaking, shiny poo.

    Fun Fact Time:
    In the Netherlands, they call glowworms “glimwormen”. So, there you go - you might have learned something new today! Whether that’s actually useful information or not doesn’t really matter, you’re welcome anyway. ;)

    Since photography was tricky, the pictures of the "glimwormen" aren’t that great and are a bit fuzzy, but try to enjoy them anyway!    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Unbound - The tale of one

    February 12 in New Zealand ☁️ 21 °C

    The past month was such a blast! We saw so much in the short time we had. Truth be told, without my friend, it would have been a chaotic month with much less planning. That’s not always a bad thing, but if you want to see everything and make the most of your stay, it’s definitely better to plan in advance - so a big thanks to my friend for planning all kinds of cool stuff! ;)

    We said our goodbyes yesterday at noon, and since then, it’s just been me and the solitude. I’ll be fine, though; I’ve still got nature and these beautiful sceneries to keep me from loosing my mind.. :D.

    I’m going to miss the company, but I’m also looking forward to another month in heaven. I’m currently traveling through NZ in a campervan and heading to the Land of Oz on the 28th. After that, I’ll continue traveling in a rental van from Melbourne to Brisbane - hopefully without any creepy creature encounters! :)

    If you’re a spontaneous person with a lot of free time, feel free to join me in Australia! I’ve still got space in the van and don’t want to get lost in solitude :D.

    Please enjoy my leftover camera roll dump! ;)    Read more

  • Simon HelblingNew ZealandSimon Helbling

    Safe and relaxed

    Feb 17–25 in New Zealand ⛅ 24 °C

    So, I’ve received quite a lot of messages asking if I’m still among the living. Yes, I am!
    I’m just enjoying day to day life and the calming peace within ;)

    Trip end
    February 28, 2026