Adieu New Zealand Luggage ready for my next flight, I had a few hours left in Auckland. I spent them in style at the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Our guide…

A Wet Shopping Day Today was the last full day I had in Auckland, which meant that this was the last opportunity to do some gift and keepsake shopping. I…

Because parking in the city turned out to be a bit complicated, I decided to return the rental car to the airport location two days early. I was glad I…

Discovering the Sky City on Foot After I had breakfast in a funky café, I was ready to discover Auckland. Unfortunately, clouds and rain kept coming as quickly as they…

Whakatane to Auckland It was hard to believe but I was going to come full circle on my New Zealand journey. Today’s final destination was Auckland, today’s drive the last…

Gisborne to Whakatane The day didn’t start as warm as the previous days. But, optimist that I am, I donned my bathing suit and summer clothes, for I was heading…

Havelock North to Gisborne I did my morning workout by hiking up to 399m-high Te Mata Peak, which – as it turned out – was a very popular activity for…

Back to the North Island – to Hawke's Bay Today, the Interislander ferry sailed me back to the North Island. From Wellington I followed a north-easterly trajectory towards Hawke's Bay,…

Karaka Point Luckily, the mild weather continued. Thus, on my morning walk at Karaka Point the sandy beach was so inviting that I just HAD to get my feet wet,…

Queen Charlotte Sound Mail Boat Cruise It was perfect weather for a cruise. Thus, for four hours, I accompanied the mailman on his mail run to places in the sound…