Steffen discovers the World: Next one!

I arrived in my next country, New Zealand! It was raining when I arrived and I had an delay from 45 minutes. Only one real day in Auckland until I leave for my journey due New Zealand. First I had to set up my self with sim card, supplies and information. Sim card was the most difficult one, it took me 2.5 hours until I had a working sim card in my phone...
Let's start the sightseeing tour due Auckland ;) It is actually not so munch to do, I still walked 25km.

Ferry Building

Harbour

Other side of the harbour

Harbour bridge

Harbour again ;)

Sky Tower

View from Mount Eden

Far far away from home

Auckland Domain

Albert Park

War Memorial again ;)

Auckland

Auckland centre is not really a place you have to go. The island should be nice and some places close by, maybe I have time and interest before I'm leaving.

I booked a hop-on hop-off bus ticket from stray to discover both islands.

I gonna see a lot. The speciality is that they guarantee your a bed and you can book some further activities. Because the itinerary is quite similar you going to stay with some people for a few days along the trip or meet some later again, you never know ;)
In the morning I got up for my pick up, surprise my roommates for this night hoped on the same bus than I did.

First drive was to Raglan we did some smaller walks and went to the beach!

Black sand beach

We slept at Karioi Lodge which is a really nice hostel to stay, your are sleeping on the mountain.

Next they we four booked a cave climb at Waitomo Caves. I was a little bit unsure what I should expect. We only know we abseiling three times and have to climb up again, because we had some good recommendation we booked it anyway. I wasn't aloud to bring my own camera with me... In the end it was the right call from then ;) It was an unbelievable experience! We felt like we discover the Caves like scientists. We had to abseiling in waterfalls, through tiny crevice and into the dark. The way was also kind of complicated we crawled through small holes, in a river and nearly stuck sometimes. The last part was the most exhausted one, to get up again. We climbed rocks and some latter's until we got to the ground after 3 hours.

We drove to Mourea to have an cultural experience. On the way we stopped a few times to see some little things.

We got introduced to the family. In the Meeting House you are not allowed to wear shoes and can't bring any food or drink inside.The Greeting was kind of special, hand shakes and two times touching with the nose. Next point on the agenda was dinner.In the evening we got a show from them. Was really cool, they also shown us the famous Haka!

Afterwards it was our time to perform ;D

The day ends with story's and sleeping together in the Meeting House.

For breakfast we got French Toast. Next stop was for me Hobbiton :D It is a part of the Movieset from Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit, definitely a place to go if you like the movies!

I'm a Hobbit :P

Bag End

Now as normal ;)

Samwise Gamgee

Green Dragon (Pub)

Because we always keep moving we drove to Lake Aniwhneua. On the way a member from the local tribe joined our bus, we got a tour due their land.

Lake Aniwhneua

At we arrived at our accommodation they already prepared everything for our dinner. They used there old traditional way by heating up special stones from the lake.

Not the traditional way to hear them up ;)

Everything in a metal basket

Covered with wet blankets and towels

In the end with sand

We could make bracelets and baking there traditional bread. I would do the bracelet again, it is to big and not comfortable to wear.

Taupo was our stop on the way to Blue Duck Station.

At Blue Duck Station we stayed for to nights, it was awesome after always moving ;) What do Backpacker if they can sleep a little bit longer? Yes, of course party :P

Next morning we had a choice between different activities, horse trekking, kayaking, hunting and clay shooting, which I did. It is a nice feeling to fire the first time a shotgun ;)

After this experience Mara, Malin, Mark and I went to the Blue Duck Falls. Wow incredible!!! Looks kind of the Paradise. Only the way wasn't so easy.

Got a lift :D

Next morning was an early one, wake up at 5... But it was definitely worth it! We drive to the Tangariro National Park for the Tangariro Alpine Crossing. It is an unbelievable way to hike! It is the crossing from Frodo at Lord of the Rings to Mount Doom (german: Schicksalsberg), where he destroyed the ring! The distance is 21km in max. 8 hours.

Our way

11 of use extend the trip, we included Mount Doom, too! There was no path, only rocks and loose concrete. The majority needed close to 3 hours with a big break on the top. Finally we walked approximately 30km in 7:30 hours. Lean back and enjoy the hike!!!