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New Zealand. 2 little words, 1 huge concept combined with stunning middle earth scenery,extreme adventures, 4 million sheep and the friendliest of KIA oras and you have one of the most fab countries on earth. My journey to nz began last October in the city of sails Auckland. With the skytower standing tall in the city as a main centre point for the city's skyline looking towards the harbour, it was clear this city had something to offer. In the viaduct 1 in 4 people have boats in moorings here while the food and beverage scene heats up with culinary delights and cocktails that rival any bar in manhattan!
Also in the harbour is the bridge now this being nz if you can walk across it, drive across it , you can pretty much jump off it. Yes people I'm talking about bungee. However, I believe in keeping my feet firmly on the ground and not really secure with having just a rope strapped round my ankles to jump 43m into the dominant azure water below.
After a few days in the city of sails, it was time to head northland to Paihia known as the gateway to the bay of islands. Travelling on the stray bus another of nz's finest backpackers bus network, ( I previously did magic twice) because part of ourbus pass included a free dolphin cruise including a visit to the hole in the rock. Sailing in the fine spring air and seabreeze, taking in the stunning scenic backdrops, bottle nose dolphins and golden beaches, we rocked, swayed and rolled our wayba to paihia and dry land. A relief to some as the rocking and rolling in the swells made people seasick.
Another highly anticipated point of interest was a trip to cape reinga. Cape reinga is renowned for being the most far northern tip on the north island and for Maori natives who believe that when family members pass away their souls leave from here and head to the original homeland. For me, it was to see where the Tasman sea and pacific ocean meet with beautiful cliff top views with a lighthouse making it an area of natural beauty. However, arriving at cape reinga with pure excitement, it quickly dissapated into the grey wet miserable couldn't see a damn thing air. The only sign visible was one that said toilets this way. The only thing to do was to return to paihia and buy a postcard of what it should have looked like on a gorgeous spring day.After a brief stop back in Auckland, Wellington was my next port of call. New Zealands capital city. Taking in te papa museum that's free and one of the best in the country with exhibits from geological, biological and a marae with Maori artefacts this place is well worth a visit on a typical windy welly day.
A hike up to mt victoria lookout is also on the to do list to get amazing city views and on the way up is where lord of the rings' fans will relish the forest scene in the fellowship of the ring movie was filmed here. Wellington's own prodigal son, Sir Peter Jackson still resides here with his film studio and weta cave in Miramar. Wellington plays a huge part in these epic movies so it was only fitting that while I was here to join him and other protesters on his quest to get the 'the hobbit' made in NZ. The protest, peaceful as it was was a success and cameras began rolling 5 months later. With sets built all over, fans and movie goers will once again see new Zealand as middle earth with it's stunning backdrop scenery beautiful rivers and lakes that mother nature created with perfection.
Working in a kiwi fruit orchard in kerikeri near paihia for 8 weeks I missed the bright city lights of Auckland and in particular a group of friends kiwis and other backpackers I became close to. The day I left kerikeri will forever be known in nz history as it's darkest day. February 22 2011. The time was 12.51pm. My bus was later that afternoon back to Auckland see some friends before heading on to taupo then Wellington once again to meet another close friend.
Christchurch had just been hit with a 6.3 earthquake that was 5 km in depth enough to destroy the cbd, peoples lives and housing in the Canterbury region. Watching the events unfold live coverage boomed from the tv was purely devastating to watch as the city crumbled to rubble. It created an intense atmosphere has we hoped and prayed family and friends were safe and alive. In the chaos, mobile phone networks jammed that facebook became a lifeline to find out if they were okay. This transcended round the world as family and friends also took to facebook to see if we were any where near the disaster zone.
Lake Taupo is stunning it's stillness was calming and miles away from the chaos on Christchurch although keeping up with developments on the tv on the latest. Staying at blackcurrant backpackers was amazing and one of the nicest hostels. Most backpackers stop on taupo to do the tongariro alpine crossing dubbed one of the best things to do on nz by lonely planet. I didn't have the time and inclination I would still be up there now lol and besides I had to return to the capital city to catch up with a close friend spending another week there. From Wellington, it was the interislander ferry to take me to picton the start of the south island. At the ferry terminal, a Maori woman approached me with a friendly conversation and within 5 minutes of our chat she cordially invited me to stay at her house in gisborne. I couldn't believe the generosity offered and it's just nz is full of friendly people ready willing and able to help people out.
Onto nelson and only one place to go the Abel Tasman national park. Idyllic stunning and peaceful was top of my agenda. 51 km of the most scenic walk track. A water taxi ferried us to tonga island, after split apple rock to see the seal colony before returning to Bark bay for the 3 hour trek back to Anchorage bay.
The walk was fairly easy but some of the incline slopes were pushing to the limit that 5 minute intervals to get back some breath was neccessary. The native bushland, golden beaches and the dominant striking azure sea stopping to get glimpses through photographs made the walk and all the calories being burned totally worth it as it became a slice of heaven with rainbows hovering over the mountainous bush.
Kayaking was also a popular choice of activity and landing on the finest beaches to chill before we returned to base at kaiteriteri and our journey ended back in nelson. Having previously visited the beauty of the south island on previous visits, I was lucky enough to see the character of Christchurch. Rise up Christchurch we support you :-).In September 2011, the world will watching nz when it hosts the rugby world cup. Every new zealander and this English supporter will be hoping and praying that the All Blacks lead by Richie mccaw will finally win on home soil. With the earthquake destroying the ami stadium all the games will be played at Eden park in auckland so I guess I will see you there
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